New Church Innovation

Presbyterian Centers for New Church Innovation Igniting a movement for new expressions of Church

www.presbyinnovate.com IN THIS ISSUE   New Worshiping Communities Internships--East and West Coasts   Starting New Worshiping Communities Training   Wisdom from New Church Development Coaches OTHER NEWS Check out this YouTube video encouraging you to start new ministry that aligns with your passions...go to the PresbyinnovateTV channel on YouTube and be encouraged. http://www.icontact-archive.com/BiDzh9GUdVOKEkALpaEpKkOMZ2rWimw3?w=4   EAST COAST CENTER 46040 Center Oak Plaza #130 Sterling, VA   20166 shannon@riversidechurch.com WEST COAST CENTER 119 N. Avinada de la Estrella San Clemente, CA   92672 craig.williams@pcusa.org EMAIL THIS TO A FRIEND   What kind of community is God calling you to start? It is surely a fact of inexhaustible significance that what the Lord left behind Him was not a book, nor a creed, nor a system of thought, nor a rule of life, but a visible community.--Leslie Newbigin A visible community that is a sign, foretaste, and instrument of God's kingdom--that's what 1001 New Worshiping Communities is meant to be about. And each community will (and should) be unique, because each context and each team starting these new communities are unique. We often get asked for the models that "work." There are no models to give presbytery teams, there are no cookie cutter ministries you can take from one place and time and replicate in all places and all times, there's only a process of asking, "What is God uniquely calling us to do and be in this community?" As much as we'd like to give them to you, there are no shortcuts or easy answers to authentic ministry in your neighborhood.  But in the grappling, there is life and energy and purpose.  What we can give you is the Starting New Churches resource, a process by which you can discern the unique ministry that makes sense for who and where you are.  The free PDF is available at www.presbyinnovate.com.  And if you'd like to go through this process with a New Church Development coach, check out the upcoming conference that could be just the thing that helps your team discover the unique ministry God has in store for you. Back to top New Worshiping Community Summer 2013 Internships Know any students who would love to dabble in new worshiping community ministry? We're looking for folks who get excited about a ministry of going into the community, connecting with people, and connecting them to one another and to God.  We are looking for students who are just crazy enough to have dreams and visions of what the church could look like, and the energy to get out there and begin to do it.   We are offering 2 sites for New Worshiping Community Internships this summer: Northern Virginia and Los Angeles.  In both contexts, students will work with New Church Development Coaches and Church-Planting Churches to experience starting a new work of ministry. Stipends and housing are available...and we can work with most seminaries to ensure this internship meets field education requirements. East Coast applications are due February 28th and West Coast applications by March 16th. Both can be found here.     Back to top

Starting New Worshiping Communities Training--April 10-12, 2013, Sterling, VA   "Our lives and ministries are busy...why should we attend this conference?" This event can help you discern how to develop a particular project or a presbytery strategy for starting new worshiping communities. You will receive training in using a discernment process for starting new works of ministry; you will learn how to get crystal clear on identity, vision and mission; you will experience how to go out into the community and develop plans that make sense for a unique culture; you will be centered in missional theology, prayer, and worship; you will be encouraged by others who are also trying to start new ministry; and you will receive coaching around the particulars of your context (church, presbytery, missionary call).  "That's great in theory.  But how have others benefitted from this training?  Is it worth my time, energy, and expense?" 2 years ago, a church team joined us for this conference, and since then, they have started a vibrant worshiping community that has connected with a working class neighborhood in North Carolina. Last year, a church team attended this conference, and are now looking for the organizing leader for a new church their church is seeking to birth. A year ago, a seminary student developed a vision for a ministry to an RV community. Today she is living in that community, leading Bible Studies and worship, and recounting stories of countless changed lives. 2 years ago, a presbytery team came to this conference, and today they are working with 3 new worshiping communities, and have identified 5 potential leaders to equip for future projects. This is just a glance at the ways this conference is helping folks get traction and energy for the work of starting new ministry. How could you benefit from intentional discernment? Find out more and register to join us HERE. New Church Development Coaches offer up their thoughts on the question: "If I were to start a new worshiping community today, I would..." Spend a lot more time praying and seeking God's guidance.  Move more slowly to start a worship gathering.  I would spend more time in the community. Be clear about who breaks my heart and who I'm called to serve. More quickly call a group of leaders for discernment about the mission context. Slow down and be more deliberate in the hiring of staff. Keep the purpose lean. Teach people how to pray and read Scripture.  Gather in Bible Study, but also practice sent-ness--learning and practice in what it means to be God's sent people. Have a laser like focus on vision and mission. Have a crystal clear identity. More going out into the community to be with people.  I would not wait for the core group to come to me. Enlist a dynamic prayer network. Not make it a primary source of income.  Listen more and plan less.  Figure out what is gospel in that community Learn to trust my gut/the voice of the Holy Spirit Surround myself with a team Align the church's vision and mission with its core values Start with people who don't know Jesus and introduce Jesus.  Resources you can use:   Check out this "Journey Now" map through Logan Leadership. Each explore element offers great questions to start conversations that can foster movement toward a more missional ministry. Focused on the areas of community, mission, and communion with God, these questions could be helpful with small groups or leadership teams wanting to discover what it might mean for them to go deeper in ministry together. What teams or groups do you know who could benefit from these kinds of conversations?   Copyright © 2013 Presbyterian Centers for New Church Innovation. All Rights Reserved.