Dear CNC Leaders,
As I’ve travelled around our region to meet new pastors, visit churches, pray with leaders, and introduce myself to Converge North Central, one of the most common questions that I’ve heard is some version of: “What is your vision for CNC?” The answer to that question is both simple and complex. The vision hasn’t changed – CNC partners with influential leaders to help their churches move forward. The reality is we can go farther and be better when we work together. So, we partner to build healthy leaders and congregations so they can more effectively share the gospel. That’s the simple answer.
But there is also complexity, because the very next question should be: “How are we going to do that?” Answering that question is where I begin this journey as God has called me to serve our region. A few days ago, I was at Trout Lake Camps with a wonderful group of pastors for the Pastors’ Study Break. It was great to be together to laugh, pray, strategize, and build relationship. These kind of leader-to-leader relationships are at the heart of how CNC lives out its vision. While I don’t have the answer to the “how” question nailed down quite yet, I do know that it only comes through listening well – to the Lord’s leading and to the leaders who are out there – from the Iron Range to the rural landscape of Iowa, to the suburban church leaders trying to hire their next associate pastor to the large church figuring out how it can leverage the next event for even greater gospel impact. We all lead out of relationship.
During my first year, I know I’ve got to do a lot of listening and building relationship. I’ve been encouraged already by so many of you who are ready to lean in to what God is doing across our region, through our churches, and together through the work of our regional team network.
The other common question I’ve heard is: “How’s the new job going?” I can answer that one easily. God has given me incredible joy. You all know that there’s joy in following Jesus. And God has added to that joy through the opportunities that I’ve had to see new ideas, meet capable leaders, and witness spiritual fruit that God is growing through your gospel ministry.
I look forward to where God is leading us – together.
In Christ,
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Andy Kumpel
Regional President
Camping
Summer Recap
We had record summer attendance but more importantly, lives were changed at this meeting place with God:
- 5,213 kids and teens went to summer camp.
- 506 campers said yes to Jesus for the first time.
- 1,368 campers rededicated their lives to Christ.
That is why we do what we do.
Thanks to all our staff and volunteers who make it all possible. More than numbers, these are campers whose lives have been changed for eternity.
Starting
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Church Planting Then and Now
Church planting has changed a lot over the past twenty years. Not necessarily in bad ways (though there are a few changes I could do without!), but in ways that reflect and leverage the changing times. The goal hasn’t changed—but the methods and strategies have.
When I planted nearly 30 years ago, there were only two—maybe three—main ways to start a church. Today, best practices and new approaches offer countless ways to launch new churches that make more and better disciples for God and His Kingdom.
The “Launch Big” Era
When I planted, the dominant model was “launch big.” It followed a predictable sequence:
- Build a launch team of “X” number of adults.
- Move into “private worship” until you hit a certain size.
- Send mailers, make phone calls, and expect “X” number of people at your public launch.
Attendance would then settle into a core group to build from.
This approach was rooted in the writings of authors such as Lyle Schaller and C. Peter Wagner, who identified growth barriers—especially the 200-attendance barrier—and argued that breaking through it early would increase organizational, relational, and spiritual momentum.
It worked. Many churches, including those in Converge North Central, saw significant growth and renewal during this era. And some churches still plant this way today, updating the model and addressing its weaknesses. In God’s mosaic of church planting, He isn’t bound to any one method.
The Rise of Engagement
What is being re-prioritized now is engagement.
Dave Adamson, someone I’ve mentioned before, shared a post from a church he used to serve:
“…we just don’t measure attendance—we measure engagement. Because people don’t grow where they go; they grow when they participate.”
I’m not against counting—especially in church planting! You count people to gauge readiness to launch. You count attendance to know how many chairs to set up. You count volunteers to assess ministry capacity. You count the offering to pay the bills. You count first time decisions and baptisms to celebrate spiritual milestones.
But over the past 30 years, I’ve seen an increasing emphasis on engagement—and it’s about more than just having the nursery staffed or the tech team in place.
Engagement is about ownership—people taking personal responsibility and contributing toward shared goals.
It starts with the launch team but intentionally expands in concentric circles through the whole congregation. People show up and serve because they believe in the mission, and that ownership naturally moves them to action. It’s baked into the DNA of the church from Day One.
What does this look like in practice?
- Discipleship: Church plants have some of the highest ratios of people in small groups compared to worship attendance. Not just in their first year, but years later.
- Community Service: One recent church plant held regular “Breakfast and Bibles” outreach events at their local high school before they launched public worship.
- Ongoing Outreach: Several church plants dedicate months with five Sundays to serving their community on that fifth Sunday.
In all these ways, people are personally invested in what the church is about—and they’re eager to engage both inside and outside its walls.
How is your church doing with engagement?
How are you cultivating a shared mission mindset and giving people opportunities to buy in at a heart level?
Strengthening
Deep Roots
You might have heard Converge described by the ideas of our pietistic heritage and our irenic spirit. But what does that mean? How does it impact Converge? Perhaps more importantly, why is it important today?
Earlier this summer, in our “Under the Hood” zoom call, we took a quick dive into pietistic roots… How it has shaped our history and how it guides and influences us moving forward.
Take a look!
Strategic Partners
Gospel-centered churches and ministries must be free to boldly live out their missions so that they can transform our culture with the truth.
That’s why Alliance Defending Freedom established the Church & Ministry Alliance, an affordable membership program designed to ensure churches and ministries can operate, teach, and serve in accordance with God’s call. Through legal guidance and practical resources, we equip churches and ministries to confidently pursue their missions. Members receive: Legal Support Resources & Education News & Insights Community Building Constituent Support ADF Church & Ministry Alliance members serve as the hands and feet of Jesus in every state across America.
Affordable benefits for church planters. Converge regions include a three-year CMA membership in its Church Planter Benefits for new and existing members. Converge pays a flat rate of $100/year per church plant. After three years of Converge funding, the church may continue its membership at our standard pricing with a 20% discount. Any church started in the past three years and any church plant in the future would be eligible.
Want to learn more contact:
Renée Read
Regional Manager
rread@adflegal.org
480-388-8093
Events & Opportunities
October 4, 2025 Engage! 2025 Crystal, MN
October 23-24, 2025 Fix The Finances 2.0 St. Paul, MN
October 29, 2025 Retired Pastors and Missionaries Event at Bethel St. Paul, MN
November 11-13, 2025 S2 West Conference Phoenix, AZ
June 23-25, 2026 Converge Together 2026 Washington, D.C.
Calvary Baptist Church Lead Pastor Madison MN (job opening)
Community of Nations Lead Pastor Roseville MN (job opening)
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
We give you praise for how you are calling more people into relationship with you. May you continue to energize, strengthen and give wisdom to our CNC pastors so that they may boldly communicate the gospel in their communities. Help our church leaders to humbly follow your leading and take steps of faith to be actively promoting the Good News to a world that desperately needs truth. In doing so, may our gospel message be delivered in love, gentleness and clarity. We give you all the glory for transforming lives. In your holy and precious name, Amen.