Jude 2

On November 8th, Jennifer and I gave our notice to our pastor that we were resigning as Assistant Pastor and Worship Leader at our church (pretty much unpaid staff there) so that we could start building up a launch team to plant a new church. That afternoon we met with friends we had been on staff with- they had been the music ministers at the church until a couple of months ago.

Since that day, our life has been a whirlwind of activity, and it appears that the launch is going to take place much sooner that we had imagined with a great team and we are anticipating over 100 in attendance for our first service.

We will have an awesome praise and worship team; a staffed nursery; a children's minister and an experienced youth minister and outreach director on staff from day one. We are meeting at the IUS conference center, a facility that will allow us to grow well into the hundreds (and possibly a thousand) for a very modest price ($225.00 per week to start).

I would appreciate any prayers you would have to offer as we continue forward in this endeavor, and all in the Louisville area are welcome to attend.

God Bless You- Sam Smith

Awesome!

One question though. What's it gonna be called?

Are you taking people who were at the church you're leaving with you to start this new church?

I too am wondering where the 100 folks are coming from?

No. we are not taking people from the church we are leaving. There are several how had already left the church (and are not coming back) who said they would like to join our church when it gets started, folks they know that are looking for a church, friends of ours that we work with, people we've ministered to in the area.

God Bless You- Sam Smith

Independent Church?
Sounds like an amazing first launch...

****

To the Blessed Ones—
those today and
throughout history
who has been insulted,
excluded, and lied about
for simply following the
Lamb beyond the accepted norms
of tradition and culture.

Matthew 5:11

Many blessings on your new work. May God see fit to bless you with many service-ready members, few church hoppers, and much ministry bringing new believers into the Kingdom.

free wrote:Are you taking people who were at the church you're leaving with you to start this new church?

had the very same question. when did they leave? why did they leave? was there talk about this before they left? i know that before we add people to staff we have them sign a document stating that if they leave for any reason they will not "plant" a church within the same county. either way, praying Gods will be done and his blessings on the first church and the new congregation.

justsam wrote:No. we are not taking people from the church we are leaving. There are several how had already left the church (and are not coming back) who said they would like to join our church when it gets started, folks they know that are looking for a church, friends of ours that we work with, people we've ministered to in the area.

God Bless You- Sam Smith

No offense, but I just went through this same thing here at my church with my Associate Pastor. Sorry I don't buy it. You may not be taking them with you but will you be man enough to tell those who belong to that church to go back? Or will you simply let them follow along?

dawgs10 wrote:i know that before we add people to staff we have them sign a document stating that if they leave for any reason they will not "plant" a church within the same county.

How long would you enforce such a document? Forever? Does this not seem absolutely ridiculous as it relates to the Great Commission?

Remember what you extend will be returned to you.

Pastor Rob wrote:No offense.... but will you be man enough to tell those who belong to that church to go back? Or will you simply let them follow along?

No offense.. but why all the fear? If you are hearing from God and doing what is right... what is it to fear? Do you fear losing control? Do you fear losing status? Do you fear losing salary? Do you fear that the ministry they get elsewhere will change, grow, educate them in ways you can't?

Again.. don't operate out of a spirit of fear. If so.. you are already defeated.
Cast your seed and REST.

Pastor Rob wrote:

justsam wrote:No. we are not taking people from the church we are leaving. There are several how had already left the church (and are not coming back) who said they would like to join our church when it gets started, folks they know that are looking for a church, friends of ours that we work with, people we've ministered to in the area.

God Bless You- Sam Smith

No offense, but I just went through this same thing here at my church with my Associate Pastor. Sorry I don't buy it. You may not be taking them with you but will you be man enough to tell those who belong to that church to go back? Or will you simply let them follow along?

bingo!!!!!!!!!!!

MacUser wrote:

Pastor Rob wrote:No offense.... but will you be man enough to tell those who belong to that church to go back? Or will you simply let them follow along?

No offense.. but why all the fear? If you are hearing from God and doing what is right... what is it to fear? Do you fear losing control? Do you fear losing status? Do you fear losing salary? Do you fear that the ministry they get elsewhere will change, grow, educate them in ways you can't?

Again.. don't operate out of a spirit of fear. If so.. you are already defeated.
Cast your seed and REST.[/quote

why would God split a family. he never does!!! if its a true church plant than it will not pull from other churchs!!! there is a huge difference in planting a church and being a member rustler. i dont have a clue what this is but thats the point.

MacUser wrote:

dawgs10 wrote:i know that before we add people to staff we have them sign a document stating that if they leave for any reason they will not "plant" a church within the same county.

How long would you enforce such a document? Forever? Does this not seem absolutely ridiculous as it relates to the Great Commission?

Remember what you extend will be returned to you.

when taking into account how the new testament church works we see it this way. if the church sends someone out and it seems good to those involved and the Holy Ghost then its a church plant. if someone goes out on their own without the blessing of the local church then thats not a church plant.

dawgs10 wrote:when taking into account how the new testament church works we see it this way. if the church sends someone out and it seems good to those involved and the Holy Ghost then its a church plant. if someone goes out on their own without the blessing of the local church then thats not a church plant.

I understand proselytizing... but my point was the non plant clause ( no compete clause essentially to ANY ministry ) and how would you ultimately enforce such a broad document? Would you legally defend it for people that left to join independent Church B that was created? Zowie.

That surely would never hold up in court. Even if you won.. what would you gain? Tragic.