This could get interesting!
My pastor, Earl Marshall, wrote some good stuff on his blog today -
It seems that church planting is a hot topic these days. There is ongoing discussion as to whether or not we need more churches (which may be a statement based on form rather than function). There can be no doubt, however, that we need more churches that are making a difference. I see making a difference revolving around gospel ministry.
In the 2 1/2 years I have worked for Earl, I have learned one thing* – Earl is very intentional with his communication. If Earl tells you something, it’s because Earl wants you to learn something :) He has done this in subtle and not-so-subtle ways in our time together! I’m glad it didn’t take me long to learn this about Earl because I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer and sometimes I need things spelled out for me very c-l-e-a-r-l-y! Ha.
Anyways. I’m not sure how many folks from our congregation actually read Earl’s blog (we don’t promote blogs or drive people there for content very often) but if they understand his philosophy of communication and what he is saying in that post I’m sure that we are in for some very interesting discussions in the coming days.
So here is my question:
100 new Canadian churches making a difference, who’s in?
P.S. The book he’s referring to is written by Bob Robert of Northwood Church, home of the one and only Jordan at WorshipTrench.com – if you haven’t checked out his site you really need to.
*I’ve actually learned lots of things in my time working with Earl but this is the one thing that is relevant to this discussion :)
Your pastor lists five criteria for the kind of church(es) he is looking to see make a difference. I immediately think of places that excel in some of the individual categories, more than any one that might get high marks in all five.
If you want to see community connection, check out something simply called Next in Kingston, Ontario. (Then again, don’t. You may not ‘get’ this church until you ‘get’ their community involvement and participation. And don’t arrive on time. That would be uncool in this environment.)
If you want to see solid teaching check out John Thompson at Carruther’s Creek in Ajax, Ontario (Good stuff available for listening online; messages that cut to the chase without filler or bad jokes.)
If you want to see a church really trying to work out spiritual formation through a variety of programs, check out Forest Brook Community Church in Pickering, Ontario. (With Brethren roots, the plurality of leadership guarantees a certain variety and quality of teaching and overall leadership. Busy place. Good busy.)
If you want to see focus, check out The Meeting House in various Ontario cities. (It’s big; some people fall through the cracks; not everyone’s ‘cup of tea;’ and no church is perfect; but there’s definite intentionality about reaching the un-churched without ‘dumbing down’ the teaching.)
Those are just a few that we’ve visited and look forward to visiting again. And there are many more in other pockets of Ontario and other provinces I’ll never see or even hear about.
Not sure what you mean by “new,” though; each one I’ve mentioned has experienced some kind of metamorphosis in the last few years; changes in staff; moves; birthing of a daughter church; rapid expansion. New; rebirthed; revivied; rekindled; …what matters is “fresh.”
There’s a lot of really boring, not-too-innovative churches in Canada, but there’s also a lot of exciting ones — some of which are very, very small and doing some unique and unusual things in their ‘small corner.’ — that we need to celebrate. The others might just find it ‘catching.’ Hopefully.
my husband just finished a church-planting class at seminary – very interesting topics/discussions/thoughts.
one thing is for sure, if we don’t go into planting, we’ll probably go into reforming.