Reaching Up, Reaching Out for October 3

Planning to start a new church is one of the more administrative intensive projects I’ve ever been involved in. It has given me a new appreciation for Solomon’s request for wisdom. In 1 Kings 3:5 the Lord appeared to King Solomon early in his reign and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you?”

What would your response be if you were in charge? Money? Influence? Power? Relationships? A new job?

1 Kings 3:6-9 is Solomon’s response:

“You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.7 “Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

1 Kings 3:10 states, “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.” And 1 Kings 4:29 tells us the Lord’s response: “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore.”

James 1:5 teaches that God’s gift of wisdom isn’t limited to Kings in Israel. James writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

Later in his letter, James teaches the wisdom God gives leads to the building and flourishing of community. James 3:17 says, “...the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

This is what I need. This is what the growing launch team needs. We have three important discussions occurring among the ever growing launch team at this time: 1/ what should we name this new church?, 2/ where should we meet to worship?, 3/ what ministries should have priority focus when we launch? We are having a fruitful discussion together as we begin talking and thinking about these questions. It’s been encouraging and I’m learning a lot.

One question I have been asked by one of the team members is, “Who decides?”

My answer and goal, as much as possible is, “We do.”

So, my prayer request this week is for wisdom, the kind that builds community. The kind that will unite us as a new community of God’s people, here to serve the city of Lincoln. So, please pray and ask God to give His gift of community building wisdom to us.

-Tobey

Posted on October 03, 2007.