Sunday, August 09, 2009

The Pivotal Design

Mission Catalyst turns five today. The candles are burning. We couldn't blow them out if we wanted to.

We promised a big announcement, and this is it. Please take a few minutes, relax, and read every word. We're incurably excited.

What have we learned?

After many conversations, meetings, hard work, and prayers, here is what five years have taught us:
  1. It can be done. What can be done? Prevailing churches with our theological niche can be created.
  2. It cannot happen in a parental system. (It's counterproductive to control funding and staffing.)
  3. It happens rarely. Why? Because few people understand how to do it. And it's tough. (But re-read #1.)
We are not uncomfortable talking about it. If what breaks God's heart breaks our hearts, we have to talk about it. We have to struggle, experiment, and pray. And once we nail down a breakthrough, it's unthinkable to keep it to ourselves.

What is changing?

We told you that our announcement "changes everything." What is changing?
  1. We no longer look for a superstar pastor. There is a better way to staff a prevailing church than to search for someone who is omni-competent.
  2. We are raising the bar on the funding. Now that it's clear how to create a prevailing church, we have to amp up our support. A breakthrough requires resources.
  3. Leaders who want their life to make a maximum difference have better, clearer choices than ever before.
What is it that changes everything?

We call it The Pivotal Design. It's imperative that you read it. Here are some options. Pick one or all.
  • Log onto missioncatalyst.org/pivotaldesign. Choose between the full edition and a somewhat abbreviated edition. Or listen to the audio online, download it to your iPod, or burn a CD.
  • Order professionally-printed copies of the bound booklet to share with everyone you know. Order online or give us a call.
Set aside an hour, and read it through. We're pretty sure you'll agree that it indeed changes everything.

How can you help?

I have never felt so good about asking for your help. We have set an ASAP goal of $180,000. Once you read The Pivotal Design, you will understand the potential and how vital it is that we raise up the next prevailing church.

Please choose your level of support (Friend, Supporter, Partner, or Visionary). Let's tackle this challenge with hair-on-fire enthusiasm and make sure we can support a wave of prevailing churches. You can give online, you can call us, or you can send a check. (You can even drive across the country and hand it to us!)

Friend: $30 a month
Supporter: $100 a month
Partner: $500 a month
Visionary: $1,000 a month
Legacy: Let's talk!

What is God dreaming?

Peter says it well: "God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Every page of the Bible, every moment of Jesus' life, the entire plan of salvation, is about one thing: redeeming people far from God. There cannot be another cause as essential. This is what keeps us awake at night and fuels our passion.

In the midst of crazy times in our country and our world, I am asking God for teams of leaders to create prevailing churches, and for faithful kingdom maniacs to step forward and provide the necessary resources. Thank you for being a vital part of what God is up to.

Ron Gladden, Directional Leader

P.S. Can you imagine what Mission Catalyst will be like five years from now (if Jesus doesn't come first)? I'm sure we will be astonished!

P.P.S We want to hear your feedback. Post your comments below.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's it? The big news is that you want the "faithful kingdom maniacs to step forward and provide the necessary resources." ?

I think I better read this again.

What exactly is the Mission Catalyst "theological niche" ?

Anonymous said...

When you get a chance, you should actually read The Pivotal Design. That will make things a little clearer for you. And the theological niche is on the website: www.missioncatalyst.org. Happy reading!