Pre Launch Coaching with David Putman

Planting? Thinking of planting? Thinking of revitalizing an old work?
Well make sure that you get in on Pastor David Putman's Pre-Launch Tele-Coaching Network. In this coaching network you will discover how to achieve eight major milestones for launching a healthy missional church.

This Tele-Coaching Network is designed around David Putman’s resource Launching Large: Milestones for Planting a Church.
Milestone # 1: Preparation…Am I ready?
Milestone # 2: Context…Do I have the place?
Milestone #3: Resources…Do I have enough money?
Milestone #4: Team…Do I have the people?
Milestone #5: Vision…Do I have the plan?
Milestone # 6: Cultivate…Have I networked my community
Milestone #7: Launch…Am I ready to go public?
Milestone #8: Connect…Am I ready make disciples?

I can personally vouch for Pastor David's love for Christ and His Church. I spent twelve months being coached and prepared to plant Engage City Church under David and it was time very well spent. Preparation is crucial. More information? Click here.

Engage City Church Launches Today

Just sitting doing a little praying and chillin over a cup of tea as I reflect over the past year and look forward to our Launch Service this morning.
* I'm so thankful for the amazing friends and churches that have got behind the vision of starting a new church in Brisbane, a church that exists to see people far from God engaged with Jesus and the life He offers.
* The support and encouragement we have received literally from all over the world just blows me away.
* I'm so excited that we have a 'place' that we can begin meeting weekly in. It is cool to be able to put our money into serving people and our community and not into the crazy rent being asked in this part of the City. I literally get goosebumps as I think about the plans we have for this building and the ways that we can love and serve our community from this location.
* I so humbled by the amazing team that Jesus has and is gathering. Jesus said that He will build His church and every one on the launch team not only get's the vision but believes it and is committed to it. I'm blown away that a group such as this has been gathered in such a short time since we returned from Georgia U.S.A.
* The plans for the Kid's Church are huge! After hearing what Lauren and Tim have in store I know the kids will not only learn about Jesus but they will have an absolute ball.
* I'd appreciate your prayers for not only today but the next few weeks, that God will draw people who are personally invited or received a flyer etc to come along and hear the truth of Jesus. Pray that lives will be changed, that marriages will be saved, that kids will grow up knowing the love and grace of Jesus.
* A final word to those who ARE Engage City Church... you guys are amazing. I can't believe that I get to be on this adventure with you all. Let's never give up Gathering, Growing and Going for Jesus!

Launch Team Meeting - 2 Recap

Another amazing night last night with our Engage City Team.

It was great to see everyone back! Nerida's burgers and Southern Egg Pie were a knockout again! There were plenty of laughs going around as Nerida, Mike and others shared their most embarrassing experiences with the gang. That's what happens when sanguines are unleashed in a group!

After dinner we grabbed dessert while Tim and Nerida shared their story and Austin shared a song. In our time with God's Word in Acts 17 we revisited our purpose; that we exist "to see people far from God engage with Jesus and His life." It is so good to encourage one another In Jesus and His gospel and share Him with others. I talked about the unchanging nature of God, revealed in Jesus and His heart for those who are far from Him (Phil 2 & Luke 4).

The bottom line we landed on was this :
God created and sustains the universe. His attitude was and is one of grace and love expressed in humble service to His creation. Though we were at war with Him, hating Him, He nevertheless loved us. A love expressed in action. He set aside His heavenly glory and willingly humbled Himself. He chose to come to us and enter our 'culture' being born in the form of a man, Jesus Christ. Jesus loved us by living the God honoring life we could never live and dying the death we should have died. He was punished for our rebellion and wrong doing. Jesus served us so we could turn to God and be forgiven and enter into a new and right relationship with Him now and forever. This was all confirmed when Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Now that is good news!

Jesus gifts His followers with His Spirt and eternal presence. It should be no surprise that as we follow Him our hearts are now inclined towards grace, mercy and love expressed in action to a lost and broken humanity. It is only natural for this is the heart beat of Jesus our God that now lives within us. This we pray is always the heartbeat of this new church.

Launch Team Meeting - 2

Woke up at 4am this morning to pray for our second launch team meeting!!
I'm so freakin excited I get to be a part of what Jesus is unleashing in Brisbane and indeed Australia.

