Tag: urban church

When the church plant is mainly taking people from other churches

I’ve been writing a little bit recently in response to comments about church planting and whether it has played its part in the decline of existing local churches.  One question that has come back my way has been “what about situations where the plant has mainly drawn members from existing churches? What if after a… Continue reading When the church plant is mainly taking people from other churches

Reputations, assumptions and missing the important questions

“Oh we have x number of people coming to our church” boasted one of the group of people walking towards the convention tent.  Then they turned to me “oh Dave, how many people are at your church now”.  I wasn’t keen on the numbers feel to the conversation and I didn’t actually know the person… Continue reading Reputations, assumptions and missing the important questions

Church planting or church migration?

In 2010, a number of churches and Christians agreed to partner together to see 20 new churches planted by 2020 in Birmingham and then after that, to seek another 30 planted by 2030 with the hope that if each of the 50 churches planted again within our lifetime, that would be about 100 new churches.… Continue reading Church planting or church migration?

Dwelling is more than contextualisation

The other day, I was discussing with a group of potential church planters what it means to plant a “missional church”.  Now, I guess that every church should be missional so, when we use the phrase we are suggesting that a church is not resting on its laurels as an established entity in the community… Continue reading Dwelling is more than contextualisation

Wanted: A few pioneer planters

Over several years, I’ve had a growing desire to see churches planted or replanted into the urban West Midlands.  Along with others I want to see Gospel lights in places where there has been no meaningful witness for some time. Having been able to give some time to encouraging further planting whilst pastoring a church… Continue reading Wanted: A few pioneer planters

Why I don’t like using quotes in sermons

I recently saw this little quote on Twitter. I think the general sentiment is true for preachers in that a bigger point is being made.  We need to ensure that the voices heard and examples used in church are not limited to narrow group of people within the church.  Do we use illustrations about women? … Continue reading Why I don’t like using quotes in sermons

Swifter, smaller, simpler – How can we help?

I’ve mentioned this theme a few times over the past few days.  It refers to the current focus/desire of the church we are part of to see a greater impact on our city through planting and multiplication.  It resonates strongly with what I’ve been praying for, talking about and seeking to encourage and help with… Continue reading Swifter, smaller, simpler – How can we help?

Swifter, smaller, simpler

Our church family have just been on a weekend away. We are part of a family of churches that originated out of the same plant and are seeking to reach Birmingham with the Gospel.  The church holiday brought the three congregations together. During the weekend, one of the speakers talked about our vision as a… Continue reading Swifter, smaller, simpler

A vision for urban West Midlands Church planting

My current focus is on encouraging church planting into the Urban West Midlands. My desire is not to see one church growing big but to see a city that is full of churches bringing Gospel light to needy neighbourhoods. My specific concern is for those areas that are often less reached with the Gospel.  This… Continue reading A vision for urban West Midlands Church planting