[Minor editing to this article has occurred since it originally was posted.]
What we’re doing in LA is an experiment. Some churches don’t like to support experiments. They want to invest in missionary approaches that are “proven” to work.
But really, what makes a ministry method proven?
So a guy named Rick Warren started a mega-church (photo above) that is now influencing the world, and he wrote a book about how it all happened. Some have argued Warren’s approach to church planting is ‘proven.’ Yet thousands of pastors have tried to imitate his model, only to be disappointed that their churches didn’t grow to be just as big or just as outward-focused. What happened?
Or let’s take one of my own sacred cows: The story of David and Jan Watson, whose missionary approach my community of faith is attempting to adapt for a North American context. God’s Spirit used the Watson family and others to make disciples and train leaders in such a way that 40,000 churches were started in the last 15 years and more than 2 million people have been baptized in difficult-to-reach cities and countries around the world. One might argue the Watsons’ missionary methods are “proven.” Yet I would not be surprised if there are missionaries who have taken the same approach and their works were not nearly as explosive. In fact, reports from those who are implementing Watson’s approach in the U.S. indicate it may take longer to see church planting movements realized in the U.S. than in the places Watson’s people have served. What’s going on?
Sure, some missionary methods are better than others. I’m not arguing with that. But I do argue that any given missionary method, no matter how many times it has seen big results in the past, is still an experiment. I don’t count any method as proven. The thing that is proven is God’s faithfulness.
God has proven himself throughout the generations to be the kind of God who wants all people to be saved (see 1 Timothy 2:3-5). He has proven that he cares about what’s happening to each of us in the here and now as well as after we die. He has proven that he is more than willing and fully capable of working with us imperfect humans to carry his message, deliver his people, and accomplish his purposes in this world. He does this repeatedly, despite our flawed ingenuity, mixed motives, and sinful nature.
It’s hard for me to say this because I can get so attached to the ways we’re approaching our mission, but methods are not proven. God’s character and power are.
Are you a missionary or “church planter”, or wanting to be one? Let’s use our God-given brains, of course, when strategizing. Let’s be thinking missionaries. But let’s also realize our missionary methods are always experimental and they come with risk.
Don’t be afraid of joining God in an experiment.
Are you responsible for a ministry in your church or a project at work? As you thoughtfully and prayerfully sit down at the drawing board and form your strategy, remember this: God may call you to do something that is ‘unproven’. That’s okay.
God is not looking for provenness from you. He is looking for faithfulness.
Are you serving on a board or missions committee that oversees a missionary work? Go ahead and ask the question, “Where else has this approach been tried, and what were the results?” but don’t forget to also ask your missionary, “Is this the approach the Lord is directing you to take, and why do you feel certain about this?”
We can discuss methods. But at the end of the day, let’s invest in the God behind the experiment.
