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, …
The life of Jesus is at the center of our faith, yet often we seem to skip straight from his birth to his death when teaching discipleship. The result is that his amazing life story of healing, liberation and generosity has little impact on how we plan our lives and guide our congregations. So what can we learn from the …
Discipleship happens in a place, and should affect that place. At Praxis Gathering 2016, however, we are focusing on Shaping Disciples for Mission, but we do so with a “place-based lens.” We couldn’t do it without the help of our friend Kevin Doi. Meet Kevin Doi Courtesy of Epic Church Kevin is the founding pastor of Epic Church and co-founder of JOYA Scholars, a …
The RePlacing Church Podcast with Ben Katt In this episode, I explore the Apostle as “Cultivator” by looking at the story of Priscilla and Aquila from the early church and identifying the three main practices of Cultivators as they pursue restoration in the neighborhood. Series Summary: In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul mentions 5 gifts for the church – Apostle, Prophet, …
One of the key characteristics most church planting assessors look for in potential church planters is teachability. Over the last three-and-a-half decades of starting churches and supporting church planters, three aspects of this trait stand out to me the most: knowing one’s self, practicing humility, and seeking wisdom. Knowing One’s Self A few years ago, I coauthored a book based …
Discipleship happens in a place, and should affect that place. At Praxis Gathering 2016, however, we are focusing on Shaping Disciples for Mission, but we do so with a “place-based lens.” We couldn’t do it without the help of our friend Matt Tebbe. Meet Matt Tebbe Matt Tebbe is a bi-vocational church planter who knows firsthand what place-based church is all about. …
The RePlacing Church Podcast with Ben Katt In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul mentions 5 gifts for the church – Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and Teacher (APEST). Over the past decade of missional church and church planting conversations, Alan Hirsch, Mike Breen, J.R. Woodward and others have done some good work towards expanding our understanding of these “Ministries,” “Equippers,” or “Intelligences.” …
I remember the first time I ever went on a “missions” trip (I love how there is an “s” added to that word for some unknown reason). As a person who did not grow up involved in or even remotely aware of churches, youth groups, mission trips, or any of the other cultural expressions of evangelical churches, the whole thing …
I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. It was one of those turning-point conversations that seemed small in the moment but ended up being very significant. I was finishing up some dishes in the kitchen after a long day with our four kids. My husband brought it up slowly. I have a feeling God is asking us to plant …