Other posts in this series:

• Missional Church? Be Prepared To Lose
• Missional Church? Be Prepared To Get Dirty
  

Local churches that are networked locally and regionally have the best possible chance to incarnate the gospel in a neighbourhood. Whether a denominational church or an independent church, whether a house church or an established church, local Jesus-communities need to help each other, inspire each other, resource each other, and "work together for the good of the city" [that's TrueCity's tagline - TrueCity is one of the networks The Freeway is involved in].

Gone are the days when, like an island unto themselves, local churches could hoard their resources, build their own kingdom, run all their in-house programs, and maintain "their" thing alone, etc. Well, maybe those days are not gone... but they should be.

What we need to continue to do is re-imagine ways to work together. We need to ask the question together, "What is God up to in this place?" and then find out how we can collaborate in order to join him.

How has that played out at The Freeway over the years? Or what networks are we a part of?

Resonate - www.resonate.ca
A few years ago a group of friends and I decided to start a Canadian network "of people seeking out Jesus Christ in a world and country that is transitioning from the modern to the postmodern era. [Resonate] is a group of people who are looking at new ways of living out the faith in holistic ways."

Through Resonate we have started regional Echos [a series of conversations hosted by Resonate on theology, worship, church and Christianity in today’s rapidly changing culture], a national e-mail discussion list, and local Greenhouses [which are basically organic networks for church planters and those interested in creating new forms of church. We get together about every six weeks all across Canada, we tell stories, we inspire one another].

Cultivate Gathering - www.cultivategathering.com
A couple years ago, tired of the "same old, same old" conferences and big name speakers spouting off what they wrote in their latest book, and realizing that networking and conversation was the way we wanted to learn, we started a learning party to gather folks and create conversations, tell stories, and inspire one another.

Cultivate has allowed us the opportunity to hob knob with very cool people who are doing new and exciting and innovative things in the church in a distinctly Canadian context. Most of these folks "fly under the radar" of traditional networks/conferences/etc.

TrueCity Network - www.truecity.ca
TrueCity is a local Hamilton network of "churches working together for the good of the city." They host a conference once a year, They have neighbourhood networks of leaders and people from various geographic regions in Hamilton. They help and inspire each other.

We are still really finding our way in TrueCity [and they are continuing to find their way as well] as we have only recently gotten involved, but the friendships we and partnerships we are making so far have been invaluable to us. On Thursday this week I will be attending an all-day meeting with the TrueCity to help figure out the next steps for the network.

Allelon - www.allelon.org
We, at The Freeway, have been learning from Alan Roxburgh and others at Allelon for just over a year now. Him and I have really hit it off on a personal level as well.

This spring we are launching an Allelon Training Centre [the first one in Canada] which aims to "provide practical, affordable and flexible training for all church leaders. Delivered by men and women with hands-on experience of mission in the United States and Canada, the program aims to enable leaders and potential leaders to transform their thinking, their lives, and their ways of being church." You should go and read all about it, and consider registering for our Summer Institute.

Labels: church planting, leadership, the freeway, training centre, writing

Cultivate Gathering: Spring '08 [a learning party for those interested in creating mission-shaped churches] is coming up at The Freeway next Saturday, March 29th. There are still a few spots left if you want to register.

We have split the day into three segments which have been selected to create dialogue in the area of leading [and planting] missional communities that move back into the neighbourhood:

• planting [grassroots storytelling]
• neighbourhood [living incarnationally]
• leading [forming community]

In each segment we will hear the story of some folks who have been asked ahead of time, then we will have an open mic time for anyone in the room to add their two cents to the segment, and then we split into discussion pods - open space style - to create conversations with one another on various topics with each segment.

Some pretty cool people are already registered for Cultivate this time around. I look forward to spending the day swapping stories and inspiring each other. Why don't you come?

www.cultivategathering.com

Labels: church planting, cultivate

It's been a while since I have posted on my blog. Sorry. I have been away for two weeks [you can read about where in the previous post].

I will update you about our Cultivate Gathering [which took place last Saturday] really soon and post a video of the day, etc. It was a fabulous event. But for now... something completely different.

I took a walk yesterday. I needed to. I had a really tough morning. Nay sayers. Big problems to solve. Life catching up with me all at once... like drinking from a fire hose. The weight of what we are undertaking here hit me like the baseball bat I took to the head when I played softball in grade five.

Also, after being away for two weeks hob knobbing with creatives, leaders, and squeaky clean churchy church people in majestically beautiful environments, I suppose I needed to decompress and be brought back into the reality of the life I have chosen [or has chosen me].

As I walked around downtown by our coffee house, nearly in tears, wallowing in self-pity, I passed drug dealers, prostitutes, gang bangers, bums, people who were outright talking to themselves [one of which was losing a shouting match with himself]. Dirty people. Scary people. People with obvious mental health issues. Broken people. People in motorized wheelchairs.

I saw poverty. I smelled poverty. I was smothered by it. I could barely catch my breath. It completely overwhelmed me to the point that I had to sit down a few times along the way. I was overtaken with hopelessness.

