Lessons from the Journey--what I am learning

More lessons learned starting Discover Church

1. in our largely unchurched area (95%) most of the people who could be "core team" material are already invested significantly in their church.
2. it is extremely challenging to find people willing to consider leaving their existing church for a church start. Many do not desire to put forth the effort necessary to get a new church started and succeeding.
3. church planting is very hard.
4. God is very good.
5. in details, preparation, communication, etc present yourself and your church for where you are going not for where you currently are.
6. pray with your wife every night before you go to bed
7. if there is any way to have a true mother church then do it! They can help you overcome so many hurdles ($, core team members, facilities, insurance, accounting procedures).
8. investigate the "pool of potential" core team members in the area you will be going and adjust expectations accordingly. Things to investigate: % of people who attend church, % of claiming being "born again", % of those who live within 20-25 mins of area, and divide by .25 [amount of churched people willing to sacrifice enough to leave an existing church to be a part of a plant].
9. so many things are uncertain (people, $, locations to meet, etc.) spend time on what is certain (time with God, committed people, core team meeting prep).