Should Small Churches Plant Churches?

Church planting is a popular topic these days. It’s easy to find examples of large churches planting networks of congregations across a geographical area. Similarly, it seems that there is an influx of church planters teaming up with sending agencies to help plant churches anywhere and everywhere.

But the one thing you rarely see is a small church planting churches. I’m not talking about simply supporting a sending agency, but actively sending out planters to start new churches as a part of the church’s ministry.

I think the answer probably has to do with a misunderstanding of what is required to plant a church. Perhaps small churches believe that their size prohibits them from multiplying. But everywhere else in nature, we don’t see size limiting reproduction. Ants reproduce just like elephants. Actually, they multiply faster!

So let’s address a few common reasons churches (small and large) choose not to plant more churches.

 

“We don’t have anyone “called” to plant.”

May I propose that the idea of “calling” has been one of the greatest cop-outs for not doing ministry in the history of the modern church? What is it about the Great Commission that would lead any believer to think that they are not “called?” The truth is, a call to salvation is a call to minister. We call this concept, “the priesthood of all believers” (I Peter 2:9).

Notice, I used the word “minister,” not “pastor.” God has given certain men the gifts and qualifications for the office of pastor (I Timothy 3:1-7). However, (and I’m sure not everyone agrees with me on this), the Bible never states that planting a church requires starting with a pastor. In Titus 1:5, Paul tells Titus to “appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” The implication is that Paul and Titus had previously worked together in Crete establishing small congregations as people came to Christ. In this letter from Prison, Paul tells Titus to go back to those churches and appoint elders (aka pastors).

Did you catch that? Paul and Titus helped plant churches without pastors!

Don’t get me wrong; I don’t believe any church is meant to go on indefinitely without a pastor. However, I am saying that a pastor is not necessary to plant a church.

A church, by definition, is a called out assembly of believers. God gives pastors to churches as servants who help give direction and leadership to the congregation. But just as any church currently looking for a pastor will tell you, a pastor is not necessary to validate a church.

To be clear, I’m not saying that God does not “call” or “set aside” certain people for the work of church planting (Acts 13:2). However a “special calling” on one person’s part does not eliminate the Great Commission on another person’s part any more than the fact that some believers have the gift of evangelism relieve all others of the duty.

If you have church members (plural), you can plant a church.

 

“We can’t afford to lose members.”

This idea stems from a “hang on to what you’ve got” mentality that is never found in Scripture. In fact, Scripture teaches the opposite: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap” (Luke 6:36). Perhaps the reason some churches are struggling is because they’ve turned inward and neglected outreach.

According to the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), you can’t afford to “hoard up” your members. After all, isn’t ministry about giving and not keeping?

And who’s to say that you would be “losing” members? Why not consider it “sending?” That sounds like something I’ve read in scripture before… (Acts 13:3).

 

“We don’t have enough money.”

This is a moot point for two reasons: First, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). In Genesis 1:27, God gave Adam and Eve the first command to multiply. Then, He followed the command by given the first couple domain over all living things for the purpose of fulfilling the command. In the Great Commission, Christ makes a similar statement when He proclaims, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given unto me. Therefore, go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:18-19). In other words, God always supplies the resources needed to obey His commands.

The second reason that the “we don’t have enough money” excuse is irrelevant is because it doesn’t cost money to plant a church! After all, a church is people –not buildings, budgets, or staff. Plenty of churches have begun as simple Bible studies taking place in homes or apartments. Some cities have meeting facilities that can be utilized for free and many apartment complexes have meeting rooms as well.

 

“Our town is already saturated with churches.”

Actually, you would be surprised by the data. First, ask yourself, are there any unbelievers in my town? If the answer is “yes,” then it is fair to assume that the existing churches could use help.

Second, do the math. If you take the seating capacity of every church meeting facility in your town and added them together, could the entire city fit in the churches? Most likely they couldn’t. If not, guess what? There’s room for another church.

 

“We are too busy.”

I assume when someone says this, they mean, “we are so busy making disciples who make disciples who make disciples, that we don’t have time to stop.”

Otherwise, whatever else you are doing is just busy-work.

But, if you really are making that many disciples –where are you going to fit them all? Surely you must be running out of space. Why not send out small groups of disciples to start churches in your community?

