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NewThing Gathering - An Inside Look

Written by Hank Wilson

 

“So, what is NewThing about?” I’m asked that often these days. In Seth Godin’s book Tribes, he says,

“[Today’s leaders] are the ones who challenge the status quo, who get out in front of their tribes, who create movements.”

NewThing leaders are creating a movement of reproducing churches that will change the way we all think about church planting and church growth. That’s what we do.

In December, the NewThing churches gathered in Miami (special thanks to Matt Mehaffey and The Pursuit Christian Church for hosting) to talk about gaining momentum for this movement. Here is the recap:

• We welcomed five new Affiliates to the Networks: Southpoint Community Christian Church, Paseo Christian Church, Momentum Christian Church, The San Francisco Project, and Waterfront Christian Church. It is amazing to see the growth of the Networks each year!
• A lot of time was spent reviewing and refining strategies that will provide traction for the next couple of years: Leadership Residencies, funding new projects, and strategic partnerships.
  
• And of course there was time just to hang out and celebrate what is happening in each of our churches. It wouldn’t be NewThing without it. We prayed that our plans were God’s plans.

For me there is always an epiphany or two. I’m always amazed at how jumbo post-its, sharpies, and caffeine produce the right environment for producing vision. I am also surprised by how we continue to find larger BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) to agree to. But one thing I am not surprised by is how much I look forward to the next Gathering when we get to do this whole thing again. Creating a movement…that’s what we do!

Hank Wilson is the Lead Pastor of REUNION Christian Church, a NewThing Affiliate since February 2007.