Sola Cutting Edge - NOT!

I'm always on the lookout for new or unknown materials and tools that might be of help to the pastors and leaders I serve in my training and consulting ministry. Recently I have become familiar with two promising resources that might be classified under discipleship or small groups, but that carry an evangelism commitment that takes these materials beyond the typical. First is The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter and second is The Acts 29 Kit by Chris Kovac. These were both mentioned in my July 1, 2010 blog. My intent here is not simply to repeat myself, but as I have considered these resources, especially Halter's offering, the phrase "cutting edge" has come to mind. The Tangible Kingdom is, indeed, on the cutting edge of missional, incarnational ministry.

When we use the idiomatic expression "the cutting edge" we are identifying that which has taken the innovative lead in an enterprise or that which is out front, first to the field. The American Heritage Dictionary cites definitions for "cutting edge" as 1. an effective quality or element, and 2. the position of greatest advancement or importance; the forefront. The Collins English Dictionary defines "cutting edge" as the leading position in any field; forefront. As someone who has planted churches and who thrives on the adventure of ministry, I have often prided myself (this is a confession) on being on the cutting edge, as if somehow I've understood something that others haven't understood or been places that others haven't gone. But my recent thoughts on the proverbial "cutting edge" took me to an unexpected place as I began to consider the literal cutting edge, that part of a knife that literally cuts.

Google being what it is, I did a bit of research on knives and I discovered something obvious and yet completely missed in the fascination with the cutting edge. Simply stated, the cutting edge cannot cut anything without the participation of the rest of the knife. Without the entire knife, the cutting edge is just a thin sliver of metal with no purpose, function or capability. A typical knife has at least ten identifiable parts: blade, handle, point, edge, grind, spine, fuller, ricasso, guard, and buff. All need to work in concert or the edge cannot cut.

Not all pastors and leaders, or churches for that matter, can be on the cutting edge of ministry, but all need to be part of the knife, empowering, enabling, and equipping those on the edge to do the innovative, first on the field, forefront work. I don't want to go overboard with this metaphor at this point (point; get it!) as I'm still thinking it through, but I do want to encourage the cutting edge to understand its dependency on the rest of the knife, and I want the rest of the knife to understand the strategic importance of the cutting edge. And if you as a pastor or leader, or even church or judicatory, are not even part of the knife at all, please step up now and put your force behind the cutting edge.

Finally, just to be clear, the cutting edge of the church is the slashing, penetrating Gospel as it cuts into the hearts, lives and communities of the lost. It's the applied Great Commission!

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do? Acts 2:37 ESV