Got to go to my first ever Buckeyes game yesterday. It was a fun way to end the week in C-Bus.
The atmosphere is fun. The Band was impressive (particularly in the pre-game show). Unfortunately, I think the team is pretty unremarkable and mostly mediocre. The Big Ten could be brutal to Brutus this year. Nevertheless, it was fun to be part of the Red Sea and watch a game.
There are so many items on the 'to-do' list after spending a week scoping out our new city. It is daunting and exciting all in one. God has been evident this week and has further affirmed our calling.
Pray for us to find an apartment/house that will meet the needs we foresee as we relocate.
Pray for the churches and financial partners who God has called and is calling to invest with us in this Kingdom venture to enter aggressively into this partnership.
Pray for those who God is calling to be part of City Campus Church's Core Launch Team to be obedient to His voice. We are asking God for 40 people to make CCC their home from its very inception.
Pray we would have the role of 'spiritual midwives'. Helping God to birth His Church in the city.
Showing posts with label church planting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church planting. Show all posts
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Reconnaissance in the 'Bus
Leaving tomorrow evening for a week in Columbus. Shaina and I have not used any vacation other than me using a week for when Chaia was born.
So we are getting away for a week, but it is far from vacation as we will be scoping out Columbus and the OSU campus as the freshmen move in. Pray for us as we will have vision casting dinners with some friends we have in the Columbus area to let them begin considering if God might be calling them to City Campus Church in 2012.
We will also scope out housing/neighborhoods and see where God might be stirring.
So thankful for Matt and Kristie Toddy putting us up for a few days and letting us host a couple gatherings at their place.
I've preposted some video to keep your appetite filled with mustard.
So we are getting away for a week, but it is far from vacation as we will be scoping out Columbus and the OSU campus as the freshmen move in. Pray for us as we will have vision casting dinners with some friends we have in the Columbus area to let them begin considering if God might be calling them to City Campus Church in 2012.
We will also scope out housing/neighborhoods and see where God might be stirring.
So thankful for Matt and Kristie Toddy putting us up for a few days and letting us host a couple gatherings at their place.
I've preposted some video to keep your appetite filled with mustard.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
800
Well today is the 800th post in Mustard History. If you're reading it, you're a part of history.
It is crazy to think of the whirlwind of life Shaina and I have been on in the last year.
Couple thoughts on the Columbus Church Planting process.
First: One of the God Sized initial confirmations was when Shaina and I came back from a prayer retreat last August and we felt that I was supposed to tell a friend of mine that I met with regularly for accountability about what God was stirring and see if he'd be interested in journeying with us. Before I even got to share about it, he told me that he had been praying for a couple weeks and just felt God prompting that "if Ben and Shaina were ever to go plant a church, he was supposed to go with them." I think that was the moment that God's call became crystal clear...that this was for real and He desired our faithfulness.
Second: We are seeing a good number of churches...churches that once impacted their community and the world for Christ...now shutting their doors for good. It is imperative that kingdom leaders seek to open as many new doors or even more than are shutting for the movement to continue with momentum. This is why City.Campus.Church will be a church planting church plant. Replication and Reproduction are so vital to new Kingdom Growth.
Third: The reality is that the 'new doors' being opened are going to look quite a bit different from the 'old doors' and even other 'new doors' as well. I will get into this more down the road. But Church as usual is why many doors are closing. The Holy Spirit is prompting some bold leadership to rethink church and pioneer ancient trails. We are being sent by some of these bold leaders and I am absolutely stoked to watch what God does.
It is crazy to think of the whirlwind of life Shaina and I have been on in the last year.
Couple thoughts on the Columbus Church Planting process.
First: One of the God Sized initial confirmations was when Shaina and I came back from a prayer retreat last August and we felt that I was supposed to tell a friend of mine that I met with regularly for accountability about what God was stirring and see if he'd be interested in journeying with us. Before I even got to share about it, he told me that he had been praying for a couple weeks and just felt God prompting that "if Ben and Shaina were ever to go plant a church, he was supposed to go with them." I think that was the moment that God's call became crystal clear...that this was for real and He desired our faithfulness.
