Careful Planning

"Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;

hurry and scurry puts you further behind."

Proverbs 21:5, The Message

Over the past 10 months, we have been preparing a plan/strategy for how to launch a new church that would connect with unchurched people in a NWA community. So far, the plan is on track and moving along. While the launch team continues to move forward, we intend to turn our sites towards developing a plan that will take us through the next 18 months...launch and beyond (sounds like a line from Star Wars). In other words, we need to develop a unique church strategy for how Northwest Community Church is going to fulfill the vision God has given us of leading people to experience a new life in Christ. In order to do so, our launch team will begin meeting as a team on a weekly basis during the next several months leading up to the February launch. Before our first launch team meeting, I have asked everyone to read two things:

1. Simple Church by Thom Rainer http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Church-Returning-Process-Disciples/dp/0805443908/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253645813&sr=8-1
2. Healthy Systems Healthy Church by Nelson Searcy

In addition, please be praying for our entire launch team as we seek out God's unique strategy for Northwest Community Church. One thing I have noticed is that everyone and their mom has an opinion about how we should "do church." While I will always be willing to respectfully listen to people's opinions on things, I am not interested in taking polls on what people are looking for in a church or trying to even become a church that pleases every single person. On the other hand, I am highly interested in prayerfully seeking God's strategy for NCC and remaining true to the vision of leading people to experience a new life in Christ. More to come...