New City Milledgeville | Milledgeville, GA

• Ryan Lyons
• Mar 18, 2011
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

I had served in established church settings as a Senior Pastor for a number of years. During my studies at Southern Seminary in Louisville, God began to ignite in me a desire for church planting. Over time, God confirmed that calling to church planting through the affirmation of other godly men in my life.

I had a conversation in January of 2010 with Keith Watson, lead pastor at New City Church downtown. During that conversation, Keith mentioned that New City downtown desired to plant a church in Milledgeville. After six weeks of prayerfully seeking God's wisdom on the matter, my wife and I felt clearly led to step out in faith and begin the journey of planting New City Church Milledgeville. I resigned my postion as the Senior Pastor of a local church in Bloomfield Kentucky in March 2010 and moved to Milledgeville, GA in May.

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

We started with one family from New City Church downtown Macon committed to New City Church Milledgeville and a number of possible contacts in Milledgeville. I started by asking people to let me know of anyone they knew in Milledgeville. Then, I would contact anyone who was recommended and then ask that person to recommend others, and the process began to gain momentum.

After I saw some initial interest among those I met with, I scheduled a home gathering for people to come, ask questions, and learn more. We held these meetings bi-weekly and encouraged people to bring others with them to the meetings. This also gained momentum quickly. Once we had at least 25 adults who said they were committed to the mission and vision of New City Church Milledgeville, we moved to the next phase of setting a date for preview services.

Though we did not spend any money advertising, we utilized Facebook, community bulletin boards, and word of mouth to spread the word about our preview services. After successful preview services on September 12th and October 17th, we set the date to launch weekly services.

To guys in the core-stage, make sure that you network well. Build webs of connections and don't be afraid to ask people if they know others that might be interested in your church or at least helping you learn more about your city. This phase is highly relational and, for me, was especially draining. Stay healthy.

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

The first challenge is adjusting to the insane pace of life that is church planting. There are honestly not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that I want to accomplish. So I must be willing to work not simply harder, but smarter. I have to be willing to say no to some meetings and events. I have to be intentional to guard time with my family.

The second biggest challenge is financial. Being in a college town and having launched with many college students, the giving is very minimal at times. We have to find a way to connect with more families for the purpose of the mission, financially and otherwise.

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

I learned of Acts 29 a few years back while studying at Southern Seminary. My primary exposure to Acts 29 was through the preaching of various Acts 29 pastors and Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, KY. I immediately felt a sense of commradirie with the brothers that I met in the network, both theologically and personally. I quickly become convinced that Acts 29 was the tribe that God would have me journey with as I sought to be obedient to his calling on my life.

The friendships and training resources offered through Acts 29 are invaluable. The City is an unbelievably helpful resource that I return to time and time again for advice and instruction concerning issues regarding church planting and ministry.

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

Take your time. Count the cost. Be assessed by other godly men who know what it takes to plant a church. Be honest about your weaknesses. Don't assume that church planting is as sexy on the inside as it seems on the outside.

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

Cultivate your affections for Jesus. If you don't intentionally press into Jesus, you will quickly find yourself spiritually dull and continually angry. Don't fall into the trap of finding your identity in the success or failure of your church plant. Make Jesus and his mission, not you and your success, the driving factor behind all your actions. Preach the gospel to yourself as you preach it to others. Guard your family and love and lead them well.

How do you pastor your family?

Imperfectly. I am still learning how to do this well. I seek to set aside regular times each day to dedicate time to being with my family. I seek to have a day of sabbath where I dedicate all time and attention to listening, studying, and growing in my capacity to love my wife and children well. I listen to my wife and her concerns and seek to always let her know that I love her and my children more than I love New City Church Milledgeville and my own "success."

Date nights are helpful as they provide opportunity to for my wife and I to connect and enjoy each other with full attention. I spend dedicated time with my little boy and little girl daily. This time might involve going to the park, reading a story, or just playing outside in the yard.

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

Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century by Aubrey Malphurs

Church Profile: New City Church Milledgeville
Launch Date: November 2010
Location: Milledgeville, GA

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Mission Statement - "To see the gospel transform everything within our reach - ourselves, our church, our city, and the world."

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

Financial Provision - I left a very comfortable position as the Senior Pastor of an established church when I decided to plant New City Milledgeville. There have been times when we were not sure how we were going to make all the ends meet. But every time, God has provided for us in ways that we did not see coming. He has proven himself as our sufficient provider time and time again.

Growing Influence - As NCCm grows, God has given us opportunity for influence in the city already. Through feature articles in the local paper, to being on the cover a popular local magazine, God is giving us a platform in our city. I can assure you this is not because of us. But God as given us a stewardship in Milledgeville, by his grace, and we want to be good stewards of what he has given us.

How can we pray for you?

Pray that my affections for Jesus would continually increase and remain strong. Pray that I will love and lead my family well Pray that God would continually increase my love for my city.