I’m busy writing a paper entitled, ‘Contemporary Issues Regarding Church Planting and Mission‘ and I came across this quote by Phillip Jensen (2001):
“Church planting is an evangelical agenda because every evidence we have is that new churches, grow faster, reach new people and outsiders more effectively.“
Now some people think that Phil Jensen is some big fundamentalist ogre from down-under. I on the other hand think that few people have a heart for church planting like this man. His talks and articles on church planting have served to inspire me more than anyone else regarding the absolute necessity of church planting (Tim Keller came in a close second!). In fact the whole idea of church planting as the most effective means of evangelism dawned on me when someone read one of his articles to me. He might rub you the wrong way, but you can’t fault his desire to see people come into the kingdom.
Hi Stephen
I just wanted to express my thanks for your blog. I can’t even remember how I came across it, but I’ve really appreciated the discussions and links to other pertinent blogs that you’ve posted.
I’ve had the privilege of hearing the Jensens speaking in South Africa over the years and was struck by their love for the Gospel and for people. Fundamentalist? Most likely, but I don’t necessary see that as a bad thing. Post-modernism is definitely a fox that is finding its way into the church these days.
As an aside, if the “emerging conversation” or emerging church is about moving forward as a generation, then I think we’ve got to be careful not to confuse the method with the Message. We’ve got to step up as the “emerging generation of influence” and take the Gospel out there with our very lives.
In Him,
Jonathan
Thanks Jonathan for your comments. I’m glad you enjoy the blog. I do hope that whatever I write about, link to or discuss on this blog it will be apparent that I am committed to the Message of a dying saviour paying the penalty so that we might be forgiven for our rebellion and enter into a living relationship the living God who desires that all things be brought under the headship of Christ.
I haven’t heard much on Jensen, maybe because of the circles i’m typically in, i’ll definitely check him out. I’m interested in all things related to church planting.
Just a thought though, maybe it’s not so much about having people ‘enter’ the kingdom as it is having the kingdom advance…?
I think its both – the Kingdom advances, but people are definitely ‘in’ or ‘out’ of the kingdom according to the gospels. I’m big on inclusion, but that doesn’t mean that we over look the fact that Jesus expected people one day to be outside where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Take a look at Luke 15:15-24 as just one of a number of examples of this.