Did you know that the strongest evangelism tool is to start a new church? Did you know that right now there are people in your community too intimidated to enter your church building, but might be open to attending a small Bible study?

What would be the worst that could happen? You send out a group to start a “pre-church” Bible study, they reach a few people, but a “church” is never born, so they all (including the new believers) come back to your church… sounds like a win-win to me!

 

So, if your church is serious about seeing your city come to Christ, why not consider planting a church? Any congregation can multiply –no matter the size!

Does Prayer Matter?

Awkward church moment #41: At the end of a long “prayer request” time, you are called upon to pray for all of the requests. What do you do? That’s right, you pull out the old, “Lord, please be with all of these needs.” And, for bonus points, you might even add, “I don’t know all the situations, but I know you do.”

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Perhaps such a situation has caused you to wonder about the purpose or effectiveness of prayer. The conversation (inside your head) goes something like this: “If God has a plan, and if His plan never changes, does my prayer really matter?”

If you are struggling with the purpose of prayer, consider these thoughts:

When in crisis, people rarely question the purpose of prayer. In the moments leading up to my wife’s death, I remember gathering a crowd of people in the hospital waiting room and asking for them to all keep praying. I didn’t want them to stop.

God commands us to pray. Whether or not we can reconcile God’s sovereignty with man’s responsibility, the fact remains: God calls us to pray (I Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6, I Timothy 2:1). Interestingly, he never says, “If you think prayer would help your situation, give it a shot,” or “let me know when you have something really important to consider.” No, he says we should make our requests “in everything by prayer and supplication.”

God chooses to work in response to prayer. We know that God doesn’t change. However –in ways that He can only understand- His invitation to pray is not a fraud or illegitimate offer. Remember, God’s sovereignty means that He ordains more than just the end of a matter. He also ordains the means. In other words, God chooses to accomplish His will in response to the prayers of His people.

Prayer changes us. Although prayer doesn’t change God, we can be sure that it always changes us. The practice of prayer develops dependency upon Christ, comfort through the Holy Spirit, and joy in the LORD. Prayer helps us align our perspective with God’s.

Caesar’s Last Breath

In physics, there is a concept known as “Caesar’s last breath.” It refers to the theory that every breath you take contains around three molecules breathed by Julius Caesar –as well as every other human who has ever lived.

Whether or not it is completely accurate (scientists disagree), the idea makes an important observation: we are all connected (and hopefully we have all brushed our teeth).

Even the shy recluse is connected to all of humanity by virtue of being alive. Connectivity does not depend upon a long contact list, large social network, or outgoing personality. It’s just a fact of life: your life is woven together with the lives of the entire human family.

The same is true spiritually. You are in some way influenced by all of human history. And, simultaneously, your influence will forever be inhaled and exhaled throughout the future.

This is fascinating, gratifying, and sobering when you consider the implications of your every action. Your influence emanates with every breath.

As Christians, we must carefully consider the influences around us. And, we must be intentional about the influence we have on others.

Most likely, you and I will not come into direct contact with people from every tribe tongue and nation this side of heaven. However, our influence (like our breath) will have a global impact for eternity.

That’s a greater legacy than Caesar could have ever dreamed of!

Your Church is Worth More Than a Few Pennies

Who invented the “need-a-penny-take-a-penny-got-a-penny-leave-a-penny” cup? I’m not sure the world will ever know. But thanks to him or her, we all live with a little less fear of being a few cents short of correct change at the convenience store or accidentally pumping an $10.02 worth of gas instead of $10 even.

I’ve often wondered how much money is held in those small cups around the country. According to my calculation, with over 150,000 convenience stores in the nation averaging 15 cents per cup, there should be almost $23,000 of free money just sitting out there.

You probably aren’t impressed by the $23,000 figure, right? No doubt you wouldn’t mind receiving a $23,000 check in the mail, but it’s not necessarily a “you’ve got to hear this” kind of fact.

Most people don’t see a lot of value in those cups. Case in point: when was the last time you read about a robbery targeting the change cup by the cash register?

It’s easy to overlook the value of the  “need-a-penny-take-a-penny-got-a-penny-leave-a-penny” when you only see it from the perspective “now” perspective. In other words, if you only value the cup by how much change it holds right now, it seems rather insignificant.

But have you ever watched one of those cups for an entire day? Money goes in and out over and over again. Over a period of ten years, one single cup could facilitate thousands of dollars! Suddenly, the cup doesn’t seem so insignificant.

