Over the next few months God began to impress on my heart the following lesson:  Moving into the purpose for which God has designed me will include an ever increasing challenge that will be larger than what I am comfortable with and therefore will keep me always dependent upon Him.  So I knew God was getting ready to stretch me.

Back in February I read Tony Morgan’s post advertising the position of Chief Launch Officer for a new Church Planting Network that Brian Bloye at  Westridge  and a few other churches would be starting.  It sounded fascinating but I was very happy at Seacoast and wasn’t looking for a change, so I didn’t even consider applying.

Through a series of circumstances over the next couple of months it became evident that God may be leading me that direction.  So I sat down with Pastor Greg, told him what God had been doing and asked his blessing to investigate this opportunity. After he and Brian Bloye spoke on the phone I then went to Atlanta to meet with Brian and Tony to discuss this possibility.  It became evident in my heart that this was the new calling God had for my life. So I am very excited to announce that on July 19th I’ll be joining West Ridge Church in this effort to start the Launch Network, a church planting network of like-minded churches that understand the power of working together to accomplish a God sized vision.

So are you ready to be a part of a movement?  We want to hear from you. If you’re a church planter who is looking for a highly relational network of leaders you can learn and grow with, we want to hear your story.   If you’re a church that’s passionate about  planting healthy churches and investing in new movements of God, let’s talk. Or if you’re a business leader who is looking to invest in changing lives by planting churches overseas and expanding God’s Kingdom, I’d love to meet you.   To learn more about the Launch Network please fill out this brief form and we’ll get in touch with you.  Also you can check out Tony’s recent post that tells a little bit about West Ridge’s influence in church planting and other churches that will be a part of The Launch Network.

Seacoast is not an easy place to leave.  It’s a fresh, innovative, life-giving environment that allows you to operate in your areas of God given strengths and passion as a leader.  Pastor Greg is a humble, empowering leader who has supported me, challenged me, encouraged me and now, not surprisingly, graciously commissioning me to this new calling.  Over the next few days I will be posting some Leadership Lessons I’ve learned working at Seacoast Church.

Cindy and I will be making our move to Atlanta sometime during the week of July 12-16.  We would appreciate your prayers as we have a house to sell here in Charleston. 

(A really cool side note: Brian planted West Ridge Church on September 7, 1997, the same exact day I planted Carolina Forest Community Church in Myrtle Beach, SC.)

My Takeaways

• Values are more caught than taught
• Leadership development is the key  to transfering values
• Leaders have to be a part of a culture for a signficant time in order to really catch the values of an organization
• We must have intentional conversations with those we are developing about our DNA and values
• It’s not until a potential leader gets out on his own that his values are really tested
• We have to allow people to learn through failure
• It is essential that we keep an ongoing relationship of influence with those we have developed, coaching, encouraging and resourcing them.

The Alliance Members of the Exponential Network are proud to introduce FIND, a church planter’s conference. If you are a church planter or a potential church planter, don’t miss FIND 2009 this Fall at Seacoast Church in Charleston, SC.

For the first time ever, the most influential church planting networks in America come together to bring you an event like none other. At FIND you’ll discover the people, resources and networking that you need to be successful as you plant or grow your church.

What will you FIND?

Training. FIND will feature some of the top church planting thinkers and strategists in the country including Jon Ferguson, Billy Hornbsy, Chris Hodges, and Scott Thomas among others.
Coaching. FIND will help you connect with other successful church planters and leaders who will help you develop strategies to grow your church.
Funding. No church plant can be successful without resources that mirror the vision. At FIND 2009, you’ll get practical advice as well as new ideas to help you fund the vision God has given you.
Networks. Without a doubt, the most important decision you’ll make as a church planter is who you connect with as you build your church. at FIND, some of the most influential networks in the world will be on hand to answer your questions and help you get plugged in.