"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27:2)
Some people have found it difficult to "find" the Keystone Project, even when they do a web search. I am often asked why we don't promote ourselves more aggressively. There are several reasons for this, each consistent with our core values.
- First, we want the Holy Spirit to be fully engaged in every aspect of our ministry, especially in connecting us with those whom He has chosen and prepared to receive our training and coaching. We pray for every training we do and trust the Spirit to bring to us only those He has selected. We acknowledge that our training is not for everyone and, in fact, can produce unexpected and unwanted results in the wrong hands.
- Second, we have no need for self-promotion because we have nothing to sell or market. Our training is always done for free, and our resources are available to committed movement-making leaders either at no charge (if distributed by us) or at cost (if distributed by others).
- The third reason has to do with money. We have always trusted the Holy Spirit to lead us through the resources He provides and we always work with what He has given to us. With Spirit-generated resources, our second and third level training is, by necessity, not open to the general public and is done by application and invitation only. We are investing in leaders who are serious about launching movements of disciples who make disciples.
- Fourth, we have made a Spirit-led decision to work with leaders who are targeting unreached and unengaged people groups. This involves a highly strategic approach with security issues.
- Fifth, we have no desire to engage in dialogue "about" the mission at the expense of the mission. We are practitioners, not theoreticians, and have limited time for extra-missional activities. The simplicity of our approach and the lack of a cohesive methodological formula due to our insistence on following the leading of the Spirit leads me to believe we have little to contribute to such conversations anyway.
- Sixth, fame brings with it a plethora of bad choices. Our "under-the-radar" m.o. allows us to control our choices concerning where to go and with whom to work. We are less tempted to operate in ways that are more pragmatic and popular than they are truly fruitful and obedient. We are absolutely free to follow Jesus in all that we do.
- Seventh (and you're not going to like this one), ministry self-promotion, done for the wrong reasons, can be blatantly shallow, unbiblical, and carnal. It is almost always driven by a secular worldview and consumeristic core values. It implies a need for man to be in control of the process and the mission. I know this flies in the face of modern attractional ministry methods. The work of the Keystone Project is not the Keystone Project, but the mission of the Great Commission. We are not building a ministry but establishing the kingdom of God. I believe I can speak for every Keystone Project staff person when I say that if and when the Keystone Project ceases to exist, we will continue with the vision and mission which defines it.
A final thought: there are many excellent ministries who make themselves known to the general public in admirably biblical ways. This discussion is not intended to portray them in a negative manner. It is motivated to answer the questions many of you have concerning the way we have chosen to engage the public.