Second: We are seeing a good number of churches...churches that once impacted their community and the world for Christ...now shutting their doors for good. It is imperative that kingdom leaders seek to open as many new doors or even more than are shutting for the movement to continue with momentum. This is why City.Campus.Church will be a church planting church plant. Replication and Reproduction are so vital to new Kingdom Growth.
Third: The reality is that the 'new doors' being opened are going to look quite a bit different from the 'old doors' and even other 'new doors' as well. I will get into this more down the road. But Church as usual is why many doors are closing. The Holy Spirit is prompting some bold leadership to rethink church and pioneer ancient trails. We are being sent by some of these bold leaders and I am absolutely stoked to watch what God does.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Big Announcement for the Thompson Household
Announcement Ben and Shaina Thompson 9/11/11 from Wadsworth UMC on Vimeo.
2011 continues to be a year of big announcements. At the start of the year we announced that a little one was on the way. In July we announced that Chaia had come (and that Team Thompson had won the Legends Cup!) and now we are announcing a new chapter beginning in our calling from Christ.
Appreciate your prayers. The next months are huge.
Pray that we would finish well at Wadsworth and be able to say with honesty and integrity that every ministry God gave us to lead, we left better than we found it.
Pray also for the divine appointments to begin, as we are looking for 40 people to commit to plant with us in Columbus.
Pray for prayer warriors to emerge as we are asking God for 100 people who will agree to faithfully pray for us each day through 2012.
Pray for partnerships to form. We are trusting God for monthly financial partners who can help sustain this baby church for three years. We must raise $50,000 a year for three years, which seems daunting, but if 20 people would sponsor at $100 a month for 3 years and 10 people would sponsor at $200 a month for 3 years, we would be right on target.
Wadsworth, we love you and are grateful for the Church you are and the Church you are becoming. Pastor Don and Pastor Jerry are the right men for the job in leading you to deeper waters in Christ!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Antioch Moments
I was referred by a friend to John Piper's most recent message at his church in Minnesota. He preached out of Acts 13:1-3
He used the phrase "Antioch Moments" to reference this moment that had to be absolutely painful for the Church in Antioch. As they were fasting and worshipping, God prompted them to commission their two most influential leaders, Paul and Barnabas.
Antioch had other capable leaders, but this had to be a crisis moment for them. Really God? Two of the most influential Christians of our era (and actually of all time?!)
Antioch Moments are crossroads moments...where obedience is often costly...where decisions are often counterintuitive.
But the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas out. And it was on that missionary journey that Asia Minor would receive the gospel and later, that Europe would receive the Gospel.
And, lest we think that Antioch had to fall on the sword and die in order for this to happen, it is good to recall that the Antioch Church remained strong for centuries and produced some other Christian juggernauts like Ignatius and Chrysostom.
Listen, you or your church may be at or on the brink of an Antioch Crossroads. Will you have the courage to do what God is laying on your heart? The short term pain...though it is ever so painful, leads to long term gain when it God ordained.
But, if you don't spend the time worshipping, fasting and praying...you will merely resort to logic and sensibility in making any life and leadership decisions. Fortunately for you...you will never be called to do anything of substance in the Kingdom of God if this is how you operate. Rarely does God depend on us deeming Him call logical or sensible.
So kill the tv. Quit the 80 hour work week and SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM!...if you dare.
He used the phrase "Antioch Moments" to reference this moment that had to be absolutely painful for the Church in Antioch. As they were fasting and worshipping, God prompted them to commission their two most influential leaders, Paul and Barnabas.
Antioch had other capable leaders, but this had to be a crisis moment for them. Really God? Two of the most influential Christians of our era (and actually of all time?!)
