Yesterday, on my day off, I picked up two books on the topic of church planting: Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer and Launch: Starting a New Church From Scratch by Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas. Even though it was not a working day I thought it would be worthwhile for me to get inspired and maybe pick up some good ideas for our own new church launch.
Admittedly, I haven't finished either of the books yet. And I'm convinced that both books are well written by experienced authors, who have much to offer. I'm sure I will pick up some good ideas. But I must admit that both failed to inspire me.
At first this really bothered me. After all, I'm an avid reader. Reading usually does inspire me. Books have changed my life so many times. But, in this case, I was left flat.
After I thought about it for awhile, I realized that these books could not accomplish what God has already accomplished in my heart. I'm already so inspired, so excited, so transformed by the mission we have at Church Requel - that no other book could ever add to the vision we already have. Church Requel is new. It's different. It's special. It's a vision that God has given to a small group of people in Mansfield, Ohio to reach people for Christ in Mansfield, Ohio. While I'm not opposed AT ALL to using good ideas that have worked in other places, we already have so many great ideas. My primary goal now is to accomplish the ideas we already have.
The other thought I walked away with yesterday was that I'm not all that excited about the concept of "launching a church." I AM VERY EXCITED about "being the church," whatever its size or length of existence. What got me up and running this morning was thinking about specific people and how they would partner with CR to reach our community. I'm excited about Shaun and his commitment to help with financial organization. I'm excited about Rich and his commitment to helping people find their spiritual gifts for service. I'm excited about Tami and Nate and Mary Kay and Nancy and Cindy and Steve and Jonathan and Bethany and Jessica and Ron and Mary and Matt and Windi and Mark and Bonnie and Nina and (I could go on and on here... Don't want to be the Romper Room lady looking through her magic mirror - {if you're younger than 40 you may not get that last reference}). I'm excited about some of the folks I'm talking to who have not yet partnered with us, but are thinking about it. I'm excited about the kids who are coming (SO MANY!) and what God may accomplish through them in their lifetimes, if we do our job right. I'm excited about our communions, our worship times, our prayer life, our fellowship, our vision casting.
I know I'm rambling - but you need to know that this new church and its new life is SO COMPELLING to me! Reading other books about how someone else has launched a church is like looking at a still, black and white photograph compared with being immersed in a full color, 3-D movie. I'm glad God has used other men and women in other places. But I'm really turned on by what God is doing with my partners and me right now and right here.
