Catalyst Nuggets of Wisdom: Ed Stetzer

Ed Stetzer taught the second lab at Catalyst yesterday. He talked about the three kingdom recognitions for church planters

1. The Lordship of Jesus

• When you plant a church you become so busy that other things like creativity or assimilation become “lords” of your church.
• Church planters need to plant churches that announce the Lordship of Jesus to people that are far from him but deeply need him.
• Church plants announce the Kingdom and develop communities of kingdom people.
• When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom he said that the Kingdom births the church as expressions of His kingdom! If we are going to plant churches birthed by the Kingdom it has to begin with the proclamation that Jesus is Lord!
• Church planters are more likely to profess the talent and skill of themselves rather than the Lordship of Christ.
• The more talented you are the more likely you are to neglect the Lordship of Christ.God will not bless it unless you give it all over to him. Make sure Jesus is the hero of the church, not your talent or ability.
• Always make sure Jesus is the focus - not excellence or planning.

2. This Profession of Faith is the Foundation of the Church

• Death can’t hold back the church when it is birthed by the Kingdom.
• The foundation of your church needs is “you are the Messiah the son of the Living God.”
• Eph 2:20 - Church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone.
• The church planter is the undershepard. Be tenacious, be mean about the vision, but you have got find a way to stay focused and committed to the foundation that ultimately this is Jesus’ church and he will build it.

3. The Church has the keys to the Kingdom

• There are more verses in the Bible that justify you having a concubine than a denomination.
• The most important institution in the world today is the local church.
• Q. Which could I do more good: becoming president of the United States or planting a local church? A. Planting, because only the church is given the keys to the kingdom.
• Take seriously the keys.
• REACH THE LOST, NOT THE FOUND!
• The Kingdom is more important than your church.
• START MORE CHURCHES!
• Don’t denigrate others who are in Kingdom work.
• Plant because of the Kingdom.
• Always choose the kingdom over the church. Don’t do anything that could help your church, but hurt the kingdom.