Resolution

The last step in our process of determining if God is calling us to plant a church is complete.  On Tuesday, Kristy and I were assessed by five pastors, including two from our church network and three from our denomination’s network in Milwaukee. 

We were asked to describe each other with five adjectives, share how God initially got a hold of our hearts, and take a timed Bible knowledge test.  In addition, I preached a sermon, presented my philosophy of ministry (church planting strategy) and went through a role playing exercise where I asked a major donor to partner with us financially. 

We received feedback with each component of the assessment.  The assessors freely asked us many questions.  Nothing was off limits.  They asked us questions about our finances, strategies, and more.  These men did a great job of caring for us by asking hard questions and giving us honest feedback.  I’m grateful for our experience! 

After we had presented everything we were asked to, the assessors spent a good amount of time in discussion as to my fit as a lead church planter.  Our denomination has an incredibly healthy process for giving recommendations to church planters.  There are basically four outcomes a potential planter can receive from this assessment. 

One is “not recommended.”  This is the result people receive when they are either not gifted as a lead planter or in a position in life where, for a variety of different reasons, they simply aren’t equipped to be a lead planter.   With this, the light is red. 

The second is a “recommendation with strong conditions.”  In this outcome, a potential planter receives a “yellow light.”  A lot can be unearthed during the assessment process.  For people who receive this outcome, they are approved to plant, but there are some things they need to work through before getting started. 

The third outcome is a “recommendation with minor conditions.”  This means that the light is yellow, but it’s leaning toward being green.  People who receive this outcome are approved to plant but have some things that they need to work through as they engage in the initial stages of planting. 

The fourth outcome is a “recommendation without conditions.”  This is a green light to plant.  While no person is perfect or complete, these people are determined to have the necessary skill set, experience level, and general health to be the leader of a church plant. 

By God’s grace, we received a “recommendation without conditions.”  The assessors gave us some suggestions; including a book to read and people to talk to.  But in the end, the assessors confirmed what our elders had sensed – God is calling us to plant a new church in the city of Milwaukee!  The church network in Milwaukee has been very encouraging and has openly and consistently expressed their excitement for us to join them in advancing the Kingdom in “The Good Land.” 

So, what happens from here?  We are not leaving tomorrow, thank God!  There is a lot to do!  I will do everything I can to finish well here at Faith Community Church.  I also need to wrap up my degree through the Antioch school.  Further, I’ll need to raise a salary as well as the operational expenses for the church.  And we still have a house to sell. 

We don’t know exactly how the process of relocating is going to go. It is my prayer that we will be in Milwaukee in the fall of 2013.  During my first six—eight months on site I will network, serve the city, and train the team that God provides. I will work tirelessly to develop the necessary infrastructure and biblical leadership systems to care for the church and the city.  If God wills, we will launch publically on March 30^th, 2014.  This will allow us time to test our leaders and systems before the Midwest goes on “summer vacation.”  During the summer we will make the necessary adjustments in order to be fully operational by the grand opening on September 14th, 2014.        

 

Thank you for your prayer and support.  It is with great excitement and deep pain that I write this.  In so many ways, we have grown up at this great church.  There is nothing in us that wants to leave this place.  But we are very excited to go.  We do not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future!  It is with confidence in His promise that we move forward in Faith!