Yes, but not yet...

If you have been following our journey thus far you know that we have recently participated in the Discovery Lab assessment process. And I'm sure that you are wondering about the results of that assessment.

While at Discovery Lab, we went through 13 different interviews with six sets of interview teams. We each had to give our testimony or "personal story" and participate in a group project. Each couple also had to plan and lead a time of worship. During these four days every area of our lives were highly scrutinized.

The last interview was our "exit interview". To say we were surprised with the outcome of this interview would be an understatement. The affirmation we felt throughout the assessment process really lead us to feel that we were very ready for Church planting.

During our exit interview from Kairos they expressed that they think our personalities and natural giftedness for leadership are perfect for Church planting; however they would not partner with us at this time. They thought that our chances of a successful plant right now, before coaching, would be slim. However they gave us three areas to work on in this next year. They want us to intentionally work on these areas and feel that if we do well under their "light coaching" this year that we will be ready to plant after another time of assessment.

I feel strengthened knowing that God has directly guided this entire process and is looking out for the well being of our family as well as preparing us fully for a future in church planting.


Please contact us if you have any further questions.
Aaron
Amy

Affirmation and Challenge

Two words describe my experience at Discovery Lab so far. Affirming and challenging. Amy and I have felt affirmed specifically in our marriage and family. I believe that Amy and I are a great team. The interviews and activities have endorsed this belief. We communicate well, we view our home and family as ministry tools and we work to understand and compliment each other’s gifts and strengths. Before Discovery Lab we had a bunch of tests and references from people who know us, and they all say that we have a strong marriage and family. What an encouragement!
This second area I feel affirmed in is also where I feel the biggest challenge. Everything we have done so far has suggested that I have strong leadership potential and ability. The challenge in that is to stretch myself and take the lead. I have potential that is unused. My thought on that is if I don’t use it, I am wasting a gift from God that he gave me to use for Him.
Lord, guide me in responding to the feedback we receive from this experience. May I use my blessings and abilities to honor You. Guide me and give me wisdom.

Discovering at Discovery Lab

Sunday~
Upon arrival at beautiful Camp Manatawny I was overwhelmed by the serenity that encompassed us. The landscape is breathtaking and I had a sense that this would be an opportune place for us to embark on this leadership adventure.
As the other candidates began trickling in we shared a meal and jumped right into getting to know on another. There are five other couples here going through the same process of evaluation that we are. It's good to know that we are not alone and to share in the experience with others.
The first night we began with sharing our stories. We told some about our spiritual journey and how we've come to be where we are. It was a wonderful experience and served to draw us closer to one another.
On Monday we had the daunting schedule of interviews laid out before us. In the past 48 hours Aaron and I have been interviewed by six teams of trained assessors. Each interview dealt with a different part of our results from tests taken online previously. Though nervous to begin I've felt the interview process to be very fulfilling and affirming. I've always had a great deal of confidence in Aaron and his abilities and to hear how he answers even the most difficult questions with honesty, integrity and wisdom fills me with pride. I feel honored to serve beside such a godly man.
The past 24 hours has been consumed with a "group project" and presentation. Intentionally placed in groups without our spouses, two teams rallied around projected "Church Plant" areas forming a presentation to be given in front of the eldership of "The Million Dollar Church of Christ". It was certainly a learning experience, as well as a time of growth for both Aaron and I.
It's now the end of our second full day here. I look forward to seeing what more we will learn from both the second set of interviews as well as the "team building" activities they have planned for us tomorrow!
Thank you again for your prayerful support. We appreciate you so much!

The Countdown

Today is March 24th. Discovery Lab starts on April 25th. That's only 32 days away.

I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm anxious. I'm thrilled. I'm honored. I'm humbled.

In some ways I can hardly believe that we are even considering such a huge task as Church planting, and yet in other ways I can hardly believe it's taken us this long to get to the assessment!

When I think of the future of the Church (and I'm talking long term future, as in the next 200 years or so) I get really excited. My generation is disillusioned. I don't think that the generation coming up behind mine will have any pre-conceived ideas on what "Church" should look like. No strong ties to tradition, but rather an open minded search of Truth. In some ways I envy them. What would it be like to start clean? I think that's exactly what Campbell and Stone were thinking during the reformation. How can we start over? How can the Church become pure like it was when His sacrifice was first made and the Christians clung to one another.

As we pray together about Discovery Lab, please pray that we would truly "discover". Our role, as well as a vision for the future...

Our Journey

We've set up this blog to chronicle our journey to Church planting. We are excited to see where and how the Lord leads... Would you join us?
We ask for your prayerful support of this ministry as we begin to seek to serve the Kingdom. Above are three tabs. One contains a link for your financial support, another holds our current prayer requests and the third is a simple introduction. Please take the time to read over them and pray for us. Your prayers and your encouragement mean so much.