cpm's in europe?
In switzerland near Interlaken with 60 church planters from across Europe. High on the agenda is the issue of how we can see a church planting movement, made up of churches planting churches, released here in our western, post modern, post christian culture.

It happens, with apparent ease and speed in places like India and China, but can it happen here in Europe?

Florian Bartsch based near Zurich was with us last night to tell us, yes it is possible, it is do-able. They have pioneered a network of about 25 churches and church planting teams that are able to plant more church planting churches. They work in a specific region of Switzerland and have seen particular fruit amongst the 'new age' and esoteric sectors.

With outside help (coaching and some training from experienced home church planters) they have learnt by making loads of mistakes at every stage! It has been very hard work and costly and has included some very public and direct persecution. It has taken over 6 years to reach this stage.

Here are some of the key lessons they have learnt, usually the hard way, in building the foundation for a church planting movement:

1. Hearing God at every stage is vital; particularly concerning the members of the initial CP team. Jesus spent all night praying before he called out the 12 disciples. Make sure you have the people that God has chosen and called.

2. It is very challenging to find willing workers with a call the plant church. It is a difficult, costly and often painful experience.

3. They have found that 'power evangelism' using signs and wonders - praying for the sick etc has been one of the only effective methods of evangelism in their context. They tried everything!

4. To build new churches it made an enormous difference to evangelise the whole of an existing family or relational network in one go rather than one individual at a time. Why? Because working with a group that already were a 'family' was so much easier than trying to create 'family' amongst a group of individuals. They have found it takes 3 years to form comunity from a group of individuals, but is much quicker with an existing family or network.

5. Don't stop praying once things are underway!

6. You can't make disciples with a program. It is not feeding them head knowledge it is equipping them with the tools and the hunger to feed themselves that is vital. Disciple making involves sharing our lives.

7. Getting new churches to enter into a covenant type commitment to one another was very hard and many baulked at it and left, but those who did were strengthened significantly by doing so.

8. Leaders need to be trainers not just leaders. They have to be able to pass on what they do and then let others do it for themselves. Leaders must step back and let the churches do the work of the ministry otherwise there will never be multiplication.

Florian's longing is to see CPM's all over Europe. How is this going to happen? By apostolically calling out of the churches those God has set apart to plant churches in new places.

Labels: church planting stories

posted by alexander @ 3:48 PM    2 comments

2 Comments:

Thanks for the info, where can one read or find more info on what these guys ae doing?
www.everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk

By  Philip, at 3:21 AM  

Well if you can read german:
http://www.dneurope.org/

By  alexander, at 1:11 PM  

Post a Comment

---

 
big & little - together
For reasons of survival and sustainability the relationship between 'big' churches and small organic ones could be incredibly important. So are there examples that are modelling a good relationship along these lines? Certainly, I have come across Baptist, Methodist and C of E examples where to one degree or another smaller organic churches are being helped by larger 'sending' type churches. Although there's not always complete agreement or mutual understanding of what is being done, there is a willingness to trust and support those involved.

I recently met with a couple of church planters who are part of the Together network (formerly CMI). One had been sent to take on an existing fellowship and has subsequently been transitioning it to a home church model and the other, Nick Howes, went deliberately to Coventry to plant a network of home churches.

Here's some of their story in their own words:

The Neighbours and Nations adventure began in January 2003 with five of us meeting together in a small rented home in Potters Green, NE Coventry. We were all new to the city having been sent (yeah, we’ve had all the ‘sent to Coventry’ jokes!) to begin a new church adventure and also to provide a link into the city with a Bible college we are connected with on the outskirts of town.

We had come from large congregations which were absolutely great – really as good as anything that’s around - and yet felt deeply that these were not producing healthy, mature communities of disciples that were impacting the people around us. Our conviction was that the nuts and bolts of church life should be much more simple, relational and completely committed to revealing Jesus to the community in which it exists.

Coupled with a passion for community and discipleship, and being so aware that the large congregation could never alone produce this, we began to hear God speaking to us specifically about what we were meant to do as we began our new adventures in Coventry. We were instructed to build church ‘neighbourhood by neighbourhood’. This prospect excited us so much. We pictured church family enjoying life together, living on each others’ doorsteps (we have developed an intricate points deduction system for anyone who uses a car to get to anything!) and getting deeply involved in the life of that neighbourhood and becoming the ‘joy of the whole earth’ in that place.

