It's the most wonderful time of the year when churches begin to ramp-up all the Christmas celebrational events and gatherings--- including several Christmas Eve worship service times.
As a church planter, I always found 4:00 pm a good eve service time--- keeping in mind the extra energy needed on both ends of worship for the set-up and tear-down team members. Be sure to also keep in mind that cultural expectations are much different on a Wednesday (December 24th) than on a Sunday morning. Many folks will have to work at least a half-day, company is coming, dinner prep is different and then; of course, there's gift opening. Plan ahead to how you can make Christmas Eve service stand out, without creating more work for your worship team. If you are worshipping in a school, ask permission to leave your gear in place for Sunday the 28th. Officials may allow you to do so since school will not be in session.
Still, while so much work often goes into Christmas worship services, how about you planters focus more on Christmas "services." In other words, incorporate life-style ways you can inspire your folks to serve your community in such a manner that unbelievers will want to give your new church a try--- perhaps on Christmas Eve! After all, December is a season where the lonely feel even lonelier and the poor in spirit feel an extra dose of hopelessness. So, instead of paying a ton of money for an ad in the newspaper that invites people to your worship services, spend the money on taking your Christmas services to the streets of your city! I believe the investment will pay off.
Some simple possibilities for you to consider in your context....
* Instead of just caroling through a nursing home, spend some talking time with the residents, praying with them. What's that you say? Nursing home folks won't be coming to your Christmas Eve worship service? You're probably correct...but their unchurch family members might, or the nursing home staff that see your kindness in action, might. I've found nursing homes to be full of mercy-gifted workers, who believe in Jesus, but are still don't worship with a community. You can change that!
or...
* Find some families that are in need of a gift blessing to help them in serving a Christmas dinner. Then give away "turkeys" (your choice) to them with notes attached. No strings attached, just a hand-written Christmas blessing note with an invite to Christmas Eve worship. Always include your website address.
or...
* Simplify the above and expand it by doing the same thing with excellent, store-bought chocolates. Also, consider outreach to local support groups. There are believers in those groups without a church family because they feel ashamed...and there are unbelievers in those support groups who are looking for real hope and change that can't come from government. You can become the church known throughout the city as the church that cares about the city! Share the hope they need in Jesus!
or...
* Share a family Christmas card with your neighbors and/or work colleagues. For those who are Christian, it unites you in a common body no matter your denominational differences. For those who are not Christian, think about sharing a brief testimony of what being a follower of Jesus has meant to YOU. In addition, express to the person you are giving the card to, what THEY mean to you! You might be shocked to how the Spirit can break down walls amongst neighbors and colleagues because your words are your gift to another person--- and God's promise in Jesus is wrapped into that gift!
or...
* Do anyone of the above items (or come up with your own idea) to bless city workers, such as firefighters, police officers and the various administrative folks. I have found from my own experiences these people are often more disconnected from church (and perhaps thus from Jesus) than you might think. They've had it pounded into their heads they can't "be Christian" at work for so long, they live like that's truth. A card and word of great encouragement in the name of Jesus will not only stir their hearts with the sense of appreciation, but it will give them a word of hope they may not be otherwise receiving in this holy season.
or...
* This will take some timing, but perhaps include 1-2 people to share testimonies in the Christmas Eve service, to the Godly impact of their month-long Christmas services. Who knows what might happen?
then...
* Don't drop the joy of Christmas the second it's over. Instead, cast an Advent season vision into what you, your family, and your church family can do as Christmas "services" into the new year. It will be the the gift that keeps on giving you the flexibility of connecting into people post-Christmas, perhaps crushing the winter blues some people may experience outside of faith.
The challenge: what if you were to do more Christmas services of worship this December than actual Christmas worship services on the 24-25th? Think about the thousands of people in your community who need a church to fully unwrap Christmas for them, so the lonely will know they are not alone, and the poor in spirit are feeling rich.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Building a Family Tree by building new church movements
Joanne and I are going to be grandparents...for the second time! Due date, May. As most grandparents will testify, receiving such good news never gets old. We are excited and thankful!
That's how life is suppose to work: families building families with gratefulness--- made even stronger when being built on the rock of Jesus! When that's the case, no matter how tough life might get for a family, there is reason for hope. With hope, there is gratefulness that gives thanks to God who births new life in Christ!
'Tis true for church families as well. When churches birth new churches in gratefulness of Christ's redeeming work, a family tree is being formed and the possibility of more people being reached for Christ grows dramatically. So, what might slow this process down, or even keep churches from birthing new churches in the first place?
Let's first learn to recognize some road blocks, so we can then learn to remedy...
Recognize...the paradigm that a church is a building. Everyone agrees that it's not, yet over-and-over I hear otherwise through articulated perceptions. I'll never forget having lunch with a fellow Lutheran pastor who mocked the fact that my church plant offices were in a strip mall. To him, it wasn't church. (To me, however, it was was like the first-century church in the marketplace--- exactly where God's people are to practice Christian faith!). Just the other day I received an email from a person living on the east coast who wanted to start a church by first purchasing an abandoned church facility. He added, "There is some work to be done (on the facility) before it can be a church again." Remedy...I shared that he indeed had some work to be done--- but it was to be on building values, mission and vision for the purpose-development of a new congregation in his city--- way before thinking about buying a building.
Recognize...the fear of running out of money. Rich people are always afraid they'll lose their money and poor people are always afraid they won't have any. Fear grips both the rich and the poor with a scarcity mindset. The same can be true for congregations. Congregations don't have a money shortage...they have a vision shortage! Remedy...developing faith triggers a Godly vision of discipleship. A vision of discipleship ignites purpose. Purpose leads the way to mission, and money will follow a clearly stated mission! Too many existing churches think that if they invest in the start of a new church, they themselves might fall financially short. Yet in Malachi 3, God says go ahead and test His ability to pour out more and more upon a mission that is focused on others! When we learn to die to ourselves, a Good Friday will always lead to a Resurrection Day!
