Back in the bad old days the Soviets would display posters throughout their empire proclaiming: “Friendship with the Soviet Union Forever!” Locals would display their black humour by scrawling underneath, “But not a minute more!” Had lunch the the other day with a dissident. He’s persona non grata in his denomination despite being totally committed [...]
Monthly Archives: May 2006
Why church plants fail: Todd Hunter
11 May, 2006 – 9:27 AM
Twenty years ago, Todd Hunter wrote an autopsy report on the Vineyard church plants that did not survive. Here’s some his findings: The planter could not identify, recruit, train, deploy, monitor and nurture workers and leaders. The planter had no clear plan from which he was working. The planter used ineffective gathering and/or evangelistic methods. [...]
Answering Anthony: The sequel
9 May, 2006 – 10:03 PM
Anthony: There is a fair amount of experimentation, most of it is destined to fail. Some valuable stuff will come through – but who and how can one pick it currently? Steve: Most apples fall to the ground and rot without ever producing a new tree. Ditto for mangoes (my favorite fruit), passionfruit, paw paw [...]
Answering Anthony
8 May, 2006 – 10:54 PM
I keep coming back to Anthony’s questions on the Emerging church. Waiting for the time to give them justice. Sometimes the best responses are the most candid. So here goes. Anthony: Am I right to say that there seems to be a disproportionate amount of interest or concern in the Emerging church movement? Why should [...]
Anne says: Just do it!
5 May, 2006 – 11:06 AM
The percentage of mistakes in quick decisions is no greater than in long-drawn-out vacillation, and the effect of decisiveness itself ‘makes things go’ and creates confidence. Anne O’Hare McCormick (1882-1954). First woman to win a Pulitzer prize for journalism Contrary to popular belief, your decisions don’t drive your long term success – your decisiveness does. [...]
Pray for the Prins
4 May, 2006 – 6:53 AM
In Sydney for two days to train coaches of church planters. Looking forward to getting home. Got back to the room from my early morning walk. Told Grant, my room-mate, “Hey a new day and we’re alive. Let’s give thanks to God and make the best of this day.” Sat down at the computer and [...]
Conference quotes
3 May, 2006 – 7:03 AM
Quotes that stayed with me from the US National Church Planting Conference: What you do with your first convert determines whether you will become a church planting movement. Bob Logan God blesses the mega church in Korea and the house church in China. Hold to your models loosely and to Jesus firmly. Ed Stetzer If [...]
Trinidad legacy
1 May, 2006 – 7:38 AM
What a day. I’ve just met Edith who has celebrated 50 years of ministry in Trinidad. Fifty years since she planted her first church here. She’s glad there were no resources for church planters then. She had to learn to trust God. Here I am with Jason, Darren and Burton, leaders in the first church [...]
