For the last week Monte Sahlin, Andy & Mayda Clark and I have led a fresh expressions dialogue – based at the Carnegie Community Services Centre, a church plant in Pittsburgh (USA). Since late 2004 Andy & Mayda have developed incredible & deep networks in the community. Here are Andy’s practical suggestions on how to… Continue reading →

1. Be up front about Jesus. 2. Keep moving. 3. Stop planting churches. Start making disciples. 4. Cast vision early for simple neighborhood churches. 5. Stop trying to reach one person at a time. Look for the person of peace, then … 6. Don’t focus on ‘mature’ Christians. The newest believers are … 7. Begin… Continue reading →

This is a fresh opportunity for secondary students at Carmel College to ‘experience God’ and also ‘participate in community service programs.’ At the Western Australia Church Planting Summit the ‘4-14 Window’ was discussed, the research that indicates most who accept Jesus do so between 4 and 14 years of age. Most churches do well at… Continue reading →

Dutch culture has changed since the seventies. For one thing, we changed from a semi-Christian society into a secular society. But not only that! The way we reason, think or adapt also changed dramatically. From a society in which logic, tracts and proofs made people alter their lives, we became an experiential society. We only… Continue reading →

Reflecting on church planting in the secular Dutch society, Rudy Dingjan – church planter and planting coordinator for the Netherlands, says: ‘Don’t do church to plant one!’ He writes, ‘Secular people are not interested in denominations or church buildings. To reach them, we have to get out of our comfort zone and meet them where… Continue reading →

Last week I was asked about discipling resources for new believers, following their baptisms. For some time now I have been suggesting a very specific schedule of Bible reading – using the five small group questions (anything new? anything I don’t like? etc). I find this works better than suggesting ‘discipleship courses.’ Encourage each person… Continue reading →

Each Monday The XChange planting team in Kariong (NSW) provides morning tea for teachers and staff of the Kariong Public School. ‘They love the goodies we provide,’ says planter Laurel Ansell – and have labeled it ‘munchy morish Mondays’.

When Phil Brown (church planting coordinator in Western Australia) and I visited the ACTS Club at Curtin University yesterday, one student told us how she has become a member of a ‘reading club’ on campus and this has opened the opportunity for her to suggest a book on spirituality that the group has decided to… Continue reading →

With the Jewish Passover day last week – and the feast of unleaven bread spanning the traditional Easter weekend this year – Living Waters Community Church hosted a Passover Brunch on Shabbat (April 11) for almost 100 people. Barry Buirski, from Celebrate Messiah, was the featured speaker – graphically illustrating the salvation provided by Jesus… Continue reading →