The key to understanding the true value of the cup is to consider what it holds throughout its lifetime –not just what it contains right now.

Right now it holds fifteen cents. Over the life of the cup it may hold fifteen thousand dollars!

It’s the same way with churches. Many times we value our churches by the “right now” method. We are tempted to devalue our congregation because “right now” we are struggling, “right now” a key family has moved away, “right now” another church in town is growing rapidly, or “right now” attendance is low.

But take another look at your church –this time, consider the life of the church. Think about the people who have passed through your church over the years. Do you see the generations of families who have raised their children in your church? Do you see the couples who grew during their short stay in your town? What about the legacies of members who have passed away? Have you considered the ripple effect your congregation has had on the community throughout the years?

“Right now” does not constitute the value of your church. “Right now” is simply a culmination of the past and a launching pad for the future.

The value of your church is found in Christ who purchased the church with His blood. Because of His death, burial, and resurrection, the church is a place where people discover the grace of Christ and share in the grace of Christ over generations. Sort of like a “need grace, receive grace; got grace, share grace” kind of place!

Just like the cup at the convenience store, your church may seem small “right now,” but there’s no telling how many people have experienced “just the change they needed” through your congregation!

The Blessing of Limitations

Contrary to popular belief, you cannot do everything you set your mind to. No matter how hard I try, I will never slam dunk a basketball on a ten-foot goal (without assistance), or solve the mysteries of the superstring theory.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that humans can do incredible things when we set our minds to it (think Rubik’s cube). But we must stop short of saying we can do anything.

There is a great difference between marvelous potential and unlimited potential. It’s the same difference between being made in the image of God (marvelous) and actually being a god (unlimited). The former is a reflection of God’s glory, the latter is a heretical blasphemy.

From a parenting standpoint, consider the implications. If you promise your child they can do “anything they set their mind to,” you are 1) lying to them, 2) setting them up for failure and disappointment, and 3) giving them false expectations.

I remember one high school counselor telling me about a senior girl whose world came crashing down when she was not given a scholarship to the university she had dreamed of attending. Even though she had a perfect GPA, her SAT scores were not high enough for the scholarship. She cried and told the counselor, “my mom has told me all of my life that if I tried hard enough I could accomplish anything. I don’t know how I could have tried harder. My family doesn’t have enough money to send me to the university, so I’ll have to settle for a different school.”

The wonderful innovations and achievements of humans are a glory to their creator. But, if everything in life was as simple as just “setting your mind to it,” I suppose there would be no need to depend upon God and trust His wisdom. In fact, if we could achieve anything we wanted, I doubt we would ever develop the most important thing: faith in Christ. Praise God for giving us limitations!

The next time (which will probably be today) that you run into a problem you cannot solve or a task you cannot handle, remember: Your limitations are divine prompts to help you depend upon God rather than trusting in yourself. So you can either take issue with your limitations or take joy in Christ.

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I think it was Clint Eastwood who once said, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” Maybe its time for parents, teachers, and counselors to echo his sentiment. That sounds like something we should set our minds to!

Stuffed Animal Prayers

A few nights ago, my five-year-old son and I ate dinner with my parents and my aunt Jane. As we sat down at the table, my dad asked my son, “Bryce, would you like to say the blessing?”

Bryce said, “Actually Clifford wants to say the blessing.” For a second, I was confused (Nobody in our family is named Clifford). Then, Bryce picked up a Clifford the Big Red Dog stuffed animal and sat it on the table. Bryce put Clifford’s stuffed paws together and bowed Clifford’s stuffed head. Then, in a high-pitched-stuffed-animal voice, Bryce (I mean Clifford) began to pray.

Honestly, I can’t remember what he prayed. I was trying so hard not to laugh!

And then, I started to wonder, “Is this healthy? Should I say something to correct the situation?”

I’m still not quite sure what to think about it all. Certainly, I don’t want my son to grow up to become a college student who takes Clifford to the cafeteria in order to pray before meals!

And, I don’t want him to start thinking that he has to pray “through Clifford.” (Fortunately, he hasn’t repeated this event…. Yet).

So, at the risk of people thinking I’m losing my theological integrity, I’m seeing the “Clifford incident” as a positive sign. Why? Because in Bryce’s world, Clifford is an esteemed friend.