Recognize...the concern of losing members. I once asked a very large church if it would share with me the names of 12 people in it's congregation that I might contact about serving as a launch team in starting a new church in a near-by community. The response back was basically, "We can't do that because it might hurt our newest satellite start." Make sense? It does, except the satellite was already over a 1,000 people in a 3-million person area! Remedy...if a church is raising up leaders, it can easily send them into new missional opportunities. Nothing is hurt, only helped! If, however, a church is simply looking to gain membership numbers--- it becomes a stagnate religious club. How about this: instead of always going after the 40% of people that are already "mildly Christian," let's have churches develop churches that directly aim for the 60% of people that have no Christian connection what-so-ever. To do this, of course, means developing planters and launch teams that are not going to look like a typical church. Instead, they are going to bring the gospel to new people groups in new, sometimes unconventional ways. This shifts concern away from the mentality of losing members in a church, to concern about losing souls in a city!
Recognize...compelling competition. When churches fail to recognize the marketplace of their city as "one congregation with many church-tribes," we create a church vs. church competition mentality. As I mentioned before, that's when every church does the same things looking to attract the same people--- and only 40% of a community is reached! Remedy...when Jesus tells us to be fishers of people, he doesn't mean swapping fish between aquariums. He wants us to catch new people for the kingdom! That's why in John 17, we hear Jesus and the Father connecting in prayer. Jesus is asking that we all be ONE in the Trinity, so that unbelievers might come to see the church as ONE BODY IN CHRIST for the sake of a city. Competition for people is not to be with other churches, but against the enemy of darkness. So, let's go after him...together!
Friends: The very best way for new LCMC churches to be birthed, is when existing LCMC churches gratefully come together as healthy parents and thankfully BIRTH kid congregations! In doing so, we develop a legacy of the gospel that lives on, and branches out to reach new people groups, in a magnificent family tree of God's hope for the world!
Happy Thanksgiving!
That's how life is suppose to work: families building families with gratefulness--- made even stronger when being built on the rock of Jesus! When that's the case, no matter how tough life might get for a family, there is reason for hope. With hope, there is gratefulness that gives thanks to God who births new life in Christ!
'Tis true for church families as well. When churches birth new churches in gratefulness of Christ's redeeming work, a family tree is being formed and the possibility of more people being reached for Christ grows dramatically. So, what might slow this process down, or even keep churches from birthing new churches in the first place?
Let's first learn to recognize some road blocks, so we can then learn to remedy...
Recognize...the paradigm that a church is a building. Everyone agrees that it's not, yet over-and-over I hear otherwise through articulated perceptions. I'll never forget having lunch with a fellow Lutheran pastor who mocked the fact that my church plant offices were in a strip mall. To him, it wasn't church. (To me, however, it was was like the first-century church in the marketplace--- exactly where God's people are to practice Christian faith!). Just the other day I received an email from a person living on the east coast who wanted to start a church by first purchasing an abandoned church facility. He added, "There is some work to be done (on the facility) before it can be a church again." Remedy...I shared that he indeed had some work to be done--- but it was to be on building values, mission and vision for the purpose-development of a new congregation in his city--- way before thinking about buying a building.
Recognize...the fear of running out of money. Rich people are always afraid they'll lose their money and poor people are always afraid they won't have any. Fear grips both the rich and the poor with a scarcity mindset. The same can be true for congregations. Congregations don't have a money shortage...they have a vision shortage! Remedy...developing faith triggers a Godly vision of discipleship. A vision of discipleship ignites purpose. Purpose leads the way to mission, and money will follow a clearly stated mission! Too many existing churches think that if they invest in the start of a new church, they themselves might fall financially short. Yet in Malachi 3, God says go ahead and test His ability to pour out more and more upon a mission that is focused on others! When we learn to die to ourselves, a Good Friday will always lead to a Resurrection Day!
Recognize...the concern of losing members. I once asked a very large church if it would share with me the names of 12 people in it's congregation that I might contact about serving as a launch team in starting a new church in a near-by community. The response back was basically, "We can't do that because it might hurt our newest satellite start." Make sense? It does, except the satellite was already over a 1,000 people in a 3-million person area! Remedy...if a church is raising up leaders, it can easily send them into new missional opportunities. Nothing is hurt, only helped! If, however, a church is simply looking to gain membership numbers--- it becomes a stagnate religious club. How about this: instead of always going after the 40% of people that are already "mildly Christian," let's have churches develop churches that directly aim for the 60% of people that have no Christian connection what-so-ever. To do this, of course, means developing planters and launch teams that are not going to look like a typical church. Instead, they are going to bring the gospel to new people groups in new, sometimes unconventional ways. This shifts concern away from the mentality of losing members in a church, to concern about losing souls in a city!
Recognize...compelling competition. When churches fail to recognize the marketplace of their city as "one congregation with many church-tribes," we create a church vs. church competition mentality. As I mentioned before, that's when every church does the same things looking to attract the same people--- and only 40% of a community is reached! Remedy...when Jesus tells us to be fishers of people, he doesn't mean swapping fish between aquariums. He wants us to catch new people for the kingdom! That's why in John 17, we hear Jesus and the Father connecting in prayer. Jesus is asking that we all be ONE in the Trinity, so that unbelievers might come to see the church as ONE BODY IN CHRIST for the sake of a city. Competition for people is not to be with other churches, but against the enemy of darkness. So, let's go after him...together!
Friends: The very best way for new LCMC churches to be birthed, is when existing LCMC churches gratefully come together as healthy parents and thankfully BIRTH kid congregations! In doing so, we develop a legacy of the gospel that lives on, and branches out to reach new people groups, in a magnificent family tree of God's hope for the world!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 3, 2014
Building Buildings
"A church should build only when it can do so without shifting it's focus from ministering to people to building a building." Architect Ray Bowman, When Not to Build.
To build or not to build. Shakespeare didn't ask that particular question, but church planters often do.