The objectification and terrorization of women and children really caught me off guard on my walk. Sex sells. It also buys. It was everywhere.

There are tons of people in our neighbourhood who are simply looking for the next fix. Figuring on how to get through the day. Seemingly wishing they were somewhere else... someone else.

I look down a lot when I walk. I try to avoid eye contact, if at all possible. I looked down a lot on my walk yesterday and I saw used condoms, drug paraphernalia, garbage, debris.

Lonely people abound here. I couldn't escape the notion, even at the busiest pedestrian street corner in Hamilton, that I was totally alone too. Abandoned. Surrounded by thousands of people, but completely isolated and alone.

I made a couple calls on my cell phone. I was desperate to hear a friendly voice. I was losing my mind to sadness and despair.

Several times I debated reaching out and hugging someone. Randomly. A stranger. Someone who looked like they could use a hug.

But I resisted the urge. I did nothing. I just kept walking. Hoping to God the world would change. I wish I had the courage to hug someone. To do something. But I don't.

This place is so screwed up on so many levels.

I went out for a walk to catch my breath, to make myself feel better. But I feel worse. What am I doing here? Surely, Jesus wouldn't want me to live here. This can't be what he has for me, can it? How do I escape the notion that I am a pathetic failure at making any difference whatsoever? Or is that it, failure is the thing?

I just don't know what Jesus wants me to do with all of this. What does subverting the empire as a kingdom person look like here? What do I do?

It all seems so hopeless. I feel very over-taken and broken. I don't live up to expectations put on me [or those I put on myself]. I come off like a professional sometimes... a guru... but I am weak and stubborn and silly and forgetful and...

I guess I just feel pretty overwhelmed sometimes.

[Note: Please don't try and answer the above questions for me. They are rhetorical.]

Labels: church planting, cultivate, personal

The old blog hasn't been too cheery as of late. Sorry about that. It's not because there aren't good things happening in our family or our community... it's just been a rough go, that's all.

How about "the bright side" for a change:

• The Freeway has a new church planting intern, Jason Dockeray, who I am excited to be coaching. Jason and his wife Kristen will be planting a church community in the northeast end of downtown Hamilton a year or so from now. Very cool. I am sure I will update you as things progress.
• [CML] was granted some more support by The Salvation Army, allowing us to reduce the cost of registration [at least for the first year]. If you are still considering joining us for six months of mission training in an urban community, you should jump on. If you don't know anything about [CML] check this out. This will prove to be a fantastic experience.
  
• Cultivate Gathering - our learning party - is coming up on November 17, and it is almost sold-out. If you are considering going, drop me a line asap so I can save you a spot.
• I am away for the next two weeks: Next week from Monday to Thursday I am in Vancouver for a leadership retreat with the other "35 under 35" finalists. The week after I am in Ottawa at Imagine - the national church planting congress - with Jason Dockeray & Jordan Donald from The Freeway and some other friends from all over.
• Our family is coming through the darkness of the past few weeks and are beginning to breathe and see light and function "normal" again. I am thankful to God for his healing in our lives and for the wonderful community of friends and spiritual family he has surrounded us by. We are very fortunate people.

I will be posting whenever I can in the next couple weeks and will hopefully be back to giving you a little more than depressing thoughts and drivel.

Labels: church planting, leadership, personal, the freeway

Cultivate Missional Living [CML] is a six month training course for people who want to learn how to engage in mission in an urban community.

[CML] takes place in the Beasley neighbourhood in downtown Hamilton, Ontario - one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada - and is hosted by The Freeway.

[CML] is supported by Allelon, Resonate, and The Salvation Army.

For more information about [CML] or to receive an application form, please contact the [CML] director, Jordan Donald, by e-mail [jordan@frwy.ca] or by phone: 905-929-0890.

Labels: church planting, leadership, the freeway, the salvation army

Other posts in this series:

• Missional Church? Be Prepared To Lose
• Missional Church? Be Prepared To Work Together
  

One of the lessons we are learning at The Freeway in the past few years as we attempt to be a living Kingdom community in our neck of the woods in downtown Hamilton, is that it is impossible to be an active Jesus community in a neighbourhood without being... well... ah... active. That is, unless we were willing to get our hands dirty and be involved in our neighbourhood, it would be impossible for us to incarnate the gospel in this place.

We live in a diverse community with many:

• impoverished people
• street kids
  
• single moms
• retired folks
• new Canadians
• folks with physical and developmental disabilities
  
• artists and musicians
• young professionals
  
• folks with mental health issues
  
• etc.

Ours is not a "one-size-fits-all" neighbourhood [or church community]. On a daily basis we encounter folks who face all sorts of challenges in their lives: financial, emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, etc. Being part of The Freeway means that you are faced, first-hand, with what it means to live with and minister to people [and receive ministry from people] who:

• Crap their pants during church. Smell terrible. And haven't the sense to excuse themselves and go clean up.
• Have job interviews and come in looking for you because they need a pair of pants, because they don't have unsoiled pants to wear at the job interview you've helped them prepare for.
• Think that sex is the only way they can validate who they are, or make a living, or find love, or stay in the country. So they exploit others or are themselves exploited.
• Have to choose between baby formula and their next fix. They really don't know which would be the better choice for their family.
• Have been rejected by their family, friends and community because of their sexual orientation, or loss of work, or religious confusion, or a decision they made when they were a kid.
• Are desperate for God. But have been rejected by the church, or can't make their way through the religious mumbo jumbo, or don't know where to begin, or feel unworthy.
• Just need to eat a meal, or get a hug, or talk with another human being.
  

