The Simple Pastor
Simplicity & Generosity
The early church: unbelievably generous: I’m reading Henry Chadwick’s history The Early Church and there are some ... http://bit.ly/a5CIUn 12 hrs ago
Church planting is not an easy thing to do, there’s a tonne of things to learn and to think about. Good reasons to have some good books on the subject and I’d recommend from the outset adding David Stroud’s Planting Churches, Changing Communities: A hands on guide to successful church planting.
It comes from the Newfrontiers family of churches and draws much of its material from within that network, however much of the advice would be useful or helpful no matter what your denomination or church movement.
It doesn’t particularly deal with theory or theology but very much concerns itself with the practical and personal side to church planting. What’s your vision? What qualities do you need? How do you manage your time and gather people? How do you build community and maintain momentum? What do you need to be ready to launch publicly? As a result of it being broken down into its various parts and with regular quotes and anecdotes from church planters you can motor through this book quite quickly. However if you’ve never planted a church before, you want to be making extensive notes and refer back to it regularly.
I guess I have one slight reservation, one that was flagged up by Howard Kellett not too long ago, when he said,
“In truth “you only launch once” is very much the language of the big company product launch, reaching the self focused consumer. So the more I reflect on the term the more I don’t feel comfortable with Godfirst Church Cheltenham as a Sunday morning product and even less at ease with the idea of Jesus followers as consumers.”
And there is the underlying idea that what you need to make your church fly are good musicians, good teaching, good kids work and a comfortable venue. My some what jaded reaction was ‘Perfect if you want the middle classes’. But if you’re planting into the inner city, or a rural area, or even just your average working class neighbourhood then you may not have any of those things and still be a great church.
Now I know Dave and I know he knows that. So now you know that I know that he knows or whatever. But the point is, in the book there’s this edge to consumer values that made me a bit uncomfortable and I know it’s not just me because one of the contributors to the book has said so.
None of that stops this book though from being on the shelf of every church planter and every church leader who hopes one day to help a church plant or send leaders. This is hands on, down to earth helpful stuff.
Today and tomorrow I’m in Brighton at the Newfrontiers leadership conference ‘Together on a Mission’. For the last couple of years this is my annual foot in mouth season as I get a bit too honest. I’m going to try hard this year to be more diplomatic, Lord help me.
In this short video Terry Virgo is interviewed about what it means to be a reformed charismatic. A few minutes in he talks about church and uses this phrase that just thrills me that church is a spirit-filled community ‘gathering to the presence of Jesus’. That’s exciting
Terry Virgo: Being Reformed and Charismatic from Jubilee Church on Vimeo.
It was I think inevitable. When Philippa Stroud decided to step into the political arena sooner or later our secular media would turn its gaze her way and now just a few days before a general election they have. Philippa issued a fairly robust response. And although it may not seem like it, some feel she’s getting off lightly. Likewise because the leader of Newfrontiers UK is her husband, Newfrontiers is also come under the spotlight. Expect to see more like this if she is elected. So do pray for her, this won’t be easy.
So what to make of it? Well to begin with we shouldn’t be surprised, firstly Philippa is director of the Centre for Social Justice that has been highly influential in forming Conservative party policy on many home affairs issues, the nearer the Conservatives get to office, the more intense the scrutiny (fair and otherwise). Secondly Philippa is a candidate for parliament in Sutton and Cheam and has been tipped for office, and she is fighting against the resurgent Liberal Democrats. This brings attention your way.
It should remind us of several important facts about our society. (more…)
I might update this one if I find more stuff. Andy has his reflections and Luke who led the ministry team at Newday gives his thoughts. Luke really doesn’t like camping.
*Update* Nicholas Ferguson from Catford adds his review of Newday and Adrian Warnock has his daughters report on her first time there. CCK have an interview with Mike Pilavachi.
