The Vine | Madison, WI

• Zach Nielsen
• Mar 1, 2011
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

Feeling the desire to preach, teach, and lead more. Felt God birth a genuine love in my heart for the local church as God's plan for his mission. Connected with Scott and he was feeling the same way and two years later, here we are in Madison.

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

We didn't follow "the rules" at all. No flyers, no marketing at all other than through A29 word of mouth and my blog (www.takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com). Most of the people who joined us were new in town and looking for a new church and heard about us through one of the two ways listed above.

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

Fundraising was a big challenge and financial pressure will probably continue to be a challenge as we move into the future. All three of us pastors are committed to working part time jobs for the next five years or so. This is great for missional context but also vey challenging.

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

Being in A29 is great for number of reasons, but the two that immediately come to mind is fellowship among other brothers for challenge, prayer, support, and advice. The other would be the core distinctives of Reformed soteriology, Male-Headship, and church planting are great places to start for unity.

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

Don't do it alone. You must have key leaders with you and they should be guys that compliment you and who you love deeply.

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

Be faithful to the mission, be clear about what it is, and do it with other men that you love.

How do you pastor your family?

I lead in our devotions, I lead in discipline when I am home, serve my kids through spending time with them, and I seek to love my wife to the best of my ability.

Church Profile: The Vine
Launch Date: July 2010
Location: Madison, WI

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Gospel, Community, Mission

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

1. People being on board with our vision and doing it.
2. Seeing people give of their time and money.
3. Seeing overall unity among us three pastors.
4. Seeing our financial support team stay with us at a level of almost 100%.

How can we pray for you?

That we would continue to be faithful with Gospel, Community, and Mission.