It’s conference time here in Austin. About 2,000 people from all over descended on Hill Country Bible Church to learn about “Missional Communities.”
The most exciting thing about Verge to me is that it’s happening at all. A weird combination of house Church gurus, megachurch leaders and everything in between, trying to sort out what an Acts style church looks like in the 21st Century. Francis Chan jokingly referred to his way of following Christ as “regurgitation,” reading the book of Acts, and spitting it back out in life.
It’s also really exciting that it’s happening in Austin. Austin, known for music, decadence, and pagan revelry is becoming a model for a variety of churches learning to work together on planting and justice.
According to Vince Antonucci, only about 2.2 percent of churches grow by conversion growth. So your big, comfy megachurch, your cozy little house church or you nice traditional denominational church are either shrinking, or stealing people from other Churches.
In his hilarious I Became A Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt, Vince tells how he came to Christ in college, having never met a single Christian in his life. This led him to plant Forefront in Virginia beach, where they have grown a dynamic church, almost totally from non-believers. Recently, Vince got the crazy idea to move to the Las Vegas strip and do it again.
Verve has an incredible vision and proven experienced leadership. They have spent the better part of a year researching and reaching out in Vegas, which has led them to lease a property right off the strip, which will be home to a non-profit they’re launching, church services and more. On Wednesday, Vince announced this on his site:
Shepherd of the Hills church let me know that they will match any donations given in December to our Verve Venture Capitalists campaign!! We are trying to raise $50,000 for the build-out costs of getting the warehouse turned into a space where we can do church services (and more). Our hope has been to have 500 people give $100 each, all in 100 days.
So far we’re about half way there, but with only 29 days left. So Shepherd of the Hills said to help us reach our goal, they will match your donations given in December, all the way up to $25,000! So, if you can PLEASE give, you can know that your gift will be doubled!! You can learn more, and give online, at www.verveventure.org.
Imagine the impact you could have by helping out this phenomenal ministry! There’s only a few days left for the matching gifts, and only only a few left for those who need to give in 2009. Please prayerfully consider how you can help the strippers.
After recieving a great outpouring of encouragement and hope from some dear friends this Sunday, I’ve decided to deviate a bit from my regular commentary to give you an update on my hopes, plans and fears.
In the month since my position at Journey ended, I’ve spent a ton of energy trying to develop a concrete next step. After researching and applying for a number of opportunities across the country, I’ve decided what I want to do.
I”ve long felt a calling to plant a church in an urban area, reaching out to the crazy mix of artists/homeless/yuppies that make up urban centers. However, I feel that I am still a few years away from leading such an effort myself.
I’ve decided to move back to Austin, Texas. Whether I’ll serve on a church staff or “get a real job” has yet to be seen. My good friend Daniel just got accepted into UT’s Educational Psychology Ph.D. We are hoping to serve together as a Cares Team somewhere in Central or South Austin. Lord willing, this outreach will form they embryo of a future church plant.
In the mean time, I am seeking some part time employment to get me by. This is my most immediate need, and the worry that keeps me up at night.
Please pray for my situation, that God will provide soon, and that I will be able to serve him to the fullest of my ability. If you know of any jobs in Austin, or would like to get on-going updates on my life and ministry, comment on this post of send an email to chrismorton82@gmail.com.
After recieving a great outpouring of encouragement and hope from some dear friends this Sunday, I’ve decided to deviate a bit from my regular commentary to give you an update on my hopes, plans and fears.