*Update 23.08.09* Matt Hosiers posts a video from the young people of Gateway at Newday
Here’s another video for you:
A couple of weeks ago I reflected on the Newfrontiers Together on a Mission Conference which is also called Leadership International. I think it’s called Leadership because leaders go to it rather than it being about leadership in the way that the Willow Creek Leadership Summit is (for a view of that from two Newfrontiers pastors, read Sean Green and Simon Benham). Some other guys I know have also been to New Wine this summer (read Ian and Mark’s thoughts).
TOAM just seems to fall between the gaps – it’s neither as sharp on leadership as Willow Creek, nor is it a church family event like New Wine (or as our own Stoneleigh used to be). It’s open to others but this year was all about Newfrontiers, it has theology but rarely stuff from people and places that stretch us (we didn’t even have any seminars by the authors of our own theological papers – which seems like a missed opportunity). It’s international but the majority of people are unsurprisingly from the UK.
I guess I still don’t really know what TOAM is for which always makes it hard to know whether I should go back again. The reason I do of course is for the relationships.
Having said that, I still want to learn and not be arrogant enough to think I know it all, so I’ll spend some time listening to the talks and seminars (available here).
Interesting, interesting. I nearly had a BBC TV crew on site, pulled away at the last minute because of this story. We worshipped, we prayed, we gave £67,000, we climbed walls, we fought in sumo suits, raced on a bungee run.
The weather has been great but now everyone is tired. It’s time to go home. But God has been good and for some of our young people it has indeed been a new day.
Today was a quiet day for me, not much to do on the media front and the kids occupied themselves most of the time. I had a good chat with another elder from a church near ours, and caught up with a chap who I helped get a book contract. Both really encouraging and its great to catch up with people from around the country.
The highlight of the day was the evening meeting – hundreds healed, hundreds giving their life to Jesus and hundreds more recommitting themselves to His lead. Three of our young people responded in some way to the Gospel and one that God had healed her back.
Please pray that this would be the start of something lasting and transforming in their lives and not simply a summer festival high. More details to follow (if I remember).
OK this is Tuesday and I’m getting ahead.
6.15am: I’m not supposed to wake up for another 45 minutes but I am so I get a warm shower for the first time since Saturday morning
7.00am: Time for a snooze
8.15am: Head into the centre of Norwich for an hour long feature on BBC Radio Norfolk (starts about 2hr 41 min in)
10am: Think it went quite well. Then get a tour around the impressive facilities of Kings Church
11am: Back on site but then spend 2 hours with SNYA
1pm: Boss some kids around and have lunch
2pm: Head off to the office for some work on press releases
5pm: Back to campsite for food and boss some teenagers around
6.40pm: Head to big top – 29th Chapter and Simon Brading led worship, Mike Pilavachi taught on the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Tore the place apart and hundreds responded. Very funny, wise and focused on Jesus.
9.30pm: Back to campsite for some burgers and a chat with a friend before some much needed sleep.
You might have noticed that detail is getting less as the week goes on. That’s not a surprise.
I know its Tuesday when I’m writing this but, well, tough…but Monday went a bit like this
7am: A sleep in today. Amen, hallelujah.
Hmm…can’t really remember the timings of things but the rest of my morning involves working on getting some media things sorted out as Chloe Smith MP was planning on visiting the projects, reading the Bible and other important things (probably).
2pm: I find myself in a tug-of-war competition. I’m in the surprising position of anchor man. we make it to the final but lose 4-2
3pm: I get fat after a massive plate of bangers & mash covered in baked beans
4pm: A couple of hours work on photos and searching for coverage
7pm: Head down to the big tent, can’t find my group. It’s Matt Redman leading worship and Mike Pilavachi speaking
7.45pm: One of our young people leaves feeling sick. Not too surprising as he’s eaten nothing and just drunk coke for the last three days. He’ll learn.
8pm: Pilavachi is on form. Great stuff and despite a massive amount of silly cheering at almost everything, the Holy Spirit begins to move and although some it looks weird, a young girl from church experiences the presence of God.
9-10.30pm: For the price of a deluxe milkshake I have an amazing talk with said young lady who goes to bed considering living her life for Jesus.
