Church Planting as Acupuncture
I’ve been thinking some about the an image that rolls well with how I believe church planters function.
An acupuncturist.
This eastern therapeutic technique specializes in improving circulation to all parts of the body, thus creating an increased ‘flow of energy’ that garners awareness, health, and growth. In an acupuncturist church plant, the planter is focused on facilitating the “flow of energy” to all parts of the church body. Giving each person and community ample growth and healthy energy for creativity and spiritual formation. Good acupuncture is not invasive – it is tangential to the body itself – so with church planting – a church planter’s leadership must not be overbearing, and truly must find ways to stay out of the limelight to allow others in the church to step up.
Unfortunately, most “church plants” have been functionally more like surgery (or amputation) than acupuncture. Most would call these “church splits”. The body goes through trauma and must be intoxicated with numbing agents before, during, and after such drastic invasiveness. It is never the same, and many times large parts of the body rot and leave scar tissue.
I don’t know if this metaphor can go on any longer, but at this hour I know I can’t. Just thought I’d pass along my thoughts du jour. Feel free to hyper-extend this metaphor for as long as you think it’ll go!
Sean are discussing.