Ecclesia is a relational network of churches, leaders and movements that seek to equip, partner and multiply missional churches and movements.
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Haiti Relief – A Network Approach
From Ecclesia Board Member, JR Woodward…
We have all been touched by the tragedy in Haiti and most of us feel drawn to be of help somehow. But what is the best way to help in this situation? Michelle Singletary in an article for the Washington Post says Haiti earthquake brings out generosity, and scam artists. So true. Which is why it is good to be networked with my friend Bruce Hopler who pastors Cornerstone Community Church in Columbia, Maryland. Bruce and his congregation have been working in the Dominican Republic for many years. The congregation Bruce serves is a part of the Ecclesia Network and their organization, the Del Comino Connection, is in a unique position (sharing the island with Haiti) to help people in Haiti in wise ways.
I received an email from Bruce on Friday on how Dominican Republic organizations, in an effort facilitated by Esperanze Intl. and including Compassion International, Food for the Hungry, World Vision, Healing Waters and the Red del Camino Network churches developed a two phase action plan.
Here is what his partners in Dominican Republic wrote him:
Phase one involves funneling locally purchased relief supplies through churches, ministry partners and community-based organizations connected to the coalition in Haiti. The immediate request from our partners is cash donations so that we can purchase supplies in Dominican cities along the border with Haiti. From previous experience, we have learned that containers sent from abroad take up precious time in transport, customs processing, and transport to the emergency site.
Phase two of the plan will draw from the assessment and mapping currently happening in Haiti. Once emergency processes are met and condition are stablized, we will be requesting in-kind contributions.
Please go to their site to download a pdf file with more details as well as giving donations to the Haiti Disaster Relief Fund, knowing that it is going to meet needs wisely.
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Why Are You Part of Ecclesia?
This is a question you may be asking yourself. This may be a question your congregation is asking you. This also maybe a question you are asking to all the churches that are in the network.
JR Briggs, a pastor at the Renew Community in Lansdale, PA, just published a great blog post beginning to address this question here.
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Scripture and Culture Seminar Info
We’re excited about the upcoming Scripture and Culture Seminar with Darrell Guder and Andy Crouch at The Well in Suburban Philadelphia. This event is put on by both The Well and The Renew Community. It should be a great event. If you are coming, directions can be found here. We’ll also be trying to do a video cast as well so check the Ecclesia Twitter stream for more info.But, we’re more excited about all the proceeds from the event going to two organizations that are working hard to care for the poor. One Days Wages and HELP (Help End Local Poverty).
You can find more information about these organizations on their websites.
Oh, and if you are attending, register here.
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Church Planting Opportunities in Virginia
There are several partially funded church planting opportunities throughout the state of Virginia (and Washington DC) available. These new plants are being started in cooperation with the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Ecclesia Network. We are looking for planters with a missional orientation and a high value for a contextual approach. Prior experience in a church planting setting or start-up is advantageous, but not necessary. Additional support will be established through partner churches and personal fundraising. Everyone interested would need to be comfortable participating in skill and behavioral assessments (both electronic and in person) to determine church plant readiness. If you are not quite reformed enough for some other networks (or you happen to be more Wesleyan) this might be for you. To discuss a full list of opportunities please contact Chris Backert. Specific opportunities are available in …
Winchester, VA – small university town of approximately 150,000 people 1 hour west of DC Metro area
Fairfax, VA – church planting opportunity near George Mason University
Petersburg, VA – small city located 30 minutes south of Richmond, VA. Future growth potential of the area is high due to military relocation. Facilities potentially available.
Hopewell, VA – suburb located between Richmond, VA and Petersburg, VA. Future growth potential is high due to military relocation. Facilities available.
South Richmond, VA – opportunity for new start located in the Woodland Heights neighborhood. This is a diverse neighborhood in transition. Facilities also available.
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Reflections on the Ecclesia Bootcamp
This was the second time I’ve participated in a Church Planters Boot Camp and the first time I got to present at one.
And in comparing my two experiences, I think I can say, like all things Ecclesia-related, this one was just “better.”
Part of the value of Ecclesia is that when they say “relational network”, they actually mean it. Those involved in the network agree to be in relationship with each other, not just in some vague metaphorical sense, but with actual phone calls, conversations, and time spent with each other.
This seems to all begin at the boot camp, with meals together, late night talks, long walks on the beach (ok… I made that last one up, but still.)
From the moment I arrived, I began to realize – this is a room of like-minded individuals intent on seeing the Gospel spread and healthy, missionally-minded communities planted. And in the lonely world of church planting, I can think of few things more valuable than having a handful of friends like that.
The boot camp itself was a great mix of the theoretical and the practical, the motivational and the devotional. Times of prayer, times of discussion, lots of learning and lots of dreaming. Plenty of room for divergent models- no, not everyone here is going to plant the same kind of church- but a common heart because of a common focus on the person of Jesus.
If you ever take part in one of these bootcamps, and you should, just don’t expect to be wowed by experts who started their church and a year later had 1,000 people showing up. This wasn’t like that… and since your church planting experience probably won’t be either, that’s a good thing.
This was a really healthy mix of seasoned practitioners and newer church planters all sharing what they’ve learned along the way. And everyone was invited and even expected to do the same. This boot camp quickly became a community of learners and teachers as everyone contributed.
The setting of the Richmond Hill community was wonderful with its rhythms of daily prayer and contemplative atmosphere. Hard to imagine a better setting for listening to God and seeing what it is He might be birthing in you as regards church planting.
This boot camp is an annual event so there will be another one in 2010. If you are interested in learning more about Ecclesia and the boot camp, you are invited to e-mail Christ Backert by using our the contact form on our website.
You can listen to the audio from the 2009 boot camp here
