Launch Large???

Hello all. Today I got to spend some time with my family, and I'm feeling much better! Caleb and I went and saw the Langley Day Parade, and then Taralyn, Caleb and I got our hair cut. We all look spectacular. A "Basement" show is on right now, with FOCA producing. They're an upstart charity organization that wishes to help kids who are on the street - For Ones Coming After. (find out more about FOCA here and here). They're doing a great job, this being their big kickoff event. Such a great job they're doing, that I get to step away and type this blog post!
That being said, I'd better go check on things...
Okay I'm back. Just connected with a couple of guys who used to be the 'troublemakers' at a previous church I worked at. I told them, "after 12 years of youth ministry, there was only one time I had to deal with poo". They knew what I meant.

Anyway, I'm listening to Nelson Searcy talk about "Launching Large". The mistake many church planters make, he says, is starting small and 'organic'. You never really get it off the ground, but keep spinning tires, never making traction. Instead, he said, launch large. Scrap the idea of a church planting committee or 'core group', and instead build up a 'launch group'. Come up with a launch date about 6-8 months into the church planting process. And approaching that date, do a few big services once a month. Then from those who come out to the services, you can build a launch team.

That makes some sense to me. If I move into Aldergrove (or wherever...), connect with a bunch of people, get into friendship groups, social circles, etc. Then starting September or October put on a monthly 'service', which gives time for follow-up, to prepare, to create awareness in the community, to identify those who might become part of the 'launch team', to build excitement and anticipation. Then in February or March/Easter do a full Sunday morning Launch, and thereafter a weekly Sunday services.

Between monthly momentum-building 'preview' services, put on 'comeback' events - movie nights, fun family times, etc. to introduce people to the church community. Do acts of service days, picnics in the park, etc....

He says 'it's harder to get church people to reach the unchurched than it is to get unchurched people to help you start a church'. Interesting...

Anyway, just some more stuff to think about.

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