I have just returned from Manchester, UK, and Ireland. LAUNCH church planting conference was fantastic. Hanging out with church multipliers and friends I’ve had the privilege to journey with for several years was inspiring and there were many learning moments. Here’s a few thoughts:
- From a Chinese church perspective - Every leader a church planter. Every church is a church-planting church.
- Grow fruit on other people’s trees.
- Jesus the greatest permission-giver ever. You are called and commissioned.
- Are you making disciples that make disciples? Who?
- “Mission is the organising principle of the church.” – Alan Hirsch.
- “Mission is the main task of the church. It’s not about your purpose, it’s about HIS purpose.” – Anthony Delaney.
- “Character makes trust possible which makes leadership possible.” – Ness Wilson.
Dave Ferguson (USA) – defined five levels of churches.
Levels 1 & 2 Declining and plateauing churches – 80% of churches are in this category in the States.
Level 3 Growing churches – 16%
Level 4 Reproducing churches – 4%. It’s interesting to note that only half of these are on purpose.
Level 5 Multiplying churches, these are really hard to find.
Then it was off to Ireland to speak at a church in Dublin and also to leaders, aiming to ignite church planting in their lives! Pray that they may catch the multiplication virus!
It was an honour to speak to people in Belfast and Dublin about multiplying churches. We dreamed together and I felt that the imagination for new churches and networks was ignited. The feedback was exceptionally positive. I love what Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge takes us from A to B, but imagination takes us to other worlds”. We need to change the way we think about church if we’re serious about reaching nations for Christ.
I want to thank you all once again for your prayer, support and encouragement. It has been another fruitful year for increase.
Have a fantastic Christmas and may you find time to rest, refresh and relax with family and friends in the summer season. Our love, peace and may you know His favour.
