I suppose establishing a culture of anything isn’t an easy thing to do.  First, a “vision” of what needs to be must come forth.  This vision usually comes from an individual leader who clearly sees the desired future reality.  For example, Bishop Nocpil, in 1980, lamented that the Methodists were the smallest denomination in the Philippines.  His vision was for them to be the largest!  He did this through a single focus of starting new churches.  He asked all of his District Superintendents to tell their pastors that they all had to start new churches.  Over 25 years later we now know that this strategy really worked in that over 700 new churches  were started and 5 new annual conferences created!   And now if you want to be ordained an elder you must first demonstrate that you can successfully start a new church! 

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I had a great time at this year’s School of Congregational Development in Orlando, Florida.  I thought that the School ran exceptionally well and that most everyone I talked to learned something significant in attending the many different “teachings” that were offered. I particularly enjoyed the very good plenary speakers we had.  All of them were great and Mark Beeson was outstanding along with Jorge Acevedo.  I would encourage you to purchase the videos of these persons.  Each of them had life-changing statements that would apply to all of us!

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As various topics were discussed at the School of Congregational Development think tank track, there seemed to be some practices that got the attention of congregational developers and district superintendents alike. Many of these are driven by the bishop, others may be implemented by district level leadership. Each of these discrete actions help build a culture that feeds and grows new churches while strengthening existing ones.

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I’m in beautiful Orlando, Florida at the School of Congregational Development with about 300 United Methodist leaders seeking to start and develop congregations to make world-changing disciples. There are many tracks devoted to new church starts for cabinets and planters and launch teams alike. The Think Tank track was suggested by a congregational developer last year and implemented this year. What a great idea!

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The word “affinity” has great importance and meaning when it comes to successful church planting.  Simply stated, “affinity” is the match that takes place between the profile of the church planter and the profile of the mission field.  It has been my experience that you can have the most gifted new church missionary in the world, but if he or she is not “matched” well to the targeted mission field, failure is sure to be the resulting verdict! Read more » »

The month of July is a very important month for church planters. It is a time when the eagerness of the missionary’s calling now brings a sense of fulfillment. The “appointment” to start a new church is now official and the future is filled with great possibilities.   However, it can also be a time of great anxiety.  Almost from day one things never go as planned.  There are always plenty of bumps along the road and many of them tend to come early on.  Read more » »

A couple of weeks ago I had the good opportunity to visit a 4 year old, new church start in downtown Pittsburg.  The name of this new church is unique, Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community, named after the bridge where they actually carried the hot molten metal from one side of the river to the other.  It is located on Pittsburgh’s south side, a depressing part of the city that has been abandoned by the once booming steel industry and the church.

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