Living The Calling  |  Stories

What I Thought vs. What I Learned:  A Layman's Perspective

by Robert Westheimer

Robert Westheimer is a layman at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas.  Almost three years ago Robert began a ministry at his church called “The Barnabas Ministry.”  The purpose of this ministry was to mobilize his church in church planting.  As Robert pursued this calling it became a life-changing experience.  He describes many ways that the Lord has transformed him through the church planting experience.  Here’s how he describes some of that transformation:

I thought we would just plant one church and then stop.

              I’ve learned that we will plant at least one church every year.

I thought we’d plant a church somewhere in the suburbs.

              I’ve learned that we will plant churches all over our city.

I thought of “church” in terms of geography and locations and buildings.

              I’ve learned to think of “church” in terms of communities and people

I thought of church growth in mass numbers.

              I’ve learned to think of church growth one person at a time.

I thought churches reached out to “respectable” people like Presbyterians.

              I’ve learned to think of churches reaching out to people in darkness.

I thought we could just copy how the successful churches do it.

              I’ve learned that there are no clones in the Body of Christ.

I thought a new church started by offering a worship service.

              I’ve learned that a new church starts by serving its community.

I thought the big successes were Willow Creek and Saddleback.

              I’ve learned the big successes also include house churches.

I thought I was pretty much alone in hearing the call to plant new churches.

              I’ve learned that God has called countless others.

I thought I would not be open to non-Presbyterian ways and styles.

              I’ve learned so much from the diversity of other worship communities.

I thought our church leadership was too pre-occupied internally to support new churches.

              I’ve learned that it just took a small spark to ignite our church in church planting.

I thought I could plan the new church from inception all the way through to completion.

              I’ve learned that God has already done that.

I thought we’d probably argue a lot over decisions.

              I’ve learned that the peace of Christ is within us.

I thought the big challenge in planting would be the process.

              I’ve learned that the big challenge is the community.

I thought we would succeed if we just worked hard enough.

              I’ve learned that we will succeed if we follow God in total obedience.

I thought any benefit to my personal faith would be a nice by-product.

              I’ve learned that my personal relationship with Him is just as important as the new church.

I thought we might experience some spiritual opposition.

              I’ve learned that we are just skimming the surface of a deeper battle.

I thought God would abandon me or fire me if I didn’t measure up to His expectations.

              I’ve learned that He will not abandon me no matter what.

I thought we might see some sign of God’s presence in our work.

              I’ve learned that this is God’s work and we can see His handprints all over it.

I thought it would be “kind of exciting” to start a new church.

              I’ve learned that following God is the most exciting thing I’ve every done.

What about you?  What have you learned so far?  (Isaiah 40:27-31)

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