It's been almost two weeks since the Exponential Conference, arguably one of the most important gatherings of the year. The more I reflect on it the more excited I get.

I just began reading Alan and Dave's book "The Verge" in which they say we are on the verge of something big- a movement of gigantic potential for the Church in the West. What I like about this book is the blending of a systematic dreamer (Alan Hirsch) and an effective practioner (Dave Ferguson). I've known both of these guys for more than a decade and I have to say I've never been disappointed by either. In fact it is their coming together that excites me.

I first met Dave in 2000 when one of the stops on our tour was held at his church. I was impressed with his passion for transformation and the development of the Big Idea which has become the backbone of their multisite and church planting efforts.

I first met Alan in 2002 when he attended an event I pulled together on our island with twenty or so people who were probing the edges of what has become a push for an apostolic movement. Among the group were such notables as Len Sweet, Ed Stetzer, Mark DeYmaz, Carl George, George Hunter, Bob Roberts, Dave Travis, and a host of other folks you would recognize. I remember talking with Alan during the event and it was clear he had little use for all forms of institutional Christianity.

Now, Alan has moved to accepting the both/And of the 21st Century and Dave has become one of the leading voices in the apostolic movement taking shape under our noses. You never know where God is going to lead us.

What disturbs me the most is that the vast majority of my mainline friends don't seem to have a clue of this movement. They still cling to the belief that dead churches can be revitalized when anyone honest knows they must be resurrected. I wonder what it will take for mainliners (no pun intended....much) to realize that they are not the center of God's universe and that we are on the verge of a whole new way of doing church that doens't include throwing out institutional church. But it does require a recognition that God can do his thing through many expressions of the church. In fact, we have entered a day in which no one form of the church will reign supreme. It will take a both/and approach to the future.

My biggest regret at Exponential was that my wife became so ill I almost had to return home before finishing my workshops. And I also had to miss the Future Travelers meeting which I really wanted to attend. Maybe next year.

Bill Easum
www.effectiveChurch.com
easum@aol.com