To Dare and To Conquer - Church Planting Edition
For starters, the notion of the book is to analyze the way special operations forces (even before they were officially given that name) have shaped and changed history. This is what I want out of a church plant. I really believe that a relatively small, committed group of intense individuals can shake a city and redirect its destiny. Having a church, leading an organization, preaching every weekend, these things really did (and do, to some degree) have a wooing effect on me. But that has been changing over the past several months. I don't want to make a living a "pastor;" I want to raise the dead.
More specifically though, this book is saying the things about military special operations that I believe about this culture and its need for something radically different than the church it has been offered. On page 21 Leebaert writes, "The special operation keeps testing the limits of familiar procedure..." and further down the page, "It is not only distinct from the standard military practices of its time but runs contrary to many of the principles on which commanders... place prime importance."
This is exactly where I am in my thinking on church plants. I'm reading some books about it (since I'm actually part of one, why not read up, right?) and there is nothing wrong with any of them. But... no offense to any of the authors... I'm finding them all very ho-hum. Lots of different ideas about how to get people to come to us. About how to hold on to them once they come to us. About how to get them to do what you want them to do after they have come to us. Now, before going any further, let me assert with the greatest of emphasis: I don't know any better and I don't have any other ideas either! But right now, I'm asking the Holy Spirit to put me into a church planting academy. I want to be part of a brash band of commandos that plunge deep into enemy-held territory, against amazing odds and do such irreparable damage that the destiny of a city is altered forever. That's church planting. Thank God for this book! It is inspiring me to dig into what He wants from me and how He wants the kingdom delivered to this world.
I hope you don't get bored with this book because if you read this website, you're going to be getting a browser-load of it.
Scott Bane
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Reader Comments (3)
I wish I could be part of your team! I know you are on the right track. You're going to the source, what better place to find answers.
I think I am going to enjoy you reading this book! Happy to read your excitement. You have such an awesome outlook on the church, I Hope you continue in your thinking!!
I think it is really neat how God continues to speak to you through the military analogies. It's like he brings it alive to you. Pretty cool.