by Pastor Patrick Cho

Last week I had encouraged the members of the church to try their best to make it out to Sunday’s members meeting. Those who were able to attend understood quickly the reason for the encouragement. The evening was filled with significant announcements concerning the future of LBC, and most notably the announcement of plans to plant a church in the Los Angeles area. There was understandably a gasp that went across the room as the news was delivered, but I was particularly blessed by the cheers that erupted as people expressed their enthusiasm and excitement.

This decision to church plant in Los Angeles was not made lightly. A significant decision like this requires much prayer and consideration. There would necessarily be great challenges for all the LBC churches to move forward with the plan. But the Lord has been at work and it seemed as though all the pieces were in place for the move not only to be possible, but to be beneficial and strategic.

A church in Los Angeles would provide a viable hub to connect the Lighthouse churches in the north in San Jose and East Bay with the one in the south in San Diego. A location close to The Master’s Seminary could be very instrumental for the training up of future shepherds and church planters. Besides, Los Angeles provides one of the most densely populated areas in the entire nation, which means the gospel will be more accessible for people who need to hear it. Given the strategic value, it might have seemed inevitable that a Lighthouse church would eventually be established in Los Angeles.

While the excitement buzzing with the members is encouraging, in penning this article, I thought it would be best to remind the church of one particular factor: having good confidence that the Lord is leading us in this direction does not ensure that the work will be easy. I’m sure many have thought that a plant in Los Angeles would be great because of how many people are from there who are currently attending Lighthouse. Those who wanted to help out with the church plant could conveniently return home and contribute to the work. While the location might be convenient for some, it is important to remember that there is very little that is convenient about church planting.

Ask anyone who moved up north for the San Jose church plant that was originally from that area if the transition was easy. I can guarantee they would tell you it wasn’t. If we are going to move forward planting a church in Los Angeles, anyone who is involved needs to be deeply committed and ready to work. A team with individuals that are only thinking about convenience and ease will prove to be an inefficient and possibly destructive team. Those comfort seekers are the likeliest people to bail in the middle of the effort instead of persevering to the end.

This is not to say that the success of the church plant relies entirely on our efforts. Certainly not! Through it all, there needs to be a constant and enduring dependence upon the Spirit for guidance, encouragement, and strength. It is through the hardships of church planting that Christ’s Great Commission promise is so comforting: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). We need His promise if we are going to endure and succeed. We need His help if this church is going to get off the ground. We need His guidance to walk us through the planning. And if lives are going to be won for Christ, we need His grace and mercy.

But in the plan of God, His sovereignty works through human effort. He uses those who would be spent for His purposes and glory. Understandably, laziness, idleness, and apathy work to hinder church planting efforts. Members who are willing to face and endure difficulties, challenges, opposition, and attacks are needed. We need men and women who will walk in holiness so as not to defame the name of Christ and hamper the testimony of the church. We need members who are vehement to maintain peace and pursue unity. We need people who can, in dependence on God, resist the attacks of the devil remembering that the devil hates healthy churches.

Yes, it is right and good that the church is excited about the prospect of planting a church in Los Angeles. Like I said on Sunday night, I think it’s patently clear that we are committed to our Vision Statement to be a church planting church. But I want to help make sure the members understand the difficulties and challenges that lie ahead. There will certainly be joys and many reasons to celebrate and cheer, but it will not come conveniently or easily. With that, let’s begin with prayer and even fasting as we seek to plow forward. From the very outset, let’s commit this work to the Lord and ask for His help to work it out. This encouragement is not only for those who are thinking about going. As a church united, we ought to be actively part of the church planting process to the glory of God.