Sounds good period. Releasing people is a major part of my missionality. An Institutional church (of any size) seeks to build itself in size. It becomes an end unto itself, rather than means to an end.

My implications about transfer growth is that it is not Kingdom growth when people circulate from church to church within a community. doing well at sucking other churches’ leadership and gifted servants away is not Kingdom growth, but actually hurts the Kingdom. Hence it should be avoided.

Obviously, I am for the transfer of talented leaders and servants to Skelly in the right situation, since that is what I am praying for and, it would seem to me, God is in favor of it, since He is answering our prayers.

Good thoughts.

I know you’re not implying it, but transfers are not always a bad thing. I can think of several valid reasons off the top of my head:

1) Home Location / Relocation (even just a few miles)
2) Perceived ministry need in new church
3) Agreeable difference in ministry philosophy

In my case I hit all three. We left a regional megachurch for a local smaller church.

I often think that some awesome synergy would occur if some of the big megas would intentionally send some of their leaders (and let’s face it, most are chock full of them) as seeds out to smaller congregations. You would see greater cooperation amongst the churches, and the smaller churches could continue with their relational and missional models as they drill into the communities that don’t dress up for, much less attend, church. The mega could still use the program driven model that seems to draw leaders. Draw and Send, Draw and Send.

Sounds good as an abstract idea.

There’s every reason God does the same thing, now, for leaders and flocks who have a heart to do what God wants them to. Which is the case, at Skelly.

Bob Clevelands last blog post..Blessed Redeemer. Precious Redeemer.