Reproduction

I left church this weekend to join up with my youngest daughter and wife in LA to look at colleges.  Becca is just a junior, but we’re trying to get a jump on this deal. For some reason she thinks that God might be calling her to go very far away to college. Not (I don’t think) because she doesn’t like us, but because she’s ready to be on her own and go change the world. And she will!

But man, did it hit me when I left. I had to come to Austin for a church planting thing. So I had a nice, long, lonely flight to think about how I all of a sudden got to the place in life where I’m going to be an empty nester! And how much I miss my kids.
 
So now I’m in a meeting with the New Thing Network, which Parkview is a part of, strategizing about how to reproduce churches and leaders.
 
And I’m thinking about how glad I am that I’ve poured my life into my children. Now that two of them are out of the house and the last one is flying the coup, I’m realizing that my and Denise’s influence as a believers in Jesus is growing exponentially. And that may/will be more important to the overall kingdom of Christ than anything we do personally. That’s why God gave us these kids in the first place. They will lead and reproduce others who will lead and reproduce others and on it goes.
 
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable (wo)men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2
 
When Denise and I are dead and gone, the ministry of Rachel, Lauren, and Becca Harlow (insert name here) will go on. It will go on with their children and go on through the ministries that they have been involved in.
 
So Bill and I are sitting here trying to figure out how all of that works in the church.  
 
What we do locally at Parkview is incredible. I love the stories and the rapid growth is phenomenal. But if we’re not reproducing leaders and reproducing churches, we will get to the “empty nest” stage and realize that it’s only been about “us” and now we’re done.
 
That would be selfish, and it would be wasteful. There is so much potential and so many people that need Jesus. Why would we just keep this to ourselves? The “offspring” from Parkview will live on long after we’re gone.
 
Honestly, it’s not an easy conversation. But now that my own kids are gone (almost), I’m thankful for every minute that I decided not to be a self-serving person and decided to pour my life into my children. Now they will do the same, and the dream lives on.
 
Tim

 

Comments

[Rosemary Douglas]

Hi, Tim, Today's blog reminded me of Sara Groves' song "Generations." If you haven't heard it, I think you could really relate to the words. Thanks for all you and Parkview do!

[James1:1]

You and Denise have done a wonderful job of Parenting your girls. Your reward is seeing THEIR journey unfold. Hard in a way yes, But the Cycle of life goes on eh?

[Pamela]

Always love your blog posts Tim. My husband and I have always have always felt driven to reproduce, make disciples, and realize that movements....well, they move.

Went over by New Thing. Totally cool. I'm praying for the partnership and what God has in store to reproduce what He has created at Parkview throughout the Midwest and beyond.

[Paula]

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,and no mind has imagined what GOD has Prepared for those who love HIM.” -
1 Corinthians 2:8-10

The LOVE of The Father...reflected in the Love of the Dad (and Mom :)

Not hundreds...not thousands...not even hundreds of thousands of souls for JESUS...but MORE much MORE than can be asked or imagined :) Amen

[Linda]

father = pastor = shepherd

you are the "seed" Tim, that grew a beautiful family tree that is beginning to bear fruit,

you are the "seed" Tim, that planted a church, that grew into Parkview, that continues to bear the fruit.

"each passing dawn bestows His blessing"

May we continue to give Him Praise!