Birthing a church planting movement is not a solo venture.
It requires the ability to form partnerships with people and organizations that reflect your values and passions.
Since the conception of our learning cohorts four years ago, we have been grateful for the amazing partners that God has given us. Let me introduce you to some of them to you and then you will have the opportunity to hear their excitement about what God is doing in and through the V3 Church Planting Movement. While God has given us many partners that have come alongside us, I’d like to highlight a few.
Some friends of the family
Alan and Deb Hirsch have partnered with us since our beginning. If you know Alan, you realize that not only is he a leading missional thinker who holds a lot of clout, but both Alan and Deb are down to earth people, practitioners, who refuse to act like celebrities, in a celebrity-driven culture.
Deb’s honesty and vulnerability are refreshing, and both of their writing and speaking have shaped us in many ways. More than that, they are our friends who have been a constant encouragement to both Dan and I on this journey of birthing the V3 movement.
“I absolutely love what God is going in and through V3. Movement leaders, JR Woodward and Dan White Jr., have done a marvelous job in both initiating and cultivating what is becoming a genuine missional movement. I expect great things from this newly emerging movement in and across North America.”
Alan Hirsch, Founder of 100 Movements, Forge Mission Training Network, and The 5Q Collective.
David Fitch has also influenced us since our start. His theological astuteness and practical wisdom, which has been learned in on-the-ground missional church planting, has formed us significantly.
As a theologian-practitioner, his friendship and writing continue to help us re-imagine what it means to be the church in our context. His most recent book Faithful Presence is a must read. Fitch is a character, one that I hope you meet on your journey.
“The church of Jesus Christ is not an organizational structure to be reproduced and/or franchised. It is a way of life to be planted and nurtured in 100’s of different ways for each locale and context. The V3 Church Planting movement knows and understands that. It is organic, locally driven, and deeply mission driven, and I highly recommend it.”
David Fitch, B. R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology, Northern Seminary, author of Faithful Presence
Linda Bergquist, a church strategist in San Francisco and the Bay Area, is not only a serial church planter, and a hospitable host to many, but she has been a good friend to V3. She is one of the wisest people in North America when it comes to movement intelligence and exegeting a neighborhood and city.
She has co-authored a number of significant books, and tirelessly serves church planters and movements. We value our friendship with her and are glad that she shares her wisdom monthly on the V3 blog.
“For most, church planting is still only theory, but V3 is actually successfully practicing movement principles and starting churches that are multiplying among English speakers in North America, as well as among other language groups. JR and Dan have developed an authentic approach to place-based disciple making that is sturdy and impressive.
I am thankful for V3, and hopeful about how God will continue to use this movement in North America and beyond.”
Linda Bergquist, Church Planting Catalyst, Mentor, Coach and Co-author of Church Turned Inside Out and City Shaped Churches
Also, the Missio Alliance is an extremely important partner to V3. As a co-founder of Missio and a current board member, I certainly have a bias.
Missio Alliance has become a theological umbrella for numerous tribes, seminaries and organizations, including V3. The Missio Alliance is re-imagining the church for a new world and providing rich resources through writing collectives, and spirit-led gatherings that are equipping the church for God’s future.
Chris Backert and JR Rozko, as the current staff team, are doing an amazing job in the continual development of Missio.
Finally, I need to say that V3 would not be in existence, apart from the BGAV. As an apostolic arm of the BGAV, V3 has been able to expand across North America in fresh ways. I have appreciated the leadership of Wayne Faison, my supervisor, and John Upton, my boss, who have given us the freedom and liberty to develop V3 in whatever ways that God has led. They have created space for leaders like myself to help birth a new movement. We seek to move forward, grateful for our roots. The BGAV truly lives out a kingdom first mentality.
As you can see, within a short time, God has given us a treasure of partners, who we look forward to deepening our friendship with these people and organizations as well partner on some important projects together, especially as we start to see V3 City Collectives pop up all across the country. You have heard about how much we appreciate our partners, now you get to hear their excitement about V3.
How you can be involved
As I said, church planting is not a lone wolf venture. You need to be in company alongside strong men and women of God who are dedicated and passionate, who can partner with you.
Through the Learning Cohorts, those relationships are available, along with in-depth coaching and training. If that’s something you are interested in learning more about, please click here.
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