Exciting stuff

This morning I had an interesting meeting with the group of pastors who want to be part of Harvest Cry. There was a nice buzz in the room as a result of our meeting at Bethel last Sunday night. Almost everyone was positive and very excited.

There was only one Pastor of a non-Pentecostal church in the room. As we talked about involving more churches, he did seem to feel as if it could be a stumbling block to non-Pentecostal churches when they see just how Pentecostal Johannes really is.

God help us encourage them to consider supporting this and giving it a chance, even though it will stretch them. And then help us support their stuff, even though it is different from ours! And help us be clear and honest about who we are and who Johannes is, so that no one can possibly feel ripped off.

There was also a few concerns about the church planting process. I'll try to express them here, so that we all can pray about them and seek the Lord's heart on how to handle them.

Objections: 1. "Where will these new churches be planted? Sometimes new churches are being planted wherever without regard to the existing churches, and those existing church Pastors are offended by the plant, because the planter did not announce himself and seek their permission."

Answer: We will do our best to notify Pastors, and let them know. We will try hard not to needlessly offend as we follow Jesus.

Objection 2: "Will the new church teams be the only ones working the altars at the crusade? Why can't the rest of us reap some of the harvest as well?

Answer: No of course not. All churches will be needed to work the altars. Evangelism is relational meaning those who brought possible new converts will likely be the ones to reap the harvest of those new converts.

Objections3: "I don't know all of these new church planters. What if I don't trust them and would not want new believers to connect with them?"

Answer: You will have opportunity to meet them, and you will have to trust us somewhat with them, like you trust us. We think you will love them, but you will have to decide for yourself, as we would if you planted one