It is extremely disturbing that the cultural demographics (behavior patterns) are basically the same for Christian families and individuals who go to church every week, and for families and individuals who rarely or never enter the door of a church. There are some reports that indicate evangelical Christians have some less desirable social traits than do non-Christians. (see endnotes)

One of the primary ailments I see in Christian leaders is that the proclamation of the Gospel seems to have made them deaf. They talk loudly, but seem to hear little. Even our prayers appear to be talking to God, even instructing God on how to do His business, but seldom listening to Him. Have we forgotten how to listen?

There is a growing debate regarding the role of Western Church and the rest of the Christian world. The church outside the West is represented by leaders whose churches have tens of thousands of members, and who are doing significant, and in some cases, better work in missions than is currently being seen from Western sources. This debate is fueled by the disproportionately greater influence Western leaders, churches and/or agencies have in light of their contribution to global church growth.

What identifies a Leader? There are numerous books and articles written on this topic. They all have good information. I have been a reader of leadership books for many years, and have benefited from the insights of good leaders who have chosen to write about their experiences and opinions.

I am beginning a new project to develop a Study Bible for people who want to be Disciple Makers and Church Planters. Following is the rationale for the Study Bible. I would be interested in your input regarding the content of this Study Bible. If you have any suggestions or recommendations regarding content, I would be very interested in hearing your opinion. Please post your response to this site.

Blessings!

David Watson

Matthew 28:18-20

I bet you thought this article was going to be about house church. It’s not. It’s about spiritual warfare within the Christian context, and how this affects training new leaders.

I train church planters and the trainers of church planters. My call and my job take me all over the world. I have trained more than 30,000 leaders from more than 125 countries in the past 25 years. These leaders and their disciples have started more than 40,000 churches and baptized millions of Believers, mostly in highly restricted areas that are resistant to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Bible has a lot to say about obedience. As I look at my own life, the life of my church, and the lives of the churches I have catalyzed, I recognize an ongoing struggle with obedience. The modern church has made the Christian life way too easy for its members. This has marginally increased the numbers attending our churches, but I’m fairly certain it has caused many more problems that it has solved. We have made salvation so easy that people can make their “profession of faith” or join the church and not change any behaviors that are disobedient or contrary to the Word of God.

There is an ongoing discussion around the world about the structure, nature, and function of church. This “ekklesia” discussion is about 2000 years old. Much of what we see and hear today has deep roots in Catholicism, including ordinances, leadership, structure, doctrine, theology and more. Attempting to sweep away 1500+ years of tradition will require more than a broom. And any discussions in this area are often like trying to empty the ocean with an eye dropper.

In my last post I discussed “Extraction Evangelism” and “Extraction Churches.” In case the point was missed, these are not good methodologies. Basically, “Extraction” methodologies separate people from their families and communities, and form artificial communities that are often sterile or very slow to reproduce. “Extraction” basically causes a great deal of pain for the individual who is “won to the Lord,” and it hardens the hearts of other family and community members, making Christianity the enemy.

The most common forms of Church Planting and the most common forms of evangelism have a common element – extraction. In extraction evangelism an individual is won to the Lord without serious regard for the family, community or nation. The individual “win” is more important than the possible “win” of the family/community/nation. Extraction evangelism is the result of poor theology and an evangelism strategy that does not understand family/community/ nation structures, or chooses to ignore these structures.