And on and on it goes. Everyone has a story, it seems. And in our community we are involved in those stories, and many more, on a daily basis. It's not romantic, or heroic, or adventurous, it's just the life we've chosen to live. This is the place we believe God has placed us. The often abandoned place. The place where Jesus is present in those we give some groceries to... we meet him there. The place where Jesus is present in those we embrace with a hug or a conversation... we meet him there. The place where Jesus is present in those we welcome into our homes and share a meal with... we meet him there.

Are we concerned about salvation? Of course we are. We talk about Jesus - The Way - at every possible turn. We live for Jesus and act like Jesus as much as we can. We fail. We fall short. We struggle to see people like he does. We struggle to love people like he does. But we want to. And more than that we are really trying to. We get discouraged, and frustrated, and think maybe we made a mistake in coming here, but we can't escape the feeling that Jesus is with us. And he wants us here.

We proclaim the gospel. But it happens relationally more than anything else. People here don't need us to shout answers at them to questions they aren't asking. They need us to love them. They need to see Jesus, in an approachable, authentic, living example as much as they need to hear about him.

If we are serious about creating a mission-shaped church, then we need to understand that "sharing the gospel" means sharing our very lives, rolling up our sleeves, getting dirty, sharing in people's story, and sharing God's most amazing story as well.

Please don't get the wrong idea, it isn't just in huge moments and huge crises all the time. Most of the time, it's in the hum drum day-to-day-ness of simply living, listening for the Spirit, thinking consciously and intentionally about how we "spend ourselves", and responding to our neighbours the best that we can.

Labels: church planting, leadership, the freeway, writing

Other posts in this series:

• Missional Church? Be Prepared To Get Dirty
• Missional Church? Be Prepared To Work Together
  

There are several shifts which we made a few years ago in terms of measuring the missionality of our community at The Freeway. Some of these fly in the face of how the evangelical Church (at least in our circles) has generally done things in the past number of decades, particularly since the church growth movement took root.

One of those shifts was that we decided we could likely not continue to measure "success" as we always had - by attracting numbers: money, people, programs, projects, mission trips, souls saved, etc. We needed new markers, as it were, to know if we were becoming more Jesus-y. Here's what one Freewayer said a few weeks ago about this whole "numbers game":

The idea of success being measured by numbers is so ingrained in who we are that its hard to escape. How much money we make, how many friends we have on facebook... it's so difficult to measure success in any other way, and so we continually fall back on numbers. Whether its business or church, how many people attend, how many people consume your product, how many sales you can make are all key markers. In fact, I'd argue that Christian colleges are producing Christian CEO's more than pastors. And to further the point, if I really wanted to learn how to pastor a church 'succesfully' in today's culture I'd go to Western University and take business. I could learn marketing, trend analysis, leadership, dynamic communication... all things that seem to lend themselves to church growth.

As we began to question whether or not the point of church really came down to adding more people, making more money, keeping people more and more busy with more and more programs, etc. we anticipated that if we weren't going to continue to try and attract large numbers of people to our services, we could likely expect that we would look like miserable failures in many ways to many people as we instead looked to "the sending out" as a way of measuring whether or not we were a living Kingdom community.

In other words, rather than counting the number of people who come in to consume church programs, etc. we would celebrate people who left to follow to Jesus outside of the church walls. This shift meant several changes in the way we had always done things and the "results" we had always seen (some of which we would never have been able to anticipate ahead of time):

1. It meant that Sunday services could no longer be the main focus of our week. If attracting people to our top-notch services wasn't the point, and living missionally was, then we should spend less time and focus on Sundays and actually encourage people to not come unless they needed to.
   
2. It meant that rather than creating and maintaining church programs, we should set out to intentionally and organically be-friend one another and our neighbours. We should seek hospitality and justice and deep community together as we respond to the call of Jesus in each one of us.
   
3. It meant that we would lose two thirds of the people who actually join us (we would lose many more "Christian tourists" who come to check things out, and many of the folks who want the church to be a "self-help" group). One third would leave disgruntled. One third would leave as Jesus called them on to new and exciting missional ventures (often they are some of our brightest and best folks). One third would stay and continue to learn to live out mission as a community.
4. It meant that we would lose money. Lots of money. Many of the people who leave are the best financial supporters.
5. It meant that our tribe would need to be very patient with us and that we would need to intentionally foster relationships with the "powers that be" because our monthly statistic forms and financial records would be terrible indicators of Kingdom activity. Much time had to be invested listening to each other and creating space for each other. (Thankfully our Kingdom-focused leaders have been a brilliant support to us.)
   
