The Fields

• David Fandey
• Jul 8, 2010
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church 

Our story begins in the summer of 2003 when a small group of believers started meeting at the beach on Sunday nights in Carlsbad near lifeguard Tower 30. Our first meeting was the result of months of prayer and years of God tugging on the hearts of several individuals to step out in faith and follow His leading to start a new church. We met with great expectation, trusting that God was going to do something new and fresh in our lives and the lives we touched as we followed Him in planting this church.

We envisioned a church without walls, meaning a church that would welcome anyone who was seeking to know and experience God. But more than that, we envisioned a group of people who would take the gospel, the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ, beyond the traditional walls of the established church and share this message with our community in a relevant way. That first summer at the beach we studied the book of Acts and were impressed by the early church’s emphasis on prayer, community and the faithful teaching of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. 

As the summer faded into fall, the weather became cooler and the days grew shorter, we watched as God provided a new location for us to meet. It was an old, non-operating greenhouse in Carlsbad where roses were once grown. It was very rustic and needed quite a bit of makeover in order to use, but it also represented the kind of community we want to be: authentic and organic. Symbolically The Greenhouse was a great place to grow and incubate this new church. We watched God’s hand at work as He amazingly answered our prayers and brought the right people to us at the right time, adding to our number consistently.

In April of 2004 we were given the opportunity to host the Easter Sunrise service at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad. It was an incredible morning and a great outreach to the community with a large crowd attending. At this point we knew we had outgrown The Greenhouse and it was time for us to move again. We started meeting at the auditorium of the Aviara Oaks Elementary School in Carlsbad and continued to grow. As growth progressed we moved next door to the gym at Aviara Oaks Middle School and continue to meet there now.

We have named our new church “The Fields” because Jesus once told his followers, “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35). At The Fields our desire is to see God grow people into passionate followers of Jesus Christ. We are anticipating that God will help our church continue to grow in two ways. First, we hope to be used by God to bring in a harvest of those who do not yet know Jesus and see them grow to maturity in Christ. Secondly, we have a team approach to ministry. We are praying that God will bring to The Fields workers who have a heart for the harvest and most importantly, a heart for the Lord of the harvest. Jesus told his followers, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

That’s our story. We have seen some amazing answers to our prayers. We have seen our faith in God grow. We believe God is on the move and are excited to be a part of that!

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

In the 13 years prior to us planting in Carlsbad, no less than 25 church plants had not made it! It is a very hard place to get a foothold. We faced all kinds of challenges to, the constant feeling that despite progress, you wonder if you are just hitting your head against the wall. There was the frustration that things were not growing as fast as I felt they should. There is the continual discouragement that we don't seem to be reaching the community as well as I had envisioned. But in all of this, God has been faithful, sovereign and good.

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

Every one talks about the call but no one defines it well. However, make sure you are called and it's not about you! If you can do something else, do it. Remember, friends don't let friend plant churches! Having said all of that, it's the best thing I've done in my official 17 years of pastoral ministry and I would never go back!

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

Mike and Donna Gunn have been long term friends. We visited them when Mars Hill was only about 200. Mike talked me in to hooking up with A29 and I'm glad he did. I have gained a better appreciation and understanding of the gospel. I have connected with certain guys (like Gunn) who have walked beside me. I gained a lot out of the Resurgence conferences over the years. I love coaching other church planters and serving on the international board.

How do you pastor your family? 

With an iron fist....I try to walk with Jesus and walk with them in the same process. We do life and ministry all together as a unit. I bath my kids each night in the Word and prayer. My wife and I are partners in ministry. It's a team effort and we are all in!

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

Following the Master by Mike Wilkins

Church Profile: The Fields
Launch Date: April, 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Our Vision 
At The Fields our desire is to see God grow people into passionate followers of Jesus Christ.

Our Mission
We are a missional church. Our mission is to bring glory to God by living out the gospel in authentic community. We desire to provide everyone in North County San Diego with an opportunity to hear, see and experience the gospel in a way that they can understand, and to cultivate an environment where people can grow in their relationship with and understanding of God. This means we will seek to build bridges between the church and our surrounding culture in order to communicate and demonstrate the gospel. While we desire to make an impact locally, we also have a heart to be used by God globally in the expansion of His kingdom and church. To that end, we have a vision for planting more churches, and sending and supporting missionaries around the world.

Our Values
If you were to attend our church you would find that we simply stick to the basics: worship, teaching, prayer and relationships. The values that we hold to and are in the process of cultivating are:

Truth
We believe that truth first exists with God and that He has communicated His truth to us through the Bible. We also value truth, or authenticity, in our relationships with each other.

Grace
We recognize God’s grace in our lives. He has forgiven us and so we freely share that forgiveness with others. That translates into being people who are learning patience, flexibility, compassion and acceptance with others. Grace doesn’t ignore sin, it deals with it and forgives it.
 

Community
God has created us for relationship; for relationship with Himself and for relationship with each other. Our desire is to help people get connected with God and with each other. We believe community is doing life together for God’s glory.

Participation
God has called each one of us to use the talents and gifts He has given us to bless him and others. That means we are participants in, not merely consumers of the gospel. Every person is a player on the team, not just a spectator.

Faith
God is pleased when we have faith in Him, when we learn to trust Him. Faith expresses our dependence upon Him. Prayer is one way we demonstrate our faith; action is another.

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

God has created us for relationship; for relationship with Himself and for relationship with each other. Our desire is to help people get connected with God and with each other. We believe community is doing life together for God’s glory. As we live out the gospel in both proclamation and presence, the world will know we are his disciples by our love for each other. We are a church without walls, taking the gospel out to the community beyond the walls of the church.

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

Learning that because of the gospel I can be real and confess my sins to others and model applying the gospel to myself and others.

Just the fact that despite all the odds, The Fields exists in Carlsbad and is a really healthy church!

Please add any additional information that you would like to communicate to those that would be reading this on the Acts 29 website.

How can we pray for you?

Ongoing leadership development. Finding a new worship leader since our last guy moved away. Adding our second service and leading our people to accept this change.