Foundations

I posted this pic some time ago and it continues to apply.

I am not a builder, but I am guessing that the bigger something is, the more important the foundation is.

Some of the foundations of this ministry are:

• Process We ain't making cheeseburgers, here. However, the process is still important. Where do we want people to come in? Once they come in, what are we trying to accomplish in their lives? Where do we want them to move next? What does success look like? What does failure look like? If we are trying to lead people to Christ, what is the process?


• Financial It ain't all about money, but without some money, things will be hard. We want to have neighborhood parties, we want to help people, we want to support local and foreign missions and do things right. So, it is important to establish not only funds coming in, but the appropriate process and accountability. We need to raise about $8,000 in monthly support.


• Launch Team We need at least 35 trained adults for this ministry, adults who buy into the vision and process. This group needs to be committed to each other and to outsiders. They must also be faithful givers.


• Relational Contacts I have begun networking and will continue. We will have attended many local churches before launch and I will have sat for breakfast, coffee or lunch with many local leaders and pastors. Our launch team also must establish good relational contacts with outsiders and other community influencers.


• Facility We need it to well facilitate worship service and children's activities. We would like a good location and a good price. People will ask where we meet- it is important.
  

God has called us to reach people for Christ who are not going to church right now.
We LOVE GOD through obedience to Jesus Christ. We GROW TOGETHER because Christian maturity does not happen in a vacuum. We SERVE OTHERS because selflessness is the goal of the gospel.

We build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Then we realize there is pre-launch work that is needed. Then we must follow this simple process.

Read This First

Read This First. Don't you love the idiot proof instructions that come with stuff you buy at Christmas? Did you assemble anything on Christmas this year? I did- well, really I just put batteries in a few things mostly.

One in particular. It was a 'flying dragon'. It said explicitly that it was intended for indoor use. So, we charged it up, turned it on and started pushing buttons. The things looks like a dragonfly. It is real lightweight and has plastic sheets for wings. I, with my three boys gathered round, held it out parallel to the ground and hit the button. In a flurry it hit the ground. And again and again. It seemed to be trying really hard to fly, but could not. Until we gained some context. (Of course, the boys thought it was hilarious that this dragonfly-looking thing furiously flew into the ground over and over).

Turns out, you are supposed to hold it perpendicular to the ground. And when you do it flies all over the house (though it mostly just dive bombed the adults' heads in the room).

We are beginning something big. And it is important that you get a proper hold on it from the beginning so it doesn't head straight to the ground.

So, let me give you two bottom lines that will assist you to interpret anything else that follows:

1. The three year goal is to lead about 150-250 people to Christ that are not currently actively involved with their faith


2. The ten year goal is to establish 8 congregations that have the same three year goal mentioned above

Therefore, when you hear that we are 'planting a church', please interpret it thus. We will not be buying some land, putting together some bricks and mortar with a steeple on top and trying to fill it up.

Please look through the documents "Why Plant a Church?" and "Vision" to get more info on these two bottom lines.

By His Grace,

Patrick