Celebrating 25 Years: A Vision for Church Planting

 

Summary

In reflecting on the 25-year journey of Acts 29, it's clear that God has done remarkable things through our network. As we celebrate this milestone, we also look forward to the next 25 years with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Our identity as a network is rooted in three core commitments: theological alignment, relational collaboration, and a focus on church planting. These elements have defined us and will continue to guide us as we seek to plant churches worldwide.

The landscape of church planting has shifted significantly over the past few decades. The assumptions and conditions that once fueled a church planting boom are no longer as reliable. This calls for a strategic, intentional, and proactive approach to raising up the next generation of church planters. We need a clear and consistent strategy that is adaptable to different cultural contexts while maintaining the unique identity of Acts 29.

To address these challenges, we have developed a church planting pipeline. This pipeline is designed to provide a structured and sequential approach to church planting, integrating various resources and training programs that have previously operated independently. The pipeline begins with the recruitment and identification of potential church planters, followed by comprehensive training through apprenticeships and residencies. This training is aimed at preparing individuals for assessment and ultimately for planting a church.

Assessment remains a crucial component of our process, ensuring that church planters are ready and equipped for the challenges ahead. Post-assessment, planters will enter into coaching and cohort phases, providing ongoing support and guidance as they work towards becoming self-funded, self-governed, and self-replicating churches. This holistic approach ensures that church planters are not only prepared to launch but are also supported throughout their journey.

Additionally, we are developing a resource suite to provide practical tools and partnerships that will aid church planters in their mission. This includes access to discounted services and resources that can significantly reduce the financial burden on new church plants.

Finally, we emphasize the importance of financial generosity within our network. The commitment to give 8% to church planting is a powerful tool that can ensure no church planter goes underfunded. By freely giving and supporting one another, we can create a thriving ecosystem of church planting that extends the reach of the gospel.

Key Takeaways:

- Theological Alignment and Relational Collaboration: Acts 29 is committed to maintaining its theological roots while fostering a collaborative environment for church planters. This dual focus ensures that we remain true to our beliefs while supporting one another in the mission of church planting. [01:23]

- Strategic and Intentional Church Planting: The changing landscape of church planting requires a clear and intentional strategy. We must proactively identify and train the next generation of church planters, ensuring they are equipped for the challenges ahead. [06:13]

- Comprehensive Training and Assessment: The church planting pipeline includes structured training through apprenticeships and residencies, preparing individuals for assessment and successful church planting. This approach ensures that planters are well-prepared and supported throughout their journey. [14:55]

- Ongoing Support Through Coaching and Cohorts: Post-assessment, church planters will receive ongoing support through coaching and cohort phases. This ensures they are not only ready to launch but are also equipped to become self-sustaining and replicating churches. [21:53]

- Generosity and Resource Sharing: The commitment to give 8% to church planting is crucial for the financial health of new church plants. By sharing resources and supporting one another, we can create a thriving network that extends the reach of the gospel. [28:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:23] - Acts 29's Core Identity
- [02:58] - Unique Aspects of Acts 29
- [04:46] - Shifts in Church Planting Landscape
- [06:13] - Need for Strategic Direction
- [08:08] - Importance of Guidance and Strategy
- [11:15] - Church Planting Pipeline Overview
- [12:46] - Identifying and Training Church Planters
- [14:55] - Apprenticeship and Residency Programs
- [16:23] - Training Modules and Core Competencies
- [19:34] - Seamless Assessment Process
- [21:53] - Coaching and Cohort Support
- [23:44] - Self-Governance and Replication
- [25:45] - Resource Suite and Partnerships
- [28:57] - Financial Generosity and Impact
- [30:48] - Global Implementation of the Pipeline

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Proverbs 11:14: "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."

