Over the past two of these e-letters, I have begun exploring the question of “What is the infrastructure that enables the Holy Spirit to create movement.” Now don’t get me wrong! God can do things however He wants, and I suspect that is exactly what He does. But He does appear to choose to work through human messengers and using societal framework in many instances. We looked a little at that in the e-letter that went out on January 14th and which you can access in the newsletter archives.
Having looked a little at the development of leadership, and the role of communication, we are going to look at the DNA rapidly growing, self-replicating churches, or what is known by the term Church Planting Movements. For those of you ready to look at this in depth, I can’t do any better than point you to two of the best known writer/practitioners who have pioneered the understanding of these movements around the world. David Garrison’s book, Church Planting Movements, along with his website, Church Planting Movements are wonderful resources. David’s work grew out observation and documentation of the pioneering work in N. India of another David, David Watson. To sample this David’s blog go here and see what he has posted today (February 18th). It is a brilliant article documenting the simple steps involved in creating self-replicating small group movements.
And that is just the point. We don’t call these simple or organic church movements for no reason. Simple is easier to replicate than complicated. Everything that is done in church planting movements is geared towards duplication. Now note, simple does not mean simplistic! Neil Cole in his latest book, Church 3.0, draws out many of these concepts beautifully. It has been a discipline for Neil and the Greenhouse movement that everything they do must be able to be self-replicating, organic in nature (grows on its own as watered by God), and simple to master. Thousands of churches later that is exactly what Greenhouse has been able to produce.
Again quoting Neil, he describes DNA as representing Divine Truth, Nurturing Relationships and Apostolic Mission. Take away any of these “legs” of this three legged stool, and you have a church about to fall over! Infrastructure is about the foundations, the unseen things being right. I am convinced that this is one of the key reasons that real leadership characteristics are all about unseen character rather than easily seen charisma. But more about that next time .
Here are some more great resources to help you in the journey.
- Wolfgang Simson has been producing some great stuff on YouTube. Why not start with the Starfish Intro .
- Larry Kreider, a long standing friend of house churches from the cell church movement has just release a new book, 21 Tests of Effective Leadership. Larry lives what he writes, and so this is going to be full of practical wisdom for those who want to have maximum impact.
- Thirdly, I want to point you to a little understood, but much needed ministry, namely the work of deliverance. We see Jesus confronting demonic entities on virtually every page of the gospels. And those of us who have done much work abroad know that the situation there is little different. So why is it here in the West we see and understand so little in this area. The Mather’s are a family who God has raised up to change that and to do so by equipping others to know how to set the captive free. At Bear Creek Ranch you can find out more. I suggest that you check it out.
Until next week, or whenever time (and inspiration) permit the next e-letter to come out!
Tony and Felicity and the House 2 House team.
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Recent Stories:
Each week H2H publishes a story/article about simple church and/or living out our life in the Kingdom. Recent stories include:
- 5 Step Strategy for Student Church Planting by Erik Fish
- The Way of the Fathers: God’s Isaiah 19 Highway by Sean Steckbeck and Marco Gmur
- Our journey into rediscovering Apostolic and Prophetic foundations – part 2 By Mike Kim
- Our journey into rediscovering Apostolic and Prophetic foundations – part 1 By Mike Kim
The Rabbit and The Elephant We match Amazon’s Price!By Tony & Felicity Dale and George Barna
Today’s Western culture is indifferent to church and Christians. Yet the early church existed in far harsher conditions—and it thrived. Much like a new litter of rabbits, the infant faith quickly grew and spread. And the result was a world transformed.
In The Rabbit and the Elephant, Tony and Felicity Dale (Simply Church) and George Barna (Revolution) say that the same thing is happening today. As Christians, we are the church – whether we meet in office buildings, college dorm rooms, coffee shops, factories, or homes – and the Holy Spirit uses us to expand that church to the far reaches of the globe. By practicing “simple church,” we’ll find that a small gathering of friends loving Jesus together and reaching out to the community around them can help us to be the church, the way God intended.
The rabbit and the elephant. Something small and something big. Find out what lessons they hold for you, for the body of Christ, and for the future of church as we know it.
From Eternity to Here: Rediscovering the Ageless Purpose of God
By Frank Viola
Deep within God’s Word lies a wondrous story like no other. A drama that originated before time began. An epic saga that resonates with the heartbeat of God. A story that reveals nothing less than the meaning of life and God’s great mission in the earth. From Eternity to Here presents three remarkable stories spanning Genesis to Revelation. Each story traces a divine theme that is woven throughout Scripture. Seen together, they offer an extraordinary glimpse into God’s highest passion and grand mission. What you discover will forever change your view of life, the church, and our magnificent God.
Organic Leadership
by Neil Cole
What are the weeds that hinder the natural growth of godly leadership? Are programs, people, and money truly the signs of a successful church? Where can you find an unlimited source of leaders? How do you mentor others so that they multiply? In Organic Leadership, Neil Cole asks these questions and more, boldly challenging many of the ideas about leadership and church life that we all take for granted.
House2House is a donation supported ministry.
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