The Storehouse looks very different from "church" as we know it. Has this been done before?
The pioneer edge of the global church is increasingly diverse with many new organizational forms arising. There’s an increasing consensus among forward thinkers and practitioners (George Barna, Alan Hirsch, Roger Mitchell, Larry Kreider, Wolfgang Simson, many others) that much of church structure as we now know it is shifting and will continue to radically change. It is helpful to understand that The Storehouse is pioneering a paradigm and a network, not just a few simple churches. Early-adopters, entrepreneurs, innovators, and forward thinkers who recognize the Lord is doing a new thing with His church are and will be attracted to the radical concepts and lifestyle of the Storehouse. They will thrive in the empowerment, speed, freedom and mentorship offered here, as they explore and exploit the ministry opportunities God has given them.
I don't know that I'm the person you described above. How can I get better acquainted with what you're doing?
Our suggestions would be: 1) sign up for the Storehouse e-mail list, 2) attend a few of our monthly gatherings, 3) schedule an appointment with one of our leaders so you can inventory where the Lord has you right now in your spiritual development and ministry assignment 4) contact one of our venue leaders and ask for a one-time opportunity to get exposed to what they're up to 5) Read one or two books from our reading list, 6) start asking God to show you if any of this is for you
Why would I route financial giving through The Storehouse?
1) To keep your giving a secret (Matt. 6:3)
2) To obey the biblical admonition to not store for yourself (Matt. 6:19; 19:21) (Note: Much giving to local churches ultimately benefits the giver, thus negating the verses cited here. We believe The Storehouse mandate to give away 70% restores the intent of Jesus' words)
3) To loose the power of agreement (Matt. 18:19; II Cor. 8:4; Acts 2:44-45)
4) To exercise submission (Acts 5:34-35; Matt. 6:24)
5) To spark joy (II Cor. 8:2)
6) Corporate, cross-national generosity is biblical (Phil. 4:15; Psalm 112:9; II Cor. 8 & 9; Acts (Hellenic/Hebraic))
7) To increase our corporate witness (I Cor. 9:12-14)
8) To accelerate the sow/reap cycle (II Cor. 9:6, Amos 9:13)
What are your plans for children and teenagers?
WE believe the coming generation is a critically important component of our assignment and calling as a faith community. The Storehouse encourages cross-generational participation in our worship and service venues, and relationship in the frontline trenches (place of service) and individualized mentoring (discipleship) is prioritized over classroom-type training. Parents are encouraged and trained to take on a proactive, biblical role in taking primary responsibility in training up their children, but we are also partnering with ministries like eXtreme to give parents some top-notch training venues that complement the above strategy.
How does The Storehouse support its associated venues?
1) As a NETWORKING "agent"… both locally and otherwise … finding and creating appropriate ministry opportunities.
2) Tailored LEADERSHIP TRAINING … via mentoring, focused training capsules, and to training conferences.
3) PUBLICIZING …via website/e-mail/monthly meeting, etc.
4) POPULATING ... direct new people into ministries that match their giftings and calling.
5) IMPARTATION/MORAL SUPPORT … recognizing, authenticating, encouraging ... activating the priesthood of all believers.
6) PRAYER … continually lifting up each other before the Lord, and valuing their success more than our own.
7) REPLICATING ... always having a multiplication agenda, as the Lord gives grace.
8) FINANCIAL …as various situations fit with the Storehouse mandate to give away.
Won’t the Storehouse’s loose structure lessen its kingdom impact?
Study after study have proven church plants are much better at winning souls than established churches. However, established churches and movements sometimes wield more influence on society as a whole. The Storehouse seeks to release the soul-winning multiplication dynamic of a church planting movement, yet give high priority to maximizing kingdom penetration of our members in their respective areas of influence even if it is not church planting per se.
