THE DAWN INVITATION

4/24/06
The Dawn Invitation
Dear Friend,
This paper has probably been given to you by someone connect with Dawn Ministries. It was given to you because your friend sensed that there was something burning in your heart about fulfilling the Great Commission through planting small family-like churches similar to those we see in the New Testament (we call them “simple churches” or “fellowships of the heart”). If this is true, then you may be interested in hearing about some others who are headed in that same direction. Perhaps the Lord wants you to partner with us.
Here’s the outline of this paper:
1. The Story of the Dawn Vision in North America
2. The Network, the Vision and the Strategy
3. A description of a Dawn Associate
1. The Story of the Dawn Vision in North America
In each chapter, the Lord has seemed to clarify several key insights and principles.
First chapter: Organic Dawn, coaching and the “bus”
Dawn Ministries was founded in 1985 and since then has been involved in helping to catalyze church planting movements in over 150 countries. However, the strategy that seemed to work in many places around the world was largely ineffective in North America. Beginning in 2001 a new way of implementing the Dawn Vision (called Organic Dawn) began to emerge. Part of this new direction has meant giving support and leadership to the emerging simple church movement in North America because it offered the best context for saturation church planting.
In May of 2005, one important part of Dawn’s role began to become even clearer and more focused. Four of us (Mike Steele, Kent Smith, Ken Stade and John White) spent 3 days together in Denver seeking the Lord’s direction. We already knew that we shared a common commitment to the Dawn Vision for North America. (That is, a church - a vibrant family of Jesus Christ - in close reach culturally and geographically of every person on the continent.) What God emphasized to us was that he had not just called us to play a role in seeing a large number of churches planted (the issue of quantity). It was also on His heart that those churches be healthy (i.e., vibrant families of Jesus, the issue of quality). We realized that the most important contribution that we could make towards that end was the development of a large number of skilled coaches (more on what this means later) who would walk with the emerging simple church network leaders (i.e., church planters).
As we spent time in fellowship and prayer, we felt directed to begin a relationally connected network of simple church planters who saw the need to also become skilled coaches. As a next step, we decided to call together a few other friends who resonated with the values that were expressed in an early version of this Organic Dawn paper. Our purpose was to discern together what the Lord was doing to fulfill this vision in North America. We intended to work together to empower one another toward the goal of seeing our regions (cities, states, provinces, countries) or people groups filled with vibrant and healthy families of Jesus.
One of the metaphors that God gave us was “the bus”. Within North America, there are a large number of important and effective Christian ministries. Each one is like a bus that has a particular destination (purpose) assigned by the Lord. This is also true within the simple church movement. Many emerging “buses” – many vital ministries with important contributions to the Kingdom. The Dawn Vision and Strategy is simply the bus (destination) that we are called to. Part of our job was to let the Lord define/describe our bus and to look for others (we call them “Dawn Coaching Associates”) who were called to be on the same bus.
Second chapter: 8 words, 4,000,000 churches, 4,000 coaching networks
In October of 2005, we met together again in Denver for 4 ½ days with a group of 14. This gathering included 4 from Colorado, 4 from Texas, 2 from Kansas, 1 each from Indiana, South Dakota, California, New York and Mexico, and 2 from Winnipeg, Manitoba. These were friends who had read Organic Dawn and said, “That’s what I want to do!”
Because of our high value for learning to coach, we had Tom Wymore take us through his Coaching Workshop for the first two days. The next 2 ½ days were spent in fellowship, discussion and seeking the Lord.
Here’s the story of that Conference as told by two of the participants:
From Mike Steele:
“Tom Wymore used an interactive discovery process in teaching the skills and values of coaching. (Research has shown that lecture ("talking head") is the least effective means of adult learning.) To facilitate "discovery learning" which is much more powerful, Tom never taught for more than 15 minutes at a time. Then, he would move us into triads with questions to discuss. These triad experiences opened the doors to both relationships and mutual learning. As stories were shared, relationships deepened. This style of learning allowed for the Holy Spirit to lead in the process.
