Back in the loop
Hey guys!
I appologize for being out of the loop for so long. I am still finding it difficult to hit a rhythm in NZ, of working and then coming home and getting into church planting work. I am still learning how to juggle everything so that it all gets a fair share of my energies! I am also discovering that I am energized by being in a group--especially our group--and I am finding being apart from you guys difficult. I really look forward to having you guys here! I appreciate your patience and prayers!
You guys had some interesting discussions about target groups. I am in agreement with Nate in that it is important for us to have a target group. I don't know the preacher who suggested having no target, or his church, but I have a suspicion that his church attracts those that his team is best eppuipped to minister to anyway. For better or worse, it seems that churches attract people like themselves. So, if they have no target but just go about church in a manner comfortable for them, they will attract people who share their comforts and likes. Nothing really wrong with that. But if we want to attract people that are different from ourselves, then we will have to be intentional about doing it. Since we want to be attracting NZers--the biggest population group in NZ ;) --we will have to be intentional about making church comfortable for NZers. More specifically, we need to make church fit the needs of the community we are in. All without changing or damaging the gospel message. Does that make sense?
Speaking of communities, the census results for 2006 have just been published on the net, if I am not mistaken. I will be able now to get some up to date info on our target communities, and then send the links to you so that you can look them over.
Also, I was given a suggestion by Randall (and this is purely just dreamin at this stage) that when you guys arrive in NZ, we as a group might be able to take over the monthly youth service and turn it into a weekly young adult service--as part of Shore. Then, when we are ready to plant ourselves, we could either take some from that congregation, or not. But either way, it will be a good experience to work together as a team and also give some benefit to Shore. It also might avoid us "taking over" some people's positions. Having said that, this is something that has not been discussed with the youth minister, so it is purely a theoretical option. Just wondered what you thought about that.
God bless you guys, and thank you so much for your committment to my country. You guys inspire me!
posted by Hamish at 8:47 PM
3 Comments:
Good to hear from you, Hamish. We miss being around you guys as well. For me, getting over there can't come quick enough. I miss the synergy of our team togetherness. Hugs n' kisses!
Your comments on target groups make totally sense to me. I think we would all agree that community relevance coupled with biblical truth is what we're after.
I'm also excited about the idea you and Randall discussed. I think that would be just the right tempo to start out with as a team. Plus that might help us to prove ourselves to people who wonder about our age and inexperience not to mention the possibility of a spin-off church! I think it would be perfect! It sounds like the idea is that we would be taking the monthly young adult service, going weekly with it, and perhaps adding some other intentional outreaches/ministries for that age group. Right? This wouldn't step on any toes in the area of youth ministry since we would be focusing on college age and older, would it?
Also, should we still try to contact your friend Bill? If you want me to I will. Just send me a phone number or something. We miss you guys. Hang in there!
11:05 AM
I appreciate your thoughts, Nate. I don't know how many toes would be stepped on with this idea--it hasn't even been brought up wth the youth team yet. Randall was just throwing it out on the table. I am interested to hear what everyone else thinks.
As far as Bill is concerned, I think he would be a wealth of information, and would love to hear and maybe meet you guys. I think we came to a pretty good point of agreeing, however, that the team is a good fit as is, so I'm not sure we need to pursue him as a potential member. But as I said, he would be an excellent person to advise and help us. His email is bkersh@indiana.edu.
2:37 AM
Hey fellas, as I often say, I like where this is going. I like to work with youth. Also, when I was in New York we met with a new church plant in my home town. They were kinda an off shoot from another church a few miles away. They had started a youth/young adult service that really took off. They had about between 200-400 people and had a huge base to start the church with. It worked really well. I think this could be an awesome plan.
Hamish, I agree that it is good to hear from you. Have you checked out the new Skype?
9:58 AM
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