What qualities do you think Jesus would look for in a gathering (church) to be able to call it ‘my church’ (Matt 16:18)? The Gospel writers only record Jesus using the word ‘church’ twice. Clearly, church does not exist for itself – but for God’s mission and to cultivate kingdom values. The Revive church plant… Continue reading
Innovation in the Open!
Monte Sahlin writes: ‘Michael Temple is a pastor in South Dakota. He recently obtained the use of a 3,400-square-foot commercial space in the shopping mall in town and is experimenting with various kinds of outreach. He started a blog where he tells you precisely what he is experimenting with and then gives you the raw… Continue reading
Articles by Vivienne Stacey
Vivienne Stacey is highly respected for her decades of ministry in Muslim communities – and her writing and teaching. Along with Dudley Woodberry and Chawkat Moucarry, Vivienne was one of our key guest presenters at a major ‘bridging’ conference on Christian Muslim Relations Conference that I coordinated in Paphos, Cyprus in 2003. You will find… Continue reading
The State of the American Church
Milton Adams, coordinator of Simple Churches for the Florida Adventist Conference, has shared with me some very significant research on The State of the American Church. It reveals some startling statistics on the inevitable decline of churches older than 40 years (unless in their 70s – or those local churches established for more than 200… Continue reading
Cottage Beck Café hosts ‘Street Pastors’
Street Pastors has united denominations in service in cities all across Britain and is doing the same in Scunthorpe (Lincolnshire). Many vicars, pastors, and ministers have shown interest in being involved. This Thursday evening (Jan 22) local Council officers, police representatives, magistrates, media, church leaders and members, local licensees and nightclub representatives, etc, will meet… Continue reading
Church Planting Teams Training 2009
FORGE and I will be offering training for church planting teams in Melbourne (Australia) this year. As well as training for Church Planting Interns there will be streamlined Church Planting Teams Training. Experienced church planters and movement leaders will share their experiences. The weekend of Church Planting Teams Training will hosted by a church plant… Continue reading
Christmas at the Barn!
On Christmas Day the Melton Adventist Church plant brightened the lives of 21 residents from their community who have been doing it tough – and made it one of the best Christmas days for the 15 helpers involved. “People came alone, but no one was lonely,” says Pam Paterson, one of organizers. “”Everyone was relaxed…. Continue reading
Simple Church Website
Check out www.simplechurchinfo.com for ideas on simple church – and there is also a page on small groups that is very helpful. While the material on simple church is designed specifically for Adventists, others will also find this an excellent resource.
Is it Church?
A good friend, Dave Lawton, is quietly cultivating a network of church plants in Melbourne. He writes: You have to check out a great ministry that the workers call 'HR' (House of Restoration). Although they are a charity, it sure looks like Church planting to me! Tommy (the founder) told me 'we don't want to… Continue reading
Bible Discussion = New Church!
The pastor of the Geelong Adventist Church (Australia), John O’Malley, is supporting members who are planting a new church in the suburb of Norlane. Just a month ago the core team of 10 began a simple Bible discussion, meeting in a Hungarian church hall on Saturdays from 2.30 to 4.00 pm. On their third weekend… Continue reading