Along the way of developing Ecclesia I’ve had several people ask me in one way or another “Didn’t you spend 5 years doing research on networks before Ecclesia started?”  This is then usually followed by a next obvious question, “When are you going to share what you discovered?”

While, it is true that I spent 5 years researching how God was moving in the development of a new kind of connectional church, it is a bit off the mark that I did this before Ecclesia began.  I had done a great of research and interviewing before we officially began Ecclesia and those early discoveries were extremely helpful in the initial formation of our network.  However, a great deal of the investigation has continued over the last several years and though less intense than it once was, still continues today.  I’ve not tried to share before what I discovered (except for the few people that were willing to read my long doctoral dissertation), but now seems like a good time to do so (mostly so that people will get off my back about my lack of blogging/writing ).

So, over the next year I’ll try to lay out a number of the things I discovered during those five years (and some subsequent observations and conclusions as well).  While Ecclesia has certainly not delved into all these waters, in some way they have formed who we are becoming today.  I’m going to start by doing a series of posts on the Core Practices of new church networks and for the purposes of our own network, this most easily translates into the “work” that we do.

What is essential to understand in these series of posts is that often I will alternate back and forth between talking about a “network” and “denomination”.  While you could press down on the differences between these two things (and there are certainly some) – what they both have at their core is the essential DNA of being a trans-local, covenanted community focused on collaborative gospel work together.  The ways and patterns of organization, the type of hierarchy, the theological dispositions, etc certainly all change, and in different seasons of history, some have made greater sense than others (and the lack of change could be part of their struggles today).In the wider scope of “ecclesiology” they belong in the same family.

I certainly consider Ecclesia more of a network than a denomination, though we would share much of the same DNA has some denominations (particularly those that are congregationally focused and are more accurately an “association” of churches instead of a “denomination).  Another way of saying this is that for some churches in Ecclesia, our network connects to their congregational life just as a denomination would for some other church.  For others, Ecclesia is really a network they are part of in addition to a denomination and they connect to Ecclesia for some slightly different reasons.  Of course, if we currently have 30 churches involved and another 10 in process they are all somewhere slightly different on that spectrum and THAT is one of the marks of what makes us a network and not a denomination.

The following is a sampling of the sessions / teaching during this event:

• Why Plant Churches – Bob Hyatt
• Planting Missionary Churches – Chris Backert
• The Character and Competencies of a Church Planter – J.R. Briggs
• Theological Foundations for Church Planting – David Fitch
• Developing Your Church-Planting Plan – Brian Hopper
• The Power of the Spirit in Church Planting – Aaron Graham and Don Coleman
• Incarnational Ecclesiology – J.R. Briggs and Corey Widmer
• Gathering and Developing Your Core Team – Aaron Graham
• Developing a Philosophy of Discipleship – Bob Hyatt
• Developing a Philosophy of Worship – David Fitch
• Developing Equipping Structures and Leaders – JR Woodward
• Funding the Mission – Chris Backert
• Developing Modes and Approaches – JR Woodward
• Developing Your Church Planting Plan 2 – Brian Hopper
• Keeping Heart Til the End – Winn Collier
• Administration and Legal Issues – Chris Backert

• Ecclesia’s Story and how it all began
• Why people are connecting to Ecclesia
• Where Ecclesia is headed
• Chris’ involvement with Fresh Expressions and the difference and similarities between church renewal and church planting. Read an article he wrote about Fresh Expressions here.
• The development and description of the Missio Alliance
• What Chris means by being a “quazi charismatic”
• Books he’s reading and places to find him online

The goal of the Ecclesia Northeast Region is to provide spaces and opportunities to interact formally and informally for connection, support, equipping and training in the Northeast region of the U.S. One of those spaces/opportunities for connection is through meet-ups – spaces to connect with others who are a part of Ecclesia (pastors, elders and lay-leaders) and others who may not be a part of the network, but who would benefit from connection among other missional-minded people who love the church and want to see the kingdom flourish in the Northeast.

We will be having our Ecclesia NE regional winter meet-up on Thursday February 2nd at 10 am in the upstairs cafe at Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting, PA.

This is free of charge (but you are on your own for buying lunch) and will provide some structure, but it is not an ‘event.’ The goal is that we provide enough structure for focused conversation – but flexible enough for connection to happen naturally. Church planting and pastoring can be difficult and can involve isolation. These times of connection allow spaces to remind us that we are not in this kingdom work alone. We will meet from 10am to noon and then head downstairs to enjoy lunch together. We have picked the location because Whole Foods is right off the exit of the PA turnpike and allows easy access for travelers who are coming from NY, NJ and Central PA.

We’d love for you to join us – and feel free to invite others from your church and forward this invite on to other pastors you think would benefit from this time.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me.