This has been a fantastic experience, loads of fun, loads of ‘tweaking’ in terms of what we do and how we do it, and a steep learning curve – so much so that its only now, fours years on, that we really feel that we are beginning to effectively outwork the vision that we have sold out for.

To date we are active in two different neighbourhoods, with five or six households in each that are just a minute or two’s walk apart. This is great for ‘meeting together daily’ over breakfast, coffee, or walking the kids to playgroup (as well as for borrowing each other’s stuff)! There are also another six to eight households in other areas. A couple of these areas we are actively seeking to establish church communities in as a response to the Holy Spirit’s leading. The others are currently joining in with one of the existing neighbourhood churches until such time as they will either move closer in or else begin to meet where they live.

One of the interesting facets of our journey has been how to express our understanding of the Body of Christ. The church in the neighbourhood is great, but we are very aware that we are only ‘part of’ and not the whole. Hence we have sought to celebrate, fellowship and work with many other church groups and in the Potters Green neighbourhood, have fantastic relationships with all the congregations where we are really effectively working together and being a blessing to them rather than just getting our head down and doing our thing.

Unlike many on the simple/organic church journey, we are still (very happily) involved with the network with whom we have historical relationship, and enjoy fellowship with many other leaders who would not subscribe to how we are doing church. This is both challenging and sharpening but ultimately rewarding. Those that we specifically recognise as carrying an apostolic and prophetic ministry towards us have been wonderful at supporting, encouraging and inspiring us in the God-given vision we are seeking to outwork.

The adventure is still very much in its infancy but already we are ruined for anything else. Also our most fiercely-held doctrine is the need for great coffee and the inherent evil of the instant coffee granule!

We’d love to chat with you if you are interested in what’s going on or if you are doing something similar in the Midlands area.

Labels: church planting stories

posted by alexander @ 3:34 PM    2 comments

2 Comments:

Perhaps I am just negative, but I wonder how long the relationship lasts between 'big and little'. In N.Z I know of several attempts to do similar things, but within 2 years there has been difficulty and a severing of relationship between the two groups. Also I lack confidance on how succesful one would be in transitioning a 'normal church' into a simple church. My experiance tells me that everyone appears keen, but in the end the majority cant make the jump in mindset that is so needed when going into organic church.

By  Philip, at 1:23 AM  

Don't know about your first point. probably agree with the second. it is virtually impossible!

By  alexander, at 5:06 PM  

Post a Comment

---

 
prayer walking produces results
Here in Bath we have been prayer walking, together with various other activities and community involvements in one particular area of the City for around ten years. We know too that others had prayer walked through this area in previous years. It is an area full of all the usual social problems similar to those in any large outer-city estates.

We have prayed constantly for three specific things; 1. That God would raise up and send labourers, willing workers, into this needy area to bring his harvest in. 2. That He would raise up men and women of peace (Luke 10) who would be ready to receive those workers and the message they bring. 3. And we have prayed blessing on the community, house by house, family by family, on the 2 schools and the few businesses. For Gods kingdom to come and be established in all of them.

This week I discovered that several christian families have recently moved onto this estate and there are others close by, all with a call and vision to reach out, make disciples and start simple home churches on this estate!

They have already found 2 people of peace and the main leader has been invited into the local primary school to do a second assembly at Easter. God has answered our prayers!

Labels: church planting stories

posted by alexander @ 4:52 PM    1 comments

1 Comments:

I believe the three things you guys are praying for are exactly the kinds of things Jesus is just waiting for us to pray so He can answer. Thanks for the reminder to keep our praying focused along these same lines.

By  GuyMuse, at 2:41 PM  

Post a Comment

---

 
a new waterfall in south wales
Mark Cutliffe from near Swansea in S Wales told me their brilliant story this morning of how they now have a network of five simple churches. Here it is:

From an existing church setting, in 2003, a team embarked on what they thought would be a typical congregational style church plant. As a result of this ‘experience’ the leader, Mark, was forced to begin rethinking what church was all about. God began to completely reshape his thinking and this led to a journey which has now produced five simple churches in and around the beautiful Gower peninsula near Swansea in South Wales. Mainly meeting in homes or coffee shops they attempt to get all the churches together about once a month – but often it is very difficult!



