Developing a Greenhouse Atmosphere for a Church Planting Movement in Texas

A Missional Greenhouse?

Mark 4:26-29 A man scatters seed… the seed sprouts and grows…All by itself the soil produces grain… all by itself? …in Greek… automate - literally - automatically - performed by God Himself!

A Missional Greenhouse? 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe--as the Lord has assigned to each his task. {6} I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

A Missional Greenhouse? 1 Corinthians 3:7-8 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. {8} The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

A Missional Greenhouse? Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

A Missional Greenhouse? Acts 16:5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 2 Corinthians 10:15-16 …Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, {16} so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.

A Missional Greenhouse? God is growing His Kingdom of Grace God's plan is for reproduction of believers, groups, churches, networks and movements We can plant, water, remove obstacles and fertilize, but God brings about the growth by the power of the Holy Spirit

Greenhouse

A Missional Greenhouse atmosphere can be an environment where a movement of growth and reproduction are anticipated and nurtured

A Missional Greenhouse? The Principle of Mission Reproduction 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Paul Timothy Reliable Men Others

Church Planting Movement Movements are not: safe (the Gospel is dangerous!) predictable neat about your needs, wants or even ministry but about Christ's Kingdom top down management decisions

Church Planting Movement Movements are: started by some who asks a big "what if?" question (Martin Luther: What if we could get the Bible into language and hands of every person?) Organic - growing from discipling and church planting

Church Planting Movement Movements start when the Holy Spirit leads people to mature discipleship 1.Believing the Gospel enough to benefit from it 2.Believing the Gospel enough to contribute comfortably 3.Believing the Gospel enough to give our lives to it.

Church Planting Movement A Church Planting Movement creates lift for all churches

Church Planting Movement A Church Planting Movement creates lift for all churches

Church Planting Movement A Church Planting Movement creates draft for all churches

Drafting, occurs when a second car tucks closely behind the first, filling part of the vacuum. The car in front loses some of the drag at its rear. The second car still has a vacuum at its rear, but now has less air resistance in front. As a result, both cars quicken a bit — the two combined speed a few miles per hour faster than either can alone. That can happen in a Church Planting Movement!

Source: “Church Planting and Survivability”, Ed Stetzer, Center for Missional Research. A Bonus for a Church Planting Movement meets with a group of church planting peersThe church planter who meets with a group of church planting peers at least monthly increases the odds of survivability by 135 percent. Source: “Church Planting and Survivability”, Ed Stetzer, Center for Missional Research.

The American Church Research Project In 1990, 52 million people attended a Christian church each weekend.

The American Church Research Project By 2006, however, 52 million people still attended a Christian church each weekend.

The American Church Research Project Meanwhile, by million more people were living in the United States.

The American Church Research Project Slightly more Churches Start each Year than Close, but not Enough to Keep up with Population Growth.

The American Church Research Project This is the Future Trajectory of the American Church if nothing changes. 20.4% 19.5% 18.7% 17.5% 16.5% 15.5% 14.7% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% Percentage of Population Attending a Christian Church each Weekend

The American Church Research Project Dallas/Ft. Worth Metro Area 2000 Percentage of the Population Attending a Christian Church on Any Given Weekend

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, {4} who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.1 Timothy 2:3-4 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, {4} who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. The Mission of God

Romans 10:12-14 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." {14} How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? The Mission of God

The Movement of God's Mission of God lived out in Acts Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Can we Be Intentional about Creating a Missional Greenhouse Atmosphere for a Church Planting Movement? 2 Corinthians 10: Corinthians 10:15-16 …Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, {16} so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you…

Why Church Planting? Churches over 15 years old – it takes 67 Christians to bring in a new ChristianChurches over 15 years old – it takes 67 Christians to bring in a new Christian Churches 3-15 years old – Ratio is 20:1Churches 3-15 years old – Ratio is 20:1 Churches 0-3 years old – Ratio is 10:1Churches 0-3 years old – Ratio is 10:1 New churches have 3-4 times the number of conversion as do established churchesNew churches have 3-4 times the number of conversion as do established churches Leadership Network 2009

A North Texas Missional Greenhouse