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Solomon stated, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc 1:9). Over the years I’ve thought about that statement and pondered its meaning. It’s obvious Solomon didn’t have a private jet—a fast camel, maybe—or an iPhone to check Twitter. So products of transportation and technology seem to be new. And, Jesus, the greater Solomon, came and did a new work—transforming his people into a new creation—and promises to make all things new. So a divine work of God initiates something new. If these areas, and others, can experience something new, what was Solomon proposing?
Solomon was wisely contending that when it comes to the questions and problems of humanity there is nothing new. Solomon believed that man would always face the questions and problems of vanity, meaningless, and emptiness in life; and would try to fill those feelings and emotions with all sorts of idols.
In short, it seems that Solomon proposed there are core truths—and even core principles—that never change.
I bring up this whole concept of “nothing new under the sun” because of my recent talk with Chris Railey, Senior Director of Leadership and Church Development for the Church Multiplication Network and the Assemblies of God. In our discussion I asked Chris what he was learning about creating a culture of multiplication. His answer, “I’m learning that there is nothing new under the sun.” As I pondered our discussion, I found myself in much agreement.
With so much talk of church multiplication, people are hungry like never before to learn how to multiply. They read books, attend conferences, scan the latest blogs, and become Plus members at NewChurches.com. However, like Chris, I do believe there are timeless principles for church multiplication. Let me list a few of the many “nothing new under the sun” church multiplication principles that Chris shared during the video.
Healthy relationships form the bedrock of reproduction. People who relate to each other in a healthy manner—whether husbands and wives or leaders and followers—are more prone to exist in a condition whereby reproduction can occur.
Chris shared how their process of training and launching church planters is taking a more relational approach rather than an institutional one. Their training, based upon a mentor model, provides a mentorship for planters to receive very practical and principled experience. In addition, Chris shared how a more relational approach to church planting—a Parent–Affiliated church planting model—has become the model most preferred in the Assemblies of God. The Parent-Affiliated model allows for personal relationships to cross geographical barriers, so that a church in Illinois can partner with a church plant in Louisiana.
Movement turns to momentum when a body or object has been launched into motion. The mass and velocity of a body or object in motion will determine the strength of its momentum. Thus, for a church multiplication movement to establish strong momentum, more people need to be involved in the process.
Chris suggests, the more people involved in the multiplication process, the further you will be able to go in multiplication. In other words, the more people you involve in the process of multiplication, the greater the momentum for multiplication will be. The key to involving more people in the process is to create elements (of the process) they can own. When given ownership, people tend to live with purpose and responsibility to make sure they get their job done. When people collectively do their jobs and fulfill their responsibilities, they tend to do more and go further than they every realized.
At the most basic level, culture is the beliefs, values, behaviors and characteristics of a society or a people. Thus, if a church, network, or denomination desires to see a multiplication movement they must seek to create a culture of multiplication. For Chris, at every level—from the local church to the denomination—and in every opportunity—from communication with the staff, meetings with the board, to messages on Sunday morning—he believes a culture of multiplication must be planted, cultivated, and nurtured.
Many may go about creating a culture of multiplication in differing ways with varying methods, but, according to Chris, the following elements are foundational:
In closing, seasons come and go, environments and conditions change, and new ideas and products emerge. However, when it comes to searching for the next new idea to multiply churches, the truth is there’s really “nothing new under the sun.” As Chris states, “We know what to do, we just need to do it.”
To hear more of the specifics from Chris about creating a culture of multiplication, developing leaders, and involving people in the process, check out the full video here. This video is part of Plus Membership, so to get full access to it, a list of additional resources to help you create a culture of multiplication, and much more, I encourage you to become a Plus Member. Click here to see all the benefits of becoming a Plus Member.
Daniel Im (@danielsangi) is the Founder of NewChurches.com and the Director of Church Multiplication for LifeWay Christian Resources. He is a Teaching Pastor at The Fellowship, a multisite church in Nashville. He is the author of No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts that will Transform Your Ministry, and co-author of Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply (2nd ed) with Ed Stetzer. He also co-hosts the New Churches Q&A Podcast, the 5 Leadership Questions Podcast, and a brand new podcast with his wife on marriage and parenting called the IMbetween Podcast. He has an M.A. in Global Leadership and has served and pastored in church plants and multisite churches ranging from 100 people to 50,000 people in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Korea, Edmonton, and Nashville. Visit Danielim.com to learn more.
