One of the things that concerns me, is how despite the fact that we have all the research in and the stories coming from all over the world, that church planting for the most part in the US is not local church driven. This is not an option. I am grateful for denominations, networks, organizations, etc. that push, promote and try to do it, but the reality is that there is no movement without local churches driving it. The past few years, the focus has been on the planter, now its starting to move towards the network, now the phrase I see a lot is “network of networks” and I even experienced that with Glocalnet. BUT, you can have all of that, if it isn’t local church driven - you will NEVER get to movement status. The key to movement is the mother even more than the planter, and definitely much more than the network or denomination.

Local churches have to own it - not just fund it. It has to be a part of their DNA. Church planting is the tithe of the local church. Tragically, we just don’t think it matters that much - it’s what someone else does. No pastor would be content to never see someone accept Christ, or people tithe, etc. but most pastors turn a deaf ear, a blind eye, a cold heart to church planting. The reason is two-fold. First is turf. Second, they view themselves as a church trying to reach their community. THIS IS ABSURD. No single church EVER reaches their community alone. Pastors need to think more like a missionary trying to “church” the community instead of being a pastor of a congregation in the community. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF MISSIONAL DNA!

Brian Bloye at Westridge in Atlanta, Georgia last year started close to 10 churches and this year will do probably the same. When the Brian’s and other church planting churches keep planting and connecting at the same time - watch out. . . . . Ed Stetzer’s research last year on church planting churches confirms it. Even on the list, Ed stated many of the churches listed didn’t necessarily represent just the church, but the churches network as well. It just shows the lack of apathy most churches have towards church planting - this must change. I believe the best hope of changing it however is new churches planting new churches.

I get excited not just about NorthWood - but the other 13 churches in our community that we’ve had a part in seeing begin. Right now - we’re working on a plan to see us start 25 churches a year. Will we be able to do it - I’m not sure, but we’re going to try - we’ll see. BUT, we’ll still get close to a dozen this year if it doesn’t work.

Soooo, if we understand that it’s a Jesus movement, not a church planting movement - the cpm comes out of the Jm - the next question is what is left? And I’m convinced it will be the emergence of global movements. For the most part, movements have been tribal and national. As I stated at the first part of the chapter, the Chinese are emulating this in their “Back to Jerusalem” movement. The linking factors in these movements will be two things - first is the centrality of Jesus and second the flatness of the connection points. Gateway global cities, airports, global entertainment sites, are all places where churches are emerging today. A global cpm is the natural progression from where we have come. It’s the natural response of an emerging global church. It’s necessary to engage society at all levels. It’s possible because of an emerging third culture which is global. It’s also possible because of technology and all forms of connectedness.

I believe they will also come from the East and South. I believe those of us in the West will join movements versus starting them. Not that we are “incapable” but because God cares for the whole world and for the Gospel to span it they are going to have to be driving it like never before. That means that we can join, resource, and participate and even lead in some ways- but they need to be point if it’s going to be really global.

On pages 39-44, I began the chapter on Global Church Planting Movements and, in doing so; I deal a little with defining the church. You notice the phrase “a little.” The reason is because I think we are lost in our definitions of church. When you say that, automatically we go to our theology–which isn’t bad, but neither is it enough. I’m not anti-theology, but our theology must not be “sola theologia!” When you discuss “church” with Chinese and others, the focus is more on who you are and where that leads you as a community. When you read it in theology books, it’s more the structure and community, and sorely lacking in purpose. For me, Alan Hirsch articulates it about as good as it gets. I also worked with Chris Seiple, President of IGE because of his exposure to the global church and the world as it is. The premise is, we must first understand theologically what the church is before we can function properly. I disagree.  I believe we must first live as family committed to loving the least and farthest. When that happens and Jesus is at the center, we behave in certain ways driven by the life of Christ, not polity. THEN, after we’re living the life of Christ, polity can be formed, but not until then. Furthermore, when we say church often we are saying primarily form or model of church, polity, and location. I believe the church is far bigger than my local congregation. If I really believe that, that has huge implications for how I relate to other churches and believers both in my community and worldwide.

The Evangelical Manifesto will be released at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.  You can read it here.

There are several things about movements I wrote–some obvious– some not:

1. It’s a Jesus movement - not a church planting movement.
2. Movements are highly personal and societal.
3. Jesus movements take time.
4. Jesus movements are led by disciples not church planters.
5. Historically only one Jesus movement per nation that involves everyone.
6. Jesus movements surge from the young.

You could list a lot of other things, but the reason I listed these was the first one is essential to understand what the movement is. The second should never be forgotten and Rodney Stark drives that home. The third is an observation I began to make as I read movements. It really opened my eyes to being patient and to value seed sowing–it goes against what I had thought or understood. The fourth is the movement can be viral. As long as it’s tied to the preacher, we can grow only as much as we have “religious professionals.” There is an unlimited amount of disciples, the question is what kind of disciples are we making. The fifth was depressing, but it winds up getting excited - there are many sub-movements, but only one national movement that sweeps a nation. The sixth–nothing new, but cannot be forgotten or we keep trying to reinvent yesteryear.

One side note, you can learn a lot from movements from studying the Civil Rights Movement, Woman’s Sufferage Movement, and others–both good and bad. Most have a leader with big vision, all have many evangelists, all are grassroots. All have hit a chord for a specific issue in time that people are ready to rally around.

p. 27 “Why have people started churches throughout history? We don’t have any record of people starting churches in Jerusalem. . .  we do have house churches . . . p.28  The question as to why we are starting churches is crucial to our future. . .  p.29 We want to see a movement that will transform societies similar to what has happened in the past and is happening in the East.”

If you look at the chart on page 28, Antioch started churches for transformation–of the person and the world, but particularly the city. Acts 17:6 “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here.” I believe that is where we are moving. I believe by 2010 it will become an emerging verbalized reason people are starting churches. For now, the primary motivation (more…)

OK, we’ll do it. Monday I’ll give you what I perceive as the highlights–that seemed to win out. Spread the word. I’ll have a posting up Monday morning. Please keep in mind, I pastor full-time, work around the world, speak and write, so . . . I’ll check it 2 or 3 times a day and will have Bobby Vaughn help me check it to put up your comments as they come in. I’ll respond to your comments. I’m not a long emailer–those of you who know me well know that. HEEERRRREEEE we go . . .