The Theology of Resistance in Church Planting

One of the best newsletters on church multiplication I personally read is one written by Dr. Bob and Noreen Vajko veteran church planting missionaries who function now as church planting consultants with TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission)  Recently they dealt with the Theology of Resistance in Church Planting, Here are Bob's thoughts:

 

As missionaries work in church planting, the question of “where” to plant a church is a key factor in an effective and enduring church plant.  This leads to the question of what to do in order to plant a church in a resistant area in any given country. I would like to look at the biblical data and then move from the theology of church planting to the question of the application of what is gleaned from this data. 

 

What is Resistance?

• The word “resist” has an interesting etymology coming from the Latin “resistere” and means “to take a stand” or “to exert force in opposition.”
• This is exactly what we talk about when we deal with the concept of “resistance” to the message of Christ.
• Michael Pocock states that “The resistant are those who have or are receiving an adequate opportunity to hear the gospel but over some time have not responded properly.” (Woodberry 1998, 5).
• In particular certain parts of the world, certain ethnic groups, and those adhering to certain religious groups have shown themselves resistant to the life-changing message of Christ.

What Causes Resistance to the Gospel?

• Belonging to an ethnic group that is opposed to Christianity.
  • We see this in many parts of the world today and especially among certain ethnic groups.
  • Usually this means that becoming a Christian means being a traitor to your given ethnic group.
• Belonging to a religion that is considered superior to Christianity.
  • This is the case with most of the major religions of the world.
  • To become a Christian is to betray your previous religion.
• A misunderstanding of the message of the gospel.
  • Many are resistant because the message of the gospel is tied in with cultural baggage that is not a part of the gospel.
  • Many are resistant because they have not heard a message that is related to their context and the gospel seems to be either incomprehensible or foreign.
• Resistance to the person bringing the message. 
  • After the 2^nd world war, a German missionary seeking to work in Francewould normally find resistance not because of the message but because of the link with a previous invader. 
  • The same would be true of Japanese missionaries going to China right after the war with China.
• Certain times and seasons of resistance.
  • Amazingly enough there are times when resistance is broken down because of some change in the circumstances.
  • There is also the question of the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit who, as Jesus stated, "the wind (same word as Spirit in Greek) blowa where it wishes..." and there are special times and seasons where suddenly an openness to the gospel shows itself.

How Can Resistance be Overcome?

• By love.

• By prayer.

• By a new presentation of the message of Christ.

• By better contextualization.

• By a new understanding of the message.

• By planting churches in concentric circles thus increasing receptivity. “Nothing increases general responsiveness like the spread of evangelical churches.  Every Christian has scores of relatives who know him intimately.  Every congregation is a center of influence.” (McGavran 1963, 64).

Resistance and Church Planting

• It is evident that it will be more difficult to plant a new church in a resistant area or among resistant peoples.
• It will be helpful if we think about “pockets of receptivity” in resistant areas.
• • This has been mentioned previously in HPMC where we discovered in a new city where people where moving in at an unusually rapid rate) an amazing openness to the gospel in France whereas the general population was more resistant.  
  • This can happen within a given ethnic or demographic group where some people are more open for a number of reasons  
  • Contact with some kind of “bridge of God”- a friend, relative, or even business contact who has been changed by the gospel.   
  • Some kind of change in their life – a crisis or period of difficulty where they need help and loving concern that the gospel provides.   
• The question of urbanization and resistance.  Newer areas in a given population open the door and provide receptivity.
• The question of demographics and resistance.   Areas where there are younger people are more open and less resistant.
• The multiplication of churches within a given area increases receptivity as can be seen in the quote of McGavran above.  We experienced this in the Paris area as new churches helped to plant new churches and thus increased responsiveness.

Sources:

• Liao, David E. E. 1972. The Unresponsive: Resistant or Neglected? The Hakka Chinese inTaiwan Illustrate a Common Missions Problem. Chicago: Moody Press.
• McGavran, Donald A. 1963. Church Growth in Mexico. Grand Rapid MI: Eerdmans.
• McGavran, Donald A.. 1980. Understanding Church Growth, Revised Edition. Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans.

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Check out Gary's thoughts on the subject No Respnse to the Gospel