If you’ve flown anywhere, those are good words. It means the plane will soon head down the runway at (hopefully) high speed, take off, and fly you to your destination.
Last night, the take off of Highlands Bible Church was overwhelmingly approved. HBC will be the Vernon, NJ campus of the Green Pond Bible Chapel. By God’s grace, we plan to be fully airborne by Spring 2016.
That being said…there is MUCH to be done. Planting a church campus is not for the faint of heart. There are websites to build, Tweets to Tweet, hands to shake, locations to scout and teams to form. (Not to mention many Starbucks to drink and many burritos to eat.)
Of the key teams to form will be the Launch Team. This team will be a dedicated group of people who will meet together, pray for Vernon, talk through ministry plans, and just get stuff done. There are a few considerations for what “sort” of person would be on a Launch Team —
- Hear a Call – This is a Spirit lead decision that must be made by prayer. Add this to your regular prayer time, search God’s word, consider fasting…Dads – lead your family in prayer about this.
- Hospitable – Not entertaining…there is a difference, but hospitable. In other words extending gospel-fueled love towards people you don’t really know.
- Hard Working – there will be work. Sorry, I can’t lie. Sometimes it will be hard…setting up equipment, changing dirty diapers, serving food, and hopefully lots of coffee.
- Healthy – no one is perfect and completely mature, but you should have a growing, dynamic relationship with Jesus and be regularly challenged and changed by His Word, walking in His grace, and loving others well…even those that are difficult to love.
- Heart for the Lost – Church planting is evangelism. It was Peter Wagner that said “The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches.” We are leading people to healing and hope in Jesus in the Vernon area…and beyond.
Are you ready for take off?