I recommend that new churches begin by first thinking about building a kingdom presence in their sphere of influence BEFORE ever entertaining building a physical building. That doesn't mean I don't think good facilities are important--- they are--- especially when you live in a weather climate like I do where it's cold and snowy from November through March!
Four ways I believe you can start using facilities:
1). If you have the monthly income to make it happen, it's a good idea to rent/lease an office space that is close to people connections (downtown, or next to a cluster of busy businesses). Make your windows well marked. Create a warm environment with paint, pictures and rugs. Give it a feeling of "God in the daily marketplace." You can do this without spending a lot of money.
2). This can communicate to the community that you're legitimate and open to the public. Having an office in your home can also work, but it means meeting with the public in public spaces--- such as restaurants or malls. That's not a bad thing. It takes more effort, but the cost savings is certainly worth it! In addition, being seen meeting in public is a great way to shine Jesus' light.
3). If financially possible, make sure your office space is NOT consumed by "your office." In other words, can you create space for a group of people to gather--- for study, prayer, worship or discussion? Like #1, create a warm and welcoming space.
4). If financially possible, make your worship space separate from your weekday space. If you are trying to worship in a very small area in a strip mall, it may communicate that you are expecting to develop a small congregation. On the other hand, think about worshipping at a local school, theater, or restaurant party room. The first two ideas give you built-in media capabilities, while the later puts you in the public eye with access to food for fellowship.
Four ways to start the facility building discussion:
1). Be ready for a long, perhaps tiring process. Patience, prayer and a vision for "why we are doing this" is crucial. Over the next couple years of financial and building preparations, be sure to biblically preach about building the building for kingdom purposes--- then make sure the architect understands that vision! Don't let an architect talk you into his vision!
2). Fund-raising for building a facility cannot be summarized in a paragraph. Look for those details in a future blog. For sure, build according to your age, but with an expectation for the future. It takes great leadership to keep a church out of crippling debt, while at the same time not stifling future possibilities. The key: for folks to continuing tithing to the work of the ministry while also seeing the building of a facility as an extra "sacrificial" gift to the Lord's work. Both areas need to be exciting to the folks.
3). Consider looking for existing buildings that can be transformed into ministry/worship centers. Again, this communicates "we are in the marketplace!" Have you noticed that many of the new church facilities over the last 30-years are built on the outside of towns? That's because many cities have tough laws for church facilities being present in light industrial or commercial areas. While working with a city can be very difficult, it is also a great opportunity to show city leaders (some who may be unbelievers) that your church is about giving, not taking.
4). When building a facility, get out of the way of the professionals, but also negotiate where your own people power can be used. This can create a healthy ownership of the project, develop friendships, give people opportunities to serve, open the door to ministry and even save money.
Friends: when I started my first plant, I went the route of leasing 600 square feet of office space, then added another 900 to it when it was financially possible. Every inch was used. We were jammed, but it was fun. At the same time, we rented the local high school theater for Sunday morning worship. At about the 5-year mark, we started the long journey of fund-raising and facility development. I looked at over 60 potential sites for building a facility. Some sites were too expensive, or too big, or too small. Some sites wouldn't allow for enough parking, or city connections, or city permission. Finally, we were able to purchase an Episcopalian church facility that "went out of business." We used it for our offices and ministry meetings while still worshipping at the high school. From about 2008 to 2010 our Building Team of 6 individuals patiently planned how we could add onto the existing building with bang for our buck. We then built-on and moved-in within a year. Our over-all goals were met: we were in the city with city services. We could be seen from a major road. We were right next to busy businesses--- in our case, Menards. We blended the old into the new for a classic look. We expanded the worship facility and added top notch bathrooms. It is warm and welcoming and the current debt is now around $200,000. Affordable!
The LCMC does not have a fund to assist new churches in building a facility. Instead, our LCMC funding is focused on getting planters and their launched teams trained--- for growing discipleship and for fund-raising! As I have blogged before, the key is for our DISTRICT CHURCHES to create mission funding and relationships with local planters so that churches can birth churches!
Finally...get this: If I were to plant today, I would not build a facility! Instead, I would be extremely focused on simply developing disciples for the work of ministry in the marketplace. How would I pull off such a thing you might ask? I'll seek to address that question in my next blog.
In the meantime, remember, you are not building "God's House" God cannot be contained. You are, however, building a facility to help build God's people for the work of ministry on the outside of the church facility!
"We are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord." Ephesians 2:20-21
To build or not to build. Shakespeare didn't ask that particular question, but church planters often do.
I recommend that new churches begin by first thinking about building a kingdom presence in their sphere of influence BEFORE ever entertaining building a physical building. That doesn't mean I don't think good facilities are important--- they are--- especially when you live in a weather climate like I do where it's cold and snowy from November through March!
Four ways I believe you can start using facilities:
1). If you have the monthly income to make it happen, it's a good idea to rent/lease an office space that is close to people connections (downtown, or next to a cluster of busy businesses). Make your windows well marked. Create a warm environment with paint, pictures and rugs. Give it a feeling of "God in the daily marketplace." You can do this without spending a lot of money.
2). This can communicate to the community that you're legitimate and open to the public. Having an office in your home can also work, but it means meeting with the public in public spaces--- such as restaurants or malls. That's not a bad thing. It takes more effort, but the cost savings is certainly worth it! In addition, being seen meeting in public is a great way to shine Jesus' light.
3). If financially possible, make sure your office space is NOT consumed by "your office." In other words, can you create space for a group of people to gather--- for study, prayer, worship or discussion? Like #1, create a warm and welcoming space.
4). If financially possible, make your worship space separate from your weekday space. If you are trying to worship in a very small area in a strip mall, it may communicate that you are expecting to develop a small congregation. On the other hand, think about worshipping at a local school, theater, or restaurant party room. The first two ideas give you built-in media capabilities, while the later puts you in the public eye with access to food for fellowship.
