Blog

As we have worked through the vision class for the new church plant, we have identified  21 opportunities that a “simple church network” could provide.  Perhaps you can think of additional opportunities? 1.     Deepening of relationships with members of the church 2.     Easier to invite some into home than to a “church” 3.     More participation from all those involved 4.     Not limited to a scheduled meeting time 5.     Can remove some “extra biblical” stuff / doctrine 6.     Dealing with dirt and conflict 7.     Accountability to each other and to God 8.     Kids involved in worship 9.     Dialogue instead of monologue during gatherings 10.    Being “sent” from FAC 11.    Network = protection, credibility, “not going at it alone” might not make it seem so “weird” 12.    Learning to love 13.    Every believer can be a church… Read More »21 Opportunities

Interesting Statistics From The Book, Lost and Found, by Setzer 1.  9/10 unchurched would be willing to listen to someone share his or her beliefs. 2.  3/5 would be willing to study the Bible with a friend’s invitation. 3.  ½ surveyed said that they would be willing to learn more about the Bible and Jesus within the context of a small group. 4.  8/10 young adults said that “Christianity today is more about organized religion than about loving God and loving people.” 5.  9/10 believe they can have a good relationship with God without being involved in a church. 6.  Postmoderns do not view organized church as a place to find spiritual guidance (17% look to organized religion).  Yet, 91 percent have a close relationship with a Christian.

Let’s go and die with Jesus? I can remember sitting in my “second office” at Panera several months ago identifying with Thomas in John 11.  In this chapter, Jesus invites the disciples to leave their present comfort to see Lazarus who has recently died.  Thomas, mindful of just having come from Judea where Jesus escaped a stoning, declares to the concerned disciples, “let us go also, that we may die with him” (verse 16). As I have contemplated the church-planting vision that God has set before us, I have been tempted to have Thomas’ attitude.  Part of me wants to stay put; stay working with FCA and stay here at First Alliance, because, like Thomas, I have viewed this journey with Jesus as inevitably resulting in many deaths (relationships, present passions, joys, security, comforts, etc.). … Read More »Let’s Go Die With Jesus?

“The greatest problem affecting church planting strategy today is a theological problem.  And church planters must realize that the missionary task to which they are called requires that they teach the whole counsel of God and allow the cultural expressions to develop from the people over time. An ecclesiological shift is necessary. Not a shift away from biblical prescriptions, absolutely not!  But there must be a shift away from expectations that may shackle new believers to longstanding  preferences that, while near-and-dear to us, are problematic for their sanctification and mission. Let’s do evangelism. Let’s gather the new believers together.  Let’s begin teaching them to obey all that Christ commanded. And in the process challenge them with the question, “Is the Spirit leading you to covenant together as a local expression of the Body of Christ?” … Read More »Something to Consider

This past Sunday, we had a great conversation in the “vision” class for the new church plant about discipleship.  In light of our conversation, I thought I would share a link to a great blog post on the subject.  I would love to hear your thoughts! Click Here to read! “A VISION FOR BEING THE CHURCH” UPDATE Here is a summary of what we have shared so far in the class “A Vision For Being The Church.”  You are welcome to join us any Sunday you can at 10:45 in room 13 below the sanctuary at First Alliance Church, Lexington (www.faclex.com). Key Value 1 –Community: The church is the community of believers who are “called out” to be the physical representation of Christ to the world.  It’s not a building or a service. Key Value… Read More »Simplifying Discipleship

I just came across some interesting statistics produced by the Glenmary Report in 2000 concerning church and religious involvement in Kentucky and Fayette County. * 10% of people in Fayette County attend church on any given Sunday * 47.3% of people in Fayette County “adhere to a religion.” * 27.4% of people in Fayette County are “members of a religious group.” As you might expect, these numbers are slightly lower than the state average (12.8%, 58%, and 33% respectively).  Click here to see the report and the results for all counties in Kentucky.  So what do you think?  Do we need more churches?  Yes…that is a trick question.  Think it through before you respond below! 🙂

I was recently re-reading this paper that I wrote in 2004.  I would highly encourage you to read Church Planting Movements by David Garrison.  However, if you can not find the time, I encourage you to give the arguments laid out in my review some consideration.  It is amazing to me how much God used this class, and specifically this assignment that I worked on six years ago, to shape the vision He has placed in my heart for this new work here in Lexington. I have resisted the temptation to make some minor changes and have left this as it was written in 2004.  I would love to hear your comments below. UPDATE:  A great summary of Garrison’s book is available for free HERE. CHURCH PLANTING MOVEMENTS IN NORTH AMERICA? ________________________ A Paper Presented… Read More »Church Planting Movements In North America?