Men and women wanted for the hazardous journey of church planting

When Ernest Shackleton, the famous explorer, was seeking manpower for his epic Antarctic expedition he allegedly placed the following notice in the London press.

The great Pioneer,  the Lord Jesus, has his own call for manpower that is infinitely more demanding. To all who follow him he commands - in your going make disciples of all nations. Planting new churches is one main way to fulfil this commission.

The call to be involved in the planting of new churches has a host of hazards.  There will be no hiding from hard work, if the loos need scrubbed its your job.  You will be the first to arrive and the last to leave every time  the church gathers. If you have children they will not have the luxury of loads of other children their age.  You will have to leave behind tourism church attendance, flitting around on a Sabbath evening in search of a juicy sermon.  Forget about being a ten percent tither this is the deep end, it is two mite service territory.

You will have the danger of vulnerability as you open our home and heart to the stranger.

You will face the darkness of people leaving as quickly as they have arrived.  There will be the darkness of isolation when the prayer support of the many sifts away to the faithful few.

We can't promise you success with loads of new faces being added week by week.

In fact we can't promise you that there will even  be a congregation in ten years.  No one will ever read about your sacrifice in the papers or even this blog.

But in another world there will be honour and recognition, of that you can be absolutely sure.

If the King of the nations is stirring your heart to reach the tens of thousands in East Belfast, the hundreds of thousands in Dublin or the thousands in Enniskillen then go and speak to your elders. 

And talking about elders which of you is going to lead by example.  Let your people see that the Great Commission is indeed truly great.

Apparently Shackleton was inundated with men willing to go.  Of these he took twenty eight.  That would be enough to have each of our present church planting scenarios move on to a new level.

Will you be one saying, Here am I send me.

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

C.T Studd