Here's your chance to learn from Alan Hirsch, Tim Catchim & Dan White, Jr

Today is your last day to register for Sentralized at Early Bird Prices. Register here. Tim Catchim says that the main reason he’s going to Sentralized is to see a bunch of people he loves and have fun. But on top of that, it’s a great chance to learn the ins and outs of APEST and disciple making. According to Tim …

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn In Community

No one likes to grieve. No one feels lucky to mourn. So when Jesus tells an eager gathering of disciples “Blessed are those who mourn,” I’m not sure church growth gurus would see that as the strongest recruitment strategy. Mourning in the Jewish imagination is not a foreign emotion. Mourning has deeply historical connotations for the Hebrew People of God. …

Bookshelf

Top Ten Books on Church Planting

One of the most frequent questions I get from church planters is: What do you recommend as the best books for church planters to read? As an avid reader who has planted churches on the East Coast and the West Coast, and a person who is devoted full time to helping equip church planters, this is a difficult question to …

Time is short to register for this premier gathering of missional leaders!

Sentralized, a premier gathering of missional leaders, is coming to Dallas on September 25-27. Early bird registration ends July 31. Then prices go up. The conference will feature V3 Leaders Tim Catchim and Dan White, Jr., 34 other primary presenters and a wealth of helpful breakout sessions. Sentralized co-founders Lance Ford and Brad Brisco shared a few thoughts on what Sentralized is and what …

Limited Space Available for the Next V3 Church Planter's Assessment

You can’t have a movement of the kingdom of God without planting new churches. New churches are one of the best methods for seeing God’s kingdom expand into new neighborhoods, people groups and generations. New churches are also a sign, the inevitable result of women and men joining God’s mission. You want in? On October 28-30, V3 will be hosting an Assessment at …

Church as a Holy Drama

One of the difficult practices that has saved my bacon on more than one occasion—even though it is challenging to do—is that I’ve refused to be told by those who steward our church’s finances who it is that gives to our church financially, how much they give, and who doesn’t give. I simply can’t handle the knowledge. There are two …

If this guy can become a church planter, anything is possible!

One of the most accessible resources available to a church planter is the life of Paul the apostle. His life is an inspiration for anyone in Christian leadership, but especially for those engaging in church planting. Not only did Paul plant multiple churches across the Roman Empire, with significant movemental impact throughout his career, he did it with significant resistance …

Three Ancient Aspects of Celtic Spirituality for Today's Missional Church

One of my favourite places in the world is the island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland. It seems so remote now, requiring a journey from Glasgow by train, ferry, bus and another ferry to get there. Once however, when most long distance travel was done by sea, it was a thriving centre of spirituality and education. It …

Do We Want "Seekers" or "Family"?

On Father’s Day, I took my husband out for a buffet dinner. The restaurant had a live band and dance performances. Simple enough— but this wasn’t just any restaurant and band. This was a halal eatery that served Egyptian food, and hosted an authentic Egyptian performance group. There were belly dancers from a local Academy of Egyptian Dance who swayed, turned, …

The Secret Ingredient Creating Unity in 40,000 Denominations

There is a fascinating dynamic at play within quite a few denominations and organizations starting new communities of faith. It’s a growing reality that gives me great hope for increased unity within the church. Now hold on a second… you might say, aren’t there over 40,000 denominations? Don’t we have massive theological disagreements? And shouldn’t new church communities be seen as …