As I was reflecting on the Prodigal God and discussions about younger and elder brothers, I got to thinking about elder brothers and how they impact church planting.

At first, I thought about how elder brothers lack the desire to go after younger brothers and how often they complain about those who do. As Keller has said, "our churches are full of elder brothers". And, I am afraid that I thought about them pretty much as lost causes.

But then it struck me that one of the greatest church planters ever, was also one of the worst cases of "elder brother(ness)", Saul of Tarsus. I often wonder if any of the early church prayers included the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. I think most prayer that concerned him would have been of a different kind. And yet, God reached out the grab hold of Saul and turn him into the apostle Paul. God used all of that theological training and passion for good.

So, as I think of the many elder brothers who warm pews or chairs in North America, I pray that many of them will "see the light" and become wonderful servants in reaching other elder and younger brothers. It seems to me that this is a "mission field" that should not be ignored.