Seattle Boot Camp Wrap Up
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Acts 29 provides boot camps for the purpose of setting the theological compass for missional church planting. Last week we had the biggest boot camp of our existence.
Over 350 people converged upon Seattle for the Acts 29 Church Planter's Boot Camp. 32 men and their wives were assessed as potential planters with Acts 29 Network. Over 42 Acts 29 member pastors came in to assess. 20 pastors began their 6 month training to be a church planting coach.
We had seven main sessions and six workshops. Each of these sessions emphasized conservative theology and radical ecclesiology. The gospel was articulated over and over and church planting was presented as the plan of God to most effectively evangelize the world.
What became clear to me was that man creates networks, but God creates movements. Church planting movements are defined as "A rapid multiplication of indigenous churches planting churches that sweep through a people group or population segment." [David Garrison, Church Planting Movements, (Midlothian, VA: WIGTake Resources 2004) p. 21].
In other words, churches reproducing faster than one would think possible with a vision to reach an entire nation or people group by those who are common to the area and engaged in church planting churches within interrelated population segments.
Some characteristics of church planting movements:
1. Only God can orchestrate a movement
God can use men to transform an area, but only He sovereignly decides where and when He pours out an abundance of His power and grace through a people group that is passionately seeking Him.
2. A movement is too large to control
A movement is not meant to be controlled. It is a measure of God's grace that cannot be prepared in advance. As we sense His movement, we respond in humility and allow Him to work through weak vessels.
3. We don't always recognize a movement of God because of man's involvement
Men mobilize others toward a cause and inspires others to plant churches. God uses man's efforts to have an effect on His will. A movement is not dependant on the skills of man. A movement is recognized as outcome that can no longer be attributed to man.
4. Movements include unusual gospel-driven partnerships
Movements of God do not only think outside of the box, they do not have a box. Partnerships with other gospel-driven church planting networks will be forged without effort.
5. God gets ALL of the glory
Although man may plant churches, pray, preach the gospel, develop leaders and posture churches toward health, God is to get all of the glory. Garrison said, "Church Planting Movements multiply the glory of God...No other avenues so quickly and effectively multiplies the glory of God in the hearts of so many people." (pp. 28-29)
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Anonymous on Mar 27, 2007 2:30am
Thanks for a great week Scott. Acts 29 modus operandi really got us thinking in the UK. The whole screening process is robust theologically and psychologically. I've got plenty to take back to Oz with me. Hope we can work together
Steve Mac