There was a high priority given to listening to God. We had regular times in prayer. Anyone could interrupt at any time and ask that we take the issue to the Lord in prayer. Everyone had a sense that we had been with God, that revelation had come, that God had given us a charge together.”
We recognized that healthy churches need healthy leaders, which we described as spiritual moms and dads who will give their lives away for the flock. A church (or a family) is only as healthy as the leaders (or parents). This is the foundation of the multiplication of church planters and network leaders.
One person described this kind of leadership as learning to stay out of God’s way, not dominating the meeting but coaching (helping the people in the church hear the Spirit for themselves). This kind of leader opens a door and invites others into the journey with God. This gives liberty to all. The job of the leader or facilitator becomes that of watching the group and fanning the flames. Good leadership is like good parenting. A good parent never does anything for their children that they can do for themselves. (We realized that we often "over lead" people or the group.) We need to watch what is going on and assist the group/church to function in a healthy way. If something is missing, ID it and give it back to the person or group to solve as much as possible.”
From Larry Larson:
“God did some wonderful things in those 5 days in terms of encouragement via prophecy, teaching, team building, and the practical issues of family and finances. But the defining moment came as our purpose was crystallized in 8 words. After an intentionally laborious and frustrating task of listing on a white board the "non-negotiables" of effectively coaching servant leaders, and amidst a growing awareness of a simple grace filled task becoming too complicated, the overall purpose was finally crystallized into the following non-negotiables:"Listen (to Jesus), Obey, and Teach others to do the same."This seemed to define the essence of discipleship. Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) The Apostle Paul instructs us, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable (men & women) who will also be qualified to teach others." (II Timothy 2:2)I was immediately struck by both the simplicity and profoundness of the statement. The call to multiply disciples and leaders starts with the micro: "Listen, Obey…" But it can only be realized through the macro: "Teach others to do the same." In a practical sense this begins with my home and family at 859 Isbister Street in Winnipeg, but it then extends out in concentric circles to my neigbourhood, my city, my country, and my world. I dare to pray and dream that this scenario will repeat itself in multitudes of micro realities resulting in a tidal wave of God's grace in the macro reality of our world.”
The Dawn Vision
As we considered the Dawn Vision, our sense again was that our assignment was all of North America. This included Canada, the United States and Mexico. In order to see a church within easy access of every person (430 million people), we saw that we would need at least 4 million new churches. In order to provide coaching for each simple church leader and each simple church network leader who desired it, we saw that we would need 4,000 regional coaching networks.
In thinking about this further, it is clear that there are two aspects of these goals – both are critical. On the one hand, these are “hard” goals (ie, easily measurable). They focus us on numerical objectives - helping to develop 4,000 Regional Coaching Networks in order to see 4 million new churches planted throughout North America. On the other hand, these are also “soft” goals (ie, harder to measure). They focus us on seeing lives transformed at the heart level by the active presence of Jesus. (See Is. 61 and Lk. 4:18-19. Also, Waking the Dead by John Eldredge is an excellent description of this kind of transformation.) We are committed to both the “hard” and the “soft” dimensions of these goals.
Third Chapter: Filtering and segmentation
In January of 2006 we met in San Antonio with 55 people for 4 ½ days. These were friends of the 14 who had met in Denver in October. These were people who had read an updated version of the Organic Dawn paper (We are now calling it “The Dawn Invitation”. The document that you are now reading is the latest version.) and who said, “That’s what I want to do!”
As before, we spent the first two days in Coach Training with Tom Wymore. This time other people along with Tom did some of the training. As before, we saw the powerful effect of “discovery learning”. Then, the next 2 ½ days were spent in fellowship and seeking the Lord for further directions. Many relationships were built during this time. Several additional themes emerged.
