CPM Essential #4 - Scriptural Authority

Mark 7:6-9
And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! "

The fourth universal element found in CPMs according to David Garrison is Scriptural Authority. Church Planting Movements have a culture where the singular authority is the Word of God and nothing else. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work directly in the hearts of the local people to determine how the Bible is applied in their lives and in their culture.

Those of us who have been believers for a long time often have a first reaction of 'Oh no, what if they get it wrong!' And to this I would say ... what makes us think that we have it entirely right?! The big question here is 'Do we believe the Holy Spirit is sufficient to allow a person to interpret and follow scripture or do they need us too?' Yes, they likely will get some things wrong, but if the Bible is their authority they will grow and change with time ... just like we all have. If we are their authority, that brings a whole host of problems ... including what happens once we leave. If we have been the authority, then often they will look to another person as an authority after we leave and who knows what they will be teaching!!

Of course, I realize that God uses us to teach other people. What I am describing is that our teaching as much as possible should refer directly to scripture and point people directly to scripture. If we don't do it that way, we are bound to bring some of our own traditions into the mix that have potential to stifle a local church planting movement.

It is so tempting for a missionary to say 'This is the way we do it back home'. However, when we do this we often unintentionally set aside the commands of God to observe our own traditions. If we want to keep from passing on our own traditions, the best way to do this is to point people directly to the Word of God.

If they have a question about church leadership, point them to the Bible and let them figure it out. If they have a question about structuring a church meeting, point them to the Bible. If they have a question about their marriage or family relationships, point them to the Bible. If they have questions about money, point them to the Bible. If they have theological questions, point them to the Bible. I think you get the point. :)