Four ways to start the facility building discussion:
1). Be ready for a long, perhaps tiring process. Patience, prayer and a vision for "why we are doing this" is crucial. Over the next couple years of financial and building preparations, be sure to biblically preach about building the building for kingdom purposes--- then make sure the architect understands that vision! Don't let an architect talk you into his vision!
2). Fund-raising for building a facility cannot be summarized in a paragraph. Look for those details in a future blog. For sure, build according to your age, but with an expectation for the future. It takes great leadership to keep a church out of crippling debt, while at the same time not stifling future possibilities. The key: for folks to continuing tithing to the work of the ministry while also seeing the building of a facility as an extra "sacrificial" gift to the Lord's work. Both areas need to be exciting to the folks.
3). Consider looking for existing buildings that can be transformed into ministry/worship centers. Again, this communicates "we are in the marketplace!" Have you noticed that many of the new church facilities over the last 30-years are built on the outside of towns? That's because many cities have tough laws for church facilities being present in light industrial or commercial areas. While working with a city can be very difficult, it is also a great opportunity to show city leaders (some who may be unbelievers) that your church is about giving, not taking.
4). When building a facility, get out of the way of the professionals, but also negotiate where your own people power can be used. This can create a healthy ownership of the project, develop friendships, give people opportunities to serve, open the door to ministry and even save money.
Friends: when I started my first plant, I went the route of leasing 600 square feet of office space, then added another 900 to it when it was financially possible. Every inch was used. We were jammed, but it was fun. At the same time, we rented the local high school theater for Sunday morning worship. At about the 5-year mark, we started the long journey of fund-raising and facility development. I looked at over 60 potential sites for building a facility. Some sites were too expensive, or too big, or too small. Some sites wouldn't allow for enough parking, or city connections, or city permission. Finally, we were able to purchase an Episcopalian church facility that "went out of business." We used it for our offices and ministry meetings while still worshipping at the high school. From about 2008 to 2010 our Building Team of 6 individuals patiently planned how we could add onto the existing building with bang for our buck. We then built-on and moved-in within a year. Our over-all goals were met: we were in the city with city services. We could be seen from a major road. We were right next to busy businesses--- in our case, Menards. We blended the old into the new for a classic look. We expanded the worship facility and added top notch bathrooms. It is warm and welcoming and the current debt is now around $200,000. Affordable!
The LCMC does not have a fund to assist new churches in building a facility. Instead, our LCMC funding is focused on getting planters and their launched teams trained--- for growing discipleship and for fund-raising! As I have blogged before, the key is for our DISTRICT CHURCHES to create mission funding and relationships with local planters so that churches can birth churches!
Finally...get this: If I were to plant today, I would not build a facility! Instead, I would be extremely focused on simply developing disciples for the work of ministry in the marketplace. How would I pull off such a thing you might ask? I'll seek to address that question in my next blog.
In the meantime, remember, you are not building "God's House" God cannot be contained. You are, however, building a facility to help build God's people for the work of ministry on the outside of the church facility!
"We are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord." Ephesians 2:20-21
Sunday, October 26, 2014
How to Launch, Launch Teams
What right-minded astronaut would ever crawl into a tube (with a fire stick at the bottom) to get blasted into outer space, if they didn't believe in their launch team?
When working with astronauts, I mean "church planters," I always stress the importance of developing a solid leadership launch team to help with all the launch plans. I'm not talking about establishing your formal leadership staff or council (DON'T do that until at least year-3), but rather work at training and equipping mature disciple-leaders that make more disciple-leaders!
The numeral size of this initial leadership launch team is not as important as the size of it's impact. Like Jesus, maybe 12 people is a good start (and that might even be 1 too many...ha!). This team is Bible-believing, Holy Spirit-led and all on-board with you as a person and a pastor, as well as dedicated to the vision of the new ministry. If you put someone on your launch team that's working for the wrong reasons (like trying to gain some personal power or control for a variety of reasons), it will eventually cost you or the ministry. For instance, when I first planted we had one gentlemen who wanted to be the worship leader. He was so-so in his music abilities and not much deeper in his faith. He was, however, a really good guy. When he found out that he wasn't going to be the worship leader, he quit the launch team. In doing so, I believe he blew a wonderful opportunity to participate in a worship band, grow in his music abilities, AND grow in his faith! I know this, because several years later I ran into him. He still wasn't connected to any church...doing nothing. This didn't directly cost me, but it certainly cost the development a disciple!
The launch team helps the planter in many ways. For example: team members already know people in-and-out-of the community that you don't know--- and because of their relationship with others, they expand your invitation to come and see the new ministry. Launch team members can help with the fund raising too. My launch team leaders greatly assisted me in raising about $15,000 in less than four-months due to how many people they knew! Launch team members also model to those first attending your new ministry to what it means to be a believer--- let alone a servant-leader. They help set-up and tear-down. (I recommend the pastor-planter also help set up and tear down! Let folks see that no one is above the work!). Launch team members support the mission financially and in faith, knowing full well the mission will not be easy. Because of that, they welcome, they pray with others, they speak well of you and co-sew the vision into the community. Therefore, continue to empower these initial launch leaders as "little planters!"
The maturity of your initial launch team leaders will determine the first 100 people that start coming to your worship services. That means if your initial leadership is weak, your stability will be weak. Jesus is always rock solid, but weak leadership doesn't even know enough to stand on him! Still, a planter can make the mistake of not recognizing good leadership, or worse yet, not cultivating leadership into great maturity. With that in mind, the following notes are 7-tips to help you recognize and empower the right people to serve as your first leadership launch team.
1). Develop and cast a strong vision, it will be attractive to great leaders. I listed this first because it's core. Begin by asking, "What makes this new ministry any different than all the others in our community?" Leaders want to be a part of a movement that is not the same-old-same-old. We don't need more churches, we need more disciples! So, cast a vision that makes more disciples of Jesus, rather than just members of churches. Leaders that are kingdom thinkers/do'ers are way too rare these days, so when you are blessed with such a person, recognize it and lead that leader!