6. It meant that we would never have a good answer to the "important questions" (insert sarcasm here) like, "How many people are you guys getting now?" To which I like to respond "10 or 12"... I just like to watch the expression on their faces. Or, "What percentage of people are involved in small/cell/house groups?" To which I usually respond "about zero".

As we realize that journeying towards the cross actually costs us something, maybe we should also realize what this means for churches. It makes more sense to me that as people learn about what it means to follow Jesus then they also learn about the way it challenges how you live in every capacity. Which then means that many people, like the rich young ruler, will simply opt not to continue. I don't think church should be a place where people are able to simply drift on the fringe, consume the Sunday morning message, sing some upbeat hillsongs, and continue living in a way that is unaffected and unaltered.

If we are serious about creating a mission-shaped church, then we need to re-think church attendance, budgets, and butts in programs.

I will explore more of the shifts we have experienced, including: leadership, communication, justice, cultural interaction, etc. as we have sought to become the missional presence of God in our community in upcoming blog posts. But for now, feel free to give your two cents worth in the comments section.

Labels: church planting, leadership, the freeway, writing

There are only a couple more days to register for the Cultivate Gathering 07 [taking place at The Freeway on Saturday, April 21st] at the early bird rate of $50 per person. If you are planning on coming but have not registered... now is the the time. To register, simply drop us a line at info@cultivategathering.com and we will give you details about sending us a cheque [postmarked by April 1st], etc. and you're in at the cheapskate rate.

The spots are filling up fast [we only have about 25 spots left]. So, act fast. It will be a gooder, for sure.

Labels: church planting, cultivate

Early-bird registration for the Cultivate Gathering is quickly approaching. It only costs $50.00 [including lunch] if you register by April 1st.

Cultivate Gathering is a learning party for church planters and those interested in new forms of church that takes place at The Freeway in Hamilton on Saturday, April 21st, and is jam-packed with great discussion and good times. This year we will be focusing on three main areas: culture and creativity, spiritual formation, and urban renewal.

What are you waiting for, go register today.

Labels: church planting, cultivate

In no particular order:

1. I have met so many brilliant people in the past five years. I have been in the right circles [networks] I suppose, and have had the opportunity to meet so many creative, amazing people who I now consider friends... and who inspire me to take risks and to continue seeking the kingdom.
2. I have had the opportunity to be part of re-thinking the church. Not just how it does stuff or what it looks like, but what it's very nature is as well... and who it exists for.
   
3. Life-change. The bottom line is I have seen people change. People being transformed as they encounter Jesus... even "a wretch like me". Wicked cool.
4. Less structure. More room to be creative, think differently, take risks. Fail, and get back up and keep going. Structure suffocates me for the most part. Like Kramer, "I'm out there and loving every minute of it!"
   
5. Following Jesus is always the best way to go. I highly recommend it. I came here believing that this is what he wanted. Had he not been in this thing I am sure I would see the experience differently. But he has been at every turn and has changed me so much.
   
6. Flexibility. I essentially do what needs to be done, but my time is far more flexible. That's not to say I am less busy than I was when I was working in a traditional church, but the things I spend time on are more flexible and very different.
7. Worshiping with a community you love in a coffee house at a busy street corner in the downtown of a great city is way under-rated.
   
8. I am reminded constantly what a weak man I am. And I am forced to relinquish and trust God. Quite refreshing for the soul.
9. It has allowed me to stay in full-time pastoral ministry. Honestly, other than a church I start, where would I pastor? Who would hire me? How long would I have lasted?
   
10. Fostering healthy community, participating in the kingdom, and incarnating the gospel is the task of every follower of Jesus. Church planting has been the best way for me to begin to do that and inspire it in a community.
    

Labels: church planting, leadership, the freeway

I told you about the film me and my friends are working on this year [sponsored by Resonate and Thinker Labs]. Well, we have just put a website online, so you can follow all the goings-on, if you are interested. Check it out and sign up for the RSS feed.

Labels: blogging, church planting, documentary

Cultivate Gathering is coming up on Saturday, April 21st at The Freeway. Check out the website [www.cultivategathering.com] for more details.

"Cultivate Gathering is a learning party. What does that mean? Well, basically it's designed to be everything good about a conference without all the rigamarole... and much more fun and interactive."

Labels: church planting, cultivate

Tomorrow I am getting together with some friends [Jared, Joe, Nathan, Jeremy] who I will be making a documentary with this summer about the emerging church in Canada. We will travel around for a couple weeks and discover what new, innovative, organic communities are starting in this Nation, and help tell their story through film.

I am really looking forward to working on this creative project with artists and creative-types, who are also my good buddies [OK, I don't really know Jeremy yet, but we'll be good friends soon].

Labels: church planting, documentary, friends

I am a coordinator, along with Jared Siebert, of organic church planting networks called Resonate Greenhouses which are peppered all over Canada - with a few more starting in the next few months. In addition to co-ordinating the national Greenhouses, I also lead a local Greenhouse in Hamilton.

