Stretching for God

 

By Josh

In reading Alan Hirsch’s book “The Forgotten Ways” I was very interested and intrigued by the leadership model labeled SMRC goes APEPT. If you have no idea what I am talking about, go to this web address and scroll down to page 8 of 10.

http://www.theforgottenways.org/uploads/what-is-apest-sidebar_7_0_1.pdf

What I love about this model is that it cannot work if only 20% of the people in the church are active. This model is very good at getting everyone involved with the church in some way. Although many churches are trying to get people involved in some way, I think that being involved in the “church planting” section is better than being in the church bowling league. My point is that this model is a biblical way of getting people involved and active. I think many of the churches these days are trying so hard to get people involved that they are stooping to using carnal means to do it. Not that being in a bowling league is a “bad” thing, but if that is the only way that you are “contributing” to the church, then it probably is a bad thing. People need to be stretching themselves a little in church. It is not always a bad thing to be a little uncomfortable. In fact God can use the things that we find uncomfortable as the most effective ways to bring about his kingdom. So my challenge to churches is to adapt a biblical model of how people can get involved. And my challenge to individuals is to be involved with your church in a way that is just a little more than you are comfortable with. Stretch yourselves a little!