Perhaps one of the hardest things about starting a new church is patience. Patience is the one thing that wars against the driven personality of now, now, now, let’s do this and get it done now! I’ve heard it said that patience hurts, it’s not something we’d do willingly but ultimately its about letting go of our selfishness–our wants and desires–and instead putting the interests of others before yours. That’s really hard to think about and accept for the church planter. (Isn’t everything we’re doing in the interest of others, isn’t church planting the ultimate act of altruism? — maybe in a perfect world!)
We’ve been in the city of San Francisco now for 8 months and we’re still 6 months away from launch (October 11th) still needing more time to pull together resources (financial and equipment and location) and a full launch team that’s committed to making this thing go once we do launch. We’ve started our monthly launch gatherings and have seen new people come, listen, learn and commit to what’s taking place but I can’t wait to get to that point where we’re fully operational as a church and can truly begin moving past some of these early stages of preparation and instead push into the dream of being a community that truly makes a difference in the city for the Kingdom.
Sometimes it’s hard to realize that the work of breaking ground is absolutely necessary to building the DNA, culture and foundation that will allow this church to preserve–especially when you just want it to be there now. It’s hard to realize that patience is really about other people, allowing them the space to think through, accept and jump on board with the vision of helping people find their way back to God, of joining in on the hard restorative work of Kingdom building. But patience is still hard for a church planter… it’s hard to work day in and day out towards a dream that is so close yet seems light years down the road.
I’m sure that patience will probably continue to haunt me after we launch in October. There will always be bigger dreams that we’ll strive for as a church, always seeking to push forward to make more of an impact for the Kingdom.
I like how N.T. Wright helps to put things into perspective:
“Paul’s vision of the Christian life is thus… The decisive battle has been won [because of the cross]; the battles we face today are part of the mopping-up operation to implement that victory.”
(Following Jesus, p. 21)
Realizing that we’re here not to win the battle, but to “mop up” in the aftermath seems to take some of the pressure off, but still pushes us to desire the full realization of the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven. I want to see that take place in the city of San Francisco… I want to get started on a bigger scale than we see now… and all I keep hearing God say is, “patience, young grasshopper… patience.”
Related posts:
- Seven Years.
- back in the saddle… well, almost.
- slowing down
- Launch Community… this is the start of something BIG!
- new beginnings & new birth
We are partners at a church here in the city that started as a church plant in the Lincoln Park neighborhood by Mooby Bible College. They met for almost 20 years all over Lincoln Park, in movie theatres, schools, and YMCA gymnasiums. Up until this past year when our main campus opened up in the Cabrini Green neighborhood. It has given us the ability to minister to more people who are seeking grace and love through Christ in what used to be a dying and forgotten neighborhood.
We’ll be praying for you, Tracy, and your new congregation, no matter how small it is right now.
Be patient and just wait for your pitch.