CHURCH PLANTING 101

Monday evening we held our first ever fund-raising dinner. We planned every moment of the night... the worship, the videos, the speakers, the dinner, and the print materials. What we didn't plan for was the torrential thunderstorm that hit right about the time the event was to start.

After hearing a loud clasp of thunder, I looked outside. Then, I looked at my watch - 6:30pm. Then, I looked around the room... 15 people, tops... in a room ready to accommodate 96. My heart sunk into my stomach and I began to swoon. Selina quickly interrupted my near-panic attack: "We should probably go ahead and pray over the meal."

The last thing I wanted to do was stand in front of 15 people and pray over a meal prepared for 6 times that amount! It was the reverse of Jesus miracle of the 5 Loaves and 2 Fish!! But, I went ahead and prayed and everyone began eating... well, everyone except me... I stood there praying for more people to show.

I found out later, it was at about this time that Greg Surratt leaned over to my wife and said, "This is what church planting is all about!" It was time to earn our stripes...

Over the next 30 minutes more people began to stroll in. By the time the event was to start, we had nearly filled the room. God came through and the night went on.

We opened with worship, Greg said some wonderful things about us, and then I got up and pitched my heart out! Between each element we rolled videos of various things I had starred in during my time at Seacoast. It was all very touching. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we received a generous offering to help start The Net.

At the end of the night, Greg gathered everyone around us to pray over our venture. One of our small group members (Tim McLain) was there that night and later described the scene to me in an email like this:

I was up in the [balcony] with [my daughter] Emily when Greg asked everyone to stand around you and pray for you guys.. I wish you could have been up there with me. What an absolutely awesome sight to look down and see a group of believers with so much faith and love for someone and their mission.

Selina and I sat in bed that evening discussing the way things turned out. She asked if I was pleased... I replied, "More than I ever expected." We are right where we need to be and it never has felt so good.

24

And the team keeps growing, showing no signs of slowing, and there's no way of knowing if we'll ever start plateauing (didn't see that word coming, did ya?)! I know this much: If God be for us, who can be against us?

Please welcome TJ and Victoria Clayton to The Net Church Launch Team... yes, that makes 24! Selina and I met TJ and Victoria during a Pre-Marital Small Group we led last year. The first day we met them, I wanted them to come to Chattanooga with us! They are an amazing young couple with tons of God-given potential to do great things... a perfect fit with the rest of our team, if I do say so myself!

TJ has been accepted into a Masters program at UTC. They hope to move by mid-August. And that's just in time to join the Launch Team's first "Official" meeting on SEPTEMBER 7th... barring any unforseen circumstances... such as, my wife not delivering our child until month 11! "God forbid," says the pregnant lady!!

22 Members, 5 Tithers, and 2 Overseers

The Net is moving full steam ahead. Selina and I just returned from the ARC Conference in Birmingham, AL. While we were there, we got to visit with Keith and Rhonda Underwood (and their daughter, Abby). The Underwood's are former Seacoasters who are moving to Chattanooga and are now the latest in a continuing line-up of launch team members dedicated to seeing God move in the hearts of those in Southeast Tennessee (I'm now claiming the entire region... funny how a few small moves of God expand our vision!)

In addition, we have started seeing some people already tithing to The Net... including the pastor and his wife - leading by example here, people! :)

And on a final note, we met with Eric and Darlene Partin while at the conference. They pastor a church in Destin, FL that meets at a Rave Theater and have agreed to be an Overseer for The Net... we are officially accountable to someone... well, technically this makes 2 - Greg Surratt already agreed to Oversee us months ago.

Some highlights from our trip:

• Having Selina's family throw us a baby shower in ATL on our way to Birmingham
  
• Getting to visit with fellow church planters in Birmingham
  
• Getting to visit with my parents in Birmingham
  
• Getting to visit with the Underwoods and their close friends
• Interviewing an Intern from New Life Church in Colorado Springs (potential worship/tech person)
  
• Hearing Greg say that we will always be a part of Seacoast Church
  
• Meeting Eric and Darlene Partin and having them say "yes" to being Overseers
  
• Listening to an amazing line-up of speakers (I'd share the teachings, but then what material would I have to preach from when the church starts?)
• Visiting with Russell & Cindy Hall (friends from Selina's former church) in ATL on our way back to ChuckTown
• Coming back to Charleston, taking a breather, and getting back to work!

We love all of you who are on the launch team, supporting the launch team, or thinking about being on the launch team (WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!!?)

FYI - Be praying... a week from Monday we are hosting a fund-raising dinner for the church.

BEFORE SUNRISE...

I hate getting up early. Something's wrong when a person gets up before nature. Yet, as an up-and-coming church planter, occasionally, this is what I must do. Last Thursday morning was one such instance.

I had the privilege of speaking to a morning men's group about the church launch in Chattanooga. 25 men listened as I shared the vision. Then, they asked some questions, made some comments, and prayed over me. Very powerful to have that many spirit-filled men hovering over you in earnest prayer for your future... 8 of the men even asked to be invited to a Fund-Raising Dinner we are holding on April 28th. God is good.

This week, Selina and I are heading to an ARC Conference at Church of the Highlands. We are looking forward to seeing old friends, making new ones, and being refreshed for the season that awaits.

LET THE CHILDREN COME...

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to introduce you to Robbie and Kristy Slocumb and their amazing son, Peyton. These are friends of ours from college who have recently moved from the great state of Texas back into the Chattanooga area. Robbie works for the Boys and Girls Club. Kristy is a former elementary teacher and is currently tutoring students in the Dalton area.

Last week while we were in Tennessee we had dinner with them and shared our desire to have them join our launch team and lead our children's ministry. They prayed about it... as did we: "Please God, let them say yes!" :)

This week they have agreed to come aboard! God is good and continues to grow our group. Selina and I are humbled by the willingness of each one who has stepped up to assist in this vision. Each day brings us closer to Chattanooga and closer to the day we will all minister side-by-side.

DO YOU RAVE?

Selina and I are in Chattanooga... this has been the best visit, yet. We have been going non-stop since we arrived Monday morning. We are exhausted, but love seeing God at every turn leading us along His path.

Last night we had a meeting at Jack and Lolie's house. Eleven in attendance... 12, if you count our unborn son, Gannon! It was very inspiring, talking about what is to come.

We also met up with the management from the Rave Theater (see pic). Everything looks a go. We had a great time talking with them. Lots to share on this... but, I will save that for face-to-face meetings with those of you who could not make it to the get-together last night. Suffice to say, God's favor is shining down on us in BIG ways!

We ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WAIT to get to Chattanooga and start this work!!

A GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL!

On Leap Day we had our 2nd official launch team meeting for The Net Church. We webcamed the meeting from Charleston to Chattanooga... 19 total in attendance. Here's a video of how it went down: