PlantR's Mission

To catalyze a Christ-centered, context-sensitive church planting movement for social and spiritual renewal of Austin and beyond. 

Austin is a one of a kind city where many flourish with a shared sense of place and love for the city. Its thriving economy and "weird" culture are rooted in a rich history of arts, education, activism, spirituality and entrepreneurism. The rapid growth and diversity of Austin make it great place to plant churches that are sensitive to their context and centered on Christ. PlantR is a network of church planters from across the greater Austin area that work together for the social and spiritual renewal of the city and the suburbs.  

PlantR began in 2007 when a small group of church planters began to meet for equipping and encouragement. In monthly meetings, local and national leaders shared their insights on topics ranging from demographics to missional living to church and the arts. By 2008, PlantR grew into a regular monthly meeting of church planters from a wide variety of denominations.

In 2011, the network took a strategic step, turning its focus to monthly regional gatherings called Missional Hubs and quarterly equipping experiences called MicroConferences. We believe this decentralized reorganization will lead to greater missional impact. PlantR’s dream is that this strategy will catalyze a movement of church planting and other expressions of God’s mission for years to come throughout the Austin area.

What We Do

PlantR’s aim is to network, resource, and encourage church planters in two main ways: MicroConferences & Missional Hubs. 

Missional Hubs are regional gatherings of church leaders that meet regularly to network and encourage one another for the renewal of a specific region of the city.  

 

 

MicroConferences are uniquely focused conferences that occur quarterly to resource a Christ-centered church planting movement. 

 

 

Who We Are

PlantR is made up of a broad coalition of leaders from various churches, organizations and denominations throughout Austin. 

PlantR churches hail from denominations and networks as diverse as Acts 29, ARC, Anglican Mission in the Americas, Bible Churches, Evangelical Covenant Church, Ecclesia Network, Free Methodists, and Southern Baptists.  The board tries to reflect that diversity.

Want to learn more about PlantR?  You can read our statement of belief here, or view a map of PlantR churches here.

Board

Jon Herrington, Hill Country Bible

David Smith, Austin Baptist Association
Brandon Hatmaker, Austin New Church/Missio
Zac Allen, Austin Stone 
Michael Stewart, Austin Stone/Verge
Jonathan Dodson, Austin City Life/Acts 29

Friends of PlantR
Austin Baptist Association
Austin Bridge Builders Association
Chris Morton (MicroConference and Social Media Coordinator)
Gospel Communities in Mission 
Hill Country Bible Planting
Music for the City
Restore Communities

 

There are two great ways to connect with Plantr:

MicroConferences

What Are MicroConferences?

MicroConferences are a unique opportunity for church planters  and missional leaders to learn and build relationships. World class thought leaders and experienced practicioners share about issues essential to leading a missional church.  Break out sessions are designed planters to discuss how this applies with other leaders from their part of town.  Because this is an affordable half day event, it is easy to come, and bring an entire staff and volunteer leadership team.

Winter 2012 MicroConference: Missional Communities

This winter's MicroConference will feature Jeff Vanderstelt. Jeff is a leader at Soma Communities, a collection of Missional Communities and Churches in the Puget Sound area. He serves on the board of Acts 29, coaches church planters, and is a founder and contributor to the GCM Collective. Before helping plant Soma, Jeff worked in Youth Ministry, music and business management.

The Winter 2011 MicroConference will take place on January 10, from 9am-12pm. 

MicroConference Schedule

8:00 Breakfast and Registration

9:00 Session 1: ""Defining and Living as a Missional Community"
9:40 Break

9:50 Regional Breakout: "Imagine a Missional Community in Your Neighborhood"
10:30 Break

10:45 Session 2: "Sharing Life Together Around a Mission"

11:30 Q & A  

FAQ

Event registration for PlantR Winter 2012 MicroConference powered by Eventbrite


Missional Hubs

Missional Hubs are regional gatherings of church leaders who meet regularly to network and encourage one another. They are the best way to connect with other church planters in your part of the city.

Hub Leaders

Currently, there are four hubs that meet monthly throughout the city. Anyone is welcome to join a missional hub. Meetings last an hour and a half, and provide great opportunities to discuss how you and your church plant are doing, learn best practices, and pray for one another. In addition, our hope is that missional strategies and partnerships will emerge from these communities to contribute to city renewal.

 

Finding a Church Plant in the Austin Area:

Churches


View plantR in a larger map

Keep track of what’s going on with Plantr:

Plantr Blog / Plantr Podcast

Great MicroConference. Now What?

A Few Ways to Follow Up After the PlantR MicroConference:

  1. Sign up for a Missional Hub.
    Missional Hubs are the best way to connect with church planters.  Sign up here.
  2. Share your take aways.
    Did you get anything out of the MicroConference.  Share it with your team.  You can also share it on the PlantR.org blog, by emailing your take-aways here.
  3. Add your church to the PlantR map.
    Would you like your church to be listed on the PlantR Map?  You can submit your up-to-date info here.
  4. Share the podcast.
    Check out the PlantR podcast here.  We'll add the latest audio soon.
  5. Share about PlantR
    Check out PlantR.org and let your friends know about what God is up to in Austin.
Read More >>

Three Special Opportunities When You Attend The PlantR MicroConference

Next Tuesday is the PlantR MicroConference.  The conference will feature Jeff Vanderstelt of Soma Communities and discussing how to create and live in Missional Communities.  For those who attend, we have three special opportunities:

Breakfast
Because of the difficulities of Austin traffic, we highly suggest that you arrive at the MicroConference early.  While you wait, you can enjoy a free chick-fil-a biscuit and fruit cup.  Take advantage of this time to meet other planters and missionaries from around Austin.

Discount Off Verge
The Verge Conference is just around the corner.  Here in Austin, the conference focuses on the Missional church and will feature PlantR friends such as Alan Hirsch, Jeff Vanderstelt,  and Brandon Hatmaker.  Verge will offer a special discount to all PlantR attendees.

Austin Stone Counseling Center
Jason Kovacs of the Austin Stone Counseling Center will be on hand to discuss the unique style of counseling they provide, as well as discounts for those interested.

It's not too late to register for you or your entire team.  See you Tuesday!

Read More >>

Pastor's Prayer Gathering Coming Soon

Every year PlantR partner Austin Bridge Builder's Alliance hosts the Pastor's Prayer Gathering.  Here's how they describe it:

24 hours, 150 + pastors and ministry leaders, worship, fellowship, prayer = the Pastor’s Prayer Gathering. In 2012, we are even more expectant as we begin to plan this time of prayer. We sense God calling us to a new level of unity through prayer. We sense that He is inviting us to a deeper level of relationship individually and as a group of spiritual leaders as we listen to His plans and His heart for the people in our region. 

The event will take place on Monday January 23rd through noon Tuesday January 24th at Camp Buckner.  You can sign up here.

Read More >>

Social Feed

  • January 21st - Blog post: PlantR Podcast - Jeff Vanderstelt - http://t.co/xLvujuiz
  • January 20th - Church Planters: interested in a HUGE discount on a quality sound system? Email for information.
  • January 13th - Great MicroConference. Now What? http://t.co/M5BpLwdv
  • January 13th - Great MicroConference. Now What? - http://t.co/MQHduhAW

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Get in Touch with Plantr

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info@plantr.org
 
 

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