Category: Missional Church

Conversion, Doctrine, & Social Networks

Posted on July 3, 2008

Elsewhere I have commented on our approach to evangelism (Gospel, Social Networks, and Community).Tim Chester describes it as “Three-Strand Evangelism.” Austin City Life does not place our emphasis on doctrinal conversion, memorized gospel presentations or evidential apologetics, rather, we are cultivating communities of Spirit-led disciples who redemptively engage people. Consider Rodney Stark’s comment:

It is important to realize several important things about doctrine and conversion. After conversion has occurred is when most people get more deeply involved in the doctrines of their new group…conversion is primarily about bringing one’s religious behavior into alignment with that of one’s friends and relatives, not about encountering attractive doctrines.

How does evangelism typically play out for us? It means several things: 1) We form relationships for relationships sake; we value the friendship and perspective of those who do not believe as we do. 2) We invite people from these social networks into our community, a community centered on Jesus. We do this through BBQs, meals in the home, parties, and so on. 3) We strive to understand and apply the gospel in our lives and relationships, addressing the whole needs of our friends (celebrating a new birth, adopting foster children, counseling people through a hard time, sharing God’s forgiveness in Jesus, etc.). This approach to evangelism is the product of biblical reflection, study, practice and contextualization. This happens through our City Groups and social networks. Stark’s comments are, once again, apropos:

By now dozens of close-up studies of conversion have been conducted. All of them confirm that social networks are the basic mechanism through which conversion takes place. To convert someone, you must first become that person’s close and trusted friend.

One wonders how Stark accounts for Pentecost, a breakout awakening of people who did not even speak the same language. Well, he certainly makes room for “Damascus Road” experiences but argues that this is the exception, not the rule.

Quotes taken from Rodney Stark, Cities of God, 12-13. See also The Rise of Christianity.

Soli Deo Gloria Austin

Posted on July 2, 2008

I am pleased to announce the return of David Avila to Austin to plant Soli Deo Gloria Austin. David is a seasoned platner with a incredible mix of passion, talent, experience, and vision. The vision of SDG Austin is

to be a bold, biblical, Gospel-centered, Spirit-enabled, Kingdom-serving, multi-site community of faith that is as diverse as the people of Austin, passionate in retelling the Salvation Story—that God has come to rescue and renew creation through the word and work of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

David is a third generation Mexican with a passion for racial diversity in the body of Christ. His unique background and commitments to the Reformed tradition and Penecostal faith will be a breath of fresh, keep Austin wierd air. Plus, he’s got a killer logo.

Driscoll on Movements

Posted on July 1, 2008

At the recent Acts 29 Pastors and Wives Retreat, Mark Driscoll spoke on Movements and Renewal, pointing out that Acts 29 has moved from being a Network to becoming a Movement. Of course, time will tell. My respect for Driscoll and Acts 29 shot through the roof over these four days. Driscoll’s address was a significant part of that. He addressed Movements & Renewal, littering his talk with pastoral exhortations. Hopefully the audio will be up soon.

For now, I’d like to highlight some of his remarks that are well worth considering. Note this a personal summary; quotations indicate direct quote from Driscoll. In classic Lovelacian form, Driscoll avered that Movements of God are precipiated by the whim of the Spirit and personal and communal renewal (if you haven’t read Dynamics of Spiritual Life by Richard Lovelace order it now). From what I can recall, Driscoll noted seven characteristics of lasting movements:

  1. Lasting movements can only ultimately be attributed to a unique work of God. “Movements are fueled by a passion to increase the number of people worshipping Jesus Christ as God.”
  2. Lasting movements are typically strated by a movement leader who faces controversy and criticism.
  3. Lasting movements are characterized by “lives transformed in larger than typical numbers not unlike a revival…”
  4. Lasting movements are frequently started among young people.
  5. Lasting movements plant churches.
  6. Lasting movements use new technology to communicate the gospel (Horseback/Great Awakening; Printing Press/Reformation; Internet/Acts 29) . “Something in the culture has changed and a new model ministry is leading the pioneering of a solution.”
  7. Lasting movements exert an external influence that is beyond measure.
  8. Heretics are good for lasting movements; they help clarify what is central to the movement and develop theological precision.
  9. Lasting movements produce auxiliary organizations to manage growth.
  10. Lasting movements inevitably leave behind doctrinal and practical clean-up.

Pastoral Exhortation: “Shoot the wolves, not the shepherds, sheep or goats.”

Driscoll exhorted A29 pastors to not become embroiled in in-house debates, shooting fellow shepherds over best missional practices. This happens way too much among missional planters and blogosphere addicts. Younger planters tend to think they have the latest and best form of missional communities or whatever. At one point said something to the effect of: “Some of you don’t like that I do video venue. Well, i don’t care. I don’t like your band. Some dude strumming an acoustic instead of rockin out. It doesn’t matter. If we are going to be a movement, we are going to have stop shooting one another.” As churches grow there will be plenty of critics, fellow shepherds need not be among these. Rather, shepherds should encourage one another, guard the sheep, win the goats, and shoot the heretics. Mark obviously wasn’t suggesting that we literally shoot anyone, but rather that in assuming the task of watching our life and doctrine closely and shepherding the flock of God, we clearly mark out heretical teaching.