Top 20 lessons from life in a church plant.

I am not a church planter, but I was a church pioneer. I joined West Ridge staff 30 months into the church’s life. Over the next eight years I had the privilege of helping to pour the foundation, build the walls and raise the roof on an exciting church. Early on, we became committed to church planting efforts through partnering with other groups, sending out our own people, and training planters through our school.

Now, back in Lynchburg, I’m please to still be a part of church planting efforts. I enjoy coaching a team of guys who are planting 20 miles from here.

I will always cherish the time I spent in a young church. Beyond the excitement of the adventure, there are some characteristics of a young church that I want to maintain in my Christianity for the rest of my life…

Living close to the pages of the Book

Starting with a fresh page, no rules, only possibilities

Desperation of the staff and people for God

“Lifeboat” spirit among the staff and people – we MUST work together to survive

“Lighthouse” spirit - connection with and burden for the community

Speed of change that is possible

Commitment to excellence, no room for mediocrity

“Its all up to me” feeling – I have to show up for my volunteer job every week or church won’t happen

“No net” abandonment

Creativity unleashed

Need to rethink biblical positions – no room to hold to pat answers I thought I knew in college - “What does the Bible actually teach?”

Dependence on the Holy Spirit

Right-sizing my financial priorities

Doing life together

Courageous living by faith

Seeing the impossible happen

Experiencing grace in my life and the lives of broken, outcast people

Meeting a bigger God than I ever knew

Living like pilgrims on an adventure

Having my wife and children experience all of this with me.