We have a treat in store for us at presbytery (hosted by Desert Palms in Sun City West on the 14th): We will commission three NWCs!!! Can you believe it? God is good (all the time). All the time (God is good).

And wait, there’s more!!! The entire weekend of November 13-16 the Rev. Tom Letts will be among us to meet with those interested in learning more or dreaming together about NWCs, as well as at the presbytery meeting that Saturday to present, along with our own Rev. Kristin Willett, on the New Worshipping Community movement. Tom is a seasoned NWC coach, and I invited him to help us understand, appreciate, and act on becoming the type of presbytery where NWCs flourish.

I asked Tom and Kristin to help us begin to understand the NWC pipeline: from discernment to idea to conviction, from training support to first steps to sustainability, from wishing about “what-if” to mission-generated fulfillment. The NWC focus at presbytery initiates the start of an emphasis within the presbytery on cultivating a culture that seeks new expressions of faith. This initiative is funded by funds derived from the sale of Gloria Cristi Federated Church (formerly Palo Cristi Presbyterian). As we learn about NWCs, I invite all y’all—pastors, elders, deacons, and members—to imagine what could be next for you.

What is an NWC? It’s not just a “starter church” but an active, vibrant, new expression of being the Body of Christ. Sometimes, as with First Light Fellowship in Anthem, an NWC leads to an established church. Other times it looks like a group of cyclists that meet on Saturday mornings to pray together and then ride. Sometimes it looks like a group that starts a restaurant called Open Table where all food is served family style around large tables and diners contribute freely rather than a set amount. Other times the NWC nests within an established congregation as a creative ministry partner that does things for the Gospel that are sooooooooo crazy…they just might work!