We’re Planting a Church!
October 3, 2007 4:48 pmDo you recollect moments God spoke to you, I do! I recall the instances God made decisions for my future clear…or at least that is how I remember them. I can see the sanctuary that I received my calling to ministry, the chapel seat in the balcony at Central Bible College when I resolved to attend school, my conversation with God about moving to Philly and the trip that sealed the deal was just as unmistakeable. It’s not hard to see in my mind’s eye the drive to Austin that made my decision easier. Every decision was a step of faith. Never was I promised a salary for my time starting churches, but never did I stop trusting God. Sometimes all you have is faith and trust. His never forgotten me and always provided. Faith and works aren’t opposites, they are partners. James reminds us in his epistle that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” So we trust in God and give Him our total cooperation by doing our part.
Summer and I are cooperating with God and stepping out in faith – choosing a new path in our journey. We both agreed in July that we are not being called to any other ministry but starting missional churches. That thrilled my heart because it’s important my wife is doing ministry with me and agrees with our calling. Family first and ministry second, right? So we started speaking with friends and leaders about our next place of ministry. We shared that we wanted to be apart of a multi-site church, part of starting new venues for worship spearheaded by more established churches in the city. My friend and mentor from Philly called me and wanted to know more details about our desired ministry. He is feeling called to start a second venue in his new city of and felt our time was divine.
So our journey is taking us to Missouri. Not the place I would have selected but once we saw the city, felt the character of the community, and heard the vision for the city we knew He had our hearts. We have no idea how we will afford to live and minister. There is no money in the budget for our salary, but we can’t allow money to be the issue. God is bigger than we are and His calling is richer. Jesus himself said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few…(Luke 10.2). He didn’t say “there’s not enough money,” He said “there’s not enough laborers!” The truth is I believe people want to invest in kingdom minded ministry if they can catch your vision and understand your plan.
In the next months we will ask many of you to help support the church plant. We are being mothered by a local more established church, so they cover the cost of doing ministry, but we will need to raise support for our salaries. Summer and I both hope to devote 100% of our time to connecting with the community, which will require not working 40hr/week secular jobs. Some of my future blogs will involve our journey, our plan and the vision for the city. I hope you can join us on our journey.
5 Responses to “We’re Planting a Church!”
From Summer:
I remember the call that John made to Chris later one evening to discuss our desire to begin satellite campuses. They talked for a long time, and I was on the couch with Tatum, thinking, we’ll go to Missouri. I had no idea what John was saying to Chris–I knew they had a youth pastor position open, and I also knew that was not what we wanted to do! After hearing Chris give his thoughts, ask lots of questions, and then hang up…..I got a little nervous. My stomach was full of butterflies. This was a normal Thursday night for us….and I felt that things were about to change. What could be happening!? He came back in the living room, sat down with us, and I immediately began tearing up (in a good way). He began to tell me how John had a vision to begin a new campus/satellite in the downtown area. A church/community designed to reach unchurched individuals.
I’ve already began to make a list of things to do (go figure!): clean out attic, have a bazillion garage sales until our misc items are gone, find a realtor, update my resume (just in case I have to work), clean the carpets, fix our shower….the list could go on. (It does, believe me). But one day at a time.
What a weekend.
We didn’t have the extra funds to pay for plane tickets to Missouri. However, we knew we needed to see the city. Week by week, extra money came floating in through random (and I mean random) places. We purchased our tickets about a week or two before our scheduled trip—hoping that this trip wouldn’t be a “bust.”
The whole weekend for us was great. I have a cousin that lives in Missouri–so we were able to stay with her and her husband….they took us to local eatteries (sp?), talked about the city, the people. We also were able to spend a great amount time with our friends John & Christine. It’s a natural relationship—something I so truly desire. We would be able to learn so much from each of them, as pastors and as friends.
By Saturday/Sunday, we knew our decision. A scary one; a decision with a lot of “unknowns” and lots of logistics to work out—but we knew this is exactly what our next step is to be. It’s almost like God allowed the decisio to be an easy one; we didn’t have any other offers (we had a few calls about positions, but it never sounded exciting).
So, next step: The sale of our home. Someone is coming tonight to appraise our home–please be praying for a high one!
We would love to be able to move by Thanksgiving, if not then, by the first of the year. Of course, all is depending on our home selling.
We are so very excited. If you know me and my personality, my excitement isn’t about jumping up and down or running circles to show how I feel. But deep in my soul, there is a big smile. So here we go, preparing for our next journey.
PS—Tatum laughs now!
PPS–A close aunt of mine died on Monday. It’s a very difficult time for my family; and even more difficult that I can’t be with them right now. Please pray for my uncle and his three boys. It was a long drawn out process with a bone marrow transplant that didn’t go well. Her funeral is tomorrow in Arkansas.
I will miss you terribly but I am excited for this next step for you guys. Big, important, awesome things coming for the McCool family…Columbia, MO is lucky to have you and I know it will be a wonderful home for you all.
Wow summer this is amazing. What a step of faith you guys are taking and I know yall will be well taken care of since you are placing yourselves in the hands of the Lord. Let us know if yall need anything at all from not until yall leave.
Missouri will be so blessed to have you guys there reaching out to the nonchurched people.
Just when we leave - you come to town? Not fair. I am very excited for you guys. MySpace when you can.
Summerella & Chris,
I’m so excited to read about your big move!!! I’ll be praying that everything will line up perfectly to get you there!
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