Acts 29 Network: Flower Mound, TX

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City Presbyterian Church | Oklahoma City, OK

Doug Serven
Dec 17, 2012
Series: Church Profiles
Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

Doug moved to Oklahoma in 1993 and lived and worked in Stillwater with The Navigators for three years. After graduating from seminary, he moved to Norman to start the RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) work there, where he ministered for 10 years. He had always been wondering about church planting.

Bobby is from Oklahoma City but moved away for college and seminary. He agreed to move to Norman to work as a church planting apprentice in 2009, praying that he might plant a church somewhere in the Oklahoma City metro.

Doug had been asked several times to consider starting a church in Oklahoma City, but it was Bobby who was the most serious about it. They prayed and talked about it. Their wives thought it was a good idea. They asked people if they wanted a new church in downtown/midtown and heard an overwhelming “Yes!” They got the green light from the denomination, and officially started June 1.

Since that time there have been a small committed group meeting together to talk and pray about what City Pres would be and look like. Doug and Bobby have been raising money and making contacts. City Pres began taking shape. City Pres was commissioned to be a mission church of the Presbyterian Church in America on August 12, 2011. We starting meeting every week for worship in January 2012.

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

Worship well - with good music, purpose, historicity and relevancy, preaching needs to be gospel centered and there has to be a reason to come to church

Communicate clearly.

Love and pastor people.

Don't use people.

Gather people for parties.

Mission and outreach - together

Make sure you exhibit trust and build it.

Do more than they expect not less.

Don't just assume people will come. They don't have to.

Raise money!

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

Recommended, through friends

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

Only do it if you are truly called - internally, externally and with the blessings of your mentors/elders/guides/peers. Don't just decide you're going to do it. Get advice and keep asking for it.

What’s the most important thing you’d want to share with a new church planter?

Do you feel the closeness and presence of God? Because this is going to be really difficult.

How do you pastor your family in the midst of starting a church?

Don't make them feel weird or like they have to bear the weight. Protect your wife. Make sure it's fun and special to be the pastors's kids. Let them be normal.