Christ Community Church | Denton, TX

• Ross Appleton
• Feb 19, 2010
• Series: Church Profiles

Planter Profile:

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

This is our 3rd church plant to be involved with. The first one did not go well by any stretch of anyone's imagination. It was an extremely disappointing and trying time for my wife and I, but God was faithful and called us to be a part of another work where I was able to humbly sit under a good leader, who then was instrumental in equipping me and sending us out to plant our current work.

How did you build up your core? What advice would you give to guys in the core-stage?

Core has been built through word of mouth, no marketing. But my advice would be to apply good missiology and use whatever sticks and rocks God gives you. If marketing works in your context, use it. Don't be a weird hippy church planting snob that thinks all marketing is evil.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planting your church (and/or currently facing)?

My own pride and the desire to run ahead too quickly, not enjoying just being a small church where God is doing AMAZING things.

How did you become involved with Acts 29? What have been the biggest benefits of being in the network?

I first became involved through Barry Keldie 4 years ago, but again through Brian Blenden over the last 2 years. The biggest benefit is the great feedback I've received from the daily dozens of ministry challenges I'm facing. It's also nice to be around people who understand what I'm going through.

What advice do you have for men who are wrestling with the decision to plant?

If you are not sitting under a church planter and seeing everything behind the scenes before you do it yourself, you are shooting yourself and your family in the foot. Church planting is the hardest thing you will ever do. It is not cool. If you are looking for a way to massage your own ego, this is not the way. Satan will have his way with you.

How do you pastor your family?

First, I worship Jesus myself by getting up early and having everything ready for them, ie bfast, school stuff. We pray on the way to school and then we have a family devotion most nights before bed. Life is sprinkled with constant prayer as well.

Outside of the Bible, what is the most helpful book you have read for church planting?

Total Church

How can we pray for you?

Pray for God to continue to give me wisdom and leading His people, and grace to uphold my leadership failures. Oh yeah, pray for funding too. We are barely making it.

Church Profile: CCC
Launch Date: July, 2009
Location: Denton, TX

Mission, Vision, Values of Church

Showing the greatness of God to the heart of Denton

Vision: through preaching and embracing the Gospel, living the Gospel by loving each other, giving the Gospel by loving our city.

Core values: Gospel, Community, Mission

What is your philosophy of community in your church and what does that look like practically in your church? Of evangelism?

Community is the natural outworking of the Gospel. To love Jesus is to love His people. We are stubborn about insisting people getting involved in our Parish groups. We challenge our people to do the work of an evangelist all the time. To be saved is to sign up as a missionary, displaying the Gospel in community and inviting people into that community through evangelism.

What are some examples of God's grace that you have seen in your life and/or the life of your church?

The fact that my pride has not disqualified me from the ministry is nothing short of a miracle. Our church is experiencing God's grace through conversions and life change. Praise Jesus!