Ever wondered what would happen if your town was transformed? Perhaps you’re in a town with a bad reputation – poor economy, poverty, addiction, broken families, etc. Many towns adopt a stigma that becomes self-perpetuating and self-fulfilling. What if the cycle could be broken? What if Jesus built his church to not just transform individuals but whole cities? Watch this discussion with two practitioners who are helping to transform the way people think about their town, Michael Houle (Valley Vineyard Church, Chippewa Falls, WI) and Charlie Cotherman (Oil City Vineyard, Oil City, PA).
What You’ll Learn:
- The importance of the narrative of our towns
- How to make a dent in your city in a more impactful way
- Practical steps and areas to engage in your city
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]To meet people where they are at, you have to be where they are at.”—Charlie Cotherman[/perfectpullquote]
Listen to the Audio
Timeline:
6:20 Why plant in small towns
16:03 How to change the narrative of your town
21:23 The difference a relationship with your city makes
30:54 Partnerships with other churches and organizations
35:26 Practical ways to engage your town
42:50 Meeting people where they’re at
44:17 Finding the needs in your community
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“We want to transform our town. So we cheer for everything in our town.” —Michael Houle[/perfectpullquote]
Resources
Engaging a Culture: Finding God’s Vision For Your City” by Vineyard Pastor Jay Pathak
10 simple questions that could change the trajectory of your life
The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon
Church Planter Application
MV Summit: Jan. 8-10 in Miami, FL
Association of Religious Data Archives
Why I Love Funerals by Ross Nelson
