Why Plant Churches Here?

“So why all this fuss about new churches?” I hear this from time to time as I explain the new priorities of our partner, the North American Mission Board. Along with it they add, “Ours is a small field, and so many of our existing churches can use help.”

I agree with the latter statement, Our field is small in population when compared to others. And our congregations can use the help. Hopefully with increased involvement of our people in the associations and proper stewardship of my time we will be able to support our churches as well, if not better, than before.

But the need for new churches is very real. Not long ago a colleague and I spent some time surveying places in need of new works. In our Native American communities alone, statewide we identified more than 50! Look beyond the Pueblos and Rez, and you will see even more.

And consider this: our region is, on average, 95% lost. The average weekly worship attendance of all churches is close to 1300, with a total worship capacity of 2300 (a generous estimate). If every one of our churches were to so effectively reach its community that they filled their facilities to capacity twice on Sunday and once on Saturday, that would still leave lostness at 90%! In other words, it’s not only the unreached communities in need of new congregations. Given the best efforts of our churches, we need new congregations standing with them, sharing Christ to people groups and lifestyle groups they cannot reach.

This is true not only here, but across North America. While we never want to ignore the health of our existing churches, reaching North America AND western New Mexico requires a full-scale effort to plant new churches.

There is much I will share in coming months as to how we can answer this challenge, but today my request is simple. Pray. Pray for our unreached communities like the Zuni Pueblo and the red Lake Chapter of the Navajo Nation. Pray for the LDS dominated village of Bluewater, and any other place where you envision a church.

Pray also for laborers, for men to rise up as pastors and church planters, and for Christians to stand with them in their efforts. In Matthew 9:38 Jesus says, “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his field.”

Starting here and moving forward, I trust we will see the Lord do wonderful things through us. And one day that 95% lostness figure will be only a memory.

Blessings,
Bro. Jim

Remember Your Leaders... Imitate Their Faith

Just a Thought!

As most of you know by now, our brother and colleague Richard Delores died Apr. 30th of a heart attack at the age of 62.

Bro. Richard was the first pastor in our region Karen and I came to know, apart from the members of the search team. In short order he and April grew very dear to us. His gentle humor and personal warmth combined with a steadfast faith, making him a giant of a man despite his small stature.

Bro. Richard was a shepherd. Literally! He raised sheep for much of his life out on the Laguna Pueblo. This gave him unique insight into the shepherding aspect to ministry once he became a Christian. Until the day God brought Him home Richard’s great concern was carefully shepherding the people under his care, that they would themselves grow into the image of Christ.

Our most recent conversations centered on his desire to see the men in his church become more engaged in ministry. He knew how easy it is for Christians to settle in as spectators, leaving the pastor with most of the work. He would be glad to see what I saw last Sunday in worship at Laguna-Acoma. God is answering Bro. Richard’s prayer.

I don’t know how or why God moves as he does. I miss my brother, as I’m sure we all do. What I do know is that he is now experiencing the joy that awaits all believers through Christ. Our confidence in this is one reason why we must continue the message he preached so well: there is salvation in no other name but Jesus.

Heb. 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” May we all consider the way our brother lived and do likewise, knowing that the path he walked will help us all as we seek to follow Jesus.

Blessings,
Bro. Jim

Stay On Your Guard

After a year and a half, I bet you figured you would not hear from me again (at least via this blog). It seems that every time I sat down to write something, life and work came up. Alas, it took something extremely burdensome to drive me back to the keyboard. Thus, here I am.

I can't say what the burden is. Let's just say I've become aware of a situation involving a friend, one that reminds me how vulnerable we all are to Satan's attack. He will stop at nothing to ruin your witness for him! This is especially true of pastors, missionaries, and their families.

It was no exaggeration when Peter wrote, "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour," (I Pet. 5:8). Satan has an insatiable appetite! He seeks nothing less than to destroy you. And He doesn't mind attacking your family to do it.

So what can we do? Verse 8 offers great insight. First, be sober-minded. In other words, be real. Don't think too highly of your own abilities... your own spiritual strength. In 27 years of ministry I've seen some pretty accomplished men of God fall. If it can happen to them, it can happen to any of us.

Second, be watchful. Of what? Of any signs that the adversary has you in his cross hairs. Of any weakness in your relationship with the Lord. Of what's happening with your family. Of any refuge you can take to surround yourself with godly support.

I don't want to glorify the enemy. The One in us really is greater! But those who neglect the enemy and dismiss his assault often find themselves fodder for his voracious appetite.

So, stay on your guard!

Jim