We can’t do it alone. That’s why V3 follows its model. There’s nothing more exasperating than trying to fill all the roles in a ministry, trying to white-knuckle your way through ministry, dealing with all the hopes and fears you have—without a community. That’s an easy recipe for disappointment and burnout. V3 had the opportunity recently to hear from two …
Ministry's Most Commonly Forgotten Secret
My week had been particularly hectic, stressful and busy. But honestly, so had the week before! After thinking more about it, I realized that actually we hadn’t taken a day off in more than a few weeks now. Things just kept popping up. I’d say to myself, “This is just a season. It’s how it is now, but it won’t always be …
5 Good Decisions I Made as a Planter
Of course it’s helpful to reflect on mistakes, especially if it will help prevent new ones, or if it can be an instructional tool to those follow after you. With grace, we reflect on those things, and we learn from them. But every now and then, a decision stands the test of time. Here are five good decisions I’ve made …
5 Lessons from the Front Lines of Church Planting
I am the last person anyone would expect to become a church planter. I grew up in the traditional church, majored in Religion at a denominational college, went to a denominational seminary and served three churches around the country as an ordained pastor. This was going to be what I did for my entire career, but God had other plans, …
4 Church Planting Mistakes I've Made
I don’t like making mistakes. I’d rather do things well the first time, and get praised for it. Who wouldn’t? But of course I’ve made mistakes. I’ve planted a couple missional churches where we sought to root our work in discipling people into participating in God’s mission, and then multiplying from there. All throughout this journey, up until this very moment, …
The Well: A Testimonial
This is a story from our Learning Cohorts about a church planter named Dan Magan and his church, The Well, in Virginia. If you want to learn more about how you can partner with V3 for the church planting that you feel called to or are involved in, please click here to learn more about our Learning Cohorts. The Well is …
6 Tips for Celebrating Earth Day
It’s time to get ready for Earth Day. This important celebration April 22nd, is often neglected by our churches, but I think should be at the forefront on our yearly rhythms. God created us from the earth and for the earth. In Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating, theologian Norman Wirzba says: When we become strangers to the earth …
The Missional Potential of the Five-Fold
Find out more about the Learning Cohort 2017 here: This is JR Woodward explaining what God’s design might mean for you and your ministry. The five-fold method uses Ephesians 4 to show a beautiful outline for what our gifts could be for the church. “People aren’t given the gifts; they are the gifts.” Ephesians 4:7 shows a five-fold ministry profile, composed of apostles, …
Do Over: 5 Church-Planting Fixes
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about do overs. Any baseball fan knows that you often wish you could get another pitch. In golf you call it a mulligan and take a dropped ball. In a great game of Horse, you may even take a second shot. If you’re specifically a Cleveland sports fan you wish you could have a …
Finding Home in Your Neighborhood
What does it mean to be at home? That question is difficult for many, especially those who have been affected by political turmoil, those called on to serve in wars, those who are uprooted and transferred as refugees into societies with mixed feelings about their presence. Here’s Dan White Jr, co-author of The Church as Movement, discussing his experience in Kenya working …