My name is Jonathan Dodson (M.Div, Th.M). Although I have done a bit of overseas church planting work, I am a church planting novice. With a missional community of imperfect Christians, I am planting my first church in Austin, Texas Austin City Life .

In order for missional communities and churches to successfully form, Alan Roxburgh has noted that “leaders will need to become like novices, learning to recover practices that have become alien to current church experience…it requires waiting and listening to the Spirit’s directions…in a strange land.”

I am learning through trial and error, reading and watching, coaching and doing, in order to cultivate a community of Spirit-led disciples who redemptively engage peoples and cultures through Christ for the good of the city and the glory of God.

This blog is an expression and conversation of our attempt to live out this vision of the church. I hope you will join us in the conversation.