Filtering. This was a further development of the “bus” idea. There are many important “buses” (ministries). Our job is not to try and convince anyone to be on the “Dawn coaching bus” but, rather, to look for those people who God has already motivated to be on this bus. God has already put the values of the Dawn Invitation in their heart. God uses the Dawn Invitation as a filter. People decide for themselves that this is (or is not) the “bus” they want to be on. They decide if they want to move towards becoming a Dawn Coaching Associate.
Segmentation. This was a further development of the goal of 4000 regional coaching networks. In San Antonio, everyone divided up according to the region that God had called them to. (10-12 regions at this point.) They began to pray for (10:2b) and make plans for the implementation of the Dawn Strategy in their region. We believe the harvest field (North America) will be divided into smaller and smaller segments as the Lord of the Harvest sends forth more and more harvest workers. Each Dawn Associate should ask the Lord of the harvest for clarity about his/her particular “assignment”.
Fourth Chapter: This chapter is currently in process. Our sense is that the focus is on developing the regional coaching networks. At this point (4/06) this means at least these things:
1. Communicating with all of the Dawn Coaching Associates by email. Sharing stories, prayer requests, etc.
2. Developing a Leadership Team for each region. These regional Teams communicate and pray together on a regular basis. For example, the North American Team is on a conference call each week. The Canadian Team is on a conference call every other week.
3. Developing Regional Coach Training Conferences. Conferences are currently scheduled for Canada, Texas, and Indianapolis. Others are in the process of being planned.
4. Developing “coaching relationships”. Our goal is that every Dawn Coaching Associate is both being coached and is coaching others.
5. Continuing to learn as we go. Continuing to listen together for God’s direction in this process.
2. The Vision, the Network and the Strategy
The Dawn Vision
To see a healthy church (a vibrant family of Jesus Christ) within easy access (geographically and culturally) of every person in North America. This kind of vibrant family results only from people who are falling increasingly in love with Jesus and each other. This kind of community (oikos) naturally becomes a “base of operations” for the expansion of the Kingdom of God in its neighborhood or people group.
The Dawn Coaching Network
An association of simple church planters connected by a common heart and a common understanding of their role toward fulfilling the Great Commission. These people (called Dawn Coaching Associates) are servant leaders of simple church networks and are committed to coaching as a vital process in developing mature disciples and healthy churches. They are connected by a passion for the goal of a New Testament church (a vibrant family of Jesus Christ) within easy access of every person in a particular region or people group.
The Dawn Strategy – Seven Elements
1. Church Planting Movements. To accomplish the above vision will require Church Planting Movements (CPMs) throughout the country. A CPM refers to the rapid multiplication of healthy New Testament churches. Because this kind of movement is Spirit led, it is organic, spontaneous, decentralized and viral in nature. Our ultimate goal is a CPM in every region and people group in North America.
Recommended reading:
* The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church by Roland Allen. Written in 1927 but still a classic.
* Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or Ours by Roland Allen.
* Church Planting Movements: How God is Redeeming a Lost World by David Garrison. Somewhat programmatic and yet it gives an invaluable picture of what God is doing today.
2. Simple churches. While we are in favor of planting every kind of church, it is clear that small missional communities (simple churches) are by far the form that is best suited for CPMs. Garrison gives 10 reasons why this kind of church “creates an atmosphere that fosters Church Planting Movement formation.” (p. 192)
“Honey, I Shrunk the Church!” We have realized that many house churches being started are similar in pattern to traditional churches. That is, they are traditional church “shrunk down” to fit in a home. Although meeting in a home (or some other location other than a church building), their focus is on holding a meeting and implementing a program. This is not what we are called to. In fact, what we are called to (our “bus”) is radically different. Because we feel strongly about this, we have chosen to emphasize the term “simple church” instead of “house church” (although in actual conversation a number of different terms get used). By “simple church”, we mean a small group of people called out by God to function as an intimate spiritual family on a 24/7 basis. Families do meet together (perhaps many times in a week) but they see themselves as far more than a “meeting”.
