Seeds not Bricks

In the effort to plant a missional church, I often reiterate to our people that the preaching of the Gospel and the establishment of churches should be likened to seed, not bricks.

Bricks are pre-crafted. They are transported a location for ready use. They are artificial, non-organic, static, and rigid.

Seeds are created organically. They flourish where they are planted, using whatever soil and resources are available in the location it finds itself. They are living, dynamic, and conforming.

Anybody can superimpose their pre-crafted church model or denominational approach to Christianity in any cultural or societal context. The problem with this, however, is two-fold:

1. It smacks of arrogance. "The people we encounter must submit to our ways, expressions, and understandings about God." That's just gross.

2. It lacks common sense. "We suppose to already know how God wants to affect and teach these people; therefore, we don't need to make any considerations of this people, their culture, values, or worldview." That's just silly.

I would much rather plant seeds than pile bricks. Seeds embody the culture and society it finds itself planted in. On one hand, the seed is already predisposed to be something in particular: namely, a worshipping body of believers in Jesus; on the other hand, the seed, as it grows, reflects and embodies the characteristics of soil in which it is grounded. Eventually, the seed becomes just as solid and sturdy as a pile of bricks as it grows into a deeply rooted tree.

And what's the best thing that seeds do that bricks cannot? Seeds become trees, trees produce fruit, and in those fruit there are more seeds. Quite missional, isn't it?