In this episode we talk about what the SEND Institute is, the importance of church multiplication networks and why they need to continue to adapt and grow.
In this episode we talk about what the SEND Institute is, the importance of church multiplication networks and why they need to continue to adapt and grow.
Transcript of Podcast by Multiply Network
Created to champion church multiplication, provide learning and inspire new disciple-
making communities across Canada
2019 – Daniel Yang
Paul Fraser: We are super-excited to have Daniel Yang, Director of the Send Institute. Welcome to Take 5.
Daniel Yang:
A. Paul, thanks for having me, man. It’s good to be here.
Q. It’s so good to have you, and you do have some Canadian connection, even though you live in Chicago. Is that correct?
A. I do. Up until about eighteen months ago I was in Canada. I was planting a church in downtown Toronto called Trinity Life Church. It’s a beautiful church. It’s going strong. It’s growing. I miss it tons, but yes, we were there for about five years.
Q. Okay. So have you switched over all of your allegiances; sports allegiances to the Chicago teams?
A. No. Man, I’m still rooting for Game 7. I don’t know when this episode is going out but I’m hoping Game 7 goes to Toronto.
Q. Yes, yes. Okay. It will be a little bit after but not too far.
Hey, we want to jump in to talk a little bit about what Send Institute does. We link a lot of articles to our site. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about what Send Institute is about?
A. Yes. Thanks for that. We started the Send Institute with the hope of helping those who are leading in church planting to think better about church planting. It is not so much trying to provide all the models we think are successful but it is kind of to stir the thinking. Because you know North America is changing rapidly and some of our church planting models are still based on models from thirty or forty years ago. I actually put out a tweet yesterday that talked about how we’re further away from when Rick Warren planted Saddleback Church in 1980 to the year 2040 – and this applies to the US and maybe even to Canada – but in the US in 2040 for the first time ever the US will be a non-white majority country. Whites will be less than 50%.
Q. Wow.
A. This changes the dynamic of church planting and we’re just trying to help people process that at the Send Institute.
Q. You are providing great research so thanks for all that you do.
What about networks? You have done some research, done some digging on networks both internal and denominations, and even those that are maybe external or work independently but multi-denominational. The Multiply Network in PAOC is just one year old. Maybe talk a little bit about the benefits of a network in a denomination.
A. Yes. I just want to encourage you. I know a year ago we were having this conversation and it’s really neat to see what you guys are putting together already.
The basic idea behind a network is it allows you to work in partnership with other groups and sometimes it allows those boundaries to be a little bit more fluid than denominations would typically allow you. But there’s also two kinds of networks. There’s an intra-network which is a network that is composed inside of a network. Again, it allows you the infrastructure and space to do things that typically the denomination wouldn’t do day-to-day. It’s like an alternative structure but it has the same mission and it has the same tradition and you can work alongside of each other.
There are also external networks like Acts 29 that are multi-denominational ---
they used to be called Sea to Sea --- they are multi-denominational. But I really think intra-networks are very important and they are also very valuable. Because in a sense it is kind of like Google X. There’s Google and Google’s got its core business and then you have your internal network which is kind of like Google X of the denomination; more possibilities, more experimentation, those kinds of things.
Q. I’ve always thought that our church planting arm of our Fellowship really needs to be an R&D, a Research and Development arm. What’s working? What’s not? Different models. Are you seeing that with networks?
A. Yes, I am. I would like to see more but what happens is what works over time they become like denominational. Right.
Q. Okay.
A. Especially once they become large. But I think you are right. Networks really embrace the fact that if there is less boxes that you put church planters and church models in, then that does really provide an atmosphere where you can do more R&D and more experimentation.
Q. And so what advice would you give us, just as we finish up the interview, what advice would you give us as a Network, as we work with our Fellowship?
A. I would say strategically champion those that are experimenting and those that are being very missionally innovative, you know, champion them.
Q. Yes.
A. But also continue to work with your traditional church planters. You just don’t want to create this “us” verses “them” culture.
Q. Right.
A. I think the important thing is to support both of them and to not make either group feel marginalized. But at the same time, you know, really champion the ones that are really trying to reach hard to reach people. Usually they tend to be the most innovative.
Q. Hey Daniel. Thanks so much for jumping on today. And thanks for helping us out in Canada. I know the Send Institute is looking to expand and get more research and data so we really appreciate it. Thanks so much for jumping on today.
A. Well, I miss it and thanks for having me.
--- End of Recording