I had an unbelievable phone conversation yesterday. There is a core group of about 50 people in a particular area of Virginia... with a dream of planting a church... with signficant funds... with a great meeting location... a bunch of outreach plans this winter... a marketing strategy... and a launch date... BUT NO CHURCH PLANTER YET.
I was stunned.
So many planters beat the bushes for years, trying to find interested people in starting a church. Or they go to a community where there is no felt-need for a new church and have to start from scratch. Often unsuccessfully.
And here's a significant core group trusting God... waiting on God... to bring a planter to lead them. I've always thought that the most successful church plants are ones where the core was waiting for a planter... not the other way around. It shows there is a spiritual fertility... a community preparedness that is so vital to thriving.
wow. you're right... there HAS to be a core group.
my husband and i are in seminary and are praying about church planting when he graduates (two years)....
we know lots of students that are considering that possibility.
tell 'em to contact Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to put their church on the ministry list here.
Posted by: mandy | January 17, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I sure wish that I wasn't so sold-out to the area that I live in...what would I do for the priviledge of working with a group so ferverent and waiting for God to do "exceedingly, abundantly more" in their midst? WOW!
Posted by: mike p | January 17, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I'm leaving for Penna. in early 2009, I'll take those 50 with me if they want to go! :-)
I'm gonna pass this on to the peeps at Orchard and a friend of mine (Brent Foulke) of Stadia; they may have someone to fit the bill!
IHL,
Richie
Posted by: Rich "Richie" Merritt | January 17, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Sadly, I think that one of the problems is that many of the church planters that I've met (generally, the more unsuccessful ones) are so intent on building a church THEIR way, that they don't really have use for a team, except to do their bidding.
I know that's a little cynical...sorry
Posted by: charles | January 17, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Wow. Incredible. What an opportunity.
Posted by: Jumaine Jones | January 17, 2008 at 12:16 PM
On the flip side of Charles comment, I guess the only thing that could be a hindrance in that situation is whether or not a group already moving on a vision would be able and willing to follow the vision of a strong church planting leader who were to join them. If so, that's a dream opportunity. If not, it could be a nightmare instead.
But the key isn't about whether or not they'll do their bidding, rather will they follow.
Posted by: bobby | January 17, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Just today I e-mailed a church planter acquaintance and said, "I have hundreds of ideas for church planting, but don't know where to go!"
Maybe I'm supposed to go to Virginia! I graduate from seminary in May and have 5 years of previous pastoral experience. I am married, have three girls, and we are adopting a fourth.
We want to be part of a church plant that is passionate about reaching lost people for Jesus... especially those people that are often overlooked and ignored by other churches in the area.
So....I would love to hear more details about this church plant!
jmyers @ tillhecomes.org
Posted by: Jeremy Myers | January 17, 2008 at 10:13 PM
I may be the only one hesitant. I have to ask the question, did they split off of another church because of some frustrations to 'start' this new one?
Posted by: pat gillen | January 17, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Ben,
My wife are right now in the midst of looking to church plant. We live in Baltimore which is nice and close. I would love to dialog more about this opportunity. My email is PastorJon@trinitylife.com
Posted by: Jon French | January 18, 2008 at 01:40 PM