A Hot Tub Conversation

Bill read a letter from Randall in the meeting today. It said that Shore loves the idea of partnering with SPCF to plant more churches, but there are some concerns about doing it right away with our team. He said that it was the view of the Shore eldership that they are not in a position to substantially partner with any team right now...perhaps in a few years. He also said that our team needs to gain some practical NZ ministry experience before launching (which we would all agree with and have said all along).

However, he also said that Shore is prepared to assist our entire team to work alongside Shore's ministry team "with a view to strengthening the health of Shore, not creating an autonomous group/church that would then become a daughter church plant. The role of the team while at Shore would be to invest in Shore itself, while at the same time preparing themselves for their own future plant. Provided that this team is open to gaining ministry experience within NZ, the leadership of Shore will explore a more formal partnership in the future."

He said they can't say when they will be ready to help plant a daughter church, but the time isn't now and that they would re-evaluate this option in 2 years. Randall wants to help us succeed in church planting...I really believe that. He and the Shore eldership recommended that Hamish "take the initiative in finding NZ ministry experience before he assumes the full leadership role of this church plant."
If by that Randall was saying that Hamish should find another NZ church in which to gain NZ ministry experience, some of the SPCF board members (and Joe and I) would be in disagreement with that idea. Jeff Metzger said the wrong experience is sometimes worse than no experience. He then went on to tell about how Bill Hybels started Willow Creek at the age of 19 with no ministry experience while in Bible college.

Joe and I were talking in the hot tub at the hotel tonight. We both feel like our plans don't have to change, but that we do need to get some clarification from SPCF and Shore as to roles and expectations. I'm sure there is a lot of experience to gain working alongside Shore with The Well or whatever we are involved in. In the meeting today, there was a lot of positive talk about our team being an asset to Shore for a year or two (it sounds like they need help), raising up leaders to help them grow, working diligently (for the Lord, and not for men - Col.3), gaining nz ministry experience, and possibly helping shore get to the point where they CAN give us support like a core group or financial support. Randall mentioned in the letter that they would re-evaluate this stance after two years of our involvement there. If they still can't commit to a daughter plant with us after that, we could move on to starting a wholly separate church if God leads us that way. I believe two years adjusting to NZ culture and helping Shore would be a good amount of experience in the country for me before tackling a plant with or without Shore's involvement.

I'm not surprised. I think Shore is trying to protect us as a team and them as a church. God is still in control. His timing will be perfect for us. We just need to keep listening and trusting. I think a partnership/internship/whatevership with Shore is a good thing for us to continue to pursue as a young team who needs experience and cultural adaptation. That part Shore says they can handle. It's the planting part that they aren't ready for. We should be careful, though, to outline expectations and roles for sure. I'm just glad we're getting somewhere in that area. It is a need that was very apparent to SPCF in the meeting today...and we didn't even get to the Felt Needs document yet! Any thoughts?