It's MY Church

I just finished reading a book by Gene Edwards called, “How to Meet in Homes.” I was looking for the 12 steps to meet in a house church and instead was slam dunked in a way that turned everything I’ve learned about leadership on its head.

An example of Gene’s simple observations goes like this. Paul and Barnabas go to an area called Galatia. The gospel has never been heard of prior to this. They raise up 4 mega churches. (between 15 and 20 people in each church) No mention is made of establishing who the pastors/elders would be. After 4 months they cold heartedly leave them for the next 2 years to fend for themselves. A problem of legalism occurs and they return for the incredibly long time of two weeks. Then its, “hasta la vista, baby”.

Paul are you an idiot? Don’t you know that it takes 4 years of Bible school or 10 years of ushering before anyone can be trusted? Paul you really need to take a seminar on church planting. Don’t you understand that tent making is supposed to transition into a full time salary?

Oops, did Paul understand something that somehow we have overlooked? What about his responsibilities to his babies? Was he really going to trust the real owner with the right to lead His church? Gulp, that would mean he would have to trust "others" with the gospel that he had proclaimed.

Jesus said, Matt 16:18 (NKJV) "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.