2). Be on the watch for other so-called leaders that want to join you, but are immature and thus dysfunctional. Don't open the door to folks who want to lead because it simply makes them feel good about themselves. This can create selfishness, inward thinking, dis-unity and a sense of chaos. A good leader creates change, but not chaos. A good leader doesn't run over people, but loves them into wanting to serve with others. A good leader is first a good follower--- of Jesus. Jesus shows us how to be effective servant leaders! If you have someone who wants to lead, but shouldn't, work at incorporating them into a servant. If they do that well, they may develop into a servant-leader!
3). Recognize your early adapters and help them ride your wave of leadership. Like number-2, early adapters will show others the way by first following Jesus who changes lives of others. Launch team leaders, much like the lead church planter, require a bold faith and a can-do, no-quit spirit. They are entrepreneurs in their apostle callings.
4). Don't dismiss the ideas of good leaders. If you do, they will become quickly frustrated and lose their energy for the plant. Remember, high-capacity leaders don't desire a title as much as influence. Ignoring God-inspired ideas is an insult--- to God! Again, this is why consistently casting the new vision is important--- it's the blue print for the builders to follow!
5). If you don't pass the ball around your launch team will become predictable and thus ineffective. A football team's offense will be the most successful when more players are involved in the game plan and its individual plays. In other words, use the spiritual giftings of everyone you can so they know they are called and needed. Be the quarterback and get "the ball" into the hands of a variety of playmakers. The spiritual enemy won't know what hit him!
6). Likewise, be sure to give leaders opportunities to try and fail. Many times my church plant staff would say to me, "You trust us with so much, we really appreciate that!" My response was always the same, "That's because you are trustworthy!" If we failed, it was never for the lack of trying to reach the unreached. Perhaps that's not failing at all?
7). Be sure to always express your thankfulness to their faithfulness. I believe that thankful people are always thanking others. If they're not thanking folks for sharing, giving, or participating, It's a sign of an ungrateful heart--- a heart that is not connected to God's heart! Launch leaders don't work for money, they work for mission. So, pay them with thanks...and give them "the ball" too!
When working with astronauts, I mean "church planters," I always stress the importance of developing a solid leadership launch team to help with all the launch plans. I'm not talking about establishing your formal leadership staff or council (DON'T do that until at least year-3), but rather work at training and equipping mature disciple-leaders that make more disciple-leaders!
The numeral size of this initial leadership launch team is not as important as the size of it's impact. Like Jesus, maybe 12 people is a good start (and that might even be 1 too many...ha!). This team is Bible-believing, Holy Spirit-led and all on-board with you as a person and a pastor, as well as dedicated to the vision of the new ministry. If you put someone on your launch team that's working for the wrong reasons (like trying to gain some personal power or control for a variety of reasons), it will eventually cost you or the ministry. For instance, when I first planted we had one gentlemen who wanted to be the worship leader. He was so-so in his music abilities and not much deeper in his faith. He was, however, a really good guy. When he found out that he wasn't going to be the worship leader, he quit the launch team. In doing so, I believe he blew a wonderful opportunity to participate in a worship band, grow in his music abilities, AND grow in his faith! I know this, because several years later I ran into him. He still wasn't connected to any church...doing nothing. This didn't directly cost me, but it certainly cost the development a disciple!
The launch team helps the planter in many ways. For example: team members already know people in-and-out-of the community that you don't know--- and because of their relationship with others, they expand your invitation to come and see the new ministry. Launch team members can help with the fund raising too. My launch team leaders greatly assisted me in raising about $15,000 in less than four-months due to how many people they knew! Launch team members also model to those first attending your new ministry to what it means to be a believer--- let alone a servant-leader. They help set-up and tear-down. (I recommend the pastor-planter also help set up and tear down! Let folks see that no one is above the work!). Launch team members support the mission financially and in faith, knowing full well the mission will not be easy. Because of that, they welcome, they pray with others, they speak well of you and co-sew the vision into the community. Therefore, continue to empower these initial launch leaders as "little planters!"
The maturity of your initial launch team leaders will determine the first 100 people that start coming to your worship services. That means if your initial leadership is weak, your stability will be weak. Jesus is always rock solid, but weak leadership doesn't even know enough to stand on him! Still, a planter can make the mistake of not recognizing good leadership, or worse yet, not cultivating leadership into great maturity. With that in mind, the following notes are 7-tips to help you recognize and empower the right people to serve as your first leadership launch team.
1). Develop and cast a strong vision, it will be attractive to great leaders. I listed this first because it's core. Begin by asking, "What makes this new ministry any different than all the others in our community?" Leaders want to be a part of a movement that is not the same-old-same-old. We don't need more churches, we need more disciples! So, cast a vision that makes more disciples of Jesus, rather than just members of churches. Leaders that are kingdom thinkers/do'ers are way too rare these days, so when you are blessed with such a person, recognize it and lead that leader!
2). Be on the watch for other so-called leaders that want to join you, but are immature and thus dysfunctional. Don't open the door to folks who want to lead because it simply makes them feel good about themselves. This can create selfishness, inward thinking, dis-unity and a sense of chaos. A good leader creates change, but not chaos. A good leader doesn't run over people, but loves them into wanting to serve with others. A good leader is first a good follower--- of Jesus. Jesus shows us how to be effective servant leaders! If you have someone who wants to lead, but shouldn't, work at incorporating them into a servant. If they do that well, they may develop into a servant-leader!
3). Recognize your early adapters and help them ride your wave of leadership. Like number-2, early adapters will show others the way by first following Jesus who changes lives of others. Launch team leaders, much like the lead church planter, require a bold faith and a can-do, no-quit spirit. They are entrepreneurs in their apostle callings.