Even though Bryce understands that stuffed animals are just toys, I’ve noticed that he has some pretty important conversations with them. He talks to them about his friends at school, his family relationships, his favorite activities, and his dreams. I’ve even heard him talk to his stuffed animals about his mommy in Heaven.

When Bryce and I play a game of Nerf basketball in his room, Bryce lines up his stuffed animals to watch. When we watch a big game on TV, Bryce hands out stuffed animals to everyone to hold. And when its time for bed, Bryce wants me to tuck in his stuffed animals too.

You see, the fact that Bryce wanted Clifford to pray was an indicator that Bryce thinks prayer is important –important enough to include one of his best friends!

I’m not sure I need to correct him on that. In fact, maybe that’s a good lesson for all of us to learn.

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How Many Words Does It Take To Describe a Pastor?

What is a pastor? Three words in the New Testament are used interchangeable to describe this office in the church: Pastor, Elder, and Bishop. Is it strange that the Bible uses multiple words to describe this office? Not any more than for Americans to describe our leader as, “President,” “Commander in Chief,” and “Leader of the Free World.”

So why would the Bible use more than one term to describe one role? Perhaps to describe the multi-faceted nature of the job.

The Greek word for “Pastor” is poimen, meaning “shepherd.” This term emphasizes the care and protection a pastor provides for his congregation.

The Greek word for “Elder” is presbuteros, meaning “older, mature.” This term implies the wisdom and maturity exhibited by this position.

The Greek word for “Bishop” is episcopos, meaning “overseer.” This word suggests the authority and leadership expressed by this office.

Side note: some have questioned whether “elder” is a legitimate title for the office of pastor. These people contend that the word is merely referring to older people in the congregation. Clearly there are some texts in which the word is used this way (Luke 15:25, Romans 9:12, 1 Timothy 5:2, KVJ) just like there are some texts where “shepherd” means a man with a flock of wooly animals (Matthew 9:36, Luke 2:8 KJV).

However, just like the word “shepherd,” can refer to an office of the church, so can the word “elder.” For instance, in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, a list of qualifications is given to be an elder in the church. However, we understand that Paul is not suggesting that to be involved in the “Golden Agers” senior adult ministry, one must submit himself/herself to such qualifications!

In 1 Peter 5:1-3, all three terms (pastor, elder, bishop) are used in the Greek text: “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd (pastor) the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight (overseer/bishop), not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”

To be a pastor, one must fulfill all three expressions of the role: the caring shepherd, the wise man of maturity, and the leader with authority. And, more importantly, one must temper each role by the others.

For instance, if a man excercises soul care (shepherd), but does not lead with authority (overseer), the church will lack vision and direction. Or, if a man leads with authority (overseer), but does not exhibit wisdom and maturity (elder), he may lead the church in the wrong direction. And, without caring for the souls of the people (shepherd), he may become dictatorial and demanding.

Just like a proper understanding of God includes understanding all of his attributes (justice, mercy, righteousness, wrath, etc), faithfully executing the office of pastor requires understanding and practicing all three expressions of the role (pastor, elder, bishop).

While that may sound daunting, don’t give up: Christ has given us an example to follow. He is the “chief shepherd”  (I Peter 5:4). and we are the under-shepherds. He is the head of the church, and we are His stewards (Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:9-16, Hebrews 13:17). We care for souls (shepherd) because He cares for souls. We exercise wisdom and maturity (elder), because He is the standard for wisdom and maturity. And we lead with authority (bishop), because “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto [Christ]” (Matthew 28:18). No matter which term your particular church uses, be sure you reflect all three terms found in Scripture.

 

So, You’re Going to Be a Pastor…

         “So, you’re going to be a pastor.” Have you heard that before? Perhaps from a co-worker, family member, or long-time friend. Even more, have you wondered what they mean? What is the underlying meaning of their question?

Before you get frustrated by everyone’s questions and concerns, take some time to understand why they are concerned. Pastoring is the greatest privilege with which a human could be called. The position is an humbling honor.

I think that’s why many people do a “double-take” when you announce your new role in life. People know that there is something special –even weighty- about the position of pastor. Naturally, they want to make sure you have considered the importance of the calling. Their reactions aren’t necessarily questioning your credentials as much as acknowledging the magnitude of the profession.