Antioch Moments are crossroads moments...where obedience is often costly...where decisions are often counterintuitive.
But the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas out. And it was on that missionary journey that Asia Minor would receive the gospel and later, that Europe would receive the Gospel.
And, lest we think that Antioch had to fall on the sword and die in order for this to happen, it is good to recall that the Antioch Church remained strong for centuries and produced some other Christian juggernauts like Ignatius and Chrysostom.
Listen, you or your church may be at or on the brink of an Antioch Crossroads. Will you have the courage to do what God is laying on your heart? The short term pain...though it is ever so painful, leads to long term gain when it God ordained.
But, if you don't spend the time worshipping, fasting and praying...you will merely resort to logic and sensibility in making any life and leadership decisions. Fortunately for you...you will never be called to do anything of substance in the Kingdom of God if this is how you operate. Rarely does God depend on us deeming Him call logical or sensible.
So kill the tv. Quit the 80 hour work week and SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM!...if you dare.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Kingdom Synergy Partnerships
Had the chance to join my friend and mentor John in Columbus today to meet with an organization called KSP, who has a vision to plant 100 churches by 2020, predominantly in Ohio and internationally.
I love the vision this group has. Healthy churches coming together to partner, resource, invest and plant new churches for God's renown. Churches planted in Cleveland, Canton and Cincinnati came together to share their progress, victories and challenges.
It is amazing what God can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.
I mentioned a few weeks back that Ohio has 3 of the top 20 most miserable cities in the country and posed the question...how does the church respond?
This is an answer...in the midst of darkness...poverty...brokeness...crime...pain...need...the church is born anew.
I am so thankful for the heart that God is giving in me for the Church. I used to despise Her, question Her, and belittle Her...but I am beginning to trust Her and love Her and want to join Her where she is alive and kicking.
Said it before, but I like Perry Noble's words "Those who claim to love Jesus but hate the Church are booing the bride on her wedding day and the groom is not okay with that."
Yes the church is blemished...broken...shortsighted...insert adjective you'd like here ______________________.
But the church is still the bride that Christ has chosen and that makes Her glorious, beautiful and filled with potential to change the world.
I love the vision this group has. Healthy churches coming together to partner, resource, invest and plant new churches for God's renown. Churches planted in Cleveland, Canton and Cincinnati came together to share their progress, victories and challenges.
It is amazing what God can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.
I mentioned a few weeks back that Ohio has 3 of the top 20 most miserable cities in the country and posed the question...how does the church respond?
This is an answer...in the midst of darkness...poverty...brokeness...crime...pain...need...the church is born anew.
I am so thankful for the heart that God is giving in me for the Church. I used to despise Her, question Her, and belittle Her...but I am beginning to trust Her and love Her and want to join Her where she is alive and kicking.
Said it before, but I like Perry Noble's words "Those who claim to love Jesus but hate the Church are booing the bride on her wedding day and the groom is not okay with that."
Yes the church is blemished...broken...shortsighted...insert adjective you'd like here ______________________.
But the church is still the bride that Christ has chosen and that makes Her glorious, beautiful and filled with potential to change the world.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Growth Barriers
I think being in seminary has caused me to think about things that are odd. Or maybe that all stems from eating paint when I was a kid or something (anybody else take all their stuffed animals outside and line them up as spectators to watch a grueling football game...played by myself, where I was the qb, running back, widereceiver and defense?)
Anyways, here's something I have been meandering around lately. Church Growth.
Guys who ate more paint than I did spend their whole lives studying and writing about this phenomenon. My mentor gave me some info from a conference he attended so I have highlighted some of the points from that conference as well as some of my own thoughts on the topic below.
The commonly held growth barriers in churches are 75, 200, 400, 1000, 2500. There are reasons for this such as group dynamic, leadership style and congregation mindset. For instance if you are in a church of 75 or 200, you might have high expectations of the pastor to offer care and visitation to all the people in the church. In a larger church, that becomes impossible and the call to pastoral care falls on the congregation (It should fall on the congregation regardless, but that's another post).