When this family gathers together, its members believe that Jesus is truly present in their midst (Mt. 18:20) and that He is the Leader and Builder of the church (Mt. 16:18). Because He is present, the most important skill is that of learning to listen to Him (see Jn. 5:19). There is no “program” except “Listen, obey and teach others to do the same”. The model for our gatherings derives from Scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 14:26, Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:18-20, Hebrews 3:13 and 10:24-25. We believe that all of the functions of church (fellowship, teaching, worship, mission, etc.) flow naturally from this “listening to Jesus” posture. The simple church becomes the “base of operations” from which the Kingdom of God begins to permeate a neighborhood or people group.
In addition, we believe that the “fruit” that will emerge as individuals and “families of Jesus” listen and are obedient to Him, is a tangible and visible manifestation of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. We would expect to see Jesus’ agenda (Isaiah 61) fleshed out in the lives of those that make up the “Family”. If Isaiah 61 isn't the result, if lives are not transformed, the number of people involved doesn't matter. The transformation element is essential. If people really listen and obey, then Isaiah 61 happens and change results. There is nothing more attractive and missional than Jesus embodied in transformed lives.
Recommended reading:
*Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. A great description of the type of wine that goes into the new wineskin of simple church.
*God Guides by Mary Geegh. One of the best resources for learning to listen to God.
*He Loves Me - by Wayne Jacobsen
*The Ancient Paths – by Craig Hill
*The Cry for Spiritual Fathers and Mothers by Larry Kreider
*The Family Blessing. One Simple Act That Will Dramatically Change Your Family’s Future by Rolf Garborg
* House Church and Mission: The Importance of Household Structures in Early Christianity by Roger Gehring (contact John White for a summary of this book DenverWH@aol.com ). A difficult read but perhaps the best scholarly work on the New Testament house churches.
* House Church Networks: A church for a new generation by Larry Kreider
* The Global House Church Movement by Rad Zdero
3. Extraordinary Prayer. The first and most foundational activity required for a CPM is “extraordinary prayer”. “Prayer permeates Church Planting Movements. Whether it’s Koreans rising at four in the morning for a two-hour prayer time, or Spanish Gypsies ‘going to the mountain’, as they call their all night prayer vigils, Church Planting Movements are steeped in prayer. Consequently, prayer has become the first priority of every Church Planting Movement strategist.” (Garrison, p. 172 – 173)
The Luke 10:2b prayer
Jesus told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Lk. 10:2
While there are many ways to pray, we want to especially encourage strategic prayer that is focused on the harvest. We expect God to give many expressions of prayer but we place a high priority on the specific prayer commanded by Jesus in Luke 10:2b as a critical element in developing CPMs. Our objective is a large and growing number of 10:2b Prayer Partners throughout the country. (Two people daily together “beseeching the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers” to their region or people group.) “Prayer mobilizes harvesters to come to join the work. More importantly, though, prayer summons new workers to emerge from within the harvest.” (Garrison, p. 176) Praying 10:2b is not monologue but dialogue. That is, entering into a “fierce conversation” with the Lord about the harvest.
The First Fruit of the 10:2b Prayer: A multitude of apostolic church planters.
In Luke 10:2, Jesus identifies “workers” as the key to the harvest. In the context of this chapter, “worker” would first imply more people like the 84 (12 + 72) that Jesus is sending out. These harvesters are apostolically gifted people (“sent ones”) who have been motivated and sent by the Lord of the Harvest to plant multiple churches. Their assignment is to find the “person(s) of peace” and establish a base of operations (ie, a church) for the Kingdom of God in that home (10:9). By praying the 10:2b prayer, we are asking for a large number of apostolic church planters for each region. An army of these “workers” is a critical element in a CPM.
The Second Fruit of the 10:2b Prayer: A multitude of “people of peace”.