Observation Questions:
1. What are the three core commitments that define the identity of Acts 29 as mentioned in the sermon? [01:23]
2. How has the landscape of church planting changed over the past few decades according to the sermon? [04:46]
3. What is the purpose of the church planting pipeline introduced by Acts 29? [08:08]
4. What role does financial generosity play in the Acts 29 network's strategy for church planting? [28:57]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Proverbs 11:14 relate to the need for a strategic plan in church planting as discussed in the sermon? [08:08]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that theological alignment and relational collaboration are crucial for the success of church planting? [01:23]
3. How might the concept of a church planting pipeline help address the challenges faced by new church planters? [12:46]
4. What are the potential benefits and challenges of the cohort system for supporting church planters post-assessment? [21:53]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the three core commitments of Acts 29. How can you personally contribute to theological alignment, relational collaboration, or church planting in your community? [01:23]
2. Considering the changes in the church planting landscape, what steps can you take to be more intentional and proactive in supporting new church planters? [06:13]
3. How can you or your church engage with the church planting pipeline to support potential church planters in your area? [12:46]
4. In what ways can you practice financial generosity to support church planting efforts, and how might this impact your local church community? [28:57]
5. Think about a time when you felt unsupported in a new venture. How can the coaching and cohort system described in the sermon provide the support you needed? [21:53]
6. How can you encourage your church to utilize the resource suite mentioned in the sermon to aid in church planting efforts? [25:45]
7. What specific actions can you take to ensure that your church's commitment to giving 8% to church planting is fulfilled and impactful? [28:57]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

Day 1: Theological Alignment and Relational Collaboration
Acts 29 is committed to maintaining its theological roots while fostering a collaborative environment for church planters. This dual focus ensures that the network remains true to its beliefs while supporting one another in the mission of church planting. Theological alignment provides a solid foundation, ensuring that all efforts are grounded in shared beliefs and values. Relational collaboration, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of working together, sharing resources, and learning from one another. This combination of alignment and collaboration creates a strong, unified network that is well-equipped to face the challenges of church planting. [01:23]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to fostering a spirit of collaboration and unity within your church community this week?


Day 2: Strategic and Intentional Church Planting
The changing landscape of church planting requires a clear and intentional strategy. Acts 29 recognizes that the assumptions and conditions that once fueled a church planting boom are no longer as reliable. Therefore, there is a need to proactively identify and train the next generation of church planters, ensuring they are equipped for the challenges ahead. This involves developing a strategy that is adaptable to different cultural contexts while maintaining the unique identity of Acts 29. By being strategic and intentional, the network can effectively navigate the complexities of modern church planting. [06:13]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your personal goals with God's strategic plan for your life?


Day 3: Comprehensive Training and Assessment
The church planting pipeline includes structured training through apprenticeships and residencies, preparing individuals for assessment and successful church planting. This approach ensures that planters are well-prepared and supported throughout their journey. The training is comprehensive, covering various aspects of church planting, and is designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge. Assessment remains a crucial component, ensuring that church planters are ready and equipped for the challenges ahead. This structured approach provides a clear pathway for those called to plant churches, offering them the support and resources they need to succeed. [14:55]

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek further training or mentorship to better serve in your current role or calling?


Day 4: Ongoing Support Through Coaching and Cohorts
Post-assessment, church planters will receive ongoing support through coaching and cohort phases. This ensures they are not only ready to launch but are also equipped to become self-sustaining and replicating churches. The coaching and cohort model provides a community of support, offering guidance, encouragement, and accountability. This ongoing support is crucial for the long-term success of church planters, helping them navigate the challenges of leading a new church. By investing in coaching and cohorts, Acts 29 ensures that church planters are not alone in their journey but are part of a supportive network. [21:53]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to for support and encouragement in your spiritual journey, and how can you offer the same to others?


Day 5: Generosity and Resource Sharing
The commitment to give 8% to church planting is crucial for the financial health of new church plants. By sharing resources and supporting one another, Acts 29 creates a thriving network that extends the reach of the gospel. Financial generosity is a powerful tool that ensures no church planter goes underfunded. This spirit of generosity reflects the biblical principle of giving and supporting one another in the mission of spreading the gospel. By freely giving and sharing resources, the network can create a sustainable ecosystem of church planting that impacts communities worldwide. [28:57]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice generosity in your own life today, and what resources can you share to support the mission of your church or community?