So typically a church hits a barrier and they flatline or plateau. They either make the necessary adaptations and grow or they stay stagnant until the other side of the plateau arrives. So how do we break through barriers? I'm glad you asked. Here's 5 keys that I think make this happen.
1. The Church Must WANT to grow
If a church likes the familial structure of a small church, then there is no chance of breaking growth barriers and increasing the size of the church. There is probably a place for familial churches, but generally, conversion is rare in a place like this and eventually the church will fizzle out. If the early church is any indication, numbers should be added to the church. Even if the pastor wants growth, the people have to want it and be willing to abandon the "way we've always done it" to make that happen.
2. The Role of the Pastor MUST Change
Generally speaking, this is how I have heard the role of the pastor differentiated between sizes of churches.
A.Shepherd (takes care of all the people)
B.Rancher (Oversees the work being done on the ranch and steps in where needed. Remains hands on)
C.Executive (I know I know...we've gone from the farm to the city...I don't write the stuff.) The Executive makes sure that the Ministry is happening and the church is functioning well in all areas...steps in where necessary.
D. CEO The CEO makes sure that the Vision is being enacted and coaches the key leaders to make sure they are doing what is necessary to succeed. In general the CEO does very little actual ministry but empowers the masses to do the ministry.
Some growth stunts because pastors are uncomfortable with adapting to a new model.
3. Leadership Training Must Be a Key Initiative
Teachers must be taught to teach effectively.
Ministry leaders must be empowered to empower their teams
Staff must be trained and focused on the vision and mission of the church.
Untrained and Immature leadership is like giving car keys to a 3 year old and expecting good results.
4. Staff must adapt from 'Doers' to 'Builders'
Coaches don't typically play in the game do they? They have to see the big picture and be able to effectively empower the teams to win. This is easier said than done, but a valuable lesson for staff is to let their key players fail. Bailing them out everytime they don't execute is not helpful in their growth as a leader.
5. Effective Small Group Ministry Must be the NORM
If the pastors are to be relieved from their role as primary care givers to the people, then things have to change. The pastor's time needs to be guarded so that they can deliver the Word of God on Sunday Mornings and catalyze leaders to bring about the vision of the church. Where will the care for the people come from then? It comes from small groups. If I am plugged into a small group of 8-12 believers who are intimately involved in my life, then when I have a surgery or a death of a loved one, a loss of a job, etc. I will be cared for. Discipleship takes place in this context more than any other. Too many Christians think that hearing the Word of God on Sunday mornings is sufficient for growth. This is not the case...it happens in intimate, authentic community.
Well there ya have it...5 Keys to Breaking Growth Barriers. I'm curious, if you are in a church, which of these 5 is going well or going...not so well? Are you stuck at a barrier?
Anyways, here's something I have been meandering around lately. Church Growth.
Guys who ate more paint than I did spend their whole lives studying and writing about this phenomenon. My mentor gave me some info from a conference he attended so I have highlighted some of the points from that conference as well as some of my own thoughts on the topic below.
The commonly held growth barriers in churches are 75, 200, 400, 1000, 2500. There are reasons for this such as group dynamic, leadership style and congregation mindset. For instance if you are in a church of 75 or 200, you might have high expectations of the pastor to offer care and visitation to all the people in the church. In a larger church, that becomes impossible and the call to pastoral care falls on the congregation (It should fall on the congregation regardless, but that's another post).
So typically a church hits a barrier and they flatline or plateau. They either make the necessary adaptations and grow or they stay stagnant until the other side of the plateau arrives. So how do we break through barriers? I'm glad you asked. Here's 5 keys that I think make this happen.
1. The Church Must WANT to grow
If a church likes the familial structure of a small church, then there is no chance of breaking growth barriers and increasing the size of the church. There is probably a place for familial churches, but generally, conversion is rare in a place like this and eventually the church will fizzle out. If the early church is any indication, numbers should be added to the church. Even if the pastor wants growth, the people have to want it and be willing to abandon the "way we've always done it" to make that happen.