Here are a few thoughts that are in my mind and heart:
* Engage City Church is a 'new' church specifically started to reach 'new' people. We follow Jesus.

* The vision is the same. It never changes. Jesus has set the vision. Engage City Church exists to see people far from God engage with Jesus and His life. We do this by following Jesus and lovingly sharing the truth about him in word and deed as we serve our city. Jesus and His gospel are unchanging and we unashamedly commit to sharing and living it in Him.

* The cultural strategy for doing this must however be constantly reviewed and retweaked. It's been said a million times before but why persevere with a 'strategy' that is obviously not connecting or bearing fruit with the culture Jesus has placed you in? Jesus Himself tells us only a fool would try and store new wine in an old wineskin! Missional strategy always flows from Jesus and His mission to see the broken and lost healed and rescued. Jesus demands that His followers engage with the 'world' and people who are not like us (Philippians 2:1-18). Therefore the way we communicate the truth about him and serve others must change in different cultural settings.

First Launch Team Meeting

Last night we had our very first launch team meeting and it was amazing!
It was great to see all these people gathered together in our house, getting along!
We laughed, ate BBQ, shared the vision and prayed that Jesus will build His church in and through us.
Thanks so much to everyone who has been so faithful in praying for this new church in Brisbane.

Our Approach:
Jesus is first and central. As we follow Him and walk in His Spirit we naturally are lead into His mission. As we love and serve people new churches are formed as Jesus gives new life.

Jesus leads us on mission, and the natural result is culturally appropriate new Jesus communities.

Movements that change the world

Steve Addison, church planter and coach recently released his long anticipated book, “Movements that change the world.” As a pastor who is currently in the midst of planting a new church I highly recommend this book simply because Steve is the real deal. He has the insight having planted two churches himself and countless hours interacting, nurturing and developing pastors, leaders and church planters. Steve Addison has continually encouraged, challenged and mentored me as I have prepared to start a new church in the inner city area of Brisbane, Australia.

Most importantly I love Steve's heart for Jesus. A passion that is clearly expressed in his definition of a 'movement'. He describes movements as birthed from relationships that are energetic, committed and focused. A focus that includes those outside. This is good news. This is the Christian gospel. This is what Jesus Chris is doing today in and through His church. Jesus continues to move throughout the world as His followers love, care and serve people everywhere in His name.

Pick up Pastor Steve Addison's new book today at movements.net, I guarantee it will tip your world upside down. Good stuff, and while you're at it check out his blog steveaddison.net, it is chock full of insight for planters, pastors and leaders.

Pastor - Keep Yourself Healthy

Lead Pastors, if we are going to position ourselves to see maximum impact for Christ in our community/world we need to understand that there are five things that you must focus on (repeatedly):
1. Leading and equipping the team.
2. Casting the vision.
3. Financing the mission.
4. Being the primary communicator – constantly growing in delivering the multifaceted good news to lost, hurting, discouraged people in a clear, honest, gracious, hope filled and inspiring way.
5. Nurturing your personal vitality – You will only reproduce what you are.

This is your job description and five sweet spots you as the lead pastor need to be constantly positioning and repositioning yourself in as the spiritual leader of your church. Anyone can build a organization but it takes a disciple to be a channel for God to build a community of disciples. It really does begin with the lead man. It is your job and it is your second in charge’s job description to be your man at arms in guarding and helping you to get into and keep in these 5 areas.

