will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24.But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25.the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, 
came upon every soul, and 
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I am Church Planting. What did you do that worked?
This is a question sent in by Drew on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:
PaaronD - I’m in the process of planting a church. What would say are the three things have done that worked best, helped you reach the most people or whatnot, and the three things your have done, that if you could have a “do-over”, you would do differently. Grace and Peace! -Erik
My Answer:
Erik,
First of all I am proud of you and glad to hear that you are planting a church. I pray for grace, strength, and persaverance from Jesus as you press towards that calling in Jesus. This question is interesting because I am still trying to figure out what I am doing, sometimes I get the feeling I am all right and other times I feel like I am all wrong. I love what God is doing but I am sure the biggest barrier is me.
“DO-OVERS”
(1) My damnable pride - I think when I started at 24 I had a lot more pride. I thought I had everything figured out and did not set myself in a place where I was surrounded by coaches. I think having good godly coaches would have been a great idea. I had some people who I could go to but I think I have way more now that I actually use. I think 7 years in I know less and need more help! I wish I would have started that way.
(2) My idol of the approval of man - I do not think I had enough security in Jesus and the gospel. I wanted everyone to be happy and I wanted everyones approval, to the point that I had unqualified leadership who were not tested, anyone who said they could sing was given a mic (so I had more people on stage then in the seats), and we ended up having no community or commitment.
(3) Teamwork - because I rushed into it I created a one man show instead of a team. A core team is really important. Start by building a core team.
“WORKED” - I am not sure if any of this worked but I like it.
(1) Clear Simple Vision - long story but just getting a clear simple vision of what we were about helped us to focus and decide who we were, what we were doing, and what we would not do.
(2) Empowering team - we drastically switched and we have a real plurality of eldership and great gifted team members who care about the gospel and the church as much as I do. I am sure that is something God did but it worked. Building community is so important.
(3) Endurance - I think just sticking with it has worked. By God’s grace I just got to out last some of the hardships and problems. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
I am not sure any of that will help but bless you brother. We just joined the A29 network if you are not involved in a network it may be a good idea to get assessed and have some coaching. Bless you.
Posted in Uncategorized.
– June 25, 2009
Is the Church gathering ONLY, EXCLUSIVELY for believers?
This is a question sent in by Drew on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:
In my adventures here in Las Vegas, recently I’ve ran into a guy at a well doctrined church who is well educated and desires to preach The Gospel purely for what it is. Yet he believes entirely that the church is ONLY, EXCLUSIVELY for believers. it is NOT a place for conversion. That unbelievers are not welcome. The Church is a barracks for training Christians and we are to evangelize and people are to come to the Lord solely by reading the Bible, evangelism, and God doing a work in thier heart. I COULD NOT disagree more. However, my problem is I don’t have any scripture to back my point. I really want to talk to the guy, open the scriptures and show him how that’s not right. But is that in the “open hand”? so to speak? Or is that a “close handed” issue that is not open for churches to do differently? Personally as I said I couldn’t disagree more, how are people supposed to come to know God, hear his Word, see how real he is and know him in a powerful way without being around his people and start doing life with them?
My Answer:
Drew, I do think methodology is an open handed position so in a discussion with this guy I would not be super strong handed but very unifying. Let me give you some scripture to think through and use in your discussion.
1 Cor. 14:23 - 25 - 23.If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24.But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25.the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
Paul is giving instruction to the church of Corinth as they gather so that unbelievers will not be confused. It is very important that in our gatherings to function in the gifts but they are in order so that outsiders understand and are not tripping out. I think if you do not have unbelievers and you close it off to outsiders then you quickly start loosing perspective on what you are doing.
He also says that if prophesy is spoken then the heart will be revealed and they will repent and worship God. Sounds like outsiders were in the gathering and experienced God by the way they worshiped and functioned together. I think outsiders should be allowed to see what happens as we gather and maybe be drawn to worship God.