2. The Role of the Pastor MUST Change
Generally speaking, this is how I have heard the role of the pastor differentiated between sizes of churches.
A.Shepherd (takes care of all the people)
B.Rancher (Oversees the work being done on the ranch and steps in where needed. Remains hands on)
C.Executive (I know I know...we've gone from the farm to the city...I don't write the stuff.) The Executive makes sure that the Ministry is happening and the church is functioning well in all areas...steps in where necessary.
D. CEO The CEO makes sure that the Vision is being enacted and coaches the key leaders to make sure they are doing what is necessary to succeed. In general the CEO does very little actual ministry but empowers the masses to do the ministry.
Some growth stunts because pastors are uncomfortable with adapting to a new model.
3. Leadership Training Must Be a Key Initiative
Teachers must be taught to teach effectively.
Ministry leaders must be empowered to empower their teams
Staff must be trained and focused on the vision and mission of the church.
Untrained and Immature leadership is like giving car keys to a 3 year old and expecting good results.
4. Staff must adapt from 'Doers' to 'Builders'
Coaches don't typically play in the game do they? They have to see the big picture and be able to effectively empower the teams to win. This is easier said than done, but a valuable lesson for staff is to let their key players fail. Bailing them out everytime they don't execute is not helpful in their growth as a leader.
5. Effective Small Group Ministry Must be the NORM
If the pastors are to be relieved from their role as primary care givers to the people, then things have to change. The pastor's time needs to be guarded so that they can deliver the Word of God on Sunday Mornings and catalyze leaders to bring about the vision of the church. Where will the care for the people come from then? It comes from small groups. If I am plugged into a small group of 8-12 believers who are intimately involved in my life, then when I have a surgery or a death of a loved one, a loss of a job, etc. I will be cared for. Discipleship takes place in this context more than any other. Too many Christians think that hearing the Word of God on Sunday mornings is sufficient for growth. This is not the case...it happens in intimate, authentic community.
Well there ya have it...5 Keys to Breaking Growth Barriers. I'm curious, if you are in a church, which of these 5 is going well or going...not so well? Are you stuck at a barrier?
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Systems
So, we are a people, particularly in Western Society who love systems. Specifically in the church, we identify how God has worked, systematize it and call it such things as orthodoxy or orthopraxy (the normal way to do it).
For instance. In the 50's (I'm guessing) a movement started where people stayed after church to study the Bible. It was called Sunday School and some great things developed and occurred in that setting. God's Spirit breathed life into people and transformation/discipleship took place.
In the last 10-20 years, the move has been away from Sunday School in most churches and more to Life Groups or Adult Bible Fellowships. The idea being that God was breathing life into home groups or small groups that lived life together. Some great things have happened and continue to happen here, but what is the mindset of the Church? We want to systematize what a small group is, how it runs, how the leaders are trained, what criteria they are to meet, etc. We want to systematize it. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing. Don't hear that. In fact, equipping the people of God to lead authentic, transformative small groups (Greek: oikos) is a great idea.
I may be hesitant in saying that this is the only way that God is showing up. I hate when something creative, organic (living) and redemptive springs up and we the Church attempt to systematize it. As if we can somehow put the Holy Spirit into an equation. Someone recently said something startling...if the Holy Spirit was removed from your church, would your church look any different than it does now?
God certainly can move in, through, and in spite of our systems, programs and equations, but wouldn't it be a good idea to stop looking at what the church that is having all sorts of success doing x, y and z and instead begin looking for d, e, and f that God is calling and gifting your church to in the first place?
If God were to affirm one thing in your church, what would it be?
If small group ministry is the "New Sunday School", what might be the "New Small Group Ministry"?
