5 Quick Reasons I Am Thankful for Acts 29

So I have just finished up my Acts 29 Coach training in Phoenix.

Though I didn’t get a whistle or Bike coaching shorts (all of us should be thankful for that one), I got some GREAT training, time with some great new brothers, most of which I didn’t even know before this event, and a renewed appreciation for God’s grace to me in being a part of this brotherhood.

As I am reflecting on our time together, I wanted to take just a moment to share some of the things I am most thankful for in being a part of our network. I could list many, but I will limit myself to five.

And my hope with this post is not to say “Ooooh…look at Acts 29, we’ve got it all together…” because anyone would tell you, we are a work in progress. Instead, I hope to encourage some reflection and thanksgiving for those reading this who are already part of the network and for those of you who may be a part of other networks in hopes that they might do the same for their ownto do the same for own tribe.

And most of all, to call attention to and praise Jesus.

After all, it is His work anyway.

1. This movement is about the Gospel.
Yes, we have our well known guys with big churches, but at the end of the day, the person that these brothers are most excited about is Jesus and not one of our superstars. This is truly refreshing and I am reminded of this every time we are able to connect.

2. This movement gives equal respect to guys who pastor churches of 50 and 5000.
While all of us know that this should be the case, something often seems to break down along the way in practice in making it happen, doesn’t it? This has not been my experience with Acts 29. As a guy who doesn’t pastor a huge church, I have felt just as loved and cared for in this family as anyone I know. This is evidenced by the fact that the first question that I get asked when we get together is not “So what are you guys running now?” but usually something more in line with what God is up to in my life or the church I pastor. This is truly refreshing.

3. Acts 29 Director Scott Thomas is truly an amazing man.
As many of you know, I have known Scott for a while and just posted a couple of videos here and at the Resurgence talking about different planting issues. If you missed them, you can check them out HERE and HERE. Since a movement always follows its leadership, I am happy to say that Scott is the same guy “off camera” as he is on. He is always a listener, encourager, friend and mentor to everyone around him. I truly hope that as I age, I can humbly follow his example. I know that I am not the only young, A29 pastor who feels this way.

4. Our movement is both diverse and unified.
In only a few minutes of talking to these guys, it becomes quickly apparent that our churches are both unified in our theology and diversified in our methodologies. In fact, the larger the network gets, this is becoming even more apparent. This is a welcome change from the “cookie cutter” approach that is often prevalent in some circles and I believe this is a unique trait that I hope other movements embody as well. I look forward to seeing this fleshed out even more in the future. Speaking of the future…

5.By God’s grace, I believe our best days are ahead of us
Though I have only been a part of A29 for about 3 years, and we have a LONG way to go in these areas, I have seen a massive bump in maturity, thoughtfulness, care for one another, and so on. There is a growing heart for one another, greater hope in the Gospel, and greater desire for the multiplication and not just addition of disciples and churches. My hope is that this kind of fruit would only continue to grow in the days to come. I am also continually encouraged by the constant desire from the leadership to continually “work on the work” and be a learning and growing organization in the future.

As I said, I could go on, but that’s enough for now.

Anything you might like to add about your experience with Acts 29 or your own movement/network?

The floor’s open.