More on the movement
For the last 6 months a couple of us have constructively discussed a new movement focused on the values of Christ and the early church. I have mentioned those values in previous posts.
Our structure will be as follow:
Once a month a corporate gathering, but we will be at a different venue in the city every month.
Once a month a small group meeting at home, discussing the teaching of the corporate gathering.
Once a month families will work on a family Bible study, also based on the teaching of the corporate gathering.
Once a month a morning of solitude and prayer focused on the corporate teaching and applying that to our lives.
The vision of the movement will be to give vision to individuals and mobilize them, for mission.
The movement will be facilitated by 6 elders. Every person in the movement will be in lay ministry. No one will recieve financial compensation.
Our first corporate gathering will most probably be in early 2007.
Everything will be held together with a website and a blog, where all can comment and share conversation and get the latest news and venues.
Would love to know your thoughts?
October 25th, 2006 at 6:04 pm
sounds phenomenal… I’ve been thinking of similar ideas.
Here’s a question. How do you see this movement scaling (not that it needs to necessarily) should it grow into something larger? Do you see this same model working at 100, 1000, or 10,000 people?
October 25th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
Hey Hermann, I’ve been thinking about you this last week or so. Thanks for the update. Sounds great! We can’t wait to be over in Jan 2008!!
We too are looking to go for a monthly gathering and seeing that as the starting point of a month long conversation that will spill out into smaller settings throughout the month. (Well, when we have enough people for the smaller and larger gathering not to be the same thing!!)
Do you have any specific enivronments you’re creating to engage with people who aren’t yet followers of Christ?
October 25th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Lon
Quick comment! Where are you from and how late is it?
Well we are cautious, but inventive. I guess we will start with about 50 people and soon have big numbers, but then some people will not stick around cause the movement will ask a radical minumum standard. This is tough for your typical consumer driven christian.
I guess we will start dividing once we reach 100. The city of Johannesburg is pretty big and we will then focus on creating momentum in different communities.
The key will be house groups though to keep people connected.
And having families studying the Bible and praying together.
We really want people to take responsibility for their growth, but we will give them the resources.
I see the model working on any scale, as long as people stay connected.
Do you agree Lon?
October 25th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Sam
Good to hear from you again.
The beauty of the movement is that it is everywhere, whether at work, gatherings, coffee shops, everywhere. That is our missional focus.
Siyabona Leadership school is a more specific environment. Some members have book clubs, one member a mentoring movement where he teaches and does training. Some members are looking at job creation programs(our country really needs that) to assist the poor.
Even though the specific should be there and be missional, we always need to engage those around us, love them and talk to them about our lives.
Make sense Sam?
Looking forward to 2008!!!???
October 25th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Hey Hermann, I’m based in Toronto Canada. It’s 11am right now, and I’m procrastinating on some major projects.
Yes, I’ve been imagining something that incorporates both the larger city-wide church and home churches. And I do agree, the model can work on any scale, if not better than your typical ‘megachurch’ on a large scale. At least theoretically… I can’t say I’ve seen too many of these innovative models that hold both ends of the spectrum highlighted much though.
I’d definitely love to hear every gritty detail of how things unfold!
October 25th, 2006 at 6:38 pm
Lon
My day is just ending, it’s 17:40 in Johannesburg and I’m killing the last 20 minutes of consulting at the Virgin group…….
You need to get working though!!!
October 25th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Defintitely makes sense!
Are you on Skype yet by the way? It’d be great to chat with you properly sometime soon!
October 25th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
Hermann, I’m thrilled about what you’re planning for your community. We’ve been missional and underground for some time now … with no regrets.
What kind of core do you have now, and where did they come from?
I also want to make sure to invite you to the block-party at my site this Saturday (dean.voxtropolis.com). Great place to make some new connections.
October 25th, 2006 at 8:21 pm
Oh, yes, almost forgot. Alex and I need your insight. We’re planning to come to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup!
October 26th, 2006 at 12:01 am
Ooh, can I come too?!!
October 26th, 2006 at 10:18 am
Dean
Good to hear from you! I used to be fulltime, but left last year to go underground. It’s fun. Every conversation I have with clients while I’m consulting always tends to end up with the deeper issues and eventually we start talking about the Thruth. I love it! People don’t feel threatened by me anymore!!
Our core consists of about 6 couples who have been part of me and my wife’s lives for the last 8 years. We have grown together and searched together, not that we have stopped searching. We are very eager in approaching life with Christ more in a missional manner, we constantly read Brian’s blog - Realmeal ministries! Love his thoughts.
We have about 50 people waiting for more momentum come next year!
I like the World Cup idea! I was even thinking of inviting all you guys and then for a month long we can do serious missional living!!!!!
Take care
Sam,
You are welcome!!!!!
I’ll be getting skype soon!!!! Promise!!!!
July 29th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Hola faretaste
mekodinosad
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