4). Don't dismiss the ideas of good leaders. If you do, they will become quickly frustrated and lose their energy for the plant. Remember, high-capacity leaders don't desire a title as much as influence. Ignoring God-inspired ideas is an insult--- to God! Again, this is why consistently casting the new vision is important--- it's the blue print for the builders to follow!
5). If you don't pass the ball around your launch team will become predictable and thus ineffective. A football team's offense will be the most successful when more players are involved in the game plan and its individual plays. In other words, use the spiritual giftings of everyone you can so they know they are called and needed. Be the quarterback and get "the ball" into the hands of a variety of playmakers. The spiritual enemy won't know what hit him!
6). Likewise, be sure to give leaders opportunities to try and fail. Many times my church plant staff would say to me, "You trust us with so much, we really appreciate that!" My response was always the same, "That's because you are trustworthy!" If we failed, it was never for the lack of trying to reach the unreached. Perhaps that's not failing at all?
7). Be sure to always express your thankfulness to their faithfulness. I believe that thankful people are always thanking others. If they're not thanking folks for sharing, giving, or participating, It's a sign of an ungrateful heart--- a heart that is not connected to God's heart! Launch leaders don't work for money, they work for mission. So, pay them with thanks...and give them "the ball" too!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Churches Planting Churches: a new, old idea!
Prior to 1945, the common method used to plant new ministries in America was "churches planting churches." My first call in Cannon Falls, MN, was such a situation. Over a 100-years earlier, one church had planted a sister church about 5-miles away. That's because at the time, 5-miles was a very difficult trip even for the early pioneers to make. Therefore, the church pioneered to the people!
Since 1945, however, the denominational top-down method took over and local churches punted their privilege to plant. It worked, for a while, but as denominations have deteriorated, so has the effectiveness of denominational planting.
Thus, our predicament today where sixty-percent of America is unchurched because churches have stopped pioneering to the people!
The LCMC, however, is changing that course. Or should I better state it as, "God is changing that course and we are tuning into God's plan!" We are once again advocating and supporting that "churches plant churches!" With that in mind, every once-a-blog-in-a-while I'll lift-up specific LCMC churches that are inspiring and modeling how we can ALL become a part of a church planting association. In this particular writing, I'll start by briefly sharing the missional story of two LCMC churches birthing three multi-cultural churches!
Hope Lutheran in Westminster, California was once a thriving church with mostly Caucasian Lutheran transplants from the midwest. A couple decades ago, however, the neighborhoods changed and more multi-cultural people began moving into the area. The all-white church was in decline until Pastor Paul Finley came and cast a new vision to reach the folks in the neighborhood. From that vision, two new "Hope" Churches have been born!
Esperanza ("Hope" in Spanish) is led by Pastor Sergio Cordero, while Hy Vong ("Hope" in Vietnamese) is led by Pastor Hy Thuong. Both new churches of Hope are hosted by the original Hope Church facility and mentored by Pastor Paul. The three are now blessing each other and strengthening "the Hope" of the neighborhood!
FROM CALIFORNIA TO WISCONSIN...Pastor Tom Graves planted Light of Christ Church earlier this year in the city of Wisconsin Rapids. The new missional community, however, is more interested in growing it's influence rather than just it's own worship numbers. That is why Light of Christ is already planting another Light of Christ Church in Ghana, Africa in conjunction with Good News Africa!
I delight in such missional discipleship. I believe God's heart is delighted because God loves having a BIG family! How about you?
Friends: statistics show that if a church doesn't plant within it's first 10-years, it never does. We, however, can change that. In fact, I recently made the comment to a large group in Iowa that if a church celebrates it's 125th anniversary but doesn't have any off-spring to celebrate with them, it's a shallow birthday party. That's when a pastor came up to me representing an Iowa church that happened to be celebrating it's 125th birthday. He looked mad. I thought he was mad at my comment, but no, he was mad that his church was celebrating it's longevity but had never had a baby. He said he would begin casting such a Godly-vision so that by year 130, they could boast like Abraham and Sarah! Ha!
With that in mind, join me in laughing with all of our Abraham and Sarah churches in the birthing of new churches that reach the nations with the Good News of Jesus!
For information on the 22 newest LCMC church starts in 2014, go to the LCMC.net website. Click on Mission Congregations, then click on "Newer Church Plants" for contact information.
Since 1945, however, the denominational top-down method took over and local churches punted their privilege to plant. It worked, for a while, but as denominations have deteriorated, so has the effectiveness of denominational planting.
Thus, our predicament today where sixty-percent of America is unchurched because churches have stopped pioneering to the people!
The LCMC, however, is changing that course. Or should I better state it as, "God is changing that course and we are tuning into God's plan!" We are once again advocating and supporting that "churches plant churches!" With that in mind, every once-a-blog-in-a-while I'll lift-up specific LCMC churches that are inspiring and modeling how we can ALL become a part of a church planting association. In this particular writing, I'll start by briefly sharing the missional story of two LCMC churches birthing three multi-cultural churches!
Hope Lutheran in Westminster, California was once a thriving church with mostly Caucasian Lutheran transplants from the midwest. A couple decades ago, however, the neighborhoods changed and more multi-cultural people began moving into the area. The all-white church was in decline until Pastor Paul Finley came and cast a new vision to reach the folks in the neighborhood. From that vision, two new "Hope" Churches have been born!
Esperanza ("Hope" in Spanish) is led by Pastor Sergio Cordero, while Hy Vong ("Hope" in Vietnamese) is led by Pastor Hy Thuong. Both new churches of Hope are hosted by the original Hope Church facility and mentored by Pastor Paul. The three are now blessing each other and strengthening "the Hope" of the neighborhood!
FROM CALIFORNIA TO WISCONSIN...Pastor Tom Graves planted Light of Christ Church earlier this year in the city of Wisconsin Rapids. The new missional community, however, is more interested in growing it's influence rather than just it's own worship numbers. That is why Light of Christ is already planting another Light of Christ Church in Ghana, Africa in conjunction with Good News Africa!
