Yearly Meeting, 2011

I'm hoping we come away from Yearly Meeting, 2011 with some fresh vision for planting churches. It seems like the more I have conversations about 10by2020, the more I am aware of the possibilities all around us for planting churches. I keep running into people who are like-minded and always seem to wonder if these are people whom God has purposely put in my path for the sake of planting churches. Perhaps you've found the same to be true.

I think God is still making us aware of the need and directing us to His methods. I think he is still giving us vision and building a district with united hearts. I think he is preparing us for a fresh move of His Spirit. I feel like we are sitting in a raft, on a rocky creek, waiting for the waters to rise. My hope for the rising water is very, very real.

Keep on praying

Please continue to pray for the vision to plant churches in and around Central Ohio. Pray that God will raise up leaders and that he will cultivate a soil within our churches that is ripe for planting churches.

"Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God."

-Hebrews 6:7

I trust that you and your church are experiencing the rain of God.

I pray that your soil is such that you are able to soak in the rain.

I pray that the crop is plentiful.

I pray that out of the bounty of your crop you are able to plant new fields.

10by2020 is something beyond our ability to achieve. I believe, though, that it is God's desire for us to partner with Him in this endeavor and that the blessing of reproduction will be worth the labor.

Campfire

I built a fire last night in the backyard and sat by it alone, thinking. I enjoy these moments. They give me a chance to process my day, enjoy life in the moment, and dream about the future. As I was sitting next to the fire, I was paying close attention to the way the logs would catch fire. If the logs were too close together, the flames would die down because of a lack of oxygen and an inability to experience the world with a little independence. If they were too spread out, the flames would be extinguished from lack of mutual encouragement with the other logs. It was as though the logs needed each other to stay warm but they needed enough room and space for the oxygen to bring fresh fire.

I think there is a lesson we can learn from the campfire in regards to Christian community. We dare not spread too far apart from one another lest we lose the heat of a friend when we need it most. However, we dare not keep each other so close in our control, in our power, that we deny the Holy Spirit room to ignite life into the hearts of those that are ready to burn in ways we do not yet understand.

Is there anyone in your life that you are holding too closely? Anyone that you may need to let loose of just a little so that they can experience the fire of God a little more? Is there anyone in your church that may be extinguished if they are not given the room to be a part of a fresh move of the Holy Spirit, somewhat independently of you?

Planting churches often means, unselfishly, letting go of people so they can be used by God in ways that may not seem to directly benefit us. However, I noticed during my campfire last night that every time a log was given the chance to experience the fire in a new way, it always seemed to ignite the log that was originally holding it too close.

Pastors Gathering in North Carolina

April 20-23 the Pastors of the EFC-ER will gather together for the annual Spring Pastors conference. The Guest Speaker will be Tim Gates with New Church Specialties. This is highly significant because it is going to be another opportunity for our movements leaders to think on church renewal and church planting! A few of the pastors from Central Ohio will be attending and we are hopeful that this will add fuel to our fire to see new churches started in Central Ohio over the next several years.
Pray for this opportunity and check out New Church Specialties at http://newchurchspecialties.org/
Keep Praying for seeds to be planted and growth to occur.
Pastor David @ Orange Friends Church
http://www.orangefriendschurch.org/

Q&A with Brenda from Friends Worship Center

Questions:  1) will the yearly meeting office provide financial assistance to get things like, but not limited to, demographic studies 

2) will a "point person" be designated at the yearly meeting office to consult and troubleshoot around issues such as implementation strategies for developing the vision.  Essentially, I think it is important to establish early on is this a totally "grass roots"  effort on the part of the regional pastors and their respective church congregations or will the greater organization of EFC-ER  be  equal partners in this endeavor. If not equal partners what will the organization EFC-ER  commit in terms of "buy in" and resources?  If EFC-ER is not in a position to provide assistance, and that could well be the case,  those who choose to be part of this endeavor will have a much better idea of what they will need to accomplish.    It is the difference between setting a house on a pre-made foundation and having to dig the foundation yourself.  I believe it is crucial to ask and answer these questions early in the process to avoid unfulfilled expectations, disappointment,  and, even feelings of abandonment.  I think if everyone knows the "ground rules" going in it will avoid potential pitfalls for the future. 

Response:  YM is behind us.  We are partners in the matter.  We are still at the beginning stages and so specific assistance has not yet been discussed.  Our plan for now is to ask the seven churches to budget some money to give toward the effort.  We will use this money to get things going.  We want 10 by 2020 to be closely connected with YM but are planning on taking the brunt of the expense ourselves right now to avoid unfulfilled expectations, as you've suggested.  The chain of command (so-to-speak) is that David Mabry is going to head up the campaign, Ron Ellyson is the district superintendent over the 7 CO churches, Dr. Wayne is our area superintendent, Dr. John is general superintendent. This campaign will also need to have close ties to EP&E.

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Questions:  Along those same lines has any thought been given to which  a model may be best for church planting in this area given our resources and circumstances?  I'm sure as professional pastors all of you are much more versed than most of us  regarding the various models out there. Has one been discussed ?  What are the advantages/disadvantages over other possible models ? 

Response:  Great question!  A lot of thought has been given to this.  Would like to answer this question at a later time, though.

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Questions:  While prayer and financial support are generally key ways the laity is asked to assist is there other possible roles for laity ? 

    Finally, has any thought been given to assembling a focus group of laity to get some ideas as to how they view the vision and, more importantly, their thoughts on how they can best contribute to the vision.  

Response:  Another great question.  There is a lot of wisdom in this.  This question has led us to form a 10 by 2020 committee formed by a few of our pastors as well as a layperson-representative from each of the seven churches.  We'd like to have this group in place by January, 2010.  

10 by 2020 promo video

Taste of Missions

Taste of Missions is an event happening on Sunday Oct. 11 from 5:30pm – 8:00pm.  This is a district event being held at Orange Friends Church.  The evening will be a family filled time with a missions fair, food, children’s activity and program featuring guest speakers Dave and Cindy Aufrance.  This will also be the evening that we launch the "10 by 2020" campaign.  Please plan to attend this exciting night!