mattmehaffey

NewThing Connection

The Pursuit is an affiliate of a network of churches all committed to reproducing Christ-followers, leaders, small groups, campuses, churches, etc. called NewThing. Right now there are a little less than 20 churches in the network. One of the things that I value about NewThing is the collaboration between churches.

One of The Pursuit's members (and a friend of mine), Eric Hafner, got a sweet, summer internship at Epic Records in NYC. While he's there he is attending Forefront Church, a NewThing church in the heart of Manhattan. I look forward to hearing what Eric is learning and how we as a church can improve.

This week I got an email from a young man who is from Miami but is living in Boston because he is going into his Senior year at Harvard (yes that Harvard). While in Boston he got connected to Reunion Christian Church, a NewThing Church, and loved it so much he wants to help The Pursuit while he's home in Miami this summer working on his thesis.

I just got back from lunch with this young man and I loved how we totally speak the same language. All the NewThing churches are 100% sold out to the same things even though they will look differently depending on the context they are located.

Both Reunion and Forefront are a few years older than our new church but I look at them as big brothers The Pursuit wants to be like someday.

Alan Hirsch @ NewThing

View of the Room

Chicago - Sunday

Sunday, I did a "preach and run" at The Pursuit so I could catch my flight to Chicago. (I'll post more about yesterday's Celebration Service later)

I am here for a gathering of pastors from across the country who lead churches affiliated with the NewThing Network. The Pursuit is proud to be a part of this growing group of churches who believe through relationships, peer coaching, and accountability, we can make a bigger impact together than each one can individually. Click here for a list of churches in the network.

We are going to be joined by Alan Hirsch throughout this gathering. Really looking forward to learning from him.

I love spending time in Naperville, IL because it gives me a great excuse to see my good friends Sam, Renee & Catie Cole. I am staying at their beautiful house while I am here. They already picked up some Portillo's Italian beef sandwiches and chocolate cake for me (my craving has finally subsided).

I'll keep you posted as my trip continues...

The Pursuit & the NewThing Network

Did you know?

The Pursuit Christian Church is affiliated with a network of churches across the U.S. and the world all focused on reaching 1 billion people with the good news of Jesus? When we were invited to be a part of NewThing, I knew this was the perfect partnership for The Pursuit.

Newthing currently has 16 churches in our network but it is continuing to grow as young godly leaders with a high capacity for leadership are identified and aligned with the core values of the network.

The mission of Newthing is: to be a catalyst for a movement of reproducing churches relentlessly dedicated to helping people find their way back to God.

The picture below is from a gathering of the network in Boston last year in December. Check out the NewThing website and the other great churches God is calling to be a part of His mission.

Boston - Day Two

Today has been very surreal for me. I've been in meetings most of the day as part of the NewThing Network. I look around the room and I can't help but ask the question, "How did I get here." The Pursuit Christian Church hasn't even launched yet and I get the privilege of networking with a group of leaders I have tons of respect for. They stretch me as a leader even more as a Christ follower. The thing that impresses me the most with this network is how "ego-free" everything is.

Sorry to Richa and Troy for not taking a step back to get them in the picture, but Troy managed to get his arm in.

The churches and leaders present are:
Community Christian Church
Dave Ferguson
Jon Ferguson
Tim Sutherland
Brian Zehr
Aaron Monts - planting a church in San Francisco in 2009

New Life Christian Church
Todd Wilson

2|42 Community Church
Dave Dummitt

Church! At Bethany
Matt Payne

Crossings Christian Church
Mark Nelson

Forefront Christian Church
Brian Moll

Jacob's Well Community Church
Dave Richa

Reunion Christian Church
Hank Wilson

Suncrest Christian Church
Greg Lee

Restore Christian Church
Troy McMahon

Boston - Day One 2.0

My flight was a great experience. I have been re-reading 1776 by David McCullough, a Pulitzer Prize winning book about America's breakaway from England. As we flew over the Atlantic coming into Boston, I had an incredible view of the setting many of the events in the book took place. Tomorrow I finally get to experience The Freedom Trail.

As much as I despise the sports teams (except the Celtics since I grew up liking Larry Bird), the city of Boston is amazing. I love the public transit system. It was very easy to get to Hotel Commonwealth. While I was on the Subway, at one of the stops a bunch of college-aged men and women came in with Bibles. Then I realized they were coming from a church service.

Speaking of Boston teams I despise, check out the view from my hotel room. Fenway is even closer than my iPhone camera could show. I love to hate the Red Sox but Fenway is hands down the best stadium I have ever seen.

So far this has been a really good trip and to top it all off I walked into my room just in time for the Colts kickoff. Now they have to win and wrap up the AFC South Division.