I delight in such missional discipleship. I believe God's heart is delighted because God loves having a BIG family! How about you?
Friends: statistics show that if a church doesn't plant within it's first 10-years, it never does. We, however, can change that. In fact, I recently made the comment to a large group in Iowa that if a church celebrates it's 125th anniversary but doesn't have any off-spring to celebrate with them, it's a shallow birthday party. That's when a pastor came up to me representing an Iowa church that happened to be celebrating it's 125th birthday. He looked mad. I thought he was mad at my comment, but no, he was mad that his church was celebrating it's longevity but had never had a baby. He said he would begin casting such a Godly-vision so that by year 130, they could boast like Abraham and Sarah! Ha!
With that in mind, join me in laughing with all of our Abraham and Sarah churches in the birthing of new churches that reach the nations with the Good News of Jesus!
For information on the 22 newest LCMC church starts in 2014, go to the LCMC.net website. Click on Mission Congregations, then click on "Newer Church Plants" for contact information.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Receiving, Not Taking, the Offering
It can be awkward, or it can be holy.
I'm talking about the offering time of worship. One of the biggest reasons new church starts fail financially, is because the planter and launch team fail to speak about money in a missional manner.
With that in mind, here are a few bullet-point tips. Use them as they strike you best....
* Create an atmosphere of holiness around the offering. Don't make the offering an interruption, or an apology, or a quick get-er-done moment. I suggest that in contemporary worship, you build the offering time into the song set. Equip your worship leader to invite the ushers forward to "receive" (not take) the offering. After all, you're not stealing from anyone! Empower the worship leader to briefly, but concisely, express how God is a giver towards His work in us so we can be givers to God's work in others--- then share a specific example of something/someone in your congregation or city. Don't stop the background music while sharing this invitation as it bridges one song (and thought) to the next. Don't be rote, be relational! Work at this!
* Create a flow where a short video can be shared on giving while the ushers move through the congregation. Have a transition song coming out of the video. Keep the video short, perhaps funny. Check www.worship house.org for such possibilities.
* Inter-weave the worship singing with a person (or couple) on stage ready to introduce themselves and share why they give financially to your church. Often times these folks need to be coached so their message is to the point. Empower them to also share a prayer over the congregation. You're not only allowing people's testimonies to glorify God, but the testimonies are equipping people to be bolder leaders in public faith. When I first started this manner at my plant, people were hoping I wouldn't ask them to speak. Soon, however, that changed and people were excited to be asked and coached! Guess what happened next? The offerings went up! People started to give more (or more consistent) because they saw the joy of giving in their fellow disciples!!
* Replace offering plates or baskets with bags with handles. This way, no one has to see what's in the bag. In addition, inviting people to come forward to place an offering in a basket at the front stage is a great idea when you want people to give above and beyond their regular tithe. This could be tied into communion time. Communion is a time of receiving, not taking!
* Encourage and show people how to give electronically--- "first fruit giving." It not only makes your giving way more consistent each month, but it teaches the obedience of giving and thinking of God first. If some electronic givers still want to drop something into the bag as it is passed by, create and distribute cards that express "I've Given Electronically" or something like that. I have found this to be a great model.
* Consistently express through preaching, or during the offering time, what the offerings are doing as they are sewn--- either inside the congregation or outside. Both is best! In other words, don't do a Steward Sunday, but make every Sunday a time to rejoice in the giving. You watch, your congregation won't complain about "all the pastor ever does is talk about money" because money will be seen as mission.
* Planter: speak out your gratitude for God's provision and people's faith responses. You are teaching your folks to be thankful...and how to express it. I believe making the offering a holy time breaks the curse of greed or fear. Statistically, 70% of USA church members give NOTHING to their church! Those that do, statistically, only give an average of 2.5% of their income! Our churches don't have financial programs, we have faith programs. So, equip folk in faith and you're equipping them to also be givers!
Friends: When you treat the offering as important as confession and forgiveness, or prayer, or preaching, or singing--- you are creating an atmosphere of holiness in and around it. It is then no longer taking, but receiving!
I'm talking about the offering time of worship. One of the biggest reasons new church starts fail financially, is because the planter and launch team fail to speak about money in a missional manner.
With that in mind, here are a few bullet-point tips. Use them as they strike you best....
* Create an atmosphere of holiness around the offering. Don't make the offering an interruption, or an apology, or a quick get-er-done moment. I suggest that in contemporary worship, you build the offering time into the song set. Equip your worship leader to invite the ushers forward to "receive" (not take) the offering. After all, you're not stealing from anyone! Empower the worship leader to briefly, but concisely, express how God is a giver towards His work in us so we can be givers to God's work in others--- then share a specific example of something/someone in your congregation or city. Don't stop the background music while sharing this invitation as it bridges one song (and thought) to the next. Don't be rote, be relational! Work at this!
* Create a flow where a short video can be shared on giving while the ushers move through the congregation. Have a transition song coming out of the video. Keep the video short, perhaps funny. Check www.worship house.org for such possibilities.
* Inter-weave the worship singing with a person (or couple) on stage ready to introduce themselves and share why they give financially to your church. Often times these folks need to be coached so their message is to the point. Empower them to also share a prayer over the congregation. You're not only allowing people's testimonies to glorify God, but the testimonies are equipping people to be bolder leaders in public faith. When I first started this manner at my plant, people were hoping I wouldn't ask them to speak. Soon, however, that changed and people were excited to be asked and coached! Guess what happened next? The offerings went up! People started to give more (or more consistent) because they saw the joy of giving in their fellow disciples!!
* Replace offering plates or baskets with bags with handles. This way, no one has to see what's in the bag. In addition, inviting people to come forward to place an offering in a basket at the front stage is a great idea when you want people to give above and beyond their regular tithe. This could be tied into communion time. Communion is a time of receiving, not taking!
