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 Our Ridiculously Exciting New Process Amelia Earhart was six, Charles Lindbergh was still in diapers, and no one (not even his parents) conceived of Chuck Yeager until 19 years later. It was 1903 when Wilbur and Orville put the “flying” into “flying machines” – and few understood how the world had changed. But everything had changed, because breakthroughs change history. Speaking of breakthroughs, there are still a few people on Planet Earth who haven’t read The Pivotal Design (which is hard for us to believe). But those who have feel hopeful, rationally exuberant, as if someone flipped a switch that ignited their spirit. They block off an hour to read it again, they share it, and they feel compelled to do something about it. They abandon their robotic allegiance to a pre-flight world, determined to be included in the morphing of this discovery. When it comes to merging the message with methods that reach secular people, we are excited. We are seeing it happen on an increasingly sizeable scale. We are doing life (and church) with normal people who once were lost but now are found, were blind but now they see. What has changed about the way we operate? Now, each new Mission Catalyst (MC) project follows a three-phase process. PHASE 1 - RESEARCH During this phase, the team of leaders determines whether their vision is compatible with the MC vision. They pray intensely, seeking clarity about God’s call, making sure that their highest motive is to win people to Christ. They review our website, dialogue with us, and read The Pivotal Design. Once the team decides to move ahead and request affiliation with MC, they experience Planting Team Assessment. They choose between the full assessment process (for team members of funded projects) and the abbreviated assessment (for team members of unfunded projects). If the assessment is satisfactorily completed, team members attend the LaunchTicket two-day workshop to learn what to do (and not do) during the pre-launch phase, how to structure for growth, how to avoid church planting land mines, and how to assemble the components of the Pivotal Design. After the workshop, if both parties agree to proceed, MC announces that a new project is entering the Assembly phase. PHASE 2 - ASSEMBLY During this phase, which takes between three and 23 months, the new project is not “doing church” as much as it is “building church.” Work begins in earnest, and concrete steps are taken to bring together the Pivotal Design components. Weekly leadership meetings and weekend gatherings begin, and planting team members receive coaching. Benchmarks are set, ensuring that the Pivotal Design components are coming together and that the project is on the path to becoming a prevailing church. PHASE 3 - FLIGHT When benchmarks are met satisfactorily, MC announces that a new church is entering the Flight phase. What are the benchmarks? The group has experienced numerical growth. It has established a healthy DNA and a next-person focus. All other Pivotal Design components are in place. The project is on its way to becoming a prevailing church! We don’t have all the answers (you already knew that), and we can’t make specific guarantees. But we’ve put our thumb on some profound principles that God is eager to bless. The bar is high, and the future is bright as we continue to pursue God’s heart and build His kingdom. We are inexpressibly grateful for those who boldly step forward to join the Mission Catalyst team as leaders, donors, and prayer partners. Will you prayerfully consider what role God might be calling you to play as we move into this exciting new phase? For the sake of the Call, Ron Gladden Directional Leader P.S. To catch a glimpse of a Pivotal Design church, check out Epikos Church. |
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