SO…what is the answer? There are two “camps” that exist in church world that seem to be fighting an unnecessary war with one another.
One says that church planting is the key to advancing the Gospel. Their desire is to find men who have a vision for planting a church, encourage them to form a core group, find a portable location and launch. This, they say, is the ONLY way to truly build the church.
The other group says that the key is video campuses. They argue that if a church works, has strong leadership and speaking then that model of church should be taken to other places, the video teaching showed to the congregation and leadership provided by a central leadership team.
So—who is right and who is wrong?
Answer—NO ONE, and people who are caught up in this fight should repent for their arrogance and stupidity and move on with whatever God has called them to do!
I am all about both. If God has called someone to plant a church, if they have a fire in their eyes, they are willing to do WHATEVER it takes and they are totally willing to follow the vision that God has given them—then I say GO FOR IT! I’ve seen people like Steven plant…and I’ve followed the stories of Gary, Chris, Jeff and quite a few other guys! I love to watch what God is doing in their churches and would NEVER argue that they are not doing what God has called them to do.
BUT…I’ve also been to video campuses and seen God doing an amazing work there as well. I have seen Life Church being used by God is an amazing way. I’ve seen God do some incredible things at Buckhead Church...and I know He’s getting ready to use the multi-site/video campus at NewSpring to reach the world in an amazing way!
I heard Rick Warren say one time that every time there is a technological breakthrough that God seems to use it in an incredible way to reach the world. (We have a copy of the Scriptures because of the invention of the printing press…and when people were able to read Scriptures for the first time—it REFORMED everything!!!)
Here at NewSpring we’ve chosen to go the video campus route. NOT because we believe it is superior to all other models of starting churches…but because, through prayer and seeking God, we feel that He wants us to go that direction. We are embracing this model with every ounce of energy we’ve got and honestly believe that we will see THOUSANDS come to know Christ.
BUT…we still believe in other models. People in “church world” need to understand that there is PLENTY of room in God’s kingdom for various models in reaching the world…as long as they lift up Jesus and honor God’s Word—WHO CARES if it is a church planter or a video campus? Is Christ preaching crucified, risen and coming again? THAT is what matters!!!
I have finally realized in the past 15 months that God is SO MUCH LARGER than any model, method or strategy! And just because it may not be MY model—it MAY be His…and I need to be kingdom minded and support all that seek to make the name of Jesus famous and push the gates of hell back a little farther!
I am SO GLAD that God has WAY more than one model/method to reach the world! Each church is responsible to do EXACTLY what God has called them to do—nothing more, nothing less! My prayer is that our church, along with every church, will just be completely obedient to the call God has placed on us to advance His kingdom…and when another model comes along…we celebrate that as well.