Lifepoint365 Visit St Louis

Great Teams

This morning I had the opportunity to visit West Ridge Church and sit in with their Staff training time. Pastor Michael Lukaszewski spoke on the importance of “Teams”. Here’s some notes:
1. Great teams trust each other.
If there is no trust it is difficult to pass the ‘ball’ and this ultimately reduces effectiveness and increases burnout. Lack of trust automatically leads to micromanagement. Two causes; An ‘untrusting’ boss and ‘untrustworthy’ staff.
2. Great teams are diverse.
Different gifts equal effectiveness. There is no joy in winning at a game you should never have been playing in the first place.
3. Great teams communicate well.
Clear communication is massively crucial. Use communication devices well:
• text is simple – “is projector working?” - “Yes.”
• email for basic information sharing. Not for discussions.
• phone is for discussion and problem solving.
Always ask are you doing this or me? When two people are in charge there is no one in charge. We should all know each others departments ‘big pictures’ not micro details.
4. Great teams want to win!
Deep desire in their gut and commitment to win. Remember as the leader you can never manufacture passion and desire in other people. Celebrate department ‘Wins.’ You win means we all win. Michael does two things each Monday : sends out a weekly email celebrating & thank you notes to a few key volunteers.
5. Great teams practice.
Way more time spent practicing than playing. You are either getting better or worse at what you do, growing or in a rut. Getting better takes practice and developing your tool box. Growth requires coaching so get a coach. Read books, ask questions, develop a plan and work the plan.
6. Great teams have a great “head coach.”
A great “head coach” is the magic sauce. The Lead Pastor needs a coach too. There is only room for one coach calling the plays, God appoints leaders to lead under Jesus. Our job is to get behind the leader and support Him. It is great for you to give constructive criticism in the appropriate environment but once we’ve worked through it and we’ve landed the plane it is our bet behind 100% the leadership.
7. Great teams deal honestly with weakness.
You only have so much room on the lead team. You are playing a key role and if it is not being done then it needs to be dealt with. Lead pastor hire out your weak spots. Remember what is best for the church is best for the team too. Conduct 360’ staff evaluations as we all need to grow and get better. This takes input and challenge.

“For what is at stake I will do whatever it takes.” – Andy Stanley.

Sticky Church - Mission Creep – Pastor Larry Osborne

Assumptions :
• It is God’s desire that His Church is contagious with lives filled with the life givingn fragrance of the good news of Jesus.
• If something is amazing and life changing to someone then they will naturally share their experience with others and invite them to try it. If people are not inviting maybe it could be because they assume their friends won’t like it?
The Church Should Be A Community Where:
• Evangelism is natural not contrived. “Come and See” evangelism is the normal way and “Dog and Pony” events and “Marketing” evangelism are the exception. This will naturally decrease the pressure on “Assimilation Systems” as there are already existing effective relationships. Consider natural and artificial conception, both produce beautiful babies but one is ‘normal’ and less resource driven than the other.
• People are genuinely Changed not Just Touched.
• Long term the wider community is made better not bitter. Fact : Some large churches have reached their capacity to grow simply because over a period of time their surrounding community has more people who’ve ‘visited’ and been ‘touched’ by the church than there are people who’ve ‘stuck.’ Very unhealthy situation long term.

What Has Gone Wrong?
• Terrible ‘Packaging.’ Generally in the western world the church is more known for what we are against rather than whom we follow. People hear – “The church is against me not for me. They hate me not love me.
• Mission Creep. Consider the YMCA. Churches consistently move the target from the one Jesus set to somewhere they are hitting. If you are not accomplishing the goal STOP. Ask yourself, staff and church: “Why are we doing this? Is it working?

Mission Creep : Five Subtle Shifts:• From Discipleship to Decisions. Discipleship is not an extra credit add on. Consider the rich young ruler. For Jesus ‘eternal life’ was obtained by deciding to giving up running this life our way and following Him.
• From Obedience to Doctrine. We’ve sifted from obediently ‘following Jesus’ to maturity is a ‘self feeding’ knowledge accumulator. What about if you can’t read? What about life change?
• From Persuasion to Warfare. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 and Daniel. Instead of resentfully attacking those whom the evil one is leading against us we must humble ourselves under God and seek to kindly win them over. God’s way is to win over not wipe them out. “Those Blues are amazing…”
• From Relationship to Attendance. Focus on sticky relationships with Jesus and others.
• From Jesus to Justice. Remember you can give Justice without Jesus but you can never give Jesus without also giving Justice.

THR3E Conference Event - Elevation Church - Session One

Today I had the privilege of attending the THR3E Conference Event put on by Pastor Steven Furtick and the Elevation staff. It was a great day of teaching, encouragement, insight and in Pastor Steven's own words 'impartation.' Here's some of what was shared...

