Impetus
Thank you to those (Lon and Sparksfly) who commented on my last post “The Wind Stirs…” I was encouraged and my heart swelled with the reminder that God supports those who walk by faith. I came across a cool word today: Impetus. Dictionary.com defines it as:
1. An impelling force; an impulse.
2. The force or energy associated with a moving body.
-Something that incites; a stimulus
-Increased activity in response to a stimulus
Today I met with a bro who has captured this vision of planting a church with me. He and his wife are actually willing to relocate and give their lives to this vision of igniting a movement in a dark place with us. I also spoke with Alex McManus and he gave us some strategic suggestions as well as tangible goals to accomplish over the next year and a half. As we pray, dream and strategize, I still find myself struggling through some sort of setback within my own conscience. Frankly, I’m affraid of not having what it takes to lead such a venture. Yes, I’ve lead plenty of things in the past, but I just don’t feel fearless like I think I should when embarking on such a feat. Basically, if I could be so candid, I just don’t want to screw up peoples lives or jump into something that I can’t handle. Of course I continue to ask for courage and strength to take that step of faith, as Indiana Jones did, and find my foot on solid ground but right now, I’m staring at a vast empty gulf with my foot outstreched peering into the darkness of the unknown. I feel that the necessary courage needs to come from within, from my core and I’d like to ask for your help in this matter. Lon and any other church planters out there, I know that God is ultimately responsible for putting desire within our hearts, but I still have questions. Where do you find the courage to launch into “uncharted waters”? What do you use as your “impetus” if you will, to advance and compell you toward your dream of starting a new church of all things? Why not a coffee shop or anything else? I would love to draw from the wisdom that God has spoken to your hearts if you would so honor me with your time. If God is the wind that stirs the surface of the water, then what is your impetus that initiates that first ripple? Any insight is welcome.
June 5th, 2006 at 7:14 am
Great post, thanks for mentioning me, you’ll find there’s quite a number of ‘planters’ in voxtropolis.
I think this ‘impetus’ does need to come from within, but I take comfort knowing that God planted it there for me to discover. Maybe that’s why it excites you, rattles you, and makes you nervous… maybe it’s something that’s resonating with the heart of God.
For me it’s a sense of calling and the trajectory God has placed me on. It’s also the unbearable reminder that there are people (Christians and non-Christians) all around me who are living lives less than they ought to be, and knowing Someone who can change that for every one of them.
Why not a coffee shop? great question. I don’t know the first thing about coffee, but it sure does sound cool. You’ll notice some voxers are doing just that. There’s not that much of a difference from ‘church’ planting when it’s done largely with the same kingdom mindset and attitude. Of course there’s some major differences in methodology… questions like what are my giftings, strengths, and passions might help. or what types of networks, tools, and resources do I have access to? or in what way can I make the greatest impact for the kingdom in this life?
Hope that helps, you sound well on your way. I haven’t even found people to partner with yet! Keep at it…