Learning To Be

The idea and reality of church planting is constantly evolving. I highly doubt that anyone in the first century were having the types of discussions being had across modern day Christianity. What I do believe is that modern day thinkers could learn a lot from the first century followers of Jesus. Whether we label it renewal or refreshment, it's nigh time we begin learning.

Church planting happens when outsiders bring inclusive news that does a person and place good to the point where those people and places are positively impacted, and they begin to meet on some regular basis. But just how does that outsider get in?

I have a good friend from Oklahoma who decided to uproot his life right after college to become a bible translator in a country that I'm not allowed to name. But first, he along with others were sent to enroll into a special school. This school taught many languages and ethics that would enable them to become acceptable outsiders. Having stay connected to him dating back to 2008, I have gleaned all of the intricate and creative ways he's gone about learning to be an acceptable outsider.

Now I find myself learning to be one. My posture has had to be one of learning: the culture I'm moving into, speaking into, seeking entrance into, being granted access into, and willing to change into. The context that we've moved into already has its own cultural language and set of ethics; I'm enrolling into their special school to learn them.

As Jubilee looks to meet regularly, we do so with the intention of learning to be. This takes time, as does the ability to generously plant and water the good news into people all over this place. Then wait for the sovereign Lord to give growth. Hopefully we will become acceptable outsiders to many people, even those who never step foot into a Jubilee gathering. The beauty of the gospel is that it's meant to be shared everywhere, not just within a huddle of lights.

This is our heartbeat. We welcome; shape; and send out people who have met Jesus afresh with other followers to become acceptable outsiders with people and places who have yet to meet Jesus and commune with his people. We invite you to join us wherever you are located to become practitioners in learning to be.