» 2005 » October

A couple of friends have been busy producing some good resources for church planters.

Phil Alessi has updated his Natural Church Planting material. It’s a Natural Church Development approach to church planting.

You can purchase a digital download from his website.

Neil Cole has some great resources on multiplying house churches.

Technorati Tags: Church Planting, Church Planting Movements, Movements

Following my post on Partnership in Marriage and Ministry Digger asks, “What about church planters that are single? Is there much research done into them? Or should i say, us?”

Good question Digger.

Firstly, you’re in good company when it comes to church planting and singleness—Jesus, Paul and thousands of other pioneers in church history including the [...]

The Middle Ages is regarded as and age of faith. It was also a period of mounting crisis. Into this world came Francis of Assisi—rich playboy, soldier of fortune and one of the greatest movement founders of all time.I’ve just finished a study of Francis of Assisi as a movement founder. The article is available [...]

The stone is laid. Time to pave. Six months of weekend labour and neglecting the family has paid off.

The original story is a few years old now. It’s stayed with me as an example of why the church is in constant need of renewal. It would be hilarious if it wasn’t a true story.

G K Chesterton once said, “The only doctrine of the faith we have irrefutable proof for is the doctrine of [...]

Visited family in Port Stephens on the way back from Sydney. Heaven on earth if you haven’t been there.

Surprised my nephew Brenton. His 15th birthday. Presented him with a carrot, nicely wrapped in baby shower paper. If you knew Brenton you’d understand.

My mum is battling cancer. She’s full of faith and courage in the midst [...]

I don’t have the statistics, so take it on faith. One of the major reasons why church plants fall over is because of issues in the church planter’s marriage.

When we assess church planters we’re looking for couples that have a history of facing the issues in their relationship as they arise. We’re looking for clarity [...]

One day left of a three day intensive on Recruiting and Selecting Church Planters. Sixty five people in eight teams from Australia and New Zealand. The highlight was having each of the teams light a candle for the church plants they are trusting God for in their region. Eighty eight candles representing eighty [...]

In Sydney this week running the latest Matrix module with eight teams from around Australia and New Zealand. We’re covering the second module of six.

1. Fuelling a Church Planting Movement: The five practices of church planting movements.
2. Mobilising effective church planters: Recruiting and selecting church planters
3. [...]

Howard Snyder is one of the best when it comes to insights on movements. Here’s his characteristics of movements that renew and extend the church in mission.
A thirst for renewal, for recovery of an earlier dynamic, or for “better times” in the life of the church. This is how renewal movements arise. A perception grows [...]