Family Picture

This is what we're thinking about using as a communication piece with our supporters as we leave to plant a church. It was taken last weekend at my cousin's wedding. It's a pretty fun picture, unlike the standard post card perfect family photo. I like it. We'll probably make it into a magnet or something like th...

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Team Leadership

I read an interesting blog today. You can find it here.It follows up and even references another article that I read that can be found in the newest issue of Leadership magazine. Apparently there is a trend among younger evangelicals toward churches with a team leadership structure, rather than a hierarchical or senior pastor model. Of course, this intrigues me as I'm getting ready to set out and launch a new church. I really resonate with the idea. I don't want to be the guy in the spotlight, and I certainly don't want a church that is "Jeremy's church." I guess what I wonder though is how you do this in a practical sense. How does it work? How are decisions made? Who sets the vision for the church? Who holds people accountable to their particular ministries? Who does the fundraising for...

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Church Planting is Hard

We haven't even moved yet. And I feel swamped by this. I've been buried in budget planning, fundraising, team building, house selling, and ministry. My stress level is pretty high right now. I'm a worrier, and I think that's because I am kind of a control freak. I want to have everything figured out and planned out and yet so much of this is simply a step of faith. I don't get to have all the answers. It feels like everything I was holding on to for security is being yanked out from under me. The people I was totally sure were coming with us are now in question. The places I was sure I was going to be able to fund raise are now being pulled away from me. The money I was sure we were going to get from our house selling is now slipping away as the price continues to drop. My plans are falling...

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