Archive for May, 2010

The Challenge of Raising Support for Church Planting

Published by
stevew
at May 27, 2010 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

I read an interesting article the other day that I think has significant insight for our Converge Northwest team.  As we take the Jesus message to the northwest we know that we need to plant more churches.  And we also know that the commitment to church planting does not come without a price.  But how many churches are highly committed to church planting?

 The research by LifeWay Resarch has discoverd that only 3% of their churches served as the primary sponsor of a church plant during the previous 12 months. and only 14% gave financial support in partnership with other churches to help start new congregations. 

I believe, in our own association, we have a stronger commitment to church planting than that.  But it still leaves me wondering what we could be doing to engage more individuals and churches to move our church planting ministry forward?  I look forward to seeing more of our team engaged with the church planting mission.

In partnering with Converge Church Planting we have a 5 year emphasis in our  church planting across the nation.  I wonder how many churches we can start across the Northwest as we work together?  I am sure the number will be greater if more that 14% provide financial support.

To read the article go to  http://www.lifeway.com/article/170227/

Changes Continue

Published by
stevew
at May 6, 2010 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

I think the only thing that has remained consistent since I came into this role is change.  And that continues. 

To make a long story short, I will let you know that the Converge Northwest office, which has been located in Tacoma for the past 2.5 years, is moving the week of May 17, 2010 to our new Converge Northwest Leadership Center location on the Lake Retreat campus. 

Along with the change of location there is a change in staffing.  Gary Hirotaka, who has been with us for the past 3.5 years has stepped away as our business manager.  To help fill the hole left behind, we are pleased to announce that Kim Anderson will be joining us as my Executive Assistant.  Kim brings both significant experience as a professional assistant  and years of ministry expereince as a pastor’s wife. 

There may be some disruptions in our connections over the next couple of weeks.   I hope you will be patient with us as we make these changes to serve the King more effectively.