Our next gathering [open to anyone who is interested in networking about church planting or new forms of church] will be Saturday, January 13th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We are meeting at The Freeway in Hamilton:

333 King Street East
Hamilton, ON L8N 1C1
Get Map

If you live in Hamilton, Burlington, St. Catherines, Niagara Falls, or Brantford and are interested in checking out our Greenhouse, drop me a line: pernell AT frwy.ca

Labels: church planting

This past weekend I visited theStory [a new church plant of The Free Methodist Church in Canada] in Sarnia, Ontario with my family. The point of our visit was that Joe Manafo [he, along with Nathan Colquhoun and Darryl Sylvestri are planting the church] asked me to come and meet with their new little community and tell them the story of The Freeway in order to encourage, inspire and warn them what the deal is with planting a church like they are endeavoring to plant.

Here is an open letter of encouragement and critique for theStory... and for all of us who are trying to create new forms of church in this new culture we find ourselves in. I hope we can continue to learn from each other:

After my weekend at theStory, there are several words which have been rolling around my head which help to describe our experience with this new church community... words which I think will also be key to explore as the church community continues to bring God's shalom to the people of Sarnia. While our trip was only a weekend long, I believe it provided a snapshot of what this community is and is becoming.

Generosity
This brand new community put my whole family up in a nice hotel for the weekend... in adjoining rooms even. And they offered to give me money on top of that [which I did not accept]. That was huge. It may not sound like a big deal, but it is a huge generosity principal.

As a new community, tons of money isn't just sitting in their bank account waiting to be spent. I have traveled a lot further and spent more time "working" for other churches and they have given far less in terms of "taking care of us". Usually, t-shirts, cheap gift certificates, books, and cards are the "thank you" for hours and hours of preparation, and time away from my family [because they don't offer me to bring them] to help them out. Which is one of the reasons I am very picky as to what I travel to do now... I have to be. I simply haven't the time to do more... and I have a family to take care of.

If theStory can find a way to show outrageous generosity, they will raise people to a new plain. As The Red Hot Chill Peppers say: "give it away, give it away, give it away, give it away now." Bringing shalom into a neighbourhood/city requires generosity. Money, time, talents, dreams, life.

My advice: Live with less. Give away more.

Hospitality
When we arrived we were treated to a huge Italian dinner at the Manafo's house. Sarah Manafo is an amazing hostess. We ate delicious food in an incredibly comfortable environment with very warm, relaxed people. We told stories and laughed and just plain felt good.

Every Sunday morning the church gathers at the Manafo's house at 11:30am and enjoys a potluck lunch together. Again, very warm people in a very welcoming environment with loads of flex time to chat, catch up and really talk. I met some incredible people [who I will briefly describe in the next section] who welcomed us and made us feel like a "million bucks" - part of the family.

If theStory can find a way to be hospitable in this way - to create a space for people to feel welcome, and to eat and share their stories regardless of who they are - they will find that hospitality becomes "like the new preaching," opening up a door to real life transformation in the lives of those who receive and show hospitality.

My advice: Even when the church community grows, keep hospitality at its core. Eat together. Invite people over. Get in each other's lives.

Diversity
When we gathered on Sunday morning there were likely twenty adults [plus 10 or 12 children] or so there - a very good size for a church planting core team, I think. What was amazing was the diversity already present in that community. There were several young adults, some young families, high school students, university students, parents with their grown children, single parents, two adults with developmental disabilities, etc.

There was, however, not much cultural or ethnic diversity. That's often the way it is, it seems. But looking back on The Freeway's story I really wish that we had thought through cultural issues and been intentionally seeking to be in community with people from different backgrounds way back when. But we simply didn't. It's hard to start later. I think it is key to learn from and be in community with very diverse people... and have diversity change us. It will be essential for theStory to think through these issues and make some moves to broaden the community.

If theStory can continue to welcome people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, etc. they will see the Kingdom in ways many church communities simply will not.

My advice: Start thinking through these issues now and start making intentional decisions in this regard.

Teachability
The leadership and the community at theStory are active learners:

• Nathan did an internship with us at The Freeway, even living in my family's house, for three months this past summer, just so he could gain church planting experience. That's a big commitment. He is an active learner who asks lots of questions and thinks deeply about the gospel and the Kingdom of God and actively tries to live it out.
• Joe called "cold" and "out of the blue" two years ago. He heard about what we were doing and was anxious to learn from me. He asked great questions. Since that time, although he is a rock star leader in his own right, I have found him to be far more eager to learn than to teach. It is an admirable leadership quality which he possesses.
• The church community asked us questions on Sunday when we were telling The Freeway story. They were observant, deep and reflective questions. The whole group were active listeners who value the story of others.

Teachability can not be... as George Dubya would say... "misunderestimated". It is a much needed [though not entirely common] trait of a community hoping to start a church community in this culture.

My advice: Do the best you can to always ask lots of questions. Don't ever "arrive". Be more anxious to listen than to talk.

Fun Loving
I'm not kidding. This is essential. Church planting [and life for that matter] is often hard, tireless, thankless work. Jokes, laughter and good times are essential.

theStory already has developed a fun vibe. They smile a lot and really seem to enjoy each other's company. They seem to be able to laugh at themselves and let loose and have a good time.

My Advice: Throw parties. Do fun things together. Build laughter and fun into the "program" of the church community.

