Episode Summary:
In this third episode of the Jesus and Jet Lag bonus series, hosts Matthew Doebler and Mike Hartman conclude their look at Paul’s first missionary journey. Picking up in the second half of Acts 14 (verses 21-28), they discuss the “return trip” where Paul and Barnabas revisit the very cities where they faced persecution to strengthen the disciples. The conversation focuses on the essential components of a planted church, the reality of hardships in ministry, and the strategic importance of letting go and entrusting new believers to the Holy Spirit.
Key Topics & Takeaways:
The “Three Legs” of a Local Church: The hosts analyze Paul’s method to define what constitutes a “planted” church. It requires three components: Evangelism (outreach), Nurture (strengthening the disciples), and Leadership (appointing elders). If you only have one, you might have a program or a Bible study, but not a church 1111.
The Reality of Hardship: Paul’s warning that “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” was backed by his own physical bruises from Lystra. The hosts discuss how church planting is a spiritual battle that inevitably involves hurts and wounds 2.
Strategic Regional Bases: How could Paul claim the work was “completed” after only a year or two? Matt explains the strategy of planting churches in key regional hubs (like Iconium or Corinth) to serve as bases from which the gospel could blanket the surrounding areas, rather than trying to reach every individual personally 3.
Committing Them to the Lord: A crucial step in mission work is the ability to “let go.” Paul didn’t stay to micromanage; he appointed local leaders and entrusted the church to the Lord, trusting that the Holy Spirit would continue the work 4444.
The Joy of Reporting Back: The episode concludes with Paul and Barnabas returning to Syrian Antioch to report “all that God had done.” The hosts highlight the importance of sharing mission stories to double the joy of the church and validate that it is God’s work, not ours 5.
Resources and People Mentioned:
Wayne Schultz’s Essay: “Partners in Starting Churches”
Ott and Wilson: Authors of Global Church Planting, cited for the idea that apostles did not just “go out” but went to specific strategic centers.
Next Episode Teaser:
Join Matt and Mike for the next episode where they will dive into Acts 15 to discuss Culture Clash. They will look at the conflict that arose when Jewish and Gentile cultures collided in the early church and how the Jerusalem Council addressed it.
Common Terms and Links on Jesus and Jetlag
WELS = Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (wels.net)
WLS = Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon Wisconsin (wisluthsem.org)
BWM = WELS Board for World Missions
CICR = Commission on Inter-Church Relations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Vicar = a pastoral intern in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran system
Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly (WLQ) - A theological journal, published by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that aims to serve pastors and theologians with scholarly articles, book reviews, and reflections on contemporary theological and pastoral concerns.
Pastoral Studies Institute of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
All commentary, statements, and discussion on this podcast reflect the knowledge, insight, and experience solely of the individuals presenting and featured on the podcast.
