Hugh Halter

I had the privilege of being in Austin over this last weekend.  I was hosted by Brandon Hatmaker who started ANC, Austin New Church just under two years ago.  We met a few years ago after they got a hold of The Tangible Kingdom book, and we’ve enjoyed not only finding another church that has formed out of mission to culture, but we’re learning a lot from them.  Often I get asked if there are other “Adullam-like” churches out there.  I used to struggle to find other examples, but now I actually say, “Ya, there’s actually a lot better Adullam-like churches than Adullam.”  ANC is one of those. You should check out their story.  Brandon is now our Missio Hub leader and is playing a key role in encouraging the missional conversation and practices of many planters and pastors.

I also had the privilege of speaking at Auston Stone.  Stone has the same passion as ANC, same missional push, same commitment not to settle for church.  The one difference is that they have 6,000 people!  As I was with their community leaders, I continued to learn that missional church isn’t equal with being small.  It’s the call of every church and any church of any form or size will struggle to move people into mission and finding the balance of how to gather people and how to scatter them.  Thanks to ANC and Austin Stone for not only modeling God’s design for the church, but for working together to help other pastors in Austin find their stride.

If you’re interested in the balance of gathering and scattering, we’ll have a book coming out this next spring with Zondervan, Leadership Network, and the Exponential crowd.  We’ll keep you posted, but in the meantime, I think it’s time to stop belly-aching about which type of church is better, and get onto the real business of being the missional church whether you have 8 people in your living room or 6,000 meeting in a local gym.

Peace out

hugh

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