As far as starts go, my start at the Karapoti race on Saturday was below par. I wasn't wearing my gloves or my glasses and didn't realise until 1 or 2km into the race. The next day I had another start, Petone Corps plant kicked off with the first Sunday gathering (not service). This was a similarly apprehensive start with 20 people cautiously observing what was (and wasn't happening).
It did make me think about Church plants in general. Typically church plants grow, and grow quickly. Also every church plant I know about starts and has some specific aims about what will be different in the church going forward (Petone is no different in this regard).
However I do wonder, when do Church plants slip into the 'normal mode of church'? When does the youthful enthusiasm and reckless disregard for 'how things are normally done' be abandoned and the sprouting outpost of God's kingdom settle for something more normal? Why does this most often happen and is it possible to avoid it?
One of the strong themes on Sunday was a desire for Petone to be an outward focussed pursuit of God's kingdom (as opposed to an introverted pursuit of 'holiness') - I say 'holiness' as the introverted pursuit of salvation neglects the love of one's neighbour (see Matthew 22).
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