Whereas, the “sent ones” will do harvest work by moving from place to place, the “man (or woman) of peace” will do harvest work in a given location or neighborhood. This person has been prepared by God to receive the message and to function as the leader of a missional community (simple church). His home becomes the base of operations for the Kingdom from which his neighborhood, community or people group is penetrated. By praying the 10:2b prayer, we are asking for a large number of “men/women of peace” for every neighborhood, community, city, state and region. An army of these “workers” is a second critical element in a CPM.
Recommended reading. Contact John White for more information about the 10:2b Prayer. DenverWH@aol.com
4. Coaching. As the Lord of the Harvest (10:2) thrusts out “workers”, relational networks will be established in each region for support and coaching. Apostolic teams (Eph. 4) will be formed to serve the emerging churches. The goal is not a ‘top-down’ organization but rather an organic movement that spreads like a virus.
By “coaching” we mean a very specific attitude and skill set. Some times this is referred to as “redemptive listening”. Coaching sees people like acorns (full of God given potential) rather than empty buckets (waiting to be filled). We believe coaching is vitally important because it focuses on helping others hear the voice of the Lord for themselves. And, learning to listen to Him is the key to developing a multitude of vibrant families of Jesus.
Recommended reading:
*Contact Tom Wymore for a copy of the Coaching Workshop. twymore@foursquare.org
*Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott. A secular book but a great resource for key coaching skills.
5. Role of Traditional Churches. Just as some traditional churches already send missionaries to other countries, we believe that a growing number of these churches will begin to send missionaries to plant simple churches in their own cities and surrounding regions. In addition to sending, the traditional church may assist with prayer support, finances and use of facilities. Other traditional churches will adopt the “hybrid model” where the existing church actually becomes a network of simple churches.
6. Storytelling. Part of Dawn’s role will be to collect and then disseminate the stories of what God is doing as a means of envisioning and training.
"Ivan Illich was once asked, "What is the most revolutionary way to change society? Is it violent revolution or is it gradual reform?" He gave a careful answer. Neither. If you want to change society, then you must tell an alternative story." -Tim Costello
7. Mission flows from Intimacy with Christ!
We know that Jesus is passionate about reaching the lost and anyone who listens to Him will certainly be directed outward but it should be in His time and at His direction. When He directs, He always provides the motivation making outreach is almost effortless. The same is true for the inward focus of community. So, we are finding that both mission and community are the by-product of intimacy with Jesus.

Two well known leaders speak to this issue. The first is Roland Allen, perhaps the most significant missions thinker of the 20th Century. The second is John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard movement.

"The same is true of St. Peter and St. John, and of all the apostolic writers. They do not seem to feel any necessity to repeat the great Commission, and to urge that it is the duty of their converts to make disciples of all the nations. What we read in the New Testament is no anxious appeal to Christians to spread the Gospel, but a note here and there which suggests how the Gospel was being spread abroad…for centuries the Christian Church continued to expand by its own inherent grace, and threw up an unceasing supply of missionaries without any direct exhortation. The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church, p. 7.
“In programmatic evangelism, Christians witness to everyone they meet, in obedience to the general command of Scripture to ‘go and make disciples.’ In power evangelism the same command is obeyed, only differently. Each evangelism experience is initiated by the Holy Spirit for a specific place, time, person, or group…In programmatic evangelism, the Christian says, “In obedience I go. Holy Spirit bless me.” In power evangelism, the Christian says, ‘As the Holy Spirit tells me to go, I go.” Power Evangelism, p. 46.
The 7 aspects of the Dawn Strategy are being developed in greater detail in Organic Dawn. Contact John White for a copy. DenverWH@aol.com
There are a growing number of other excellent resources dealing with the new things God is doing. Some of them are:
*The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church by Reggie McNeal. Why the “current church culture is collapsing.”