Either way –whether they are questioning your qualifications or acknowledging the gravity of the position –it begs the question: have you considered the responsibility required of a pastor? Here are a few questions to help you evaluate your readiness for the role. Before you say, “yes” to a pastorate, consider the following:

       1) Do you love people? I mean really love people? Christ calls pastors to “feed his sheep” (John 21:15-17). The idea is to care for the spiritual development of the church with the same care that Christ exhibited while on earth. As an “under-shepherd (I Peter 5:1-4),” pastors are given the greatest stewardship in the kingdom: the stewardship of the sheep. The only way to care for them completely is by providing Christ-like love.

Although the concept of loving people may seem like a given, don’t overlook the fact that pastors are often required deal with people in their least-lovable situations in life. Are you willing to put aside your own desires for the good of others? Are you willing to patiently listen to the pain in other peoples’ lives –and really care? Are you willing to fix a flat tire in the rain, answer a late-night phone call, or sit with the grieving?

2) Is your desire to pastor more than just the desire for entrepreneurship?  That may seem like a strange question, but many men get into pastoring simply because they like to build organizations and grow systems. While such skills may be useful in pastoring, they are certainly not the goal of pastoring. If you are looking for a place to tinker with entrepreneurial dreams, go start a business.

3) Are you wanting to prove a point by pastoring? Are you just looking to “do it your way” or “show everyone a better way?” Is your desire to lead a church in reaction to the way someone else leads a church? Grudges and personal agendas are terrible reasons to pastor. If you have a problem with a certain philosophy or style of ministry, have the guts to confront those whom you disagree with. Don’t drag an innocent congregation into your personal vendettas.

Similarly, if your motivation is to experiment and try new ideas just to see if they work (without any concern for the souls of the congregation), don’t even bother. Remember, congregations are sheep –not guinea pigs.

I’m not saying there isn’t place for trying new things. In fact, I love innovation in ministry. But it has to have the proper motive: Loving God and loving people. Your focus must be on pursing Christ’s desire for the church over your own desire for the church.

4) Do you just want a platform to sell your products (and yourself)? The recent emphasis on pastoring and church planting are wonderful so long as we guard ourselves from thinking these roles have an end in themselves. You do not pastor in order to become an expert with speaking engagements, books, and websites. You do not plant a church in order to create a new “model” for others to follow. While those things may be great by-products of the pastorate, the focus must be exalting Christ by serving his sheep.

Whether you are contemplating the pastorate or have been pastoring for decades, these are questions that must be considered. Answer the questions –be brutally honest, and don’t be offended the next time someone asks, “So, you’re going to be a pastor?”

Give Your Pastor a Break!

How many times have you heard someone say to a photographer, “Make sure you get my good side!” Personally, I don’t even know if I have a “good side” or not. But I totally understand the desire to be seen in the most positive way possible –especially when it comes to photos (they tend to last).

Most pastors feel the pressure to constantly show their “good side.” I’ve known some pastors who have refused to dress sloppily when mowing the yard just in case a church member drives by.

This is bad for at least three reasons:

1)   The pastor is stressed out from always trying to portray a flawless image

2)   The pastor never feels that he can fully “be himself” –even around family

3)   The pastor begins living in a “works based” performance trap (which totally denies the gospel message)

If this goes on for a long time, the congregation begins to believe that the pastor is perfect and never needs a break. Many congregations forget that their pastor is human. This leads them to have enormous, overwhelming expectations of their pastors such as:

1)   The pastor must be at every function of the church

2)   The pastor must be present for every surgery (even for bunion removals)

3)   The pastor must be available at all times for all people for any need

Such expectations have led many pastors to feel guilty for taking vacation or turning off their cell phones for a “date night” with their wife. As a result, the pressure to always be available (showing their “good side”) is a major source of pastoral burnout.

The sad irony is that when pastors begin showing signs of burnout, many congregations get frustrated and demand changes from the pastor rather than contemplating changes in their expectations.

The good news is that you can be pro-active in helping your pastor avoid pastoral burnout. The concept is simple: give your pastor opportunities to enjoy being himself without the pressure to perform. Here’s a few ideas that are perfect project for Sunday school classes, deacon boards, and Bible study groups to organize to help counteract the “pastoral good side” performance trap:

1)          Plan a date night for your pastor. Give him a gift certificate to a local restaurant and insist on keeping his kids (you might even offer overnight babysitting). Tell him to leave the cell phone at home and enjoy! Consider announcing to the church “Pastor Bill will be unavailable Friday night and all day Saturday. If you need anything during that time, please call Deacon Joe.”

