This past weekend, church planting practitioners gathered in Washington, D.C. to work together and share on the topic of discipleship. Missional-movement leaders such as Deb Hirsch, Kevin Doi, Paul Sparks, Mark Scandrette, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, and David Fitch worked with other missional-movement leaders like you from all over the country. This year’s focus was discipleship, and the workshops were phenomenal, thoroughly engaging the relationships …
In my previous blog post, I shared how leaders establish culture through what they teach and model, as well as by what they pay attention to, reward and sanction. I want to continue the topic of creating culture by looking at Christ. A Thought Experiment Imagine Jesus is the leader of your church—Hopefully he is!—in a sense similar to when …
The RePlacing Church Podcast with Ben Katt In this episode, I explore the Teachers as “Sage” by looking at the story of Apollos from the early church, and identifying the three main practices of Sages as they pursue restoration in the neighborhood. Series Summary: In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul mentions 5 gifts for the church – Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, …
It’s that time of the year when many of us are in transition. Students of all ages begin a new school year. Some of us are starting new jobs, and at church we are getting ready for the new seasons of Advent and Christmas. Even the created world is in transition, that season between summer and autumn when, at least …
The RePlacing Church Podcast with Ben Katt In this episode, I explore the Shepherd as “Healer” by looking at Psalm 23 and the story of Barnabas from the early church, and identifying the three main practices of Healers as they pursue restoration in the neighborhood. Series Summary: In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul mentions 5 gifts for the church – Apostle, …
As we continue to deepen our understanding of the Missional church, the next big idea that is flowing from this conversation is Movement. Have you been in a conversation with someone about movement recently? If not, you will likely find yourself in conversation about this idea, as this word will be used more and more in public and private settings. From coffee …
In this episode, I explore the Evangelist as “Host” by looking at the story of Lydia from the early church and identifying the three main practices of Hosts as they pursue restoration in the neighborhood. Series Summary: In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul mentions 5 gifts for the church – Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and Teacher (APEST). Over the past decade …
Organizational culture powerfully determines the success or failure of a vision, the flourishing or demise of the human spirit. [1] As part of a coaching process with a pastor of a large church in the southern United States, I asked Charlie to keep track of how she spent all of her waking hours. I encouraged her to write down how she spent every 30 …
Do church planters need a theological education? Should those of us guiding potential church planters encourage them to get a theological education? We’ve all heard the well-worn put-downs that seminary can be a spiritual cemetery and that people just need Jesus, not exegesis. There is some truth that seminaries can be ivory towers that are far removed from the realities …
The RePlacing Church Podcast with Ben Katt In this episode, I explore the Prophet as “Activist” by looking at the story of Tabitha from the early church and identifying the three main practices of Activists as they pursue restoration in the neighborhood. Series Summary: In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul mentions 5 gifts for the church – Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, …