One of the latest trends in the church planting movement is the development of satellite congregations.  Large churches find a meeting place in a neighboring area and plant a satellite location.  Here is where it gets interesting:  The new locale receives the Sunday service via streaming video from the Mother Church. In other words, there is not a real live preacher or worship leader present.  I do understand that the video quality is exceptional.   Time will tell if such a strategy is going to prove to be viable over the long haul.

I have a much different idea about church planting.  It comes closer to mirroring the conclusions of a friend of mine who believes that new churches find their beginnings at Denny’s.  I am serious.  He spends his time studying and preparing at Denny’s, where he has befriended the wait staff and customers alike.  He thinks building bridges to the hearts of people is the way to get a church started.  What a novel idea…

I am going to plant a satellite church at Walmart.  The store managers won’t even feel the intrusion. I have no need for office space.  I will continue to hold Sunday services at our present location.  I will simply camp out on aisle 14 and wait patiently, because…..

Only at Walmart…

• Can you have a conversation with total strangers about their family situation.  Late one evening I was in the checkout line when a lady saw my jacket that has “Granbury Police Dept. Chaplain” imprinted on it.  That was enough of a conversation starter.  I knew much of her life story before the associate scanned her last item.
• Can you see a sweet little girl and her father carrying out her newly purchased birthday cake for her 4th birthday.  Her mom and dad are separated right now.  I needed to see her today and be reminded of the people I should never neglect to pray for daily.
• Can you bump into a friend and her two young children who just lost their husband and father. Even a  brief interchange with a friend is of utmost importance during that stage in the grieving process.
• Can I run into people that I see in the crowd on Sunday, but rarely have the opportunity to visit one on one.
• Can I see a former student that I was assigned to in a mentoring program, who is preparing to leave for Army Basic Training.

Only at Walmart….. My satellite church is officially formed.  Sometimes it will meet on Saturday mornings. And then there will be gatherings on Monday mornings.   There will be occasional times to get together in the midlde of the night. I will be there to provide a ministry of presence and see what happens. I, too, believe that building bridges to the hearts of people is still important.  Oh, by the way, no video equipment will be necessary.