Exponential - Day 3 "Find the Wolves"

Coffee on a sunny Florida morning.

Find the Wolves

Today was the final day of the Exponential conference. I have really enjoyed my break from the Northland but I am ready to get back. Jenny and Steve have been wonderful hosts. Love ya sis! Here are a few takeaway thoughts from today.

The morning workshop started off with Neil Cole rocking the missional concept of community from Matthew 10 and Luke 10.  He dove right into the question that most church planting pastors have. 

How do I reach and connect with my community? 

This question has been asked to me and I have prayerfully asked the question by myself.  A church planting pastor's heart is to reach as many people in the community with the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ as possible.  This is the heart cry of church leaders and believers alike.

But the problem is, we are not connecting with our communities and we are not impacting the hurting with the healing message of the Gospel.  Why?  Because we don't know where the hurting are and don't know how to get to them.

"Now go; I'm sending you out like lambs among wolves."  Luke 10:3 (HCSB)  

The sheep are out there and so are the wolves.  The things about the wolves, they know where the sheep are and how to get a hold of them.  If we want to reach the sheep, we have to get to know the wolves in our community.  The wolves are those people that are negative influences and can have a following. 

The problem: This takes us way outside of our comfort zone.  Christianity was never intended to be safe.  The idea that Jesus wants us to be happy and safe is heresy.  Jesus said he will be with us always, but it will not always be safe. 

God give me the courage to enter the dangerous areas of my community.  Please give our churches the desire to find the hurting and the courageous heart to love them like Christ.  God let me find the wolves in order that some of the sheep may be saved.

Went to Exponential and now have to dress like a church planting pastor.