11pm: I’m too knackered to go back to deal with the press stuff as I’m back on Radio Norfolk tomorrow
To catch a flavour of Newday, keep an eye on the channel on YouTube. Here’s the video from yesterday:
So another day of Newday is nearly over. It’s been, what’s the word I’m looking for…ah that’s it, long. It went a bit like this:
5am: Wake up as I hear people pass the tent on their way for a shower. Oh good grief.
6.20am: My alarm goes off.
7.00am: I meet a tall leggy blond who drives me into the centre of Norwich in a small two seater sports car. I pinch myself. I’m not dreaming.
7.30am: Reality kicks in as we get to our destination, BBC Radio Norfolk where I’m interviewed about Newday (its about 1hr 46 minutes in on iPlayer – available for another week)
8.30am: back on site and have a meeting about any upcoming media issues
9.30am: finalise another press release and head back to camp
10.15am: miss the morning meeting and go for an unsatisfying run around the site. Might try and run off site next time
11.15am: catch up on some reading in the Word and the weather is good.
12pm: turns out our group on outreach at a Funday today so sort some of them out
4pm: back to camp after a few hours in the company of a couple of 8 year olds, while their mum went on outreach. Great fun. Think I may have sunburn on the back of my neck.
5.30pm: Have an argument/lively discussion with some teenage girls about eating
6.30pm: Off to meet a reporter/producer from BBC Radio Norfolk who’s come to record some atmosphere!
7pm: Great worship led by Simon Brading and some chap from the US.
8pm: Doze off during Stef’s preach. Sorry Stef. Wake up, feel better and listen to the response as hundreds of young people deal with forgiving others.
9pm: Pray with a young man. Son of a professional whose family has continually upgraded their lifestyle and downgraded the quality of their family relationships. This son is a wreck and his father doesn’t have a clue. I see God move and healing begins.
9.30pm: Help 3 young girls who have gone from best friends to worst enemies to best friends not go back to worst enemies.
10pm: Write a blog post, check emails, text my wife who has already gone to bed which seems like a smart idea.
So I’m at Newday, me and about 7000 other people. We’re in Norfolk at the showground for the first time and the site seems pretty good. I’ve a couple of roles this year, firstly to make sure all the amazing guys from NSCC have a great time and secondly I’m on the communications team. I’m in charge of press releases and stuff like that. I’ve the very exciting privilege of being on BBC Radio Norfolk only it’s at 7.30am on Sunday morning. Not so exciting. They’ve a feature on Newday here.
The first meeting was tonight and the noise everyone made at the start was phenomenal. Simon Brading kicked off with worship and Stef Liston preached his heart on forgiveness. Tomorrow night he’s onto forgiving others. Stef doesn’t really do funny, he doesn’t really do clever, he doesn’t really do subtle. He just gives it to you straight with all the passion he can muster and that’s fine by me.
Here’s my day so far:
6am: wake up
6.45am: arrive at school and meet others while waiting for coach
7.15am: call coach company to find out where they are
7.50am: coach arrives
8.15am: pick up some guys from Telford
8.45am: pick up some more guys from Rugeley
11.45am: have a McDonalds at Cambridge Services
2.15pm: arrive at Norfolk Showground
3.30pm: finish setting up tents
3.35pm: find out where the media team are based, check in as a server and stuff
5pm: sort out the food marquee/gazebo
5.50pm: eat some pasta
6.40pm: finally get into the bigtop
7pm: worship Jesus
10pm: write a blog post, and a press release
Bed? Who knows when….
I know this has taken me a while to get to, but believe it or not, I have actually been thinking about this one. Last December I wrote a post about the weaknesses (as I saw them) of my family of churches, Newfrontiers. One of my comments was,
“Our conferences are a bit dull. I don’t mean boring, I mean the opposite of cutting edge. Dull not sharp. I’m probably in the minority on this one. The worship is great and some of the talks are excellent. But some of the seminars seem to be the same every year and tell us what we already know rather than stretch us in new ways.”
