Lessons from the Journey

Been in Jupiter, FL now for over a week and focusing on starting Discover Church on a committed basis for 7 days.  I by no means have figured anything out and truthfully have learned how much I have yet to learn but maybe this will be helpful to those who come behind me next week or next year.  If so, I will try to keep these coming on a semi-regular basis.  These are some of the things I have learned/relearned during my first 7 days starting Discover Church...

1. A supportive, enthusiastic spouse is essential and I have the best!
2. Having an advisory team of experienced, wise, talented, Christ-pursuing pastors prevents blind-spots and is catalytic.
3. Establishing a prayer network months in advance of relocation prepares the way in immeasurable levels.
4. Planting in your hometown or a place with significant familiarity is tremendously helpful as it cuts down on the learning curve and allows you to "be" the area quicker and more streamlined.
5. Network, network, network--somebody always knows someone who knows somebody.
6. Be flexible in methods and in schedule but dogmatic when protecting the vision from day 1.
7. Listen to those who have gone before you very carefully (see #2).
8. Don't forget that this is also new for your spouse (and kids in applicable). Careful, intentional communication has been very important for us.
9. Connecting with area pastors provides great wisdom and networking.
10. Connecting with area pastors can be discouraging but resist becoming jaded.
11. Spend time building relationships with potential core team members.  Each person adds texture, connections, and credibility (not to mention tithe) to a new start (see #5).
12. Plan for a separate environments for core team and seekers--seems simple but a mistake I have already made.
13. An intentional vision/plan for multiplication of churches disarms people who immediately assume church planters are about building their own kingdom.
14. Work hard--set a schedule and keep it like you would if are working for someone else.
15. Planting a church with a team allows for much more to get accomplished in a more effective manner and is MUCH more enjoyable.
16. Share your vision as often as possible; it is God's stamp of legitimacy and limits the sting of discouragement that will surely come.
17. Visit area churches and learn from what is going well and what is not.
18. Communicate with your spouse about the day you plan to begin to shift from unpacking mode to church planting mode.
19. Prayer walks are powerful for vision, compassion, motivation.