I’ve been enjoying the warm weather in Orlando, FL while attending the Exponential Church Planting Conference. The experience was definitely confirming and encouraging. I was pleased to see that it was more about heart, mission, and vision than gimmicks on how to start a church. Two of the main themes of the conference were transformation and multiplication.

Transformation:

And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit. - 2 Cor 3:18

Paul addresses the “what” and “how” questions in regards to transformation in this verse. What are we being transformed into? The image and likeness of Jesus Christ. How are we being transformed? By the Spirit. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 3 that we are not “sufficient in ourselves” and in need of the power of the Spirit. It is the Spirit who brings transformation to and through our lives.

Multiplication:

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. – 2 Tim 2:2

Jesus commissioned his disciples and the church to be witnesses of the gospel to the ends of the earth. We see Paul embody that in his ministry and then commission others, Timothy in this instance, to do the same. Thankfully, by the Spirit, men have accepted the challenge and have faithfully passed the baton for the past 2,000 years. How are we doing today? Are we multiplying leaders? Churches? Artists? Disciples?

Our hope is that the Scarlet City Project will result in a church that multiplies transformed followers of Christ and transforming churches.