Summer CP Retreat - Day One

I had some pics to share with you, but unfortunately, the camera I used last night took lousy shots of some great scenary and our guys having some fun and discussion. Sorry, maybe today I'll go back to using my simple camera phone. We enjoyed from about 5 until 11:00 of some great discussion (ask for my Best Practices powerpoint which is basically a compilation of findings from some great researchers like NAMB, Stephen Gray and some other practicioners. Mixed into the schedule was some time in the word remembering how Jesus got away to stay connected with the Father. We read an except from Vince Antonucci's (http://www.forefront.org/) book, I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-shirt. We enjoyed a lasagna dinner, a spectular Lake Erie Sunset and some fishing. Some new relationships were formed and others taken further.

We really appreciated having Scott Pugh and David Thorne from http://www.velocitycc.org/ (their website is under reconstruction, but it is going to be so stinkin cool). Velocity is part of the Stadia Church-Planting Movement and Kingdom Synergy Partnership in Ohio. While we do many of the same things in our systems...assessments, coaching, training...these groups are light-years ahead of us in funding piece and in how they apply compenents from http://www.churchplanting4me.com/ , so we are learning from them. Thanks to George Klippenes for opening the doors for us to move beyond our circles. This is something we simply must do if we really want to see EFCA Church-Planting www.efca.org/planting become a movement.

Last night's group included:

Jeff Powell - http://www.alleghenydistrict.com/
Jason Oesterling - http://www.ikonmedina.com/
Nate Childers - www.mymillcreek.net
Alex Ielase - http://www.redeemeronthemount.org/
Derek Wadsworth and Joe Becker - http://www.dansvillecommunitychurch.org/
Mark Petras - Crossroads - Altoona
Tom Richards - former EFCA pastor investigating planting www.tomrichards.wordpress.com
Scott Pugh & David Thorne - http://www.velocitycc.org/
Me

While last night we studied trends and talked about their implications and applications, today we get very specific on things like website development, building your core group, assimilation, building your team, designing your disciple-making pathway, stewardship and funding. I don't want to make this an overload day, but we do want to delve into them enough to be of help. Later in the day, Eric Tober from http://www.scefc.org/ (State College or Penn State for those who think there are other great universities like Ohio State). Also, our Pittsburgh Urban Director, Stu White arrives today as well. It is going to be a great day. Just pray that everyone finds encouragement through the course of the day.