Confronted by the enormous needs & hopelessness of their communities, growing numbers of Christians believe it is time to become serious about their churches becoming a movement of church-planting-churches – “gatherings” that are life-changing. Last week over 50 leaders met (south of Sydney, Australia) for a Next1000 summit – to plan & pray for the planting of the next 1000 church plants in Australia. While this will only replace those closed over recent times – Next1000 is to be a metaphor for a movement of church planting that cannot be stopped!

Since the first summit in late 2006, new churches have been initiated and local churches committed to fostering planting movements have been identified. The focus is upon developing local churches as planting farms, cultivating sustainable & reproducible models, encouraging lay initiatives (rather than professionally driven plants), providing assessment & support systems to encourage, a commitment to intentional multiplication, etc. The starting point for church planters is no longer the cost. Churches are planted by believers with a burden for lost people – and those who are prepared to be courageous for God – and not by denominational committees. All agreed that church plants start with identifying God's vision, encouraging 'apostolic' leaders, working where the Holy Spirit is active – and building relationships with unchurched people!