Kenneth Olson.org

Church Planting Movement

I'm in Orlando, FL attending the Exponential Conference this week. It draws people from all over the nation who are passionate about planting churches. Over the past few years this conference has been a catalyst for church planting which has become a serious and bonifide movement crossing into every area the of the church in America.

Without a doubt it's timely and of God. I recently heard about a study that showed 60% of the American population is currently unreachable by the church. 

Surprising for sure, but one thing is true, America is ripe for a spiritual awakening, for new, innovative and impacting presentations of the Gospel that reach into every arena of our culture.

It's evident God is getting our attention and calling people everywhere to get on mission. To impact our generation for Jesus. A generation that is not only growing, but dynamic and diverse requiring us to be light on our feet, spirit-led and fully engaged.

Good To Be Home

Ahh, home at last after a jam packed week at exponential - I'm definitely in information overload!

Anyway, here's a few main points from Rick Warren's talk during the last conference session. His message to church planters and pastors was aimed toward building reproducing churches.

1. Never stop growing personally

The vision of the church will never go beyond the vision of the pastor

2. You must pay attention to your family

Build your family before you build the church

3. Develop a kingdom mindset

The kingdom of God is wherever Jesus is king

4. Focus on building people not the church

A great commitment to the great commission and great commandment will grow a great church

A Challenge To The Church

This morning Alan Hirsh gave a truly thought provoking and challenging talk at Exponential '08. He outlined four areas the church must recover if it's to survive and flourish in western culture including America.

1. We must recover the centrality of Jesus in His own movement

We've lost the conscience and potency of Jesus

We must always recalibrate back to Jesus, our authenticity is rooted in it.

2. We must recover discipleship as a core task

Movements only grow in proportion to their ability to make disciples

God has made us in His image, and we're to return the favor - Voltaire

3. We must recover the ethos and structure of apostolic movements

Movements mobilize the people of God

Movements are reproducing and reproduce-able

Every believer a church planter, every church a church planting church - Chinese Underground Church

4. We must recover an incarnational and missional impulse