Church Planting Update

I have been talking about church planting on this blog since it started over a year ago now.  But what you ask have I done.  Besides talk, write and read – frustratingly nothing.  Now part of that has been God working to slow me down, clarify my thinking and ensure Jo and I are together committed and passionate about where and what we are hoping and dreaming about.

But over the last few months it feels as though, some things are slowly (God is frustrating me no end in order to teach me whose mission this is!!!) becoming clearer.  There is no clear plan or definite steps but it does feel like there is a trajectory that is beginning to lead somewhere.  So Jo and I are attempting to align ourselves with this trajectory as much as possible and see where God is taking us.

1. We are convinced (as much as that is possible) that God is calling us to stay and get stuck in here in Cape Town.  There are real issues, real problems that need to be addressed, thought through and new ideas implemented.  I am a born and bred Capetonian.  I love the city, I love the people.  I know the city, I know the people.  And in a divided city I seem to move easily between the different races.

2. One of our biggest values is that we want to plant a multi-cultural church, that truely represents the people/cultures/income levels of Cape Town (and South Africa).  In order to do this in Cape Town it limits you to a number of key areas basically all around the City Bowl area – from Sea Point to Observatory.

3. In this light we have started linking up with a new church plant – Point Community Church, who are looking to plant a network of churches in the City Bowl area.  We have joined one of their gospel communities and are busy getting to know each other and seeing where God is taking things.

4. What is crucial to our going forward at the moment is that we need to move into the area.  This has some serious challenges for us and is probably the biggest thing stopping our forward movement at the moment.

5. A big positive about moving closer is that it will both enhance my current ministry – as it would be a lot closer to campus.  And it would enable me to continue being involved on campus (this is a good thing!) even as we consider establishing a new church plant/gospel community.

6. We have a clear idea of the model we are hoping to adopt.  A network of smaller communities (with or without a formal Sunday gathering) – communities of light scattered throughout the community – more like The Crowded House model.  Rather than a mega-church lighthouse model – e.g. Mars Hill or Willow Creek.

7. This is one of the reasons I am so excited that God has so graciously provided for me to go visit The Crowded House in July this year.  All my flights have been paid for, as well as part of my visa fees and the guys in Sheffield are taking care of accommodation and food.

8. The other huge question of course is that if we are going to plant a new gospel community somewhere, Who are we doing it with?  That is part of our reason for beginning to connect with Point Community Church, but we are also trying to share the dream with others and hoping that God will stir their hearts to walk this journey with us.

Hope to have more forward movement to share soon.

~ by John on May 26, 2009.