- Al Stewart & Andrew Heard did a double act then Andrew Heard did the evening session. They spoke abou their recent trip to Mars Hill Church, Acts 29 Boot Camp, Soveriegn Grace, and World Church Planters Summit. They said:
- we have much to learn from the States – they are generous and big hearted and get on with it
- many of the specifics are unrepeatable – the culture is very different (much more Christianised – Sovereign Grace is the size of Panthers Leagues Club) and Mark Driscoll is unrepeatable as a one in a generation leader and preacher
- Acts 29 was spoken of highly as having a sense of urgency without compromise
Big themes for the day?
- we need to revitalise existing churches and grow new ones
- pastors need to lead & be leading in evangelism
- leadership and strategy are key
- church planting is happening but networking together may help
- it all depends on God
Stay tuned for more details on networking. Al Stewart and Andrew Heard are going to hold a conference for church planters ‘in the chute’ (thinking about planting in next 5 years.) November 30-December 1.
Even without an official network there were lots of networking style conversations taking places. Long lunches. Cards being exchanged. Prayers being prayed. Who knows where the networking stuff will go? In the meantime this conference has been the best possible ad for the value of people from all different circles getting together to talk planting.
June 26, 2009 at 6:40 am
Hey Michael,
Thanks for this rundown….. really helpful, and an enjoyable read. Just wondering…. has there been any mention at all or talk about the Sovereign Grace church plant coming to Sydney?
Just so intrigued from a Sovereign Grace perspective in all that is going on…
Dave Taylor
June 26, 2009 at 7:22 am
Dave,
no mention from the front. Can you tell us more? I know the facebook group exists
Al & Heardy couldn’t have been warmer though in their comments about Sovereign Grace. They spoke about the organic long term relationship of Sovereign Grace to its planters.
Michael
June 27, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Yes there was some chatter of the SG church plant. It was along the lines of “isn’t that great”.
June 29, 2009 at 8:09 am
Ahhh that’s so encouraging guys, so good to hear!
In terms of more info, here’s some of the highlights I guess…
1. Having determined that we are going to start Sovereign Grace Church, Sydney we do now have a pastor, and that would be myself. It’s a real honour to get to do this, both humbling and exhilerating all at he same time. If you’d like to read more then that facebook group would help you, if not then tag here… http://www.christchurchnet.org, and look at the blog.
2. We have an increasing number of Aussie folk gathering on the ground that are desirous to be a part of the church plant. Already we’ve had quite a few very encouraging conversations with folk who have been waiting Sovereign Grace to come over… it’s been humbling to have them so enthused with the news.
3. We’re aiming for a public launch date of early 2010.
There’s still a lot of work to be done in terms of exact location in Sydney (although after what feels like months of research, counsel and prayer, I think we’re getting there on this). The exact details will be decided upon later in the year after I get to come out at the end of October.
With all that said then thank you again for these informational and encouraging comments fellas… really appreciate it…. confident we have much to learn from you boys on the ground, and so thankyou in advance for all that you are already doing!
In His Amazing Grace,
Dave Taylor
June 30, 2009 at 9:30 am
Dave
great to have more harvesters in the field!
look forward to you launching something great for God in this place
Michael