Blessings,

J.R. Briggs

Ecclesia Northeast Regional Coordinator

“We endeavor to live out the Way of Jesus in innovative forms through an incarnational approach within our context. As such, we are learning to live like Jesus individually and together – amongst friends, neighbors, and future friends – in a way that expresses God’s Kingdom more fully. In this way, we hope to cultivate the formation of more missional communities in our neighborhoods of Boise, and to seed other missional communities around the city, throughout the Northwest, and the world.”

“As one of our leaders headed off to seminary, we decided to meet up every six months or so for a retreat. We shared meals, laughed, caught up on stories, and pressed into God seeking vision about the future. When our church officially went “public” we met in a home for four months before moving into a church building next to the University of Miami. A handful of families within the community are in the process of relocating to this neighborhood. We want to commit to a people and a place. It seems everybody is into upward-mobility these days but we feel Jesus calling us to practice downward mobility; to live close enough to share possessions, have common prayer times, and help raise one another’s kids. We like the idea of a network of neighborhood churches working together – so once we have enough people coming to our church from another part of the city we’ll look at starting a neighborhood church there.

We chose the name Rhythm because that single word describes the sort of common life we’re seeking. Through daily and weekly practices we’re trying to align our lives to a common rhythm – a rhythm that’s in tune with God’s kingdom, that revolves around worship and mission, loving God and loving others. Rhythm is co-pastored by Keas Keasler and Matt Alexander.”

Read Eric’s blog here.

In this season of thanksgiving, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for all those who are connected to Ecclesia and to Jesus for the work He is doing among us. This has been one of the most exciting and fruitful years in our short history. Not only are more people seeking us out to plant new congregations, but more existing congregations are being drawn into the Ecclesia family as they discover what it means to be in a network that is doing life and mission together in these unprecedented times.

This year also brought along conversations with several existing denominations that want to spur new forms of church planting and how we might work together more concretely. The more time goes on, the more sure I am that we are filling a critical and unique space in the wider landscape of God’s movement in these days. Next month, I’ll also have some exciting staff announcements to share with you. Until then, please peruse the news on this update, check out the links, and don’t forget to register for the National Gathering.

Chris Backert

Register for the National Gathering!

March 5-7, 2012

This is just a reminder to register early for the Ecclesia National Gathering and receive the best price possible! The early bird rate is available through December 31st.

Our focus this year is on how our churches can function as centers of reconciliation, where we learn through the power of the Spirit to live as one reconciled family of God across racial, economic, and generational lines.

We’re blessed to have Dr. John Perkins, Dr. Ivy Beckwith and Dr. AJ Swaboda joining and leading our conversation. More info and register here.

Listen and Subscribe to the Ecclesia Leadership Podcast

One of the things that has always been a mark of Ecclesia is the conversations we get to have when we are face to face. Since we can often go a year between those we’ve developed the Ecclesia Leadership Podcast. This is built around casual conversation with leaders in and around the network on how different church communities are understanding mission in their context. John Chander and Todd Hiestand are the hosts and the first few recordings from (Winn Collier, Clay Carver and Leslie Webster, AJ Swoboda) are on iTunes and definitely worth your time! This week Todd and John will be recording a conversation with Eric Phillips of East End Ecclesia in Pittsburg. Be sure to check it out early next week.

View it on our website here and iTunes here.

Church Planters Assessment

December 9-10, 2011 | Richmond, VA

We know it’s last minute, but we can include one more planter/couple in our Fall planters assessment this December. If you are looking towards church planting with Ecclesia, this is an important step. If you are interested in participating, please email Chris at chris.backert@ecclesianet.org immediately.

Funding the Mission: Ministry Partner Development Training

December 6 – 8, 2011

Funding is often an issue and barrier for missional leaders, preventing them from moving into the hopes God has placed in their heart. Recognizing the missionary nature of our ministry context here in the US, Ecclesia regularly hosts trainings related to fundraising for God’s mission. Based on 20+ years of experience in raising funds for mission, the process of this training will equip you with the necessary mindset and tools to be an effective fundraiser for ministry. 15 + people are attending this years equipping time and we have a few spots left. For more information, or to register, visit the Ecclesia website here.

Welcome Rythm Church (Miami, FL) to the Ecclesia Network!

Rhythm Church began brewing about three years before it was actually planted. That’s when a circle of friends in Miami began feeling that God was calling us to give birth to a fresh expression of the church in the future. The simple question we began with was, “What does it look like tofollow Jesus in the place and time?

“As one of our leaders headed off to seminary, we decided to meet up every six months or so for a retreat. We shared meals, laughed, caught up on stories, and pressed into God seeking vision about the future. When our church officially went “public” we met in a home for four months before moving into a church building next to the University of Miami. A handful of families within the community are in the process of relocating to this neighborhood. We want to commit to a people and a place. It seems everybody is into upward-mobility these days but we feel Jesus calling us to practice downward mobility; to live close enough to share possessions, have common prayer times, and help raise one another’s kids. We like the idea of a network of neighborhood churches working together – so once we have enough people coming to our church from another part of the city we’ll look at starting a neighborhood church there.

