Thursday, May 17, 2007

Jerry Falwell's Legacy

Much has been written and said in the last few days about the legacy of Jerry Falwell. His supporters have rightly pointed to the enduring legacy he will leave behind. His detractors have largely spewed vitriolic venom. This is sad whether you agreed with the man or not. This is sad especially coming from those who are said to be followers of Christ.

When we move on from the politics of Jerry Falwell what we see if a man who turned Lynchburg upside down. The media in its rush to sensationalize does not tell us about homes built, community services offered, and money given for all the projects of Thomas Road Church and Liberty University they instead indicate that Falwell's only legacy was the Moral Majority.

One legacy that I have not seen spoken about is Falwell's legacy as it pertains to church planting. My understanding is that Falwell was a "turn around" pastor and not a church planter per se. However, the man obviously had a heart for church planting. In the last few months I have noticed that among the landscape of church planters across the nation there are many who have had some connection to Liberty. These are some of the most effective, innovative and articulate church planters out there. And so, part of Falwell's legacy will live on through these guys and persons will continue to be touched by the good news of Jesus because of Jerry Falwell and his passion to see lost people connected to Christ. That is the kind of passion the church needs no matter what someone's politics are!

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