Church Planting Movements: "Why Not Here?"

"Recently I was asked if I have a theory for why Church Planting Movements (CPMs) happen in some places and not in others. I do and I am sharing that answer below." - John King

http://johnkking.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/why-not-here/

In Seattle: "Skate Church scoops up kids feeling lost"

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2012469348_pacificpskate01.html

With big arms and Bibles, the Skate Church scoops up kids feeling lost

At West Seattle's Skate Church, ex-rebels take up the cause of saving kids

"The youth pastors, some of whom had gotten into their own share of trouble as high schoolers, wanted to relate to kids on the kids' terms. So they opened a storefront in The Junction, West Seattle's business district, where they sold skateboarding gear and energy drinks, and gave away religion."

75% of new churchgoers are Switchers

And much more at:  http://www.uscongregations.org/newpeople.htm

Ringelmann effect: "More equals a little more?"

Alan Hirsch Not sure what to make of this (Ringelmann effect)http://bit.ly/GKwNY Implications if any?

Ringelmann effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ringelmann noticed that, as more and more people were added to a group pulling on a rope, the total force exerted by the group rose, but the average force exerted by each group member declined. The Ringelmann Effect thus describes theinverse relationship between the size of a team and the magnitude of group member's individual contribution to the accomplishment of the task.

"Shared Lives, Shared Christ"

from a (paper only) article in the Fall 2010 Pastors' Edition (wrapper) of NAMB's On Mission magazine.

"Rather than trying to find a dozen isolated families who would need o be taught the value of intimacy and fellowship, God led us tom pray for an existing community that we could infiltrate with the Gospel."

"a group of Saturday morning runners...local softball team...coffee shop book club...bowling leagues...golf scrambles...Rotary Clubs...weekly scrap booking parties...all became matters of prayer."

What God led them to:  "Through our two families of peace we found an existing community... I'd never seen anything like it... It looked like a scene from 'Leave It To Beaver' or 'The Andy Griffieth Show.'  THe entire street knew each other, liked each other and spent time daily with one another."

Now:  "We have had, at times, nin families from this neighborhood partner with with our church (?), and several other families on the street have visited as friends.  We have seen salvation and life transformation within this small harvest."

Instructional Video: How to start a church

http://www.jesusneedsnewpr.net/how-to-plant-a-church/

Pretty funny.

Stetzer Study: Churches Meeting in Non-Traditional Venues

We asked, "If you were considering visiting or joining a church, would knowing that the church does not meet in a traditional church building impact your decision?"

The responses told an important story:

• It would not make any difference - 73%
• It would negatively impact my decision - 19%
• It would positively impact my decision - 6%
• Not sure - 2%

Much more at: http://www.edstetzer.com/2010/10/ive-been-thinking-about-the.html