Although most involved currently were previously ‘churched’, many had been on the periphery or were disconnected from church; but this new organic shape provided a non-threatening environment for them in which they felt comfortable and able to participate.

One small group consists almost totally of unchurched young people, most of whom are still unsaved! They have also started a dedicated gathering once a month for all the children involved in the different churches. Inevitably other kids are being drawn in and they are anticipating more churches will be started as a result of getting to know these kid’s parents.

Another church is focused around a men’s group made up of guys who had generally disconnected from church; using the powerful ‘Band of Brothers’ TV series as a conversation starter they have begun to rediscover a life in God which echoes their cry for something worth living and dying for.

At the heart of their ethos is a determination not to build their own thing but to serve and release others into their own vision - a kingdom rather than church approach. For example another believer living about 30 minutes away in Porthcawl approached them interested in simple/organic church, but rather than ‘recruiting’ him into their own group they are now mentoring and encouraging him in the process of starting a church in his own home.

‘Our biggest challenge’ comments Mark, ‘is the need to find and raise up more leaders who will take on responsibility for the growing work. Too much is dependent on me right now.’

Mark also has a vision to provide an opportunity for others involved in organic/simple church in South Wales to get together to share stories and encourage one another, so if you live within an hour or so of Swansea and would appreciate this sort of gathering you will find Mark’s contact details in the directory under Swansea.

Labels: church planting stories

posted by alexander @ 4:22 PM    3 comments

3 Comments:

Thanks for a great story.

I love the whole concept of simple church. We've planted a simple church among he Homeless in Dallas Texas. I can't imagine trying to do a traditional church that way.

We have no building payments. If the weather is nice we gather at City Hall Plaza. If it's not we may find a quiet place in the library, or go to a restraunt, share a meal and time with the Lord.

We're still new to this, so we haven't gotten to the point of trying to multiply gatherings yet. But I believe that is coming soon.

Thanks for the great story.

By  John Lunt, at 7:38 PM  

This is a wonderful story. Here's to many more in the amazing power of the Spirit in these exciting days.

I'm from Melbourne, Australia... Alan Hirsch country, etc!

I'm from a traditional church but am convinced even a massive church like mine has to face the challenge of moving to the margins.

Thanks for the encouragement in this :)

- Alister

By  Alister Cameron, Blog Coach, at 12:18 PM  

Glad to see that Waterfall's story is an encouragement to others. John, sounds brilliant what you guys are up to in Dallas - send me your contact details so next time I'm in DFW we can get together. And great to hear that our 'dangerous stories' are provoking you guys down under!

By  alexander, at 12:24 PM  

Post a Comment

---

 
organic review
Have begun reconnecting with people around the UK in order to do a review of all things organic.

Always good to talk to Peter Worthington who runs house2house uk. They have about 8 different household churches in their local network and are helping a further 50 in some way around the UK.

One great story: A couple who gather in their home got to know a homeless guy who they eventually invited to stay with them for several months. He made a commitment to the Lord and subsequently moved up to Manchester to a Salvation Army hostel. Here he began an alpha course for residents and they now have 19 on the course!

Another couple Peter has connections with up in Manchester teach english to immigrants. Several have become believers as a result of this couple inviting them into their home for Sunday lunch and now there are 2 home churches meeting along similar lines.

Again and again as I ask people what they would find most helpful in their organic church planting journey the reply is - to be able to get together with others locally who are travelling the same road to share stories and lessons learnt etc.

Are you already doing that sort of thing locally/regionally? If you are let me know and I can help spread the word to any others who may be in your neck of the woods.

Labels: church planting stories

posted by alexander @ 4:48 PM    1 comments

1 Comments:

Yes I think we all crave connecting together, yet when we try it, organic churchers get suspicous about 'control' which is a bummer!
www.everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk

By  Philip, at 2:08 AM  

Post a Comment

---