Everyone Everywhere: a conversation with Alan Hirsch 

Alex Harris reflects on a day inviting practitioners, planters, imaginers and leaders to think about how to create greater movement in sharing Jesus and starting churches

 


What new cultures need to develop – and old structures be jettisoned – to allow evangelism and church planting to be scaled across Baptists Together? How do we create the collaboration for that, and invest into growth together?

This was just one of the areas discussed when 80 leaders from across Baptists Together gathered at Kings Cross Baptist Church, London for Everyone Everywhere: A Conversation with Alan Hirsch.

The event was a shared space to listen, reflect, and explore how evangelism and church planting might move forward locally and across our Union. It was marked by intensity, curiosity, honesty and laugher.

Dot Tyler from 24/7 prayer led intentional session of prayer and worship while Alan Hirsch’s content fed lengthy discussions, conversation, prayer, and collaborative thinking. Josh Kane from London Baptists and Isabella Senior, Baptists Together Young Leaders Development Coordinator, joined a panel discussion with Alan Hirsch.

We prayed a lot and discussed together opportunities and challenges. It wasn’t a space to passively receive, but to actively engage.


Core questions

The opening session began with "Lectio Live," led by Dot Tyler, which combined scripture and guided reflection. Worship provided space for participants to centre themselves. From there, the day was shaped around a set of core questions—distilled from over 60 written responses and 30 additional conversations across the network prior to the gathering.


1. Reproducing discipleship: empowering everyday evangelism

One of the first key areas explored was how to equip church communities for missional living, especially in the context of busy lives. The central question: How can local churches empower everyday believers toward confident evangelism?

Participants reflected on cultural shifts needed at the local level—particularly how to move from a church culture focused on attendance and programs to one that fosters active discipleship. Alan Hirsch emphasised that discipleship is not a ministry within the church—it is the church.

Participants discussed what this shift could look like practically, from mentoring approaches to rethinking Sunday-centric models.


2. Diverse teams: recognising and releasing gifts

The second theme focused on team leadership through the APEST model (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher). Many attendees noted a tendency for churches to rely heavily on shepherd-teacher models, often leaving evangelists and apostles under-supported and the church weaker, smaller and less confident that it could be because of this.

Discussions explored how to broaden leadership pathways beyond formal theological training, instead embracing local apprenticeship collaborations. A recurring question was how to make space for all five gifts—not just in theory but in team practice.

Hirsch noted that 'balanced teams are essential if we want churches to reflect the fullness of the body of Christ.'


3. Local movement: from organisation to multiplication

The day also examined the difference between sustaining institutions and nurturing movements. How can churches become hubs of local evangelistic activity rather than simply recipients of good teaching?

Participants engaged with questions around confidence in mission and creating an environment that supports multiplication. The idea of shifting from an “institutional mindset” to a “movement posture” resonated, particularly in terms of lowering barriers to leadership and mission.

One insight from a discussion group: 'We need to start thinking in terms of movement outcomes rather than church metrics.'


4. Microchurches: small models, big potential

Microchurches were another focus of the day—particularly the tension between innovation and control. Discussions centred on how to support small, mission-focused communities without them becoming over-regulated or disconnected.

There was also interest in how conventional and microchurch models can work together in a spirit of co-appreciation rather than competition. Participants spoke about the importance of recognising diverse forms of church as part of a wider ecology of mission.


5. Network to movement: collaborating across the whole

The final theme zoomed out to consider the bigger picture. How can networks like Baptists Together support a culture of collaboration and church planting at scale? This involved questions about structure, vision, and what might need to change to enable more fluid and effective partnerships.

Alan Hirsch pointed out that movements typically grow through local ownership, adaptability, and shared vision—qualities that require intentional collaboration rather than uniform control.


A final reflection

'The potential is already in the room,' Alan Hirsch noted. 'What matters is whether we commit to working together to release it.'

The day was marked by informal conversations, networking, and a sense of shared responsibility. While not every question found an immediate answer, the gathering succeeded in creating space to begin answering them—together.


Key takeaways: questions to reflect on

• How can our churches support confident, everyday evangelism among regular members?
• Are we making space for all the APEST gifts in our leadership teams?
• What would it take to shift from maintaining churches to multiplying movements?
• How can we support both conventional and microchurch models in a collaborative way?
• Where are we resisting collaboration—and where can we lean into it more?

Alex Harris is the Regional Minister for Pioneering and Church Planting in the Yorkshire Baptist Association and the Director of Baptist Church Planting at St Hild Centre for Church Planting.

He also co-facilitates the National Church Planting Network. 

For more information, contact him at alex.harris@sthild.org

 

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