For instance. In the 50's (I'm guessing) a movement started where people stayed after church to study the Bible. It was called Sunday School and some great things developed and occurred in that setting. God's Spirit breathed life into people and transformation/discipleship took place.
In the last 10-20 years, the move has been away from Sunday School in most churches and more to Life Groups or Adult Bible Fellowships. The idea being that God was breathing life into home groups or small groups that lived life together. Some great things have happened and continue to happen here, but what is the mindset of the Church? We want to systematize what a small group is, how it runs, how the leaders are trained, what criteria they are to meet, etc. We want to systematize it. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing. Don't hear that. In fact, equipping the people of God to lead authentic, transformative small groups (Greek: oikos) is a great idea.
I may be hesitant in saying that this is the only way that God is showing up. I hate when something creative, organic (living) and redemptive springs up and we the Church attempt to systematize it. As if we can somehow put the Holy Spirit into an equation. Someone recently said something startling...if the Holy Spirit was removed from your church, would your church look any different than it does now?
God certainly can move in, through, and in spite of our systems, programs and equations, but wouldn't it be a good idea to stop looking at what the church that is having all sorts of success doing x, y and z and instead begin looking for d, e, and f that God is calling and gifting your church to in the first place?
If God were to affirm one thing in your church, what would it be?
If small group ministry is the "New Sunday School", what might be the "New Small Group Ministry"?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Church Planting Days 3 & 4
To my avid blog reader(s?),
I am really intrigued by this notion of reaching the nations through church-planting. I think many churches experience plateaus or moderately small growth because they lose their desperation.
We can say the same thing about our own spiritual journeys. I cease to be shaped and empowered when I lose my deep, gut-wrenching desperation.
I led a devotional meditation this morning and God smacked me in the face with something that I had not really seen. Psalm 51, definitely one of the top ten Psalms around, David's psalm after Nathan called him out for his sins with Bathsheba...David says, "Grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." I said something in passing without much thought..."Our surrender is the only thing that leads to our sustenance."
I felt the Lord whisper as I said this aloud to the group, "Did you hear what you just said?" Only when we are willing will the Lord's hand uphold us. Do we believe this? I'm not sure...I think I see my sustenance through the lens of having a place to live, health, drivable vehicles, etc. If God will bless me I will be sustained. While this is true on a basic level, it is not true when we understand that blessing does not lead to satisfaction. Some many people (especially in an American context) are SUSTAINED but largely UNSATISFIED.
Our deepest satisfaction comes from surrender. What dreams, idols, and excuses need to die in your life?
I am really intrigued by this notion of reaching the nations through church-planting. I think many churches experience plateaus or moderately small growth because they lose their desperation.
We can say the same thing about our own spiritual journeys. I cease to be shaped and empowered when I lose my deep, gut-wrenching desperation.
I led a devotional meditation this morning and God smacked me in the face with something that I had not really seen. Psalm 51, definitely one of the top ten Psalms around, David's psalm after Nathan called him out for his sins with Bathsheba...David says, "Grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." I said something in passing without much thought..."Our surrender is the only thing that leads to our sustenance."
I felt the Lord whisper as I said this aloud to the group, "Did you hear what you just said?" Only when we are willing will the Lord's hand uphold us. Do we believe this? I'm not sure...I think I see my sustenance through the lens of having a place to live, health, drivable vehicles, etc. If God will bless me I will be sustained. While this is true on a basic level, it is not true when we understand that blessing does not lead to satisfaction. Some many people (especially in an American context) are SUSTAINED but largely UNSATISFIED.
Our deepest satisfaction comes from surrender. What dreams, idols, and excuses need to die in your life?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Church Plant Day 2
For all who are interested...Here's some more processing from this seminar. (It is called INTENSIVE for a reason...My brain hurts.)
*Most Church Plants that fail, fail because of a lack of financial backing...(Go figure in the 21st Century global empire of North America where spending money is our greatest talent, we can't sustain a church start.)
