SP State College and Discussion

SP State College

SP: State College

Update: They’ve had some setbacks.

Starting assimilating model: helping new pastors

A lead team is a group of pastors who agree to pray together.

Our lead team decided to take it as deep and radical as we could. We decided to help operate as one church and help other lead teams develop.

Critical Path:

1. Expand the Circle
1. Monthly luncheons
2. Expanding our lead team
3. Doing intentional work with core group
2. Increasing prayer
1. Quarterly 24/7 prayer
2. Scripture based prayer
3. House of prayer groups
3. Service
4. Ratifying the covenant and carrying it out.

It’s an encouraging thing to come and see that God is speaking similar things all around the world. But after 13 years, things are not happening like in the book of acts. Something is mission. How can we be a movement? With a movement you can preserve a sense of identity and still be a part of a movement. We are hoping the lead team will be a model.

Sam: If you want to create a centered set, you should write down as little as possible, but ask the question, “Do you care about what I care about?” In a city you could have multiple centered set. If you have more centered sets, you have more people involved in aggregate.

Dan: our goal is multiple centered sets. In Acts, the movement was internally motivated. We hope to found groups of people who internalize their concern for the city.

Eric: Many city reaching movements come and go. If you give churches multiple places to join in, there is a better chance of sustaining a movement. If you make it a singular, structured thing, it forces some in and some out. This becomes divisive.

Steve: Proper sequence can become divisive. It becomes a program that forces some in and some out. If you are aware of that you can help create flexibility about how things will work.

Eric: We’re not trying to create a permission granting organization either. If people want to help they don’t need to ask us first. We want to bless what Churches do.

Dan: The Jerusalem Council choice only 4 things to center around, the rest was left to each church to decide on their own.

Sam: also we are an invitation organization. Inviting people to join in.

Eric: We don’t think less of those who don’t participate because maybe they will join with us next year.

Chris: Who gives thought to what’s good for the city?

Eric: Servants are responders not initiators. Everything we’ve done has been in response to the needs of the city.

Chris: I’ve spent a long time thinking about how to solve the cities problems. One of the barriers has been churches jumping in rashly and then leaving. It hurts our credibility.

Andy: one of the solutions to this problem is partnerships that explores solutions to an issue over the long term. Sometimes a short term blitz can hinder a long term solution.

Dan: if you’re going to go forward in an organic movement, it will be messy. You’ll try things that will be unexpected successes, but you’ll also have messes as well. But an organism will be learning as it goes.

Chris: In southern cities there are already people working on many of these issues. Join with them; don’t feel like you have to replace them. If you do ignore them you might hinder what is already going on.

Axel: those ready to serve in an intentional way can build the credibility of the Christian community. Those who have served can have influence.

Chip: we must have the right attitude. We must go out as servants. Most compassion organizations are crying out for help. Few churches are externally focused.

Sam: People who are serving well become trusted interpreters or guides for what is happening in the city. They can help to smooth over mistakes and problems.

Steve: Churches are clumsy and can make mistakes. But a city wide servant team gives vision for where we are all going. Also connecting relationally with others in your community.

Andy: One thing you’ve said Steve is the church and the Para-church is meeting together. How can we honor all who are participating in this effort? NGO’s NPO’s and para-church.

Chip: Quick question for Dan. You mentioned that you don’t have a name?

Dan: we used to be structured and we incorporated and had a name. It had no life. We felt that God was calling us to unity between Charismatics, evangelicals and others. It broke down because it had no life.

Eric: A pastor has multiple messages for one audience. Movement leader has one message for one message for multiple audiences. You want to work with the willing, not spend time on the reluctant. Don’t take on the responsibility for every church in your city. Lead those who respond.