I was in Dallas a few days ago with 80 of our church planters from Vision360 and 12 Lead Pastors that Vision360 is collaborating with globally. The global pastors have planted over 20,000 churches with more than a million people in their churches. One of the pastors has 250,000 people in his church alone. So, its safe to say there is a lot to learn from these guys.

I’ve been to a lot of conferences designed to help the church grow, change and expand. Most conferences I’v been to say similar things, present similar models using similar speakers. Well, this conference wasn’t the flashiest and hippest but it certainly presented many ideas and realities that you don’t here anywhere else. In many ways it was the most refreshing and practical conference I’ve been a part of. It was also lead by guys who are experience exponential growth in the midst of incredible challenges, most of which we never experience in the west.

So instead of dumping all my learning’s into one blog, I thought I would share a learning a day for the next couple weeks. Enjoy!

LEARNING #1 HOLY SPIRIT LEAD US 

One of the Pastors from Africa said it best...”If we aren’t lead by the Holy Spirit, then we are only pleased by what we can produce ourselves.” In many ways that statement tugged at my heart over and over simply because I have been guilty of producing ministry built on my on skill and strength. Most of the Pastors there talked          A LOT about the leading and working of the Holy Spirit, much more than we hear in the west. It makes you wonder when it became okay for the efforts of man, money, facilities, programs, past successes, etc, to run the church. It’s clear from these 12 leaders that the one common denominator for sustainable growth, expansion and movement is the Holy Spirit. Agree or disagree its hard to argue with.

In fact, if you look at the Great Commission in all 5 Gospels (M, M, L, J and Acts) there are only 2 things present in all 5. The Nations and the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts clearly shows that the work of the Holy Spirit as the church grows and expands is central and non-negotiable!

It seems the Church in the west has lost a lot of ground with how the Holy Spirit works. We have worked so hard on producing models and process we have forgotten how to let the Holy Spirit produce.

I was really challenged to rediscover the Holy Spirit. To focus on the Holy Spirit in new and refreshing ways. For growth and movement to happen the Holy Spirit must lead the charge and we must not be afraid of him.