A Planter's Missionary Drive

Within ten years after the death and resurrection of the Messiah, there were churches in Alexandria and Antioch. The early church demonstrated a missionary identity through their zeal to make Jesus known. This should not overshadow what we normally hear about church apologists, but it is important to note that the early church did not jump from the work of apostles to academic work of apologetics.

Believers in that day exhibited something I so wish believers today would uncover. Although there aren't enough records to show church minutes in those days, what we do know is that there were churches popping up all over. Believers were talking Jesus and walking it out. Another way to say that is they were working out their salvation by inviting others into this hard to see kingdom that was growing.

It seems to be the case that amnesia has landed on modern churches. Jesus thought it crucial enough to tell his followers to spread the same gospel message he told. Even to the ends of the world. And it shows that they heard him, told others, and obeyed. Their obedience to be missionaries included evangelism and community engagement. It does not always work in the reverse. Partly because evangelism has been redefined (invite people to church) or simply ignored, and community engagement tends to have little effort to share the gospel message.

All of this has impacted a new crop of church planters in recent years. We are sent people to particular areas to particular people groups. The planter's drive is believing that Jesus really called us and others to make disciples where we've been placed. Not to take a group of people to help begin services in a new area. Planters are in fact missionaries. All followers of Jesus are missionaries. Oh that we'd obey Jesus.

May the Holy Spirit nudge us to treat planters as such from now on.