Well, recently our latest and biggest conference of the year finished. Has anything changed? No, not really. I think I’d hold to that comment, which is a bit disappointing. Here are my reasons:
I predicted beforehand that we’d have main sessions based on old testament characters related to our themes and values, and guess what – we did. That our flagship conference should be so predictable by someone who has only been 3 times (I think) is a bit, well, lame. We even got Jonathan’s armour bearer for the third time!
For a movement that places great store by expository preaching I’m not sure I heard any. I certainly don’t think I gained any fresh insights into Scripture here.
Most people I talked to also struggled to choose a seminar stream – I’d like to have the ‘agony’ of choosing between several equally exciting options (like being in a great restaurant and selecting a dish) rather than reading the list and thinking there’s really only one option for me here. But then it could be me, if I picked the seminars – possibly no one would want to go to any of them.
Worship – great
Giving – fantastic
Fellowship – wonderful
Seminars – good
Main sessions talks – OK
Here’s my heart, I want to be stretched. I want the scriptures opened up to me so I meet Jesus in a whole new way, I want revelation from the Word, I want seminars that are cutting edge dealing with the big issues of our day and seeing what a biblical response looks like. I want to be exposed to new ideas, concepts, practices. Most of all if I guess again about the main talks I want to be wrong, if I try and guess what seminars they’ll offer me, I want to be wrong. I want to look forward to TOAM 2010 with real excitement.
My complete list of posts on TOAM here
Here are some others thoughts on the conference
The talks and seminars are available here
Today gave me some of the best of Newfrontiers, which is just as well because England’s bowlers failed to do exactly that.
This morning got off to a great start. Dave Stroud was excellent in his seminar on shaping culture and changing lives. In fact I think it would have been more effective (in my HUMBLE opinion) had he shared this from the main platform. The challenges were the same only with better stories, more illustrations, full of questions which provoked and challenged. You must listen to this seminar stream.
In fact, while I’m on the roll most of this one seminar should be unpacked into further seminars next year: Education (where should you send your child to school?), what’s a Christian value of education etc…; Equipping the workplace (I mean genuinely – get Mark Greene or someone) and how pastors can play their role in not drawing everything back to church programmes.
I could go on and at some point I probably will.
Then we had Joel Virgo who was excellent but scored a couple of points for the OT team. First we had a goal from Jonathan’s armour bearer and there was a substantial assist from Moses.
Anyway aside from that he spoke helpfully about how a team can support a leader to ensure a vision is realised and battles are won. He was good.
The afternoon saw Terry Virgo complete a hat trick of NOT referring to an OT character (which could be a first). Completing a strong performance from the Virgo’s he spoke on apostles and a clear response to the challenges Mark Driscoll gave last year and in many ways batted out of the park.
Add to that a provoking conversation about media and a wonderful conversation with a Ukrainian pastor and friend and day 3 has been good. Topping it all off, in half hour we’ll see thousands of people representing thousands more give joyfully, exuberantly, sacrificially. £1.5 million is the goal!!
Just read a few posts on yesterday. Dave Matthias gives a good round up so far and I read Adrian Warnock’s post on Terry’s evening session. Shame I nodded I off as reading it, there’s some really good stuff on the church as community and that’s something that should hit the bulls eye for me. Would be great to hear of some examples of that and not just assume it’s happening in all our churches but really ground it in earthy, dusty, imperfect and glorious local church life.
Both Dave and Adrian (plus one or two others) are serving us really well with excellent main session write ups, do read them and digest them.
So in summary
The low points
The high points
I don’t think Terry Virgo mentioned any Old Testament characters which makes 2 days in a row. After day 2 it’s 6 Main Sessions and 4 OT character lessons.
I believe Jesus when he said 'life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions'. I believe he offers something better. This blog is mostly about that search.
I'm also a church pastor, a bookshop owner, a husband, a father, a keen runner, reader, and motorcyclist. These and a few other things make guest appearances from time to time.