Dear Leaders,
One of the questions we get asked is: how should our church partner with CNC? We answer that by encouraging every lead pastor and church to participate in our regional initiatives: church planting, strengthening events, strategic programs, and our camp ministry at Trout. Participating in the regional movement gives churches real partnership in a dynamic worldwide movement—and joy and hope as we see God transform lives and communities.
Because numerous churches within CNC participated together, our region helped birth three new congregations during the month of September. Praise the Lord!
This happens because it’s all about relationships. A relationship with Jesus and our connection among each other. We believe strong relationships are the key to effective ministry.
Therefore, we encourage every lead pastor, influential leader, and board member to participate in our relational network. It’s how we connect and engage. We have regional leaders who want to meet, connect, and grow with pastors. They can empower pastors for greater ministry impact. Whatever challenges churches face, our network of regional leaders will be there with the resources, connections, and understanding they need—not just to survive, but to thrive.
Another important part of our work is sending four more potential church planters to the church planting assessment center. This one-week intensive experience helps leaders discern their calling, ministry fit, and leadership capacity as a church planter. Registration, lodging, and transportation for planters, plus half the cost for an assessor, are covered. Converge has one of the longest running, most influential and highly trusted church planting assessment systems in the country. We offer decades of assistance and a contextually current process. Many other denominations and parachurch organizations have modeled their process after ours.
Thanks for being a valuable partner with Converge North Central and maximizing ministry impact. Let’s work together reaching more people for Jesus and dquipping the next generation of Jesus-followers.
In Christ,
Wick,
Interim Regional President
Yet another historic summer at Trout Lake Camps has come to an end.
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.
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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?
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!
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
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)
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.