Quotes

"And so it gave us a chance to kind of stop, pause, look back, and celebrate all that God has done over the last 25 years. And by God's grace, man, God has done some really amazing things over the last 25 years that are worth celebrating. And to look back and say, okay, just because God has done something really remarkable among us over the last 25 years, where are we going for the next 25 years?" [00:00:37]

"That we have always been theologically aligned as a network. And that's really important that we are orthodox in our faith, evangelical, reformed. That's the way we've always been. That's the way we are. We're not departing from that. And so we're theologically aligned. We relationally collaborate. That we got into this not to go and plant churches as lone rangers." [00:01:51]

"We got in this because we knew we needed some people to come alongside of us. And you'll often hear church planters say that church planning can be some of the loneliest times in their lives, or it can be some of the hardest times to be doing something and pioneering something and feeling something. And feel like it's alone, but we felt like it didn't have to be that way." [00:02:18]

"And you're seeing it all over the place. Some of the things that we could have assumed in years in the past, you know, people being raised up, where they're coming from, how churches are planting, the economics, all of those sorts of things, all that ground seems to have shifted over the last handful of years. And because of that, we said, here's what we need as a network." [00:05:13]

"We need a clear, intentional, proactive, consistent strategy and direction for church planting. That we need something that's clear, meaning that's something that's, understandable, right? That we can all kind of wrap our head around. We don't need an overly complicated, overly engineered direction and system and strategy for church planting, but we need something to be clear so that we all can understand where we're going in this thing." [00:05:39]

"And then the last thing is we want it to be able to be contextualizable if that's even a word I don't even know if that's a word but we'll run with it that that we wanted it to be uniquely Acts 29 and we wanted it that wherever you went in the world it would feel like Acts 29 but we also wanted something that had some flexibility to say hey if you're in East Africa if you're in Indonesia if you're in North America the the strategy is basically the same but you can tweak it and turn it so that it fits the context that you're in." [00:08:08]

"And so what we wanted to do is to say, hey, we're not saying this is the perfect strategy or the perfect plan. But here is a plan that we are going to run on that we've thought through and where we can give guidance to that hopefully our churches in the network and church planters can thrive on, that it's trellis on which the vine can grow." [00:10:17]

"And so we kind of said, hey, there's about a six year window where we wanna, how do you take somebody who raises their hand and says, hey, I think I'm interested in church planting. Or if you identify somebody and maybe they don't even raise your hand, but you go, I see it in them. How do you take that person and then fast forward about six years later and a church has been planted and that church is self-funded, self-governed, and has the ability to be self-replicating, meaning they have the ability to get into the church planting game." [00:11:28]

"And so I think we are heading in the same direction where we need to. back our training up. And we're going to train in two ways. We're going to train people so that when they go to assessment, they're ready to go to assessment. So, you know, teach to the test. We're going to unapologetically teach to the test. We're going to train people so that when they show up to assessment, they're prepared to be there." [00:14:31]

"And a lot of the pieces that are in the residency will, if you kind of think of it, like the, you know, the, you know, the, you know, the, you know, the, you know, like a year zero, it will help church planners be set up in order to then go and start to form their core groups and their launch team and do the work on the ground. So we'll help, help them form their, you know, church incorporation and get bank accounts and set up websites and do mission, vision, values, bylaws, all those sorts of things, all the kind of behind the scenes groundwork, along with all of the training." [00:18:39]

"And so those two things are predominantly what that first cohort is, and it lasts about two years. The next cohort you'll see at the very end in the light blue, that cohort, we don't really have a good name for it. Finishing cohort kind of sounds like finishing school and manners. I don't think it's really a good name, but you know what I'm talking about here. Right. The goal of that cohort is to help you become self-funded, self-governed, and the ability to be self-replicating." [00:23:08]

"And so at that point, our hope and our goal is that they would kind of graduate out of church planting. And they would just be a really, healthy, young church. And so Acts 29, there's the church planting division, and then there's the churches division. Justin Anderson is leading that area. And so my goal and our commitment together is that we would raise up these church planters and then graduate them kind of into the churches division. And then they would start it all over with people that they identify." [00:26:33]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?