My Georgia home church planted two new churches. The sending church trained each one’s leadership for a year, then sent them to the north end of the county which, at the time, was the fastest growing county in the state. I’ve been part of the training team, but this is my first time on the planting team. 

It’s the most exciting thing I’ve ever done as a disciple-maker. The momentum is at Mach 10, the expectation for shiny is low, the grace is super high, and the YES of the congregation is highly contagious.

We can’t be all things to all people right off the bat, but we can be good listeners to the Holy Spirit guiding us to prioritize how we can love our neighbors and one another well. The Lord has provided trustworthy disciples with graces and skills to lead us well with integrity. 

So what are some of the first thirty days’ priorities that I’ve been invited to actively support? 

1. Invest in the core group. We’ve set many tables to gather often. Lots of tables filled with eager disciples to pray with and chat around logistics and set clear goals throughout the week. When I read in Acts of the early church they met often. Within the first six weeks we met in familiar ways though in new spaces. New spaces which were in homes (more intimate settings) and in public (being a good neighbor). Hospitality was extreme and frequent.
2. Free up servants. We released most of our kidmin servant leaders to spend time building relationships with new and familiar families in true fellowship. I have a powerful and consistent team of servant leaders who have agreed to be the ‘face of’ for littles and bigs. With a few subs ready in the wings, our small team can build consistency in schedule, routine, and focus as we explore various curricula to best suit our theology because they are rockstars no matter the space with whatever is in their hands. I feel like the servant leaders we freed up are missionaries in their small groups of other adults building their relationships like the Jesus gal and guy connectors they are. 
3. Combine elementary grades to build a familiarity for littles. We separated a large space in half with the left side quiet for lessons and activities; the right side with child-directed floor games and tools encouraging conversations and even some competition with magna-tiles, jumbo checker games, lots of solo cups (perfect for less loud games in a space with thin walls yet great competition), jumbo UNO cards, and sticker books. We finish with a read-aloud time of a book complementing the teaching which gives us time to clean up and prepare the space to be transformed into a praygound/overflow seating for the worship service. When picked up, every little gets a snack (organic gummies) and an oil roll-on blessing on the back of each little hand. I’m so excited that live music begins next week with sign language!
4. Pivot to a family worship model. Multigenerational all the way. Greeters prepared before and after the service for families who come in on two wheels but have time to linger after the services are complete. Prayground space for overflow and families with littles in the front. Multiple large visual elements prepared with high intention. The order of worship is flexible with music you’d find familiar from a hymnal AND what you’d hear on the radio with elements of energy, hope, compassion, and anticipation. 
5. Consistently and regularly teach what we believe. Whether it is in small groups or worship, we must be teachers of what we believe, using common language, giving space for multigenerational voices, and transparently answering questions. Each working team meeting begins with a discussion of our mission, eight core values, and seven outcomes. If whatever we’re talking about doesn’t align, this is not the time to attach ourselves to it.

Andy Kirk was the last speaker from the stage at Children’s Pastors Conference 2024. “If we really want God to do a new thing, we need…”

(1) New thinking – As we think, we become. Proverbs 4:5 Nothing like a new culture to adopt new thinking.
(2) New emotions – Out of the abundance of our heart, we speak. James 1:22  Nothing like a new culture to practice the emotions of thriving.
(3) New relationships – The people around us matter. Proverbs 12:26  – Nothing like a new culture to make some new friends-in-the-Lord with a common mission and work ethic.
(4) New dreams – God acts on the desires of our hearts. 1 Chronicles 29:18 – Nothing like a new culture to dream well, with high intention, as we build this plane while we’re flying it.

Lord, give me fresh traction under my feet. Let me walk in a whole new level of effectiveness. Burn in my bones the gospel of Jesus. In His sparkly name I pray, Amen.

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7