As I’ve stated in prior updates the experience of global lockdowns changed practically everything about missionary training. (Mostly) Gone - for trainers and trainees alike - are the expensive and time-consuming flights, hotels, and malfunctioning powerpoint projectors. And in their place? The 14 inch laptop screen and webcam. Also (mostly) gone? The opportunity for relationship and community that happens so naturally when we gather together in person. But all of our experience in Communitas suggests that relationship with church planters is at least as important as the information we convey to them.
That is the challenge I and my teams are working on. Over the past few years the general acceptance of online training has greatly expanded our reach to church planters around the world. Whether in Eastern Europe, South America, or in the US, more and more people are coming toward us for online training. The question is not how do we merely ‘train more’ but how do we effectively ‘relate well’ to these current and aspiring church planters?
That has been and will continue to be the focus of my work with Communitas for the foreseeable future. Writing (and rewriting) courses, exploring different media, reshaping presentation methods (think phone app instead of book) to enhance relationships while still delivering quality content. Perhaps more precisely, how do we foster relationships because of quality content?
My mission is to equip and empower others for their mission in the world. It’s a challenge and it’s stretching me - in good ways. Below is an example, a link to In the Room with Communitas North America, a Facebook Live event that my colleague Bethany and I were invited to recently to discuss our church planting guide, Dynamic Adventure. Check it out, and while you’re there why not drop in on the Dynamic Adventure page too?
Grace and Peace,
Mike