Equipping
The Foundation
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body”
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
Why are we hosting this?
We believe that God deeply shapes us through failure. Everyone fears failure, but we rarely talk about this in the Church in North America. Church planters face failure head-on as around 4 out of 5 church plants on Colorado’s Front Range fail. In addition most people who start ministries or join church a church staff will fizzle out for one reason or another. We can’t NOT talk about this!
What is Epic Fail Roundtable?
This is not a conference. It’s a two day immersion into people’s stories of failure and how God has shaped them through this. Marriage, ministry & relationship failures will be at the heart of our discussions, but God’s deep love and grace will be the foundation for everything we will do. We will also hear from experts on failure who can drill deeper into why failure paralyzes the human heart so deeply. We will leave lots of space for roundtable discussions, Q & A and meal times together. This is going to be a transformational time together!
When & where is this?
Friday March 2nd from 6-8:30 PM & Saturday March 3rd from 9AM-2:30PM at Vanguard Church at 3950 N Academy Blvd in Colorado Springs. This is in a small venue that lends itself to conversation and relationships.
How do I sign up?
It’s only $49, and we are limiting this to 80 people so sign up here ASAP! Childcare is provided for $10 per family at the door.
Cultivate Learning Track
This 12 month formal learning track is open to anyone who wants to learn how to push God’s love forth in the world. Learners will receive practical instruction with time to process this over food & coffee as they build relationships with around 30 other fellow learners in a creative environment.
These monthly intensives range from missiology (understanding cultures in order to share Christ’s love), disciple-making, ecclesiology (understanding the Church), leadership & church planting. Learners also follow a book list each month.
These intensives are one weekend per month September-August, Fridays 5:30-8:30 and Saturdays 9-12. It’s not too late to sign up. Learners can join in any time!
The cost is $299, $249 for planters & planter wives & $ 199 for Springs Planting Network members. The price includes 10 regular sessions, MULTIPLY Leaders Conference, Epic Fail Roundtable with childcare included & dinners for your kids.
These are at Vanguard Church- 3950 N Academy Blvd, 80917
Childcare is included in the cost for kids up to 10 years old. Free kid dinner included
Learning sessions are taught interactively by local practitioners.
Learners are expected to read 1-2 books per month in preparation for sessions
September 9th & 10th-Discipleship in the Kingdom
Read The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer, Optional:UnTamed by Hirsch
October 7th & 8th; Principles & Practices for Healthy Leaders
Read Leaders that Last by Kinnaman, Optional: Leading from your Strengths by Trent & The Emotionally Healthy Church by Scazzero
November 10th & 11th- MULTIPLY Leaders Conference. Multiplying disciples, leaders & churches
Read Exponential by Ferguson Optional: The Multiplying Church by Roberts
December 2nd & 3rd- Developing Healthy Teams
Read Sticky Teams by Osborne
January 6th & 7th- The Mission & Structures of the Church
Read Missional Communities by McNeal & The Book of Ephesians 2x
February 3rd & 4th- Missionary Evangelism
Read The Celtic Way of Evangelism by Hunter
March 2nd & 3rd- Epic Fail Roundtable. We will gather for stories of how God has shaped us through failure, prayer together & a time of vulnerability
Read In the Name of Jesus by Nouwen
April 20th & 21st- Vision, Values & Practices
Read Visioneering by Stanley
May 4th & 5th- Group Discipleship Strategies
Read The Gathered & Scattered Church by Halter
June 1st & 2nd- Dealing with Conflict
Read Antagonists in the Church by Haugk
July 13th & 14th- Ministry & Your Identity
Read Start with Why by Sinek
August 3rd & 4th- Content to application.
Choose On the Verge by Ferguson & Hirsch or Movements that Change the World by Addison
What is the Frontline Residency?
This is our 12 month training process on how to plant & sustain a healthy multiplying church. Applicants take a self-assessment, receive a face-to-face assessment & once they are accepted they move to Colorado Springs for our one year program that spans about 20 hours per week. Residents have time for a job during their year in Colorado Springs.
Our residency is designed for leaders who are 12-24 months away from birthing a church. Residents will be well equipped to plant a church in the urban/suburban Front Range (Pueblo, CO to Cheyenne, WY). Residents are given time for vision trips, fundraising & networking opportunities throughout their 12 months. Church Planting involves the whole family, so we feel very strongly that wives MUST be invited into nearly every facet of this learning process.
We believe in a 3- pronged approach to learning that involves relational, experiential & formal learning.
Relational
Residents each have a ministry coach who is experienced church leadership in addition to a mentor couple. They will be challenged in the in the 4-D ministry approach, and this training will continue for two years into the church plant.
Experiential
Residents learn on-the-go as they serve in Vanguard’s alternative worship venue in addition to another established church or a church plant in the area. They get opportunities to attend staff & elder meetings, teach, directly disciple others & serve in areas they need to grow in. This gives practical experience for the road ahead.
Formal
Residents go through our monthly Cultivate Learning Track where they are taught by local practitioners (pastors, missionaries & church leaders) on various topics in creative venues. They also receive extra intensives involving cultural engagement, finances & pastoral duties. Site visits, reflection times, cultural & demographic studies, retreats, debriefing, hikes and cultural experiences are all part of the learning process. Residents will also experience Vanguard’s 7 Core Expressions up close.
Steps Toward Residency