Couple thoughts from what I read in the Bible today, as it relates to starting a new church on the Strip...
Ps 3:2, “Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’”
When pastor types in Vegas, and church planting types around the country, learned I was going to start a church in Las Vegas I heard lots of, “That’s great. Wow, you’ll do awesome there.” When they discovered it was going to be on the Strip I heard lots of, “That can never work.” “You might as well go start a church in the middle of Disney World.” “You can’t grow a church there.” “It’s a suicide mission.” “This will ruin your ministry career.” “Vince, I care about you, and I would do anything to keep you from doing this.”
Ps 3:3-4, “But you are a shield around me, O Lord… To the Lord I cry aloud… From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.”
Fortunately, people are not my shield, I don’t cry out to people, and people won’t deliver me or bless us. God has called us to Vegas, and He has a reason. The reason may be thousands of people coming to Christ, or it may be something altogether different (God called Jeremiah to what looked like abject failure). Either way, God is my shield and deliverer.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
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2 comments:
Amen Vince. I'm not a church planter so I have no such advice to offer. But this is absolutely true: as long as you continue to put your trust in God and love Him with all your heart, you will be safe and secure.
If your Strip ministry "fails", but ESPECIALLY if your Strip ministry flourishes, the First and Great Commandment is the only place to be.
Even so, amen.
Bro-here's another word to encourage you:
Proverb 30:26
Badgers--they aren’t powerful,but they make their homes among the rocks.
The wisdom of this little critter is that you can make a home in a hard place!!
Go for it!
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