We chose the name Rhythm because that single word describes the sort of common life we’re seeking. Through daily and weekly practices we’re trying to align our lives to a common rhythm – a rhythm that’s in tune with God’s kingdom, that revolves around worship and mission, loving God and loving others. Rhythm is co-pastored by Keas Keasler and Matt Alexander.”

Welcome Church Planters Worth & Beth Wheeler and Boised Mustard Seed (Boise, ID) to the Ecclesia Network!

Boise Mustard Seed is a newly forming church community of Jesus followers who have their hearts set on living out the grace and peace of Christ in the city of Boise and the Greater Boise Metro Area

“We endeavor to live out the Way of Jesus in innovative forms through an incarnational approach within our context. As such, we are learning to live like Jesus individually and together – amongst friends, neighbors, and future friends – in a way that expresses God’s Kingdom more fully. In this way, we hope to cultivate the formation of more missional communities in our neighborhoods of Boise, and to seed other missional communities around the city, throughout the Northwest, and the world.”

AJ is one of the pastors of Theophilus Church in Portland, OR. He also serves as a professor of theology, biblical studies, and church history at a number of schools on the west coast. He recently completed his doctoral work on the never-ending relationship with the Spirit and Ecology and this Fall his first book is due out, entitled Spirit Over Chaos: Finding God in the Mess of Christianity.

Follow AJ on twitter: @mrajswoboda
Read AJ’s blog: http://ajswoboda.com/

In these postmodern times we are used to hearing of the death of the author, the death of the text, and even the death of the book (unless you have a Kindle).  Well, today, it is the death of leadership, for Christ our leader is the Crucified One, and what servant is greater that his master?  But many have not heard of this death.  It has been drowned out by the dearth of leadership books, even Christian leadership books, and I’m sure many of us, and myself included, have read them.  But while these leadership books, and conferences, and seminars tell of many helpful things, but they do not know of the Crucified Christ.  And this makes all the difference.  They lack a leadership that lives through the cross.  According to the pattern of the Crucified Christ I believe missional leadership must nurture new structures, new processes, and new people who will lead through living and dying in Christ.

Philippians Hymn

Few turn to the hymn of Philippians 2 as a leadership model, so hopefully we are on the verge of something indeed.  Here we find a pattern, or model of Christian leadership and community.  It is the narrative of Christ, of the incarnation, of the gospel.  And if leaders do not practice it, then the community will not follow it, and then the lost will not see it, and they will not get it even when they hear it.

Philippians 2:5-11

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had:

⁶ Who, although being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! ⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest placeand gave him the name that is above every name,¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There is a three part pattern to this passage.  It is the pattern of although—did not—but. Although. Christ has the very status, or being, of God, he did not take advantage of his status and use it selfishly.  But rather humbled himself in his incarnation (“being made in human likeness”) and crucifixion (“by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross”).  And the result is that God works, God exalts, God saves in Christ.  This hymn to Christ reveals the pattern of our lives, the pattern by which we related with one another.  It is the pattern by which we learn the death of leadership.

Indeed, the apostle Paul who uses this hymn to exhort the Philippians to Christ-likeness.  But Paul did not leave them without an example, but rather understood and practiced his own apostolic ministry according to this same narrative pattern.  In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul speaks about the rights of an apostle to receive funds for their ministries.  But Paul did not exercise this right, but worked to pay his own way.  And he also claims that while he has the right of freedom in all things, he does not exercise this right selfishly, but rather became a slave of all for the sake of the gospel.  What does that sound like?  It sounds exactly like Christ in the Philippians Hymn.  And even within the very contentious issue of slavery Paul did not lay down the apostolic hammer on Philemon so that he would release Onesimus.  But instead he acted in love toward Philemon, seeking his consent on the matter.  This, then, is the death of leadership that Paul points us toward when he speaks of Christ, a cruciform leadership that lays down it rights and its status in love and becomes a servant to all.

At Life on the Vine

Because of this pattern in Christ I believe missional leadership must nurture new structures, new processes, and new people who will lead according to Christ’s example.  At Life on the Vine we try to live this out.

For us, leadership at the highest level is structured as a co-pastorate.  There is no ‘senior’ or ‘lead’ pastor where the buck finally stops, where the decisions are finally made, where final authority resides.  While our community was planted by one person, David Fitch, he very quickly brought me on as a co-pastor.  And then later we brought on a third co-pastor to balance out the giftings among us.  We did this in order to spread out the ministry, offer opportunities for younger leaders to grow, but most importantly, as a structured model of shared leadership.  As co-pastors we had to practice the pattern of although—did not—but.  Although we were called as pastors and therefore elevated by a certain authority, we did not, we could not practice unilateral power, but mutually submitted to one another as we lead the community.  This was embedded in our pastor structure because Christ-like leadership is not merely servant leadership.  It does not function on top but then not act like it.  Rather we have given up having a ‘lead’ anything at all by creating an alternative structure.

