I was in Manhattan last week for my first gathering with the senior pastors that have committed to be part of the Future Traveler (FT) effort. FT is a peer-to-peer coaching and learning environment led by Alan Hirsch and facilitated by Todd Wilson, Ed Bahler and me. The purpose is to launch missional movements that expand the church exponentially. Instead of seeing attractional and incarnational as either/or, we are using the both/and to understand how to leverage the prevailing model of the US church to launch new faith communities. Ten of the twelve pastors were there representing over 50,000 in weekly attendance. They have done mega and multi now they are looking at how to do micro.
I was extremely impressed with the FT pastors. I knew some of them from before but several of them I was meeting for the first time. They exemplify what Jim Collins describes as Level V Leaders – a blend of humility and strength. They are willing to risk the status quo to do what needs to be done to reach the people God has called them to reach. Late Wednesday afternoon there was a palpable sense of a collective connection with the vision. I am excited and encouraged about where we are headed.
I heard that Vice President Biden, commenting on the Health Care Bill, told President Obama, “This is a big _______ deal.” No matter what you think of the legislation, it is a big deal because it marks a significant departure from a 30 year philosophical approach to government. But, honestly, what happened in Manhattan may have given birth that will have a much greater eternal impact. This is a big deal!
“A church which pitches its tents without constantly looking out for new
horizons, which does not continually strike camp, is being untrue to its
calling…[We must] play down our longing for certainty, accept what is
risky, and live by improvisation and experiment.”
- Hans Kung, The Church as the People of God