2)          Present your pastor with tickets to a ball game and cash for concessions. Consider providing overnight accommodations and gas cards.

3)          Offer your pastor some extra time off this year. Organize church leaders to make visits and attend to issues in his absence. Let him know your desire to help him escape the unfair pressures of pastoring.

4)          Never underestimate the power of a kind word. Because of the constant pressure to perform, pastors naturally worry about how they “measure up” in everyone’s eyes. The smallest compliment or word of encouragement can do wonders to set his mind at ease. Consider pulling him aside or writing a card to express your confidence in him. It may seem small to you, but it will be huge to him.

When you proactively give your pastor opportunities to escape the performance pressure, who knows what might happen. You might just see more of his “good side!”

When Should Christians Boycott?

Quick, what do unbelievers think of when they hear the word, “Christian?” Love? Compassion? How about “Boycott?”

Fair or unfair, there seems to be a growing perception that Christians specialize in boycotting.

Don’t get me wrong; there is a time and place for boycotting. Still, I’m afraid we are prone to declare war on products and providers without always thinking it through. Here are a few basic questions that must be asked before declaring a “boycott.”

  • Am I unfairly expecting a secular business to adhere to Christian values? If Christians desire to infiltrate the marketplace with the gospel, we must be willing to interact with sinners. Jesus said, “And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matthew 5:47). By some of our “boycott standards,” I’m not sure if we would have been willing to accept water from the Samaritan woman!
  • Am I willing to apply the same standards to every product or business I support? It’s really easy to get caught up in the views a company espouses or the organizations it supports. But have you scrutinized the giving records and political views of every business you patronize? If you applied the same scrutiny across the board, could you still buy groceries or purchase fuel?
  • Is this business or product directly causing harm to innocent victims?  This is the kind of question that helps us begin to draw lines and make concrete decisions. If the answer is “no, not directly” then you must ask, “at what point am I complicit in the sin?” For instance, you must decide if there is a difference between a business that operates sweatshops and a business that sells shirts purchased from an apparel company who purchased buttons from a company who buys from sweatshops.
  • How will a boycott affect employees and their families? Imagine you have built a friendship with a struggling waiter at a local chain restaurant. Over time, you have provided a listening ear, wise counsel and generous tips to try to help the young man get “back on his feet.” He has trusted Christ as his Savior and is growing spiritually. Then suddenly, the local Christian community announces a boycott on the restaurant because of anti-Christian comments the franchise owner made in a press conference. If the boycott is successful, it could mean your friend loses his job. What do you do?

Here’s the bottom line: I fear that many Christians never think about the bigger message we are sending –namely, what is most important to us.

I remember several years ago speaking to a non-Christian college student at a time when Christians were launching a massive boycott. The college student remarked, “This week, I’ve had three different Christians try to persuade me to join the boycott, but none of them have said anything to me about my soul.”

Boycotts can get out of control –especially when we let the “issues” replace the gospel. Sometimes I wonder if Christians are looking for busy work to relieve their guilt for not sharing the gospel.

I’m not here to tell you which boycotts are justified and which are not –that’s for you to decide. Most situations won’t have a clear-cut answer. Rather, they will require great wisdom. So, if you decide to boycott, here are a few last things to consider:

  • Should I make my boycott private or public? There are many businesses I do not visit for various reasons. However, I do not feel it necessary to publicly criticize them. My reasons are based upon personal convictions, therefore I keep them personal.
  • If I do choose to boycott, how can I still “love my neighbor as myself?”   If workers will lose jobs, how could you help support them? If a local economy is affected, how can you reach out to hurting families?
  • How can I make sure that my participation in this boycott will not undermine or replace my gospel witness? Take some time on this one. Are you willing to spend as much time expressing your faith in Christ as you spend expressing your dissatisfaction with a business? Remember, an idol is anything that steals away your affections for Christ.

So be careful, boycott wisely –if you boycott at all.   I am certain that I don’t have all the answers regarding when Christians should and shouldn’t boycott. (I don’t even know all the questions for that matter.) I am interested in your feedback -whether you agree with me or disagree. What kind of criteria do you consider when asked to join a boycott?