Comments on: 20 things to do while you’re not multiplying churches

By: Erin Hodges

Erin Hodges — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 09:38:08 +0000

So true, it’s funny! Just a comment on the theology feedback. Theology is only purposeful if it is spoken through the Holy Spirit. I can quote scripture after scripture but have the biggest religious demon/spirit. Unless Christians learn to move in the power and presence of God nothing will work. We seem to forget that it’s the Holy Spirit that teaches us and can teach through us if we are doing His will. Too many Christians are becoming dried up spiritually and feeding a religious demon by going to Bible Collage(knowledge puffed up). Would anyone give John the Baptist the time of day in the year 2007? Or what about David, no qualifications or professionalism? But what they had in common was they did the will of God and were sold out. It’s going to take more than a degree in theology. It’s going to take radical, fire filled, sold out believers who know their God and Bible and are willing to humble themselves and work together under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Christians are leaving the Church system because of the lack of anointing and leading of the Holy Spirit. They are fed up with programs, money doctrines and other false doctrines like covering and submission. Basically there is too much control in the Church system and control is the sin of witchcraft (it is witchcraft). The Church needs to die to itself and let God arise and take His place. Jesus needs to be glorified and uplifted in the Church.

By: Bob Pratico

Bob Pratico — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 18:55:39 +0000

Great list. Reminds me of 10 Warning Signs You May Be An Obnoxious Christian

thanks,

Bob

By: The World According to Bruce » Blog Archive » 20 suggestions of what to do while we’re not multiplying churches

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:26:17 +0000

[...] Steve Addison at the World Changer’s Blog wrote the following concerning Church Planting. Some may object to the sarcastic tone that peeks out here and there, but his assertions are rock solid. I am now old enough to no longer be called a young preacher. I am in that middle part of life between greenhorn and pastor emeritus. The things that Steve mentions are readily evident within much of American Evangelicalism. On to the list: [...]

By: The Power of Sarcasm « Movement Planting University

The Power of Sarcasm « Movement Planting University — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 19:09:08 +0000

[...] “I’ve adapted Steve Addison’s list of suggestions (plus some of the comments) for what we can do while nothing is happening in our efforts to build movements everywhere. While we’re waiting, we can: [...]

By: On the blocks » Steve Addison’s blog » World Changers

On the blocks » Steve Addison’s blog » World Changers — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 11:10:07 +0000

[...] I’ve had a lot of encouraging feed back to my 20 things to do while you’re not multiplying churches. Thanks. Now I’ve had my fun and released a bit of frustration here’s 7 things we should be doing to prepare the way for church planting movements. [...]

By: Charlie Pardue

Charlie Pardue — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 20:15:20 +0000

Steve,
I can see how the more academicly trained theologian wouldn’t be (and often aren’t) the most “effective” church planters. Two things come to mind here though in response to that. One, Theological seminaries absolutely need a more holistic model of education. To just educate the western academic mind of a student is not to completely form a student theologically. Mike King of YouthFront among others are dreaming of ways to make seminary education more holistic, more monastic, more bodily and communal. I think that is a start in the right direction. The other thing that comes to mind is what do we mean when we say “effective” in church planting? Does starting a church that eventually moves out of a living room and into a building constitiute an “effective” church plant? What if this new church is theologically shallow and does not call Christians to radical discipleship, but rather to a Purpose Driven Life? Something tells me that while the “academic” type wouldn’t be as gifted in “growing” a bigger church, they might be more equipped to grow a healthier and more formative one. Perhaps a lot of the problem really does lie in our current model of Seminary education, nonetheless, I would still prefer church planters in my own denomonation to have good theology in addition to their church planting zeal. I certianly believe that good church planting and good theology are not mutually exclusive. Perhaps it is the case that in teaching good theology we often teach a lot more, through the way education is structured, that undoes a lot of good things church planters had going for them in the first place. I think if that’s the case we need to look at new creative ways to do theological training, not give the whole endeavor a pass because it has been found to make church planters “ineffective.”

By: Sam Metcalf's Blog » Under The Iceberg

Sam Metcalf's Blog » Under The Iceberg — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 17:26:54 +0000

The best of Steve …...

Steve Addison’s list of “Twenty Suggestions of What to Do While We’re Not Multiplying Churches” is a must read. I wish I could have come up with a commentary as satiricle, humerous, and as the Aussies say, “spot on…

By: TheHeresy.com » Blog Archive » 20 things to do while you�re not multiplying churches

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 03:59:55 +0000

[...] 20 things to do while you�re not multiplying churches This post is so true it is funny. By Steve Addison 1 Call yourself an apostle. Have some business cards printed. Hand them around. [...]

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 03:27:08 +0000

Charlie

Had a chance to think about your questions/points. Here are a few jumbled thoughts.

There appears to be an inverse relationship between formal theological training delivered in the classroom and effectiveness in church planting and leadership.

Here’s a link to a good case study: http://www.steveaddison.net/2006/01/25/methodists-and-baptists-on-the-us-frontier.html

This is not an iron-clad law. Just a trend. The Sydney Anglican MTS program integrates formation in knowledge, ministry skills and spiritual growth: http://www.steveaddison.net/2006/01/16/mts-grows-leaders.html

If Jesus is our model, leadership development for the church cannot just mirror the Western academic model.

You’ll find more food for thought on this issue under the category: Rapid mobilization; http://www.steveaddison.net/category/general/rapid-mobilization/

By: Bryan Wintersteen

Bryan Wintersteen — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 04:44:00 +0000

The way i figure the sarcastic tone in this post means one of three things;

a. Steve is passionately concerned for the mission of Jesus spreading through churches planting churches.

b. Steve is frustrated at the ridiculous behavior that movements often do in the name church planting.

c. Steve is an Aussie with a great sense of humour who wanted to stir up movement leaders to critically evaluate their decisions.

The church needs to be challenged by a sharp prophetic edge if we are to realign our priorities! Well said Steve.