The JOY of New Church Starts…
As a former pastor I have had the joy of helping start new churches both within the United States and beyond. As the President of the North American Mission Board for 9 years we had the joy of facilitating over 14,350 new congregations. While living in Atlanta we had a brief period of being a part of a new church start where my wife Cheryl played keyboard in a very talented worship band. But I have never had the absolute joy of being intimately involved in a church leadership team and watch it take off up close and personal.
That has now happened. Last fall I was invited by a new church in Ft. Lauderdale to join my great friend Jay Strack and tag-team as teaching pastors to get a church up an running on its own feet. Last summer is the first time I visited it while it met in an abused women’s shelter. That Suday I counted 47 people. I returned and started working with the church and Jay in September and they were hitting about 65 or so. Since then we have seen the attendence surge to approximately 270, see over 80 kids attend VBS and watch 45 adult workers come out of the woodwork to be a part of touching lives. And, are you ready for this, 12 of the kids made a commitmen to accept Christ into their life!
But maybe the most amazing thing has been to watch the waters of baptism move again. North Star merged last fall with a church that was just about to fold. Their facilities in Wilton Manor were offered to North Star as a part of the merge and the members would become one church. The transition was smooth, the attitudes great, and people started being saved. In fact, we’re baptizing regularly…the first time the baptism waters have stirred in the former Wilton Manors facilities in about 35-40 years from what I am told from some long time members! The people are celebrating weekly about what God has done and is doing, and the atmosphere can only be described as celebrative. The music weekly regularly has people on their feet and they break out in applause as people are baptised. Throughout the Spring we have seen baptisms, and a couple of weeks ago we had 5 more baptizted and about 15 more are presently waiting. Giving is strong. Expectations are high. And thanksgiving is continuous. Especially since the baptism were repaired for the first time in decades and the baptismal waters are being stirred regularly.
Bob Reeder and an engaged group of lay leaders receive much of the accolades for the tenacity of paying the price to keep things moving forward. Regardless of the circumstances and challenges they have continued to move forward. And now this church is forging ahead in an area of Fort Lauderdale that is not growing…and not even normally acknowledged as one conducive to church life. But at North Star, the baptismal is repaired for the first time in years…the facilities are repaired…and we’re seeing the possibility of running out of room. All of this in a time when my denominations baptisms are in free fall. Which says A DENOMINATION CAN’T WIN PEOPLE TO CHRIST NOR INCREASE BAPTISMS–ONLY THE LOCAL CHURCH CAN DO THAT
Thank you Lord to be a part of a group of people who are broken, from radically diverse backgrounds, perseverant, committed, beleiving God can do anything, and will to pay the price to experience the JOY of being a church on the move. And thanks to all those who have afforded me a wonderful opportunity to work with friends and trusting Christ-followers to play a small part in what God is up to. What a ride!
July 4th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Dr. Reccord,
It is funny how when God calls you to start a church–it doesn’t go out of your system. We had some tough times in our first church. But God has a sense of humor and has me working on staff at a new one in Charlotte. We are baptizing about 10 people Sunday! Praise God for changed lives. I’m having a blast in this “Grace-Filled” church.
July 4th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Kenvin
The good part is that you will be a blesing wherever God has you! And the passion that you have from having been a church starter will flow over into everything you do. You are gifted to have a treasure of leadership experience that will apply exactly where God has you. I trust that God keeps the baptisms going!
July 5th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Bob, the joy and excitement of participating in this journey with you and Jay has been a fresh wind to many here in Ft. Lauderdale. To see the unity of the Spirit as people co labor bringing their lost friends and relatives and seeing them come to know Jesus as their Savior has ignited the hearts of those seeking to share their faith and serve. Bob Reeder’s gifted music leadership combining praise songs with the hymns of the faith has young adults, the seniors and new converts risng to their feet as they are led by the Spirit. Thank you for being a risk taker and pouring your life into God’s work.
July 6th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Bill
I am thrilled to see the growth. Jay and I believed you folks could do it through God’s grace, though some seemed to wonder. Yet, the proof is in the pudding.
I recall that when I went to be President of the North American Mission Board I chose Dr. Richard Harris to be VP of Church Planting. He told me that the man who had worked with church plants at the former Home Mission Board, Charles Chaney, had indicated that back then church plants saw only about 33% survive after 4 years. During our time at NAMB we saw that rise to 68% after 4 years, which we were told was among the best rates in the nation. Some felt the ones that didn’t make it found that the declining denominational support, which often goes through a step-down process over 4 years, could have had some of the impact. Hopefully things will continue to be improved so that more and more church starts get stronger and stronger.
But you all amaze me that you folks have done this pretty much all on your own…with everybody pitching in and doing what that can. It has been a joy to watch the body of Christ at work, cooperating, praying, sacrificing, and giving of their time, talent and treasure! Keep it up!!!
July 12th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Bob,
Thank you so very much for taking a chance on a little start up church in Wilton Manors. We are blessed at NorthStar in many ways and the quality of our teaching pastors is near the top of the list. All one has to do is observe the congregation as you preach and you know, without question, He is at work. You and Cheryl have contributed much to NorthStar’s progress, please know we are very grateful.
July 21st, 2008 at 6:17 pm
This is our first blog posting. Watching Northstar Community Church bloom is a new experience for both of us. Those that we serve with know that we are part of something very unusual that God is doing. Everyone is being very careful to preserve the love, fellowship and unity that exists. God spent the first two plus years assembling a core of believers and now we are starting to see visitors saved and lives changed at an increasing rate.
We are just getting to the exciting phase of church growth! Every time we needed something or someone, God provided. We have an amazingly diverse collection of talented people, not the least of which is you and Jay Strack. You are both appreciated very much, even as we try our best to wait patiently for the pastor that God is preparing for us.
We are blessed. How many churches can pray that God would provide a pastor for them before they have to go to two services?
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Dearest Bob and Cheryl,
We were invited more than once before we finally went to our first service at North Star. Now, we no longer go to our previous church. I know I am not alone in saying I rue the day we do get our own Pastor. Having you and Dr. Jay to look forward to on Sundays is a wonderful thing and also Bob Reeder’s musical worship makes me cry all the more. But in a good way. I know the Holy Spirit is at work in our little church. My eyes may be red and puffy when I leave, but I just feel soooooo good. See you tomorrow. With Christian love, Carlos and Nance.