First Session - Casting Vision, Creating Culture.Three words Elevation is to be known for:
1. Audacity - it is a 'spirit', an attitude, not a set of actions. It takes audaciousness to start something from nothing but that is the essence of God present in our lives. He spoke into the nothing and created and now He speaks into and through us and makes that which was dead and 'not' alive and a new creation. Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no revelation (from God) the people cast off restraint." Audaciousness comes from knowing clearly what it is that God is calling you to do. Humble yourself. Pray, fast and be secure in who God is in YOU. Don't try to be everyone else.
2. Honor - Honor one another and especially the leadership God has placed over you. Do not entertain a divisive spirit for a second. Respect is earned, but honor is freely given by honorable men. Pastors should allow others to not only respect but honor them, for their sake. Pastors should also honor down. 1 Samuel 24; David honored Saul and didn't steal what God had promised.
3. Generosity - 101 is the tithe. Lead by example. If you want the congregation to bleed you and the leader must go first and haemorrage yourself. Have the courage and confidence to call your congregation to grow in the gift of generosity for where their treasure is there their hearts are also. God doesn't need their money, they need to grow in generosity. Consecrate yourself to the Lord and purge the fear, deny and break the power of the flesh. Pray, fast and challenge them to give in the Spirit of Jesus.

Shawn & Tricia Lovejoy on Church Planting @ Troygramling.com

Pastor Shawn and Tricia Lovejoy share with Pastors Troy Gramling and Heather Palacios (Flamingo Road Church) about their journey as church planters and pastors of a church planting church.

I love each one of these four people and what Jesus is doing in and through them in their communities.

Listen in CLICK Here.

Insights from Pastor Chris Mavity

Today I had the privilege of having lunch with Pastors Chris Mavity (North Coast Church), David Putman and Casey Graham.

One of the great insights that Chris shared with us was the principle of 'transitions'. He explained that if you do not clearly identify the times of transition and guide people through them you run the risk of confusing them, destabilising them and loosing them. Example : the transition from kids church to youth group. Solution : bring the litte kids in for visits to the youth group so the 'environment' is not a huge surprise and so they can meet the older kids etc. Do not just expect them to 'make' the transition.

Zero to Sixty Day Conference

Hey wanna give a BIG shout out to one of my Church Planting Coaches Bob Franquiz and his day conference "Zero to Sixty" to be held in Atlanta next Thursday. Bob will be sharing his leadership 'toolbox' and the "principles and practices that leaders of growing churches need to lead at the next level." If it's anything like the coaching network he leads it'll be an absolute great cracker!

Thursday, April 2, 2009
9:00AM - Noon

This seminar is hosted by:
Avalon Church
1467 HWY 20 West
Mcdonough, GA 30253

Here’s what you can expect to learn:
- How to communicate vision in a way that causes people to respond
- How to hire the right people and fire the wrong people
- How to gauge the health of your church
- Staffing strategies that add staff and reduce expenses
- How to maximize momentum for greater growth
- How to develop a system for raising up leaders
- How to develop yourself as a leader
- How to manage staff more effectively
- And much more!

To register click here.

Leading a movement

"Soldiers know it takes war to make a general." - source unknown.
My thoughts on this profound quote; It takes conflict and opposition to raise a true a leader. To lead any group of men well into harsh conditions it takes a man who :
* has been blooded by the battle himself and stood firm.
* has risen naturally into leadership & not by appointment or politics.
* has the trust, loyalty and confidence of the men who he leads.

"It had long been known that the Third Australian Brigade, consisting of Queenslanders, South Australians, Western Australians, and Tasmanians, had been chosen to make the landing...
During the whole of this trying time if one thing cheered the men more than another it was the behaviour of their officers. I saw one officer in charge of a machine gun who one knew for certain must be killed if the fight lasted...
Australia has lost many of her best officers in this way. The toll has been really heavy...
It would be absurd to pretend that the life of an officer like that one was wasted. No-one knows how long his example will live on amongst men. There were others, whom I will mention later on when the casualties have all reached Australia, who died fighting like tigers, some who fully knew they would die. One was sometimes inclined to think this sort of leading useless, but none who heard the men talking next day could doubt its value. "By God! Our officers were splendid," one Australian told me. Where I went I heard the same opinion expressed."
Charles Bean - The First Report (ANZAC landing)

Why plant another church in Brisbane Australia?