*If a denomination is not annually planting 3 % of its total number of churches, it is guaranteed to decline. (If it plants 2% it will likely remain plateaued.) Keep in mind that this 3% is successful church plants only...It does not count the attempted plants that fail (as we learned yesterday, 60% will fail.)
*If an existing church of 400 sends 100 of its people to start another church, the average return of investment is to end up with 200 newcomers. This must be something about reaping and sowing...didn't Jesus talk about that somewhere...I could've sworn he did.
*The average number of hours that a church planter must invest in the first 3 years of a new church plant will be around 75-80 per week. Even then, the success rate is solely determined by God.
We need to be in prayer for church planters and we need to seek to be in partnership with them, to encourage them, support them and bless them.
Thought for the day...Does God desire us to grow in numbers and build to accomodate these numbers or does God seek to cultivate Church Multiplication (a sort of divide and conquer approach?).
*Most Church Plants that fail, fail because of a lack of financial backing...(Go figure in the 21st Century global empire of North America where spending money is our greatest talent, we can't sustain a church start.)
*If a denomination is not annually planting 3 % of its total number of churches, it is guaranteed to decline. (If it plants 2% it will likely remain plateaued.) Keep in mind that this 3% is successful church plants only...It does not count the attempted plants that fail (as we learned yesterday, 60% will fail.)
*If an existing church of 400 sends 100 of its people to start another church, the average return of investment is to end up with 200 newcomers. This must be something about reaping and sowing...didn't Jesus talk about that somewhere...I could've sworn he did.
*The average number of hours that a church planter must invest in the first 3 years of a new church plant will be around 75-80 per week. Even then, the success rate is solely determined by God.
We need to be in prayer for church planters and we need to seek to be in partnership with them, to encourage them, support them and bless them.
Thought for the day...Does God desire us to grow in numbers and build to accomodate these numbers or does God seek to cultivate Church Multiplication (a sort of divide and conquer approach?).
Monday, May 19, 2008
Church Plant
Today's blog is not about the giant fern that we have near the sanctuary. It's actually about a seminar I am taking at Ashland Theological Seminary this week. I am on lunch break of the first day and I am just wrestling through some crazy thoughts. I have not given church planting a huge deal of thought but I have imagined from time to time and Shaina and I have had multiple people speak into our lives about this topic.
Everything is sort've rising to the surface this first day as I begin taking in the very challenging task of planting a church. It has to be a God ordained business or it will fail. Here are some stats covering the first half of the first day.
*3 out of 5 church plants will fail.
*Most churches die around 50 years after their birth (25 years in-they usually experience the climax of their ministry.)
*Evangelistic outreach in the first year of the church is the most effective and oft-used...Every year after the first, evangelism declines.
I am challenged and really yielding to God on this topic. One intriguing twist. My mentor has a blog (www.johnmulpas.com). I happened to visit his site, click on one of the members of his blog roll (this was a couple months ago), and it turned out to be one of his former mentors who had helped plant a church together. The day I visited that site, he had posted a blog saying that he believed the person who would plant their next church would read that blog. The one time I visited the site, I read that post...hmm.
Help me God.
Everything is sort've rising to the surface this first day as I begin taking in the very challenging task of planting a church. It has to be a God ordained business or it will fail. Here are some stats covering the first half of the first day.
*3 out of 5 church plants will fail.
*Most churches die around 50 years after their birth (25 years in-they usually experience the climax of their ministry.)
*Evangelistic outreach in the first year of the church is the most effective and oft-used...Every year after the first, evangelism declines.
I am challenged and really yielding to God on this topic. One intriguing twist. My mentor has a blog (www.johnmulpas.com). I happened to visit his site, click on one of the members of his blog roll (this was a couple months ago), and it turned out to be one of his former mentors who had helped plant a church together. The day I visited that site, he had posted a blog saying that he believed the person who would plant their next church would read that blog. The one time I visited the site, I read that post...hmm.
Help me God.
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