"I am not a Christian anymore..."

I've been building a relationship with two parents during Seth's swimming lessons on Tuesday night. Last night there was significant movement in our conversation. Joan knows I am a pastor. She is an English professor at a local university. We got talking about writing and how that translates into preaching. She has had some "church" experience in the past...but commented that she "is not a Christian anymore because I have a problem with the basics." Of course, right then, and I'm not kidding... the kids were done and the conversation was halted due to wet, shivering kids that needed towels.

In the same conversation, another parent, Joe communicated that he is, in his words, a "non-practicing Catholic." His wife grew up Baptist and sometimes attends weekend services at a local (great) mega-church.

I'm ashamed to admit that in the hustle and bustle and results-driven pressure of church planting that sometimes I forget our motivation for wanting to begin a new church. It was to fulfill Acts 20:24...that our lives are "worth nothing unless (we) use (them) for doing the work assigned to (us) by the Lord Jesus- the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love." God has been prompting me lately to not forget...ever...the reason for our efforts. We are first and foremost to be missionaries. Whether its in our own personal relationships or through the church that we hope to build... the purpose is to reach people for Christ. That's it. That's the only rationale. Whatever we do, whatever efforts we make to recruit teammates or find the dollars to do what we're called to...it must all be pointed towards loving the Joe's and Joan's of the world to a clear view of Jesus and His mission.

Please pray with me for Joe and Joan...pray that hundreds would ultimately won to Christ through ClearView.