Timothy Bryan James Comments on the Commitment of Church Planting in Modern Christianity

PHILADELPHIA, PA, January 25, 2013 (Press-News.org) A recent article from The Christian Post observes that the growing focus on the celebrity in American culture is one that does not just apply to those on the silver screen, but those who are the leading voices of churches nationwide. As a result, "celebrity pastors" have been able to provide a sense of great influence among their congregations, which could prompt a greater commitment to the missionary act of church planting. While the article thoroughly assesses the many sacrifices communities must make, Pastor Timothy Bryan James, founder of Monterey Church in Monterey, California, encourages willing Christians to explore this great opportunity for intense spiritual development.

As the article suggests that while some who maintain a "celebrity pastor" status try to reach out to more people through megachurches or broadcasting "campus" churches, it may serve more of a benefit to inspire members of a congregation to reach out through church planting. Aside from the noticeable influence that more people are exposed to the Word of God, the article explains that church planting enables Christians to endure a unique sense of development. It states, "When it comes to getting New Testament churches off the ground, all disciples can benefit when they are allowed to own it, and feed it, and lead it, and serve it....and 'raise a new church' from infancy with tender loving care....and not merely attend large group gatherings, small group Bible studies, decision-making meetings, age-segregated programming, and big-screen viewings of their senior pastor."

As a Christian who has experienced localized church planting through his founding of the Monterey Church, Pastor Timothy Bryan James follows a similar sentiment. James comments, "Church planting is the great hope for the American Church! We have become so fixated on increasing attendance in single large venues that we have lost the art of truly making disciples."

He adds that instead of focusing on the "rock star pastor," church planting encourages individuals to experience Christianity from an individual, personal side where they are not only receptive to God's Will, but they are also carrying out His wishes.

The article encourages the multiplication of faith, rather than the accumulation of congregations, "Forget about trying to become bigger and bigger. Instead, become broader and broader." Exemplifying this concept, Pastor Timothy Bryan James, concludes, "A church of 200 people that plants a new church which grows to 200 people every three years, will in 30 years have planted 10 churches with 6,000 members. If those churches follow suit, the growth would be exponential...somewhere around 100 more churches reaching another 60,000 people in that same time."

ABOUT:

Timothy Bryan James is the founder and lead pastor at Monterey Church based in Monterey, California. Having led a life as a promising small business owner, Timothy Bryan James eventually discovered his calling to serve Jesus Christ and spread the Christian faith to the West Coast. Along with the help of his family, Pastor Timothy Bryan James established Monterey Church in 2006 and has since inspired many to surrender their lives to God, strengthen spiritual beliefs and engage with others through community service.

Website: http://timothybryanjames.org