Hello friends
Some thought missional might be another fad. But, it is not proving to be!
Yes, some terms pass their use-by-date. Emerging church was a great term – church from below, connected with the past and, at the same time, the future. However, it was damaged from within and without – even negatively impacting the term emerging missional church. So we might be back to missional – and this could be a good thing!
Missional does not prescribe forms and practices – nor is it enamoured with postmodernism (or post-postmodernism). Rather, it is a movement shaped by –
- God’s mission heart
- Christians being missionaries in western cultures
- Gospel proclamation – imperative in a missionary environment
- Scripture reading – through the eyes of urban missionaries
- Faith communities (ecclesia or churches) engaging their cultures as contrast societies – called-out by God, witnessing to his values and reign
- Missionary faithfulness – from a marginal position in the culture, rather than the historic dominant position at the centre of society. (Hill 2008:254)
It is shaped by three ‘overarching principles’ – Jesus shapes everything we are and do; we take church to people rather than expect them to come to us, and every believer is a minister! (Frost, Hirsch 2003:6-12)
These principles define our church planting today – equipping, resources and news! This mission flows from the heart of God – who so loved the world he died for us. (John 3:16)
His grace and abiding presence motives us,
Peter Roennfeldt
CHURCH PLANTING NEWS – 25 Feb 2014
Doctoral studies – completed! My research Reshaping the Australian Church Experience is available at https://melbschooltheol.academia.edu/PeterRoennfeldt – for those interested!
NewChurchLife has a Facebook page: Many have found www.facebook.com/newchurchlife – and are sharing likes, comments, links. Click as a friend today – and share in the conversations. Check out –
- Dunstable Creative Church is Messy – but changing lives!
- An inspirational story – connecting to relational streams: Herndon Plant Gets Surprise Request for 42 Bible Studies
- A small country church – can be missional! … and more …
Resources (for more stories and resources – www.newchurchlife.com)
The tribes we lead: Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. (Jesus used the term ethne – relational streams. Matt 28:19-20) Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. Check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=589tH-wtCak – and discuss with a friend how this impacts making disciples who make disciples!
Act Beyond: Simple and clear – an inspiring insight into church planting movements. Watch this with a Christian friend and ask: how do these principles apply to where we live? http://vimeo.com/76341533
Shift:m2M explores the discipleship and movement building of Jesus. Check this out: https://vimeo.com/73039755
Knowing Him 50-day Study: A resource used by Shift:m2M with podcasts now available as an app – download from http://secure.spreadtruth.com/sonlife/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=13 View in App Store
The Voice, a modern translation of the Bible (2012), is proving to be great for missional groups. Check it out at // http://www.hearthevoice.com – and get a free download of the NT.
Muslim friends may relate to a ‘simple church’ approach. Check out http://www.pioneers.org/multiply/nyc.aspx
Equipping opportunities
Ethiopia Church Planting Summit – Sun March 2 – Sat March 8: keep tracking this on www.facebook.com/newchurchlife
Missional Summit – Melbourne, Australia: 23-25 May 2014: For people passionate about multiplying disciples and seeing new faith communities develop. For details, venue, costs & registrations: www.oikos.org.au
Church Planting Basics: Go to https://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/resources/ to download these articles as PDF files –
- Six Steps to Planting a Church: (Ministry June 2012 – Roennfeldt)
- Cultivating Church Planting in Your Territory: (Ministry Dec 2013 – Roennfeldt)
Stop Making Excuses. ‘Christians seem to really love evangelism’, observes Ed Stetzer, ‘as long as someone else is doing it’. See http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/5541-stop-talking-yourself-out-of-evangelism.html?p=2
Bible Lands Tour : walking where Jesus walked (15-30 June 2015)
Experience old Jerusalem, swim in the Dead Sea, sail on Galilee. Explore Bethlehem, Nazareth, Capernaum, Caesarea, Dan and more!
Visit Petra, Jerash, Mount Nebo, the site of Sodom & Bethany-beyond-Jordan – where Jesus was baptised.
To register your interest or for more information on this tour of Jordan & Israel contact – Peter Roennfeldt: [email protected]
CHURCH PLANTING NEWS
m +0423 333 614 e [email protected] b www.newchurchlife.com f www.facebook.com/newchurchlife
SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE/CHANGE ADDRESS: advise Peter Roennfeldt in writing [email protected]m
with details of name and email address