Residency Midpoint...Six Months In

Often prospective church planters want to know what really happens in a residency. They are wisely assessing the costs and considering if they are willing...or able to make the sacrifices required. Others simply want to know "what is it like to plant a church...really". Take a peek into the Midpoint Reflections of Seth Kniep, one of our current church planters:

To say that God is good is to understate.

Last night Kimberly and I reminisced about the last 6 months since we arrived in Austin. We concluded that this has been the most enjoyable 6 months of our lives. Incredibly hard but never have we enjoyed God, life, and people more.

Here's a recap of what's been really hard:

* Discouragement.
Discouragement is a favorite toy from Satan's toy box. Sometimes it's rational, many times it's not. Either way, we've had to accept that fact that some days we will feel heavy and oppressed and that's okay. We are comforted to know that Jesus and David often felt the same way.

* Temptation.
Temptation in every area of our life has doubled in strength. It's a weird thing but you can be minding your own business, doing what you need to do, and suddenly a flood of anger, fear, lust, pride, or something else shows up from nowhere and the pull is incredibly strong. On the positive side, looking back, we've seen God deliver and strengthen us in ways we can only credit to your prayer and His grace.

* Criticism.
Our biggest critics have been Christians. Most of our Christian friends have encouraged and supported us. And those of you who have gently challenged us in areas that you've felt we need to consider--WE THANK YOU. I'm talking about Christians who are more interested in finding a church where they can consume, than being the church themselves, Christians camped on the sidelines happy to tell you what you are doing right and wrong, instead of getting into the game by befriending and loving their neighbors, letting Jesus live through them. I've always known this is an issue but I've never felt if so vividly than when planting a church. We have found non-Christians to be more ready to give of their time and money to support what we do than consumer Christians!

Here's a summary of what's been pure joy:
* Jesus.
Jesus is a million times bigger than we ever imagined. Jesus is not just the guy who died on the cross. Too often He is treated as only the entry point to salvation instead of the delight of our life. He is the reference point for reality, the first and the last---he is not simply a person to be preached--He is a person to be loved, delighted in, the King of Kings...He is all we really have for sure and that brings joy beyond words.

* Love and romance.
I have never been more in love with my best friend and lover. Running side by side on the front line of spiritual warfare and ministry does something amazing to your marriage. A military wife told a national audience, "The military will break your marriage or make it stronger." The same is true of church planting.

* The power of the Holy Spirit.
I am discovering that the Spirit will blow your imagination with what He can do through you if you just let Him. Our human nature is to credit human ability for ministry fruit. But it's a lot more about surrender than gifting, following the Holy Spirit than coming up with a ministry strategy. Pastor Tim Hawks once said, "Get out a blank pad of paper and let God write your story. In spite of all your planning and strategy, let God write it." God has worked through us the most when we have felt the weakest and lowest.

Here's a rundown of ministry milestones that Jesus has accomplished in the last 6 months, proving that He's still building His church:

* 6 professions of faith
* 4 baptisms (the 4th is this Friday) Ten friends still far from God watched the last baptim.
* 3 faith communities (a 4th is launched in 2 weeks)
* 7 missional core
* Over 100 friends/contacts most of whom are seeing and hearing the gospel (these are people who do not consider themselves Christians)
* Launch of DoingChurchInReverse.com and sites on Youtube, facebook, and linkedin.
* Revamp of old divide the word website into 2MakeHimFamous.com - an information hub to prod Jesus-followers to live missionally
* Networking with Avendaro Apts, Verde Shadowbrook Apts., Communities in Schools, and Austin New Church to help serve the community and those who are broken financially.

Please pray for me that I will put KK, the kids, our guests, and unbelievers first, my interests second.

Comments

[Juan martinez]

Wow I bet God truly appreciates all your doing and He will Say to you job well done I have sent you a resume to laurie carlson and im waiting for next step i truly hope that you allow me to come become part of the great thing happening in austin i applied for the bilingual churchplanter but i am willing to fill any position you see fit i even saw a church planter pastor is that for the school i truly am excited I believe you should be so lost in the love of CHRIST that we cant find ourselves God should be able to look Down and see GOD I believe he truly sees himself in you I hope to hear from you soon I was reffered by roger morrison to craig williams and I believe GOD has paved the road no coincidences only GODLY schedueld appointments Glory to GOD

[Jonathan Doctor]

Awesome! God is good... I put in my email and resume - hope to hear from you to be a part of Jesus' Building Project in Austin..