Surprisingly Christians often ask me this question. My answer:

The planting of a new 'church planting church' located in the Southern Inner City region of Brisbane, Australia is strategic for the following reasons;
1. The catchment area is populated by hundreds of thousands of unchurched people who need to be introduced to Christ and the life He offers.
2. Research shows that Brisbane is the fastest growing capital city of Australia and is strategically located in the heart of one of the fastest growing regions of the nation.
3. Research shows that the Australian Protestant church is not only in rapid decline but is also moving through a period of cultural transition.
4. Research overwhelmingly supports the effectiveness of church plants in evangelism, discipleship and gospel contextualization.

Church Plant Vision

Thanks to my friend Ps James Rodder I now have a great clip to help share the vision for a new church in Brisbane, Australia. See to the top right -->

Mark Driscoll - The Call to Endure

Some Notable Quotes.
"Though the Bible exhorts us to finish well, few men do so."
"Character begins to set early and over time will calcify, I urge you start well and heed the advice of your bride..."
"You need time with Jesus, time, solitude, listen. Without you will lack ability to repent, lead, speak, pray."
"To endure spiritually you will need to practice silence and solitude."
"Extrovert? Discipline yourself."
"Do not let Ministry become your idol because it's the one the church will let you get away with."
"Love Jesus - Dont use Him to get to your ministry ends."
"Churchplanters think we're invincible. You're not. You are a jar of clay. We think we're moved by the Holy Spirit when its stress."
"Fundamentalists tell me I shouldn't be drinking alcohol. Hey you shouldn't be drinking gravy. Gluttony is sin."
"If you're a pastor you don't have a pastor. The 'closest' thing to a pastor is your wife. Wives love, help & guard him."
"First priority is to love Jesus, second is love your wife, third love your chidren, fourth is being a pastor."
"Planters - You have a great battle plan to plant your church but no plan to love your family... Make sure your marriage is the priority."
"Your wife is not the churches helper. She is your helper. You need your wife more than you think. Presence, time, touch, emotionally... "
"If ALL you are into is NEW you will end up a heratic. God call us to contend & Contextualise."
"Manage your time & energy. Know who are. Planters get someone else to counsel."
"Preaching the gospel? There will be critics everywhere online permanent. Turn them into coaches. Never engage on their terms. In your anger do not sin. Avoid email."
"Know the size of your plate and fill it. Reverse engineer. First add on priorities. Don't pile. OR you will loose it. You won't see it."
"Ministry - Lots of Fans. Heaps of Foes. Not many friends."
"Don't try and find that ONE mentor. Instead Build a Bull Pen - Men who can help you in a 'situation'. Specialists who care."
"Those who do not endure are those that do not repent."
"Do not just preach the gospel. Practice it, use it, respond to Jesus. Grow. Repent well."

Acts 29 Seattle Boot Camp 2009

A Few Notable Quotes - Mark Driscoll
"Thinking of Planting? You will need three things : Money, People and Place."
"Some planters get a hurricane and others get a nice breeze to fly their kite, that’s just up to God."
"Think carefully when considering your calling and consider who your wife is, her gifting, personality. Is she a sticker or a mover? Backpack or Anchor?"
Russ McKendry
"I can best compare Relaunching a church to a bone marrow transplant."
Scott Thomas
"The only way we can make disciples of all nations is by being and remaining in the presence of Jesus."
"Most people can gather 50 goof ball Christians. Thats not planting, planting is gathering in the presence of Jesus."
Matt Chandler
"God is into contextualisation... He wrote the New Testament in Greek ;)"
"Want to preach? Why the eagerness for a stricter judgement? This is not a game..."
"Fulfill your ministry. You are not Mark Driscoll or anyone else... stupid."

Financing the Mission

One of the key things that I’ve learnt during the first seven months of my church planting residency with Churchplanters.com and Mountain Lake Church is: when it comes to planting a church it’s going to cost more money than you think. Ps David and Ps Shawn even go so far as identifying being able to “Finance the Mission” as one of five key factors of ‘successful planters.’ They put it like this: “The mission you write is the mission you underwrite.” Financing the mission is the lead planter/pastors job. It isn’t something you can ignore or delegate. Confront it, deal with it and get on with it. By the way Ps David Putman has put up a post today about this, check it out here.