While in a strategic planning meeting with 30 South Africa pastors, I received the following tweet from Mark Zschech:

Plants grow in two opposite directions at the same time: downward, more rooted, and bound; but also upward, more free, and open.

Mark’s tweet inspired the following church planting thoughts:

1. Church plants grow in two directions at the same time, up and down.

2. Growing down – roots – invisible growth

3. Growing up – branches, leaves, fruit – visible growth

4. The invisible part of church planting includes:
       – prayer
       – strategic planning
       – mission, vision, values development
       – relationship development
       – funding
      
5. The visible part of church planting includes:
       – branding – much more than logos and letterheads
       – social responsibility – different in every community
       – discipleship – a culture not just a program or course
       – worship services – most visible part of most churches