Reflections: May Meeting

May 28, 2010 | 2 Comments

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?

Categories: Events, Reflections, partnerships