*Houses That Change the World by Wolfgang Simson
*The Organic Church by Neil Cole
*Revolution by George Barna. Evidence of huge change in the American church culture.
*Simply Church by Tony and Felicity Dale
*An Army of Ordinary People by Felicity Dale
* Paul’s Idea of Community: The Early House churches in Their Historical Setting by Robert Banks
Online resources:
* Dawn Ministries : www.dawnministries.org (click on North America)
* House Church Chronicles: http://housechurchchronicles.typepad.com
* House2House Ministries: http://www.house2house.tv/
* Church Multiplication Associates: http://www.cmaresources.org
3. Description of a Dawn Coaching Associate
A Dawn Coaching Associate is…
1. A person who has the heart and lifestyle of a spiritual father or mother (1 Thes. 2:1 – 12). They function as a servant leader who seeks to make others successful (Mt. 20:25-28). As to character, they reflect the lifestyle of an episkopos (overseer) in 1 Tim. 3.
2. A person who finds himself/herself passionate about the Dawn Vision and Strategy and who is in the process of living that out. Probably already coaching at least 2 house church leaders. Many Dawn Coaching Associates also have other commitments. They may be involved with a traditional church or denomination or parachurch ministry.
3. A person who is praying Lk. 10:2b as close to daily as possible with a prayer partner. (ie, relentlessly beseeching the Lord of the harvest to thrust out harvest workers (church planters and men/women of peace) to your region or people group.) See Luke 11:5-10, 18:1-8 and Eccles. 4:9-12.
4. A person who is, at every opportunity, teaching other believers to obey the commandment found in Lk. 10:2b. (“Teaching them to obey all that I commanded you.” Mt. 28:20)
5. A person who feels called by God to a particular region (neighborhood, city, state, province, country, etc.) and/or people group (Hispanic, Russian, postmodern, etc.) This is the “John Knox” principle. This person is actively involved in developing and facilitating a Dawn Coaching Network in their region or people group. This Network is made up of people who respond to the Dawn Invitation (this document). This Coaching Network communicates regularly (conference calls, meetings, emails, etc.). They seek God’s direction together for implementing the Dawn Vision and Strategy in their region.
6. A person who is in relationship with the other coaches in the Network on the national level. Communicating through email, conferences, etc. Available to help other regional Networks as the need arises.
7. A person who is both being coached and coaching other house church leaders (or who desires to move toward this). Developing coaching skills (through Dawn Coaching Conferences, etc.). Preparing to teach Dawn Coaching Conference.
The North American Coaching Team will…
1. We will carry you in our hearts (Ex. 28:29) and pray for you (Phil. 1:3-11).
2. We will be available to you for coaching by phone, email and visits as possible. 1 Thes. 2:8
3. We will provide resources for you. (Dawn website, etc.)
4. We will help connect you with other coaches in the Network (story telling through elist, periodic Coaching Network gatherings, etc.).
Comments from the Coaching Team. We have no desire to develop another denomination or hierarchical system. At the same time, there are core values that we are clear about. We see ourselves as an interim group committed to serving Dawn Associates as they implement the Dawn Vision throughout North America.
The North American Dawn Coaching Team:
Mike Steele, North American Director nadawn2010@msn.com
Kent Smith, Texas Coordinator smith@bible.acu.edu
Ken Stade, Canada Coordinator kenstade@shaw.ca
Tom Wymore, Coach Trainer twymore@foursquare.org
Tim Pynes, Colorado Coordinator timothypynes@yahoo.com
John White, US Coordinator denverwh@aol.com
Greg Strand, Midwest Coordinator gjstrand@yahoo.com
The next step. If you’ve made it this far and find your heart resonating with the values in this Dawn Invitation, the next step is to contact a Dawn Coaching Associate (perhaps the person who sent this to you) and discuss this document. We want you to be clear about “the bus”. The two of you together will decide on the next steps in the process of partnering with the regional Dawn Coaching Team.