* Encourage and show people how to give electronically--- "first fruit giving." It not only makes your giving way more consistent each month, but it teaches the obedience of giving and thinking of God first. If some electronic givers still want to drop something into the bag as it is passed by, create and distribute cards that express "I've Given Electronically" or something like that. I have found this to be a great model.
* Consistently express through preaching, or during the offering time, what the offerings are doing as they are sewn--- either inside the congregation or outside. Both is best! In other words, don't do a Steward Sunday, but make every Sunday a time to rejoice in the giving. You watch, your congregation won't complain about "all the pastor ever does is talk about money" because money will be seen as mission.
* Planter: speak out your gratitude for God's provision and people's faith responses. You are teaching your folks to be thankful...and how to express it. I believe making the offering a holy time breaks the curse of greed or fear. Statistically, 70% of USA church members give NOTHING to their church! Those that do, statistically, only give an average of 2.5% of their income! Our churches don't have financial programs, we have faith programs. So, equip folk in faith and you're equipping them to also be givers!
Friends: When you treat the offering as important as confession and forgiveness, or prayer, or preaching, or singing--- you are creating an atmosphere of holiness in and around it. It is then no longer taking, but receiving!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Planting and Missional Training at the LCMC Gathering
The 14th annual LCMC Gathering in Des Moines, Iowa, is just a month away! If you haven't done so, please make plans RIGHT NOW to register so you don't miss out on being engaged in our shared mission to plant 1,000 congregations in the next 10-years!
Here are some plant and missional training possibilities for you in Des Moines...
* Food packaging: Join others (we're hoping for 1,000 helpers) to put together 400,000 food packets in just two-hours to bless those in need (Tuesday, October 7, 5:00-7:00 pm). For greater details and sign-up, check-out our LCMC.net website for the Annual Gathering Registration. This ministry moment is for everyone, but what a great way to feed mission into our DNA!
* Church Planter's Reunion Dinner, Monday, October 6, 6:00 pm. Anyone who has planted a congregation in the past 3-years is invited to enjoy dinner and fellowship time together. Spouses are welcome! First, sign-up for what is listed as the District Dinner ($20.00) then CONTACT ME (dan@lcmc.net) to let me know you'll be joining the "Planter's Table." This way we know how many to plan for. We'll enjoy sharing the ups-and-downs of church planting to be encouraged and empowered.
* Breakout Session: "Missio Missiles for Taking' it to the Streets!" During this breakout session, I will speak to how ALL CHURCHES can take on a missional mentality that impacts cities in a kingdom fashion. (I'm so nice, we're offering this breakout twice!) You are encouraged to sign-up during your pre-registration time so we know how to plan accordingly.
* Breakout Session: "How we will plant 1,000 in 10." During this breakout session, I will speak to how EVERY church can participate in a planting vision--- with an emphasis on developing missional communities that can reach more people for Christ in a variety of ways. Developing an LCMC family tree will not only be fun, but bring city transformation. Like all breakouts, please sign-up at your pre-registration. (I'm such a dunce, this is only offered once).
* The Coordinator for New Ministry Development presentation to the gathering at large: On Tuesday afternoon, October 7, I will be sharing an update on our vision to become a church planting association. During that time, we will have a variety of planters briefly share what they are doing. PLANTERS: please let me know that you'll be at the gathering so I can publicly lift you up!
* New Church Planter's Workshop, Wednesday, October 8, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. This 5-hour workshop is a fast-paced, but very helpful, training time to help you discern God's calling to church planting, or to assist in a church planting team in your city. It will be informational and hopefully transformational for you! There is no charge, but you must register. A working lunch will be provided for those who register ahead of time.
For registration details, see LCMC.net, then click-on ANNUAL GATHERING REGISTRATION. See you there!
Here are some plant and missional training possibilities for you in Des Moines...
* Food packaging: Join others (we're hoping for 1,000 helpers) to put together 400,000 food packets in just two-hours to bless those in need (Tuesday, October 7, 5:00-7:00 pm). For greater details and sign-up, check-out our LCMC.net website for the Annual Gathering Registration. This ministry moment is for everyone, but what a great way to feed mission into our DNA!
* Church Planter's Reunion Dinner, Monday, October 6, 6:00 pm. Anyone who has planted a congregation in the past 3-years is invited to enjoy dinner and fellowship time together. Spouses are welcome! First, sign-up for what is listed as the District Dinner ($20.00) then CONTACT ME (dan@lcmc.net) to let me know you'll be joining the "Planter's Table." This way we know how many to plan for. We'll enjoy sharing the ups-and-downs of church planting to be encouraged and empowered.
* Breakout Session: "Missio Missiles for Taking' it to the Streets!" During this breakout session, I will speak to how ALL CHURCHES can take on a missional mentality that impacts cities in a kingdom fashion. (I'm so nice, we're offering this breakout twice!) You are encouraged to sign-up during your pre-registration time so we know how to plan accordingly.
* Breakout Session: "How we will plant 1,000 in 10." During this breakout session, I will speak to how EVERY church can participate in a planting vision--- with an emphasis on developing missional communities that can reach more people for Christ in a variety of ways. Developing an LCMC family tree will not only be fun, but bring city transformation. Like all breakouts, please sign-up at your pre-registration. (I'm such a dunce, this is only offered once).
* The Coordinator for New Ministry Development presentation to the gathering at large: On Tuesday afternoon, October 7, I will be sharing an update on our vision to become a church planting association. During that time, we will have a variety of planters briefly share what they are doing. PLANTERS: please let me know that you'll be at the gathering so I can publicly lift you up!
* New Church Planter's Workshop, Wednesday, October 8, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. This 5-hour workshop is a fast-paced, but very helpful, training time to help you discern God's calling to church planting, or to assist in a church planting team in your city. It will be informational and hopefully transformational for you! There is no charge, but you must register. A working lunch will be provided for those who register ahead of time.
For registration details, see LCMC.net, then click-on ANNUAL GATHERING REGISTRATION. See you there!
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