CHURCH PLANTING #4: The Macedonian Zoom Call

The conversation centered around the significance of discipleship and faith in the local church, with a focus on the Macedonian zoom call and its impact on church planting. Speakers discussed the importance of empowering volunteers and developing leaders, as well as the challenges of ministry and the need for perseverance and faith. They also shared experiences with campus ministry, building expansion, and global outreach initiatives, highlighting the value of collaboration and sacrifice among leaders. Overall, the conversation emphasized the importance of prioritizing discipleship and faith in the local church to effectively reach new places and make disciples.

Action Items

• [ ] Raise support for Adam to come on staff full-time in Tulsa.
• [ ] Pray for God to provide financial support for Donnie and Adam’s church plants.
• [ ] Consider formulating a more structured training program for remote church planters over the next 2-3 years.
• [ ] Look into the possibility of training a group of 10 people who want to plant a church in Japan.

Outline

Church planting and spiritual calling.

• Paul and his companions are prevented from preaching the gospel in certain regions by the Holy Spirit.
• Paul has a vision to preach the gospel in Macedonia.

Church planting and training leaders.

• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of raising up disciples who can reach others by preaching Jesus.
• Donnie is inspired to plant a church after experiencing the effectiveness of campus ministry.
• Donnie wants to plant a church, but needs training and support from The Crossing Church.
• Donnie’s weekly Zoom calls with The Crossing Church staff have helped him grow as a leader, but he still faces financial challenges.

Discipleship and church growth among church leaders.

• Speaker 2 describes a shift from business-focused staff meetings to discipleship-driven ones.
• Adam feels excited and reenergized by Zoom calls with other church leaders.

Church planting and mentorship.

• Speaker 3 shares their personal journey of moving to Tulsa to support a friend and becoming a preacher despite public speaking fears.
• Speaker 1 encourages the group to support Adam, a potential candidate for full-time staff, citing his character and experience.
• Speaker 1 discusses the potential for exponential growth in baptisms through investing in people in other locations.
• Adam’s full-time job, preaching, and family responsibilities are affecting his ability to communicate effectively.

Using sermons as a foundation for discipleship and outreach.

• Speaker 3 shares how they’ve benefited from Robert’s sermons, using them as a foundation for their own preaching.
• Speaker 2 appreciates the accessibility of Robert’s sermons, finding them practical and directly applicable to their life.
• Speaker 2 shares experience working with new heights, a tutoring group in Gainesville, Florida.
• College students from the church have jumped in to love on kids and do crafts with them.
• Weekly habit of loving kids and connecting them to God through church and community.

Church planting, leadership, and training.

• Speaker 3 highlights the impact of Manasa classes on maturing and locking in guests, with Janice and Tom providing valuable mentorship.
• Speaker 2 shares the significance of small groups in the church, with cell group leaders making an impact beyond their groups and in between meetings.
• The speaker discusses the Macedonian call and the need to expand the kingdom, emphasizing the importance of raising up people and sending them out to reach others.
• The speaker encourages listeners to pray for Adam and Donnie, who are seeking support for their missionary work, and praises God for any partnership they may find.
• Speaker 1 discusses their leadership model for church planting, mentioning a core group of people with good relationships and seeking out mentorship from experienced leaders.
• Speaker 5 expresses excitement for church planting and asks about Speaker 1’s leadership model, specifically how they train and raise up leaders within their Corps.

Leadership and ministry growth with a focus on humility and collaboration.

• Church leader discusses growth and leadership structure with a focus on mutual respect and decision-making.
• Speakers discuss humility and effectiveness in leadership, citing Lance’s example.

Revamping church youth ministry with a focus on discipleship and small groups.

• Former campus students and youth ministry students join core team for disciplemaking.
• Church leaders develop small groups and young adult ministry with volunteer support.

Leadership, church growth, and faith.

• Leaders face challenges, but responding with faith and adaptability is key.
• Speaker thanks God for leading them to a higher return on investment in the kingdom.

This content was featured at the 2024 Antioch Collective Annual Assembly at The Crossings Church St. Charles County in O’Fallon, MO. For more like this, visit https://antiochcollective.org/