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Restore Austin and the Caring Family Network
Restore Austin has a blog post about their partnership with the Caring Family Network. Set aside a few minutes to read and reflect … and see why orphan care is a beautiful opportunity mission and gospel demonstration in Central Texas.
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Reflections: May Meeting
Our May PlantR gathering was marked by a sense of possibility and a desire for collaboration unlike we have seen before. After the meeting, Blake McDaniel, US Central Region Director for ACMC, commented to Jonathan: “I love what is happening in this network. God has put some special men in this room. I’d love to see a PlantR in every major city in the U.S.” And that is happening: PlantR has been reproduced in the Brazos Valley and in Houston, and more are developing. And while we’re excited to see what is shaping up elsewhere, we have a growing sense of anticipation for how the PlantR network might grow to a church planting movement in Austin.
We began by reviewing some of the key data that came out of the demographic study commissioned by ABBA. There was a general consensus that most of us weren’t surprised by the data. While many in Austin might name themselves Christian by religion, that isn’t consistent with a much smaller number who would say they have faith in Jesus. And a few of the anecdotal examples that were shared line up with that.
One metaphor that Ed Stetzer shared in the presentation the data rings true. Austin, as a whole, has just enough exposure to the Christian message to be inoculated. Many have experienced church first or second hand — just enough to feel that they understand what Christianity is. But those understandings, more often than not, fall short of a holistic gospel and the giving of one’s self to be a disciple entering into a life more abundant.
As PlantR seeks to be a church planting movement, there is, of course, a desire to help see more and more church planted in and around Austin. But another emphasis emerged as well yesterday. How do we do all that we can to help the churches that are already going survive and thrive? How can we partner with each other and established churches and organizations to this effect?
As we brainstormed those questions, these were the thoughts about how we can partner with each other to help existing churches build a sustained movement:
- Be a truly collaborative network of planters
- Encouragement for each other
- Helping to equip each other and other leaders
- Constructive criticism of our models and character
- Being financially wise
- Train missionaries to Austin
- Coaching
- Share and identify with more stories of local planters
- Identifying and strengthening our theological calling
- Soul care for planters
Let’s carry this discussion on in the comments. How have you seen the above list working itself out already? How, as a network of co-laborers, can we develop and provide these things to each other?
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Learn from Rwandan Pastor Charles Buregeya this Monday
From Zac Allen:
I met Pastor Charles Buregeya in January when I went on a Vision Trip to Rwanda. Charles pastors a church as well as leads an NGO called Africa New Life Ministries consisting of Orphan Care, Church Planting, and Theological Training. Charles is one of those rare visionary leaders who is playing an integral role laying gospel foundations in a rebuilding country. Charles will be in town this coming week (preaching @ our church this Sunday) and I hope you can clear 12-130 this Monday and worship to hear about the gospel in Rwanda.
Monday, April 12, 12-130 PM @ Austin Bible offices
Lunch is provided. You are welcome to bring other staff or key leaders. We just need a head count for food.
Please leave a comment below to RSVP.
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A Muslim World Connection
Do you work in, have skills in, or interested in serving in the fields of…
Healthcare?
Business?
Sports?
Education?
College Ministry?
Orphan care?At this Austin Stone 100 People Network Event: A Muslim World Connection, you will hear stories of how God uses people in these fields of work to impact Muslim peoples for Christ! You will have the incredible opportunity to connect with ministries to specific Muslim people groups from all over the world that need people in these fields of work to join them!
You will also hear from Carl Medearis, an international expert in Muslim-Christian relations and author of Muslims, Christians, and Jesus as well as Tea With Hezbollah (with Ted Dekker). Carl has had an incredible ministry in the realm of politics and development among Muslims. He will speak on what God is doing in the Muslim world.
REGISTER HERE.
Dates: Friday, Apr 30: 6:30 PM – 9:30PM
Saturday, May 1: 8:00AM- 5:00 PMLocation: Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church (Google Map Directions)
Registration Cost: $30 per person
WHO SHOULD COME?
You should come to this event if you fit any of the following descriptions:
- You feel God may be calling you (and your family) to GO to the nations to serve
- You feel God may be calling you to increase your role as a SENDER of others to the nations.
- You are looking for opportunities to GET PLUGGED IN with God’s work in the Muslim world
- You have SKILLS (e.g., in sports, business, education, etc.) that you want to use for God’s glory, but you are not yet sure how to go about that
- You are interested in LEARNING MORE about the Muslim world.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS EVENT?
We are aiming for 2 specific objectives for this event:
- For every participant to learn about the Muslim world, specifically at least one unengaged Muslim people group.
- To provide every participant a relevant opportunity to connect either as a GOER or SENDER with a ministry that is working in the Muslim world.
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Detailed overview of what God is doing in the Muslim world.
3 presentations by Carl Medearis, an international expert in Muslim-Christian relations and author of Muslims, Christians, and Jesus as well as Tea With Hezbollah (with Ted Dekker)
Extensive time to connect with ministries working in the Muslim world. These include ministries working in orphan care, education, sports, business, and healthcare!REGISTER HERE!
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Spring Church Planting Essentials Training Kick-off April 12
Join the conversation about the Art and Science of Planting a Missional, Gospel Centered Church at the Church Plant Training Center at Hill Country Bible Church, starting Monday, April 12, 2010.
Engage a host of subject matter experts including Tim Hawks, Brandon Hatmaker, John Herrington, John Reeves, and many thriving current planters for an eight-session training course– mondays from 9-3:30– designed to help you plant a high-impact, missional church.
Hill Country’s association has planted 19 churches (currently three planters in training) in greater Austin and has partnered with many others who are part of a like-minded, gospel-centered movement that has a sense of owning responsibility for the redemption and restoration of the whole city.
Their goal is to see one hundred churches planted in greater Austin by 2014, and they know they cannot do it alone. Last fall eighteen different planters from twelve denominations attended this instructive nuts and bolts learning opportunity.
Whether you are just getting started, or just want a refresher, Church Planting Essentials training will help you and your team …
- Think through the larger questions before you start
- Develop a network of fellow church planters in the city
- Exegete your community
- Learn how to enlist a team
- Think through your vision
- Develop greater self-awareness
- Refine your strategy
- Contextualize your evangelism
- Learn how to put together a tactical ministry plan
- Craft a realistic budget
- Develop an effective communication plan
RSVP via email to lcarlson@hcbc.com. Or for more information, call John Herrington at 512-331-5050.