Andrew visited Live Dead Silk Road on a summer intensive. See how God began to change his perspective on church planting movements around the world.

If you want to start a church plant in most of the developed world there are certain culturally perceived needs that every church should have.  You definitely need to have a worship team, a well-prepared sermon, a building/space that people can find, decent marketing, maybe some tight jeans, great coffee, decent signage and of course some relevant graphics and media.  Most church plants then need to have a “preview service” where the pastor and staff get to practice the production of church to make sure they can get it right before they officially launch their “services”. 

The most refreshing thing about my trip to Central Eurasia to visit the Live Dead team was their church services.  They meet every week for church, but they don’t have a worship team or an intentionally humorous sermon with video bumpers, or a building that anyone could find unless they were personally invited. 

I personally experienced the Biblical model of church for the first time.  The goal of church planting along the Silk Road is not to build a mega church, but that doesn’t prevent having an incredibly edifying church. 

So, what did the church in Central Eurasia look like?

We met in one of the leader’s homes and we ate together, we read scripture together, talked about what God was doing and miracles we saw, we helped one another, we thanked God, prayed in small groups and lastly sang together.  It virtually cost no money… and no one was stressed out.  Sound familiar? 

Acts 2:42-47 ESV

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” 

Did the early church grow because they had the best coffee?  Maybe it was the worship team and their signage?  There is no secret to the growth of the Early Church. Scripture tells us that the people of God devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to prayer, to eating, to fellowshipping and to sharing…  

“God added to their number day by day those who were being saved”

I personally have to repent from trying to grow God’s Church through my own efforts.  We don’t have the ability to GROW anything.  

• Paul Planted… Apollos watered but God made it grow (1 COR 3:6-8) 
• Abide in me and you will bear much fruit… (John 15) 
• Be Obedient… God will add and He will SAVE. (Acts 2) 

Upon introspection with the Live Dead Team I began to ask myself these questions: 

1. Does the way I run my church services create disciples? 
2. Why do I run my services the way I do? 
3. Do I measure my effectiveness through how many people come to one of my services?
4. Do I spend more time in prayer and with the PEOPLE, or do I spend more time on having a “relevant” PRODUCTION? 
5. Am I equipping people to reproduce a disciple-making atmosphere? 
6. Is my ambition for God’s Kingdom or is it for MY Kingdom? 

When they plant churches along the Silk Road, they want a model that can be reproduced, but most importantly they want a Biblical model where Jesus is being exalted, and they, in faith with great expectation, await and prepare for the Holy Spirit to call His people to salvation.   

God will grow the church in Central Eurasia and thankfully He uses us as His body to do it.

Lord, I repent of my heart to grow your church out of selfish ambition.  May my fervency for the church to grow be fueled by the Holy Spirit and a desire for Jesus to be known, to be GLORIFIED.  May we, the American church, be convicted of our apathy and ignorance for “producing church”.   Lord, I pray for the boldness and the strength to follow Acts 2 and John 15 and put in my heart an expectation and a hope to see you GROW YOUR CHURCH. 

Also, Jesus, please bless the Live Dead team, may their church plants GROW, may they daily be reminded of your faithfulness.  Give them the strength to keep being obedient.  May your name be glorified in the hearts of the people along the Silk Road.