After the Verge Conference, Alan Hirsch made this statement, “Something special is happening in Austin. We’re not seeing this kind of partnership and momentum in other cities.” For a non-local person of this caliber to make such a statement is very significant. Austin Bridge Builders Alliance, ABBA, has played a huge part in those partnerships and momentum, and every church planter should get to know ABBA. Zac Allen describes ABBA as “my honey hole for learning Austin culture and networking in the city”.
In our February meeting, we will be joined by Bob Sleet, Ashton Cumberbatch, and David Dalgleish. Come listen, learn, and contribute as we seek to better leverage this partnership for the social and spiritual renewal of Austin. Thursday, Feb 25th, 10-1130 AM, Austin Baptist Association building.
We have heard it said, that as followers of Christ, we should pursue adoption the way that Christ pursued us! We do, however, know that not everyone is called to adopt, but there are several ways you can be involved in the lives of neglected children. So, Austin New Church and Restore Austin are teaming up with Caring Family Network to host the required classes for Foster Care, Foster-to-Adopt, and Respite Care. If this is something that you or anyone in your church is interested in, please download the attached applications and send them to Sarah Mercado via fax at 512.719.4073 or email at smercado@cfntexas.com or bring them with you to the opening class. The first class will be at Austin New Church (11530 Manchaca Road, 78748) on February 24th at 6:00pm. At this class you will receive the schedule for the remaining classes necessary to be completely certified as a foster parent, adoptive parent, and/or respite care provider.
Documents: Screening Packet | Budget From | Application | Background Check | Schedule
Restore Austin – Volunteer Project Leader Training, presented by Hands On Central Texas & United Way Capital Area in collaboration with Restore Austin, is a free training program that equips volunteers on how they can become leaders & advocates in their communities, address critical social issues & develop the skills, knowledge and abilities to organize projects in their communities. Volunteer Project Leader Training is a 3-hour workshop that moves people from ideas into action and all participants are encouraged to lead 3 projects a year.
This event has been made available to church planters in Austin as well and is a great resource. If you’d like to attend, an RSVP is required, and space is limited. You can RSVP on the website.
I had the honor of debriefing one evening after The Verge Conference with Alan Hirsch (The Forgotten Ways), Neil Cole (Church 3.0), Lance Ford (Shapevine), and Matt Smay (Tangible Kingdom & Missio) in the lobby of the Aloft. And by debriefing… I mean sit quietly trying to absorb what they were saying. The discussion moved far beyond theory and best practices and quickly became an absorbing of sorts of what God was doing in our city.
In the words of Alan:
Something special is happening in Austin. We’re not seeing this kind of partnership and momentum in other cities.
He followed that up yesterday when he tweeted:
“I think Austin might just be the US city furtherest along the missional road.”
I instantly felt both thankful – and honestly -a bit burdened (in a good way). I was hit by the gravity and responsibility that comes with stewarding even a shred of God’s movement. And I was thankful that PlantR is neck deep in trying.
God help us.
It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a part of the mega or micro-church world. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re at an established church or a planting pastor with a dream. What matters is if you’re in this city and whether or not you’re for God’s Kingdom in this city.
We need to take a moment and acknowledge – with thanksgiving – what God is doing in Austin. To realize that what we’re experiencing is just a glimpse of what can happen. Recognize that there were men of God praying for His Kingdom in Austin way before we were even here. Prayerfully consider what we need to do to not get in the way. And do whatever it takes to be a part of advancing what He’s already doing.
I think John Herrington (Hill Country Bible Church) put it best in his recent post:
“It is time to coalesce the incredible talent I see in the pastors of Plantr and release it collectively into the city. The idea of tithing our time and talents beyond our own plant changes everything.”
Brandon Hatmaker – Austin New Church
web: www.AustinNewChurch.com
email: brandon@austinnewchurch.com
twitter: @brandonhatmaker
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Our January meeting will be an important one for PlantR — please do whatever you can to be there. Jonathan Dodson will reflect some on where we’ve been as a network, but more importantly, will share some of our hopes and dreams for where we are going.
We’ll gather next Thursday at 10am. Due to a conflict at the ABA, this month’s meeting has been moved to Hill Country Bible / UT at 405 W 22nd St. Parking is available one block west of the building for a reasonable fee, and can be reimbursed for those who need it.