Jesus-y
I know it's not a real word... but it should be. The folks from theStory really seem to love Jesus and his community, the Kingdom. They are interested in establishing a church community that loves Jesus and lives out his message of love, justice, peace and transformation in the city of Sarnia. In their own words, theStory is:

A Jesus community intent on playing its part in the social fabric and spiritual landscape of the lives it connects with. In short, we would describe ourselves as:

• A community built on relationships instead of strategies, opportunity in lieu of felt needs.
• A community immersed in disciplines instead of fads.
• A community where health is expressed by reflection and redemption, not size and assets.
• A community where Q&A is eschewed for dialogue, and where justice and equality are understood as pure religion.
• A community that understands the atonement of Jesus as more than a transaction, and their lives as more than entities that consume or are consumed.
• A community of diverse individuals pulled together with a common purpose: To love God, love others, and to tell His story.

My advice: Continue to follow Jesus.

I love theStory. I love what they are about. I love who they are. I will pray for them as they continue to build the Kingdom in Sarnia. Will you?

Labels: church planting, friends, leadership

One of the things I have learned as I reflect back over my ten years of full-time pastoral ministry is that I make a lot of mistakes. Lately I have been thinking about some of the "rookie moves" from the first few years of being a pastor. I post them here both for your reading enjoyment and to let this be a lesson to you... don't be like me.

LESSONS ABOUT MINISTRY LEARNED EARLY ON:

1.) Don't hang a moon [ie. show your bum] on the toboggan hill at winter youth camp. It may seem really innocent and funny at the time, but it's apparently not funny to some people and you can get in trouble... a lot of trouble. Not to mention the humiliation of explaining the whole thing to your church and denominational superiors.

2.) Don't spout your ministry resume at everyone you meet. You really don't need to prove yourself all the time. Besides, no one really cares how fast your youth ministry grew from 4 to 350 kids. Especially when it was so centered on you that it all virtually fell apart when you left.

3.) If a father of one of your youth group members falsely accuses you of sexual molestation of his 15 year old daughter, and comes to your office while you are working at your desk, and sneaks up behind you and grabs you by the back of the neck and lifts you from your chair and says "I am going to kill you now"... don't punch him in the face. Because later, when his daughter admits that she lied, you can't take the punch back.

4.) You know when parents say to you, "Don't give me parenting advice. You're not a parent yourself, you snotty-nosed kid." They are right. You don't have the first clue what it's like to be a parent until you are a parent, no matter how many textbooks you read [and despite getting an A+ in "marriage and the family" courses in Bible College].

5.) If your church situation is so bad... if the congregation is really that unhealthy... if the senior pastor won't give you an inch and you think he/she is jealous of you... Do something about it. Work through it, or get out. Don't just sit around and complain about it... and for the love of Pete don't stay just because you get a pay cheque.

6.) When you decide to build a team of leaders because you realize you can't do everything, don't tell them: "This is my vision from the Lord. So this is how it will be." What you're really saying is: "It's my way or the highway". And that's just plain insulting and stupid.

7.) When you go to pastors conferences, etc. please don't ask other pastors: "So, how's your church/youth ministry doing?" When what you mean is: "How big is your church/youth ministry now?" For one thing, "penis envy" of this sort gets you nowhere. For another thing, who cares? And for another thing, why not ask about them as people? Get to know other pastors as friends. It seems to me if we really cared more about others in ministry, less of us would really blow it in ministry. We're in this together, right?

8.) Don't make excuses all the time. Sometimes you forget stuff. Or mes stuff up. Or hurt people. It's OK. Just say "sorry" and move on. You're not perfect. You're not a superhero. You won't meet everyone's expectations and needs... and you will likely hurt people. Learn to say "sorry"... it's very refreshing.

9.) Don't work so much that you force your spouse and family to take what's left [over] of you. But don't work so little that your ministry never amounts to much in terms of Kingdom activity. And don't work so ineffectively [wasting time] that it takes you so much time to do stuff that you don't have time to get things done. Time management is an art form. Learn it, asap.

10.) Don't let your whole identity get wrapped up in your church. Get out once in a while. Do stuff. Make friends that have nothing to do with your church. Get a hobby. Expand your horizons. Read books. Party with your neighbours. Volunteer. Lead a missional life... don't just talk to others about it.

Labels: church planting, leadership, personal

My friend [and author/church planter], David Fitch, hits the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned:

TEN THINGS ANYONE WHO JOINS IN A TWENTY FIRST CENTURY MISSIONAL CHURCH PLANT SHOULD NOT EXPECT:

1.) Should not expect to regularly come to church for just one hour, get what you need for your own personal growth and development, and your kid’s needs, and then leave til next Sunday. Expect mission to change your life. Expect however a richer life than you could have ever imagined.

2.) Should not expect that Jesus will fit in with every consumerist capitalist assumption, lifestyle, schedule or accoutrement you may have adopted before coming here. Expect to be freed from a lot of crap you will find out you never needed.

3.) Should not expect to be anonymous, unknown or be able to disappear in this church Body. Expect to be known and loved, supported in a glorious journey.

