News and Notes

Church Planter's Blog #6

News and Notes from Dan:
God's richest blessings are shared with Pastor Fred Schumacher and Living Hope Church of Plentywood, Montana.  Living Hope launched this past Sunday, January 19th.

Congratulations and hand claps for Pastor Jonathan Haseley, as he was ordained this past Sunday, January 19th, at St. Peter's in Sanborn, New York.  Jonathan now begins his call to create a missional community aimed at Niagara Falls.

My thanks to Pastor John Foss of the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Aliso Viejo, California.  John was the host this past week as I led a workshop on church planting with 6 local pastors.  We also shared a seminar with 23 Southern California pastors to discuss the need for our LCMC churches to be strengthened by living-out the Great Commission, and not just speaking well of it.  I can tell you that after serving for 11-months in this capacity as the national church planting coach, I believe the only way we will be able to successfully launch new churches is when our existing churches are missional over maintenance and transformational over traditional.  We must take-on the DNA of churches birthing churches!  So again, let's join together in prayer for our 700 congregations to realize that when they communicate and team-up with other LCMC churches in their city, state or district, that's when we can successfully pool our resources and bless new starts into a healthy family.

This coming Friday I'm attending a 3DM gathering, led by its international leader, Mike Breen.  I have found the heart of 3DM to be something the LCMC must beat into.  Some Lutheran Churches in Southern California and Minnesota are already moving into what I call, "a lifestyle training of being Jesus to others, rather than just developing programs of evangelism."  (Don't know about 3DM?  Check into it!)  Also, be sure look-up LifeTree Cafe.  I'm seeing it as a fantastic tool to start a new church that reaches the disconnected.

This coming Saturday, January 25th, I'm meeting with LCMC leaders in Wausau, Wisconsin, as the group starts a brand new district for the state.  What I really love about the formation of this new district, is that it's focused on planting healthy churches in the land of milk and cheese!  My challenge is for other LCMC Districts to live-out that same planting mentality!

Next Blogs: 
1. What is Vision?
2. Are you a leader, or more like a manager?