Dan Clites:
Hi to all my church planting friends! As the LCMC Coordinator for New Church Development, it is my great pleasure to share with you a new idea for a new year!
I've started this LCMC Church Planting Blog to ignite a movement of healthy communication amongst ourselves. A couple times (at least) a week I'll share some planting thoughts, or something that is biblically inspiring to me. There might be book or link suggestions, top 10 lists, sermon ideas or even training tips. You can receive it all with the grace in which it is shared, then respond as you desire. My hope is this blog will become a strong encouragement to our LCMC planters and launch team members in serving as an impartation for inspiration!
Christmas is over...now what? Here is a quick follow-up list for your Christmas guests:
1. Since your new congregation is probably quite small, I believe you should be the one who makes a personal follow-up phone call. If not you, pick a gender specific person to make the call--- someone who has a kind voice and understands the mission of your church.
2. Write a personal "Thank You" note on a post card with your church logo on it. A hand written note demonstrates that your new congregation is not going to treat people like a machine.
3. Visit the home with a gift from the church--- something that says thanks for visiting "____church" at Christmas and we want to bless you with a new year's gift! The gift can be anything from chips and salsa to "old school cool glass" soda bottles and catawba juice.
The whole point of follow-up is to show your guests (and empower your launch team) that your new church is a place of God's thankfulness and grace. It creates positive momentum and connects names with faces. A small gesture of gratefulness goes a loooong ways when trying to show others that your church loves people.
NATIONAL CHURCH PLANTERS CONFERENCE: "Exponential East" is a wonderful experience that I strongly suggest every planter (or plant contemplator) should participate. Dates: April 29-May 1, in Orlando, FL. THEME: "To Seek and to Save" from Luke 19. Some 6,000 crazy for Jesus planters from around the country will be in attendance with fantastic speakers, worship and breakout sessions. If you are thinking about going, please note the conference will probably be filled up by February 1st. If this spring doesn't work for you, I am confident that I'll be going again next year...so you can always catch it then.
See: exponential.org
If you register for the conference, please let me know ASAP. I will then help you with a discount hotel. FYI: We already have 6 registrants, along with my wife and I, set to go!
Dan Clites Church Planting Workshop: January 16-18, Lutheran Church of the Cross in Aliso Viejo, CA. Thursday: 10:00-2:00 (for Southern California LCMC pastors to discuss mission, discipleship and leadership for church planting). Saturday: 9:00-2:00, ALL are welcome to a church planting workshop (pastors, planters, family, friends, etc). If interested in registering, please contact Pastor John Foss of Lutheran Church of the Cross: john@lcotc.org. Lunch will be served on both dates, but no charge. (www.lctc.org).
Newly forming Wisconsin District Gathering: Saturday, January 25th, 11:00 am, Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Wausau, WI. Discussion: church planting in the land of cheese!