4.) Should not expect production style excellence all the time on Sunday worship gatherings. Expect organic, simple and authentic beauty.

5. Should not expect a raucous "light out" youth program that entertains the teenagers, puts on a show that gets the kids "pumped up," all without parental involvement. Instead as the years go by, with our children as part of our life, worship and mission (and when the light shows dim and the cool youth pastor with the spiked hair burns out) expect our youth to have an authentic relationship with God thru Christ that carries them through a lifetime of journey with God.

6.) Should not expect to always "feel good,"or ecstatic on Sunday mornings. Expect that there will ALSO be times of confession, lament, self-examination and just plain silence.

7.) Should not expect a lot of sermons that promise you God will prosper you with "the life you've always wanted" if you’ll just believe Him and step out on faith and give some more money for a bigger sanctuary. Expect sustenance for the journey.

8.) Should not expect rapid growth whereby we grow this church from 10 to a thousand in three years. Expect slower organic inefficient growth that engages people’s lives where they are at and sees troubled people who would have nothing to do with the gospel marvelously saved.

9.) Should not expect all the meetings to happen in a church building. Expect a lot of the gatherings will be in homes, or sites of mission.

10.) Should not expect arguments over style of music, color of carpet, or even doctrinal outlier issues like dispensationalism. Expect mission to drive the conversation.

O AND BY THE WAY… Should not expect that community comes to you… I am sorry but true community in Christ will take some "effort"and a reshuffling of priorities for both you and your kids. Yes I know you want people to come to you and reach out to you and you’re hurting and busy. But assuming you are a follower of Christ (this message is not for strangers to the gospel) you must learn that the answer to all those things is to enter into the practices of "being the Body" in Christ, including sitting, eating, sharing and praying together.

Labels: church planting, friends, leadership

Cultivate Gathering was a learning party we did in August at The Freeway in order to encourage church planting and new forms of church in a Canadian context. I previously posted a low down of the gathering.

Here is a podcast of the segment Melissa Burleigh and I did on telling the story of community at The Freeway:

The Story Of Community At The Freeway [mp3]

Labels: church planting, community, cultivate, leadership, the freeway

To all you young 'uns (and other assorted riff raff) who have ever thought about - or are thinking about - planting a church: Before you embark on your "rock-star-like" career, I think your perception of church planting may be a little clouded by the bull crap you see in the church, and on blogs, and at conferences.

Allow me to wipe that crap away: being a church planter will not make you cooler nor will it make you any more popular or more attractive to the opposite sex.

It will not make you any more spiritual and almost no one will respect you more for your courage, risk taking, or intrinsic motivation.

It will not make you braver or more disciplined.

It will not teach you to 'take it like a man' or 'be a real woman', it likely won't help you to get on TV and it won't allow you to buy nicer clothes, shoes, or hair gel either.

It won't allow you to finally be part of the perfect church, or to shed institutional politics, nor will it guarantee that people will accept you for who you are - authentic community.

It will, however, expose every limitation you have and defeat you at almost every turn.

It will bite you on the butt whenever it gets the opportunity, it will choke you, break you, wind you, bruise you, cut you and batter you, emptying any sense of self-sufficiency along the way. It'll wind you up like a clock until you feel like tearing your own face off and walking away in snivelling submission.

It's probably the most fun you'll ever have.

Or maybe it's just me.

Labels: church planting, writing

8:00AM | Introduction
Right now I am sitting in our coffee house at Cultivate. I will continue to update this post throughout the weekend. Currently about 50 church planters (I think it's 55) and those interested in new forms of church are sitting around, sharing their stories, sipping coffee, praying together, and having a good time... although it is only 8:00AM and most of us are terribly sleepy.

The idea behind Cultivate is to gather a bunch of church planters and those who are interested in new forms of church in a Canadian context and network, idea swap, share stories, and inspire. No big name speakers. No big cost. No super packed agenda. No formula for a "healthy, growing church". Just good old heart-to-heart discussion.

9:00AM | "The Gathering"
We started out talking about worship gatherings and other gatherings that churches do. Quite interesting to hear how different communities gather together and what is really important to them. We heard from Garry Castle and Jared Siebert of Next Church in Kingston and what their Sunday gatherings look like. Then we heard from Michael Krause (who I had never met before), a house church planter in a Jewish neighbourhood in Thornhill. Very cool.

After hearing from these guys we split into "open space pods" to chat further about various aspects of the gathering. There was a group for sacraments, one for preaching, one for being community-led (including people in planning), etc. There was a group for growth... which not one person attended... I guess, as Bob Dillon says, the times they are a changin'.

I got in on the sacraments discussion. Amazing to hear people from various denomination backgrounds talk together about the place that sacraments play in their community of faith, the hang-ups, the rules that must be followed, the hurt they have experienced, and the amazing times of authenthic worship as well. Each very different... yet all really listening to and respecting each other. Very beautiful.

10:30AM | "Creativity & The Arts"
Next we focused on what place creativity and the arts play within new forms of church. And we heard the stories of where creativity and the arts have been used as a way of expressing faith. Joe Manafo of Thinker Labs and theStory spoke about his creative process and the need there is to use creativity to communicate the truth about God to a new culture. He also gave some great resources... and took an opportunity to take a cheap shot at me... what a guy!

