Recap

I thought I'd take some time and recap my church planting experiences here:

In June of last year my time of ministry at Langley Evangelical Free Church came to an end, and so did seven years of paid youth ministry. It was time, after over 12 years of dreaming, hoping and waiting, for me to start preparing to plant a church. I checked and double-checked with my wife Taralyn - are you sure we're ready to do this? She responded with a hesitant 'yes', which was much further than she was able to go two years prior when we had broached the subject previously. In 2007 I was between jobs, wondering if that was the time to strike out and plant a church. Taralyn assured me it was not. I thought she wasn't ready, but as it turned out she was discerning enough to identify that really, WE weren't ready. Now, in 2009, we were ready. To plant a church? Maybe. To have the faith to step out? That's more the case.
Taralyn and I started to think, dream, and strategize about the church. Two things we did first: 1. we identified the place and people we were called to - Aldergrove, BC. 2. we developed a strategy for starting up, including planning a launch date, enlisting a team of supporters, moving to the area, planning a series of pre-launch preview services, etc.
In hindsight, what we didn't do was develop a MISSIONAL strategy. We didn't, at that point, identify many ways to make inroads in the community, other than finding a job and hoping to get a membership at a fitness club. We're still playing catch-up with that.
So, let's talk about some things that, so far, have 'worked':
- we moved to Aldergrove on September 15. Taralyn found an amazing little house for rent on Craigslist and set up an appointment to see it. It was the first place we looked at, and we were the first to see it. Two days later, we were invited to rent it. That was a step of faith, because rent is a little more than what we were paying previously, and we had no income as of the end of September. But, we figured, to pay ANY rent would be a step of faith - we might as well get this place which we see is 'perfect' for our family and our mission. It's part of a family-oriented neighbourhood - a playground is a 2-minute walk away, kids are always playing in the street... there's plenty of opportunity for ministry here. Plus, it's a house - 2 stories, 3 bedrooms, laundry room, an office/toy room, and the real 'must' - a dishwasher!
- We've developed a good network of prayer support, and started to build a financial support base. We still have a way to go on this, but God has stirred peoples' hearts to give to this mission. I took Ministry Partner Development with Power to Change in September, where I learned how conversations go with prospective donors. I've met with a number of people, sent letters out, and have seen God respond with peoples' generosity.
- I got a job at Dead Frog Brewery. I prayed that God would open up opportunity for work at a place where I could shine the light of Christ brightly, and that place ended up being Dead Frog. I've met some great people there, and had some really good and interesting conversations. I continue to work at Dead Frog one day a week.
- Monthly Pre-Launch services. We have a team of people from North Delta and Langley Evangelical Free Churches who come and help us once a month to put on our pre-launch services. These have been moderately well-attended, and very successful, but not in the ways that we were hoping/planning. The people who have come have been able to hear the Gospel, and engage in dialogue, as well as start to develop relationships with one another.

Okay, now the things that haven't worked as we had expected.
- First, with the Pre-Launch Preview services. Apparently, Field of Dreams is a lie. 'If you build it...' they still might not come. It takes more these days than inviting people to a service to build a church. Although I've been consistently inviting people personally to COME TO us, and attend our preview services, they don't (for the most part). Yes, people are very interested in what we're doing, but no, they don't make coming to us a priority. What might be a better idea? Probably finding ways to GO TO them. That sounds like what we have come to call "being missional" and it's much different, much more difficult in some ways, much less program-oriented, than putting on services.
- Secondly, our whole strategy that we worked out for building our church centered on the gathering, the prelaunch service and the 'church launch'. I see this now as a mistake. In fact, I wish I could take back out 'launch date' and develop a strategy instead of building relationships. I say "I wish", and I probably can, but at this point I'm playing catch-up. I HAVE BEEN building relationships, but that needs to be my first priority, even over starting services. Yes, I still think that gathering is important for a church, but not at the expense of relationships; rather as a conduit for relationships. If the gathering isn't achieving that goal (which it is, and isn't) then things need to be adjusted, for now.
- Third, support-raising. It's tough! And people saying 'no' or not following through isn't a great motivation to keep going on. I haven't met with anyone for a while, but I will be getting back on the phone in the next week.

On January 10, we held our fourth pre-launch service, but this time we diverted from our plan slightly. Instead of keeping with our series "Journey to Hope in Aldergrove", we diverted and gave our 'vision spiel'. Our plan is to discover who else is in Aldergrove, who God is calling to partner with us in this. We've come to realize that we can't do this on our own, we need what they call a 'core team' to build this church together with. As missional as we want to be, we need others to do it with us, to encourage us, to connect with people in their own spheres. So we invited everyone we know in Aldergrove, even those who go to other churches. If they hear what we're about, God may call them to join us. It's not about stealing sheep either, as one Aldergrove pastor told me; they're not "my" sheep or "your" sheep anyway, they belong to the Shepherd, Jesus. It's the enemy, Satan, who steals. If God calls one of His sheep to join another flock then so be it. Still, it's been hard for me because I don't want to build a church from 'transfer' growth, but rather through conversion growth. But I need Christians involved as well.
So we gave our 'vision spiel'. It's for a church with three pillars: FAITH, MISSION, COMMUNITY. You can read about that here. Or you can hear it here.

Over 20 people showed up, more than ever FROM ALDERGROVE, and we gained some momentum. The next steps are to gather those people to do some acts of service in the community, and make ourselves known as being as much for Aldergrove as we are for ourselves. We're calling people together for mission, for community, and in faith. That brings us up to date.

I'm working with the Temporary Access Leadership Team on Access Strategy 2.0, and we'll roll it out to you as soon as it's prepared! This is an interesting journey, and we're learning tons along the way. Please keep checking in to http://candteddy.blogspot.com to join our journey!

Chad.