Part 7 of A Radical, Modest Proposal for Younger Church Leaders
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24 ESV).
“It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade” (Mark 4:31–32 ESV).
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 ESV).
I’m not much of a gardener yet, but I do know that a bunch of seeds kept in a packet are not going to grow into a vegetable plant. A pile of seeds on the ground is most likely to remain just that—a pile of seeds on the ground. To bear fruit, seed has to be scattered and hidden, buried in rich, fertile soil. There is little glory for a seed; its work is mostly hidden.
The way for God to “increase” is never to seek a larger platform for ourselves. It is to allow ourselves to be planted in rich, fertile soil. Ironically, the places that are generally targeted for new churches often lack the rich fertility that can be found in more obscure, less “desirable” places. Some of the richest, most fertile soil can be found in places like the following:
Among the Broken. Even the wealthiest, most outwardly successful communities are full of human brokenness if you have the eyes to see it. Don’t ignore the wealthy, successful people; they need the gospel too. But seek out the broken, because they are the closest to redemption.
Among the Poor and Oppressed. Where are there people who are economically depressed? Where are those who are being treated unjustly? God has a heart for the poor and oppressed. Let yourself be planted among them, and offer them the hope of true redemption.
Among Minority Populations. Our communities are rapidly becoming more diverse, reflecting a variety of ethnicities and cultures. Immigrant populations offer a tremendous opportunity for sowing the seeds of the gospel.
In Rural Communities. Our rural communities, once a model of self-sufficiency, have been quietly devastated by the conversion from a local economy to national and global economies. Rural communities, long overlooked or forgotten, must become a priority again.
Let me be very clear what I’m suggesting. It’s not that we should have programs to reach out to these populations. It’s not that they should become our projects. It’s that we need people to plant themselves in these forgotten, obscure places, to become a part of the communities, and to quietly extend the welcome and redemption of Jesus Christ.
Continue the series – Natural Church
Originally posted Tuesday, 3 Apr 2012