Written By: Rev. Morrie Lawing
“Put me to the test,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need” (Mal 3:10). If the Lord tells us to test Him in giving the tithe, promising to bless us over-abundantly, how much more so in daughtering a church! As you can see in this quarterly issue, the writers are testifying to the “Lord of hosts” pouring “down blessing.” We cannot out give God, especially when we are about the work of furthering His Kingdom.
The writers in this issue of OUTREACH all testify to stepping out in faith as a pastor of a daughter church, a pastor of a mother church, as a core team member, and as a retired pastor committed to supporting this plant with his presence and prayers. That’s what it takes: faith. Faith to trust the Lord in anticipation of His great blessing. It’s exciting to see the interplay between all the parties involved.
I recall the times we were sent out, or more accurately, dropped out, with a parachute. We knew hardly anyone in our target cities, and we had no core group who had left their mother church to become a part of a daughter mission. Yes, we had sister ARP churches who provided provisional elders, nursery workers, set up and take down volunteers, generous funds and fervent prayer. And we were greatly blessed. Yet, I do not believe this is the ideal way. As Outreach North America’s director, I am more and more convinced the better way is to truly daughter a church.
Let’s daughter more ARP Churches! Would your church consider being a part of daughtering a church? Please call me, let’s talk! (704) 763-8060
