LifePoint Church | Ozark, MO

• Lane Harrison
• Apr 7, 2010
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church 

Lane was serving on staff at a mega church and began to be deeply convicted about the people living around him that were not experiencing Jesus. In an area that was exploding with population growth, the culture was in overdrive toward change. I began to envision a different kind of church that would be needed to reach these people.

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

Initially our biggest challenge was dealing with professed "christians" who knew how to do church and wanted to tell me how to do it, but wanted to do nothing to make it happen. I live in a church-saturated, uber-christianized culture that considers legalism an art form. People are hungry for the Gospel, but don't know the difference between it and religion.

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

Pray and read the Word more than you think necessary and at all times. Journal your prayers and thoughts. Talk to your wife, Godly men in the ministry and seek wise counsel. Do NOT get in a hurry. Do not act until you are convicted with full assurance that this is what God wants for you. Do not look back...

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

When I entered Acts 29 it was a much smaller relational network. I appreciated the brotherhood and encouragement, as well as the focus of training. With amazing growth and development, I still appreciate it for these same elements.

How do you pastor your family? 

My wife and I have had to make ongoing adjustments to family life (schedule, access, focus) throughout the life of our plant. We read the Bible together, I spend time during the week teaching the Bible to my children. We pray and talk regularly evaluating where we are, where our joy is and where we are headed. I am a better Pastor to my family because of church planting, but those lessons have not come easy.

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

early on, Planting new churches in a Postmodern Age, by Ed Stetzer. After 3+ years Vintage Church, by Mark Driscoll.

How can we pray for you?

We are at a critical stage in the life of our church with growth, relocation, adding staff and 're-engineering' what LifePoint looks like. We need much grace and faith to follow in these days.

Church Profile: LifePoint Church
Launch Date: October, 2004
Location: Ozark, MO 

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

lead people to be real Christ-followers in life...together. We want people to understand their identity as Christians and learn how to faithfully live it out in the world.

What is your biblical perspective on authentic community, and evangelism? How is this practically seen in your church? 

community is the body through which mission and evangelism must flow. As people are engaged with the Gospel, they need a body to connect with and attach to. This is God's people, Christ's church. At LifePoint, our labor is to connect people with others to be faithfully discipled, encouraged and engaged in mission.

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

in my personal life, I've been humbled by God's grace to see how has used me. What a joy! As Pastor, learning to shepherd people through all of life has become a joy I never imagined. I've learned to operate under God's authority, in the Spirit and by the Word. It is incredible to experience transformation together with people that only the Gospel can produce.