In addition to having a structure of co-leadership, we practice various processes of communal discernment that hand leadership to the entire community, or parts of the community.  For example, according to the same pattern, although all the pastors were in complete agreement regarding how we should move forward concern the issue of women in church leadership, and we had the authority of make a decision, we did not lead from position and privilege.  But instead we submitted to a year long process where different members of the community presented biblical perspectives on the issue, culminating in a 2-month long council to discern the issue.  In another case, an issue with someone on our shepherd board, the pastors were again in complete agreement in how to proceed, but the person involved was not receiving things particularly well.  So we brought the whole issue to our shepherd for their discernment, trusting that Christ would lead through this process and that all involved would both be formed into Christ-like character and that the issue would be resolved not through the imposition of a position, but through the constant relational work of the Spirit opened by practicing the death of leadership.

And while these types of processes are bolstered by a structure of co-leadership, it really comes down practicing the death of leadership on a personal level.  This is living without having to justify yourself, without having to constantly defend yourself to others.  It means not needing everyone to always understand you.  In the midst of arguments it means just sticking to the issues without getting personal or taking things personally.  It involves actively creating spaces for other to flourish while not receiving any credit and minimal appreciation.  It means giving over tasks and responsibilities that you really enjoy to someone else so they can grow.  It means submitting to others in the little things even when you have a sense they are wrong, and then only forcing issues when it is essential for the group to move forward.  In all these ways following Christ through the death of leadership entails overcoming personal insecurity and immaturity, so that one can rest in the work of Christ in the community rather than seeking to manage and control everything that is going on.

Now, you might be thinking that every Christian leader should exhibit these characteristics, the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.  Of course!  But it is much easier to hide immaturity and insecurity, to mask a lack of the Spirit’s work in your life in a hierarchical leadership structure which does not demand processes of communal discernment.  When someone knows exactly who is their superior and who is under them, then they know exactly how to get whatever “ego” fix they need, whether it is seeking approval or asserting authority, even while masking it as servant leadership, even while they excelling in various ministry results.  It is for these reasons that missional leadership, under the sign of the Cross, must nurture new structures, new processes, and new people who live, lead, and die, laying down their rights and status in love and becoming a servants to all.

Missional Leadership

So, then, how is the death of leadership also missional leadership?  First, the structure of co-leadership, the processes of communal discernment, and the practice of personal cruciformity are all ways of saying the same thing, namely, that this community is marked by the gospel, by Christ-likeness.  As I said before, if leaders do not it, then the community will not do it, and then the lost will not see it, and they will not get it even when they hear it.  Second, communities marked by the death of leadership will always be marked my brokenness growing into life.  When you lead this way it is impossible to put leaders on a pedestal, which opens the door for everyone to lead out of brokenness and into life.  When everyone is emptying themselves as Christ did, it has the strange effect of raising everyone up as they are deployed in creative expressions of the gospel.  Lastly, this is missional leadership, at least for us, because God moves in mysterious ways.  It is funny.  There are people in our congregation who literally say time and again to me, “I don’t know why I stay at Life on the Vine.  I don’t fit here, I’m not even sure that I like it hear, and I don’t like they way you do things.”  But it is those exact people whom God has used to bring others to Christ, and those people feel at home with us.  Isn’t that weird?  One man told me two years ago that he was discerning leaving our community.  But he had started a letter writing friendship with a man who was in prison for breaking into our sanctuary.  He eventually received Christ and was baptized on Easter Sunday.  There are at least two other stories I could share about people who really are upset with the leaders at Life on the Vine, but God is using them to bring people to Christ and then those people are finding a place among us.  I believe it is because the leaders at Life on the Vine have embraced a missional leadership of the cross, and out of that death the Father is exalting Christ and bringing others to life.

Conclusion

Some much more could be said, but my hope is that the next big thing the church is on the verge of will be the death of leadership as an expression of the gospel, as living in Christ-likeness, as a bearing the cross, not only personally, but structurally and procedurally.

This kind of leadership is certainly not from the top-down as in a hierarchy, nor is it merely from the bottom up, as some form of leaderless organization, nor is it a leading from the front as those who have gone before, as some missional books describe it.  But it is leading from below while running forward, as if one were trying to fly a kite when there is just not enough wind.  You are down on the ground, down below, yet moving forward, for the whole purpose of the church rising up on the breath of the Spirit, roaring high.  And people don’t watch the person holding the string, they watch the kite in its glory, rising to new life and love, and at the center of its frame it bears the sign of the cross.