Acts 29 Network: Seattle, WA

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Seven Springs Church | Calera, AL

Leonard Smith
Nov 22, 2010
Series: Church Planting
Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

When I was 16 I sensed a call to ministry and dedicated my life to the study and teaching of the Word of God. I attended Samford University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where I received a B.A., M.Div., and a Th.M. During most of those years I served as pastor established churches but I was always restless and often intrigued by the mission of church planting. Through friends who have planted churches I began to see that planting new churches is the mission of the church. At first, I thought God was leading me to lead my church to start new churches, but over time I began to see that God was calling me to plant a church that plants churches.

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

We started with a Bible study in our home. We gathered a group of people by displaying signs in the community announcing the coming of a new church, using phone calls through TelStart, and befriending people in our community.

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

Gathering a committed core is the biggest challenge. We essentially had 2 core groups before settling with our third and final core. At first we gathered a group of disgruntled, marginal people who were merely intrigued by the sound of a new church established around their own preferences rather than actual mission. A second group gradually emerged who desired to hijack the mission of the church. We stood firm, prayed, and sought God throughout the process. Eventually, as people came and left, we gathered a group of families and individuals who shared the passion and vision of Seven Springs for missional community.

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

A friend suggested I take a look at the network in 2008, and I was impressed with the mission and vision of Acts 29. I was looking for a home where brothers shared a common mission and vision dedicated to a thorough Biblical missiology.

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

Pray and pray a lot. When you think you've prayed enough, pray some more. Talk to church planters, get your wits about you and be realistic when you plant. it's easy to get hyped up and subsequently disappointed when things don't go as quickly or as well as you had expected. Remember that God is Sovereign and He didn't make a mistake when he called you to plant. He knows what He is doing.

How do you pastor your family?

My family is very close. My wife and I live life with our kids in the midst of everything, as much as is practical. Doing so allows me to shepherd my family through life experiences applying the Word as we go.

Bible study is part of our daily school work and we lead our kids to memorize Scripture, to understand Scripture, and to apply Scripture to the world around them. We want them to grow up thinking missionally about their city.

My wife and I make time for each other weekly which is a constant challenge. We communicate through every means possible including text and email as we work to be involved in the intimate details of each other's lives. We share our thoughts and dreams, pray for one another, and encourage one another. It has become for us a natural part of life and allows me to know my wife's heart and to shepherd her.

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

Total Church by Tim Chester & Steve Timmis and Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer

Church Profile: Seven Springs Church
Launch Date: January 14, 2007
Location: Calera, AL

Mission, Vision, Values of Church

We are a community of faith and loving service that engages culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ so that lives will be transformed and our communities renewed for the glory of God. (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 10:3-6; Prov. 11:30)

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

We have always been very relational and community focused, but in the past 1 or 2 years we have grown in our understanding of gospel community. We desire to plant gospel communities in our city that become families of faith engaged in mission reaching their friends, neighbors, and family members for Jesus Christ. We form gospel-centered community groups through which we build community, do evangelism, and disciple one another.

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

We've been struggling financially for the past year. Our outside support has dwindled and some of our families have experienced reductions in their income. God has used these struggles to strengthen our faith and to draw us closer to one another as a church family as we press forward in the mission regardless of the obstacles.