The Bible on a Deserted Island Test

This is a follow up to yesterday’s post.

Here’s a quick test to know if your expression of church is too complicated to multiply disciples.  It’s called the “Bible on a Deserted Island Test.”

Imagine you crash on a deserted island and all you have is the clothes on your back and a Bible.  You are stranded on the island and separated from civilized society. But the island is large enough to support several indigenous tribes of people. You are over time adopted by one of the local tribes and learn their language. Because they’ve adopted you, you now care about these people and want to share the Gospel with them.

Now, the million dollar question: Can you plant a church like you’re currently part of among them? Follow up question: Will they read the Bible and see the church you start in the pages of the Bible you have? Or do they have to have explanation of church history or your denomination?

If the answer to both of these questions is yes, congratulations! You have a simple, reproducible church. If the answer to either of these questions are no, I would invite you to consider what part of your church model might be baggage that slows the spread of the Gospel.

If your goal is to disciple the nations, your model of church should work anywhere.

Photo Credit: Into the Promised Land, Joshua 18, Abandoned Bible, White Oak Bayou, Houston, Texas 0420091320BW by Patrick Feller