Acts 2:42-47 - 42. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Many people in the early church were being saved everyday because they were seeing them gather in the temple and in homes. They were seeing their love for one another and the community being established and because of it they believed in God. I also think it is reflectent of what Jesus said in John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” When people get to see how we relate to one another and worship God they will know who we belong to. To close people out of the gathering does not make sense to me but I would also love to hear different perspectives, please make some comments.
Posted in Ask Aaron Anything.
– June 18, 2009
How does one deal with an unbelieving husband who may feel like he’s being “replaced” by Jesus?
This is a question sent in by Leslie on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:
So, I asked this question to Heather during group last night, and she had very wise words for me. I thought I’d post the question here as well, just to be able to have your take on the issue, and also to share it with my church family:
How does one deal with an unbelieving husband who may feel like he’s being “replaced” by Jesus?
(It’s not that I love Pat less now than I did before, in fact, I’d wager to say I love him even more. However, it is true that although I want to be a good and loving wife to him, my first priority is the relationship with my Lord - and Pat KNOWS that is now my priority.)
My Answer:
What you are sensing is that Pat is not your idol anymore. You did more then just love him before, you worshipped him as your savior. He wanted to be your everything but he could not be that for you. So now you love him more but you do not worship him. So that is new for him, he is used to a woman that more then loved and respected him but worshipped him. He is not getting that anymore. So as a wife of an unbelieving husband you want to learn how to give him biblical respect and love. It is better but it is different. Let him see Christ in your life by the way you serve him and love him. Find the things that he really wants and if they are not sin against God work to give those things to him. Let him see the difference between false worship and the biblical respect and love that a Godly wife can give. I am proud of you and so thankful for the example you are to this Church. Bless you all!
Posted in Ask Aaron Anything.
– June 11, 2009
One Prayer 2009
Sharing. Serving. Giving. One Prayer: Churches around the world unite in action as we share resources, serve our communities, and give to a meaningful cause. We are excited about one prayer 2009.
I just wanted to invite my readers to check out oneprayer.com and look around the site. There are prayer focuses and scripture for every day. There is recources and Ideas for serving. There is so much info and you can read what others are saying about one prayer on twitter, facebook, and e-mail. We are blessed to unite with thousands of churches and to be apart of this month of prayer and service. Check it out and let me know what God is doing in you this month through one prayer.
Posted in Announcements, what-cha-think?.
– June 9, 2009
What do I say to a independent young woman that does not want to get married in fear that she won’t have that control?
This is a question sent in by anonymous on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:
I attended the service today at LifeConnection Church. Women are supposed to submit to men, giving love in order to receive love. I have a friend, Christian and strong with the Word of God, who has personal difficulties handling this command. She is a very independent young woman and she says that she does not want to get married in fear that she won’t have that control. She says “What if there is a girl who wants respect? Who doesn’t want to be a ’step-below’ men, just because of her gender.” I do not know how to reply to this in fear of giving her the wrong message. Do you have any clue what I should say to her? I had her read Ephesians 5, however, that was no help. Thanks.
My Answer:
(The Link to the message preached that spurred this question)
Brother I think this is an issue of the heart that the Holy Spirit will have to work on. Submission does not come naturally it is a spirit lead, Christ reflected trait. My thing with a man trying to convince a woman to submit is that it may not be the best move. Just a correction to your question, it is not all women submit to all men it is wives submit to your own husband. She needs to get that worked out in her heart before she gets married. If she loves God and His word then she will submit to Him and His word. My practical advice, as I told another brother with a similar question, is to, as a man, not try and have this talk with her let her connect to an older woman of God who can help her.
Titus 2:3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
I know you want her to obey the word but I think this is a lesson that you can not teach her. It is going to have to come from the Holy Spirit inspiring the word and empowering her spirit, worked out in discipleship from another woman of God.
Posted in Ask Aaron Anything.
– May 28, 2009