Then we split into open space pods again to discuss further issues surrounding the arts and the church like: how to include artists, how to host worship gatherings without music, creative ideas, praying creatively, etc.

I had a great conversation with Kim Reid of The Open Door that had little or nothing to do with creativity... but was fun, none the less. Kim is a guy I am coming to like and respect more and more. Which brings me to what I love about this conference.. err, hmm, non-conference... the most: Three quarters of our time was spent networking, chatting, telling stories as opposed to listening to big wigs spout off their book info. Good times.

12:00PM | Lunch
I thoroughly enjoyed a ham and cheese sandwich, a side of couscous salad, and a refreshing strawberry lemonade curtesy of my favourite coffee house: FRWY.ca

1:30PM | "Justice"
This was the segment that garnered the most "open mic" time (I should explain: at the beginning of each segment we had one or two planned people to share their story as it relates to the specific segment, and then we had an open mic time, when anyone can share with the whole group). Wendy Gritter from New Direction shared from her persepctive of working with same-sex attracted people. Kim Reid spoke about feeding kids in school in the poor neighbourhood in which he resides. Mike Todd spoke about his neighbourhood in East Vancouver. He also shared a story which explains the difference between justice and mercy. I think he said he got it from Brian McLaren... either way it was good. Tim Doherty spoke, Jamie Robertson spoke, Michael Krause spoke again... all of them sharing how the issue of justice and mercy is huge for them and their community (I really resonated), and how they feel like the church has given away social services (sound familiar, David Fitch?).

The open space pods followed. There were discussions on things like: feeding the poor, systems that create poverty, urban living, etc.

3:00Pm | "Leadership & Networking"
Jared Siebert talked about the importance of "flat leadership structures" and also about networking. He told folks about Resonate, and more specifically about Greenhouses.

Then when we split into open space pods. We had a group for those involved in or interested in Greenhouses, one for those who wanted to talk about leadership structure in new churches, one for flat leadership structures, etc. I, of course, having pledged alliegiance to Jordon Cooper (who could not be there - you were missed, buddy) and the Resonate flag, attended the Greenhouse group. Good times.

4:30Pm | "Community"
Melissa Burleigh and I told the story of The Freeway... and that's all I have to say about that.

Some of the open space pods about community were: partying, creating community that goes beyond superficiality, being in community with the marginalized, third spaces, etc. I naturally went to the party pod. We talked about the balance of having people in the church community who drink vs. those who don't. we talked about creating a church culture that can experience celebration and good times. We talked about stories of how "things went too far" at parties, etc. and how you handle that. All in all it was my favourite pod of the day... it seemed to gather all the loud mouths... and me.

5:30Pm | Dinner
Me and a bunch of my friends (including my old friends - and ex-FRWYers - Jamie Robertson and Dallas Friesen) enjoyed some Jamaican cuisine right next door to the coffee house at Ya Man! My curry chicken rhoti was amazing.

7:00PM | "The Winking Circle"
In the evening those of us who were left watched a terrific film made by some old friends in Uxbridge, Ontario called "The Winking Circle". The Winking Circle can't be explained by words... this is a film you simply need to see.

Wrap It Up
Ok, I am tired now. All in all, a great day. Possibly my favourite conference experience ever.

Labels: church planting, cultivate

Not only is this the last day of July, but it is also the last day you can register for Cultivate at the early bird rate. Jump on.

Labels: church planting, cultivate

Cultivate is a learning party happening on Saturday, August 19, 2006 in Hamilton, ON. It's presented by Resonate and is intended to inspire church planting and new forms of church all across Canada.

A learning party? What does that mean? Well, basically it's designed to be everything good about a conference without all the rigamarole... and much more fun and interactive.

• Instead of charging in the hundreds of dollars for one ticket, it's only $25 and that includes a terrific lunch.
• Instead of maxing out our capacity we are limiting our numbers to give everyone there the best possible environment for networking.
• Instead of bringing in a mainline, American speaker to tell us what they already wrote in their latest book we are looking to local church planters and leaders to tell their stories.
• Instead of you listening to message after message and being filled with information we want you to be part of a dialogue with people in similar shoes and learn and grow within that relationship.
• Instead of some fancy shmancy hotel, convention centre or big church building, Cultivate is taking place at a local coffee house: www.frwy.ca
  

Cultivate is happening because of numerous conversations between different people, organizations, networks and churches in Canada that long to see new forms of church thrive and relational networking happen. We are tired of the same old, same old conferences and just simply want to be friends, inspire each other, and swap stories, ideas, and encouragement.

For more details or to register (there are a limited number of spots left): www.cultivategathering.com

Labels: church planting, cultivate

Here is a video of the talk author David Fitch did at our coffee house last week: Resonate Echo w/ David Fitch (.mov)

Which reminds me, a few of us are putting together a non-conference this summer called Cultivate. The bare-bones website is now up and running. Should be a gooder.

Labels: church planting, cultivate, videos