The Way Faith Community | Springfield, MO

• Seth Shelton
• Apr 12, 2010
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

The Lord had been dealing with my wife, Amy, and I about a call to missions. We had always assumed though that we would eventually end up overseas. However, He also worked out in us a love for the local church. We had actually come to a place in which we were in the running to accept a pastorate in a church in Springfield, when the Lord shined the light down the path of church planting. It was here that we saw how He had shaped in us a love for missions and the local church come together and fit the exact call He had placed on us.

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

Prayer, and mostly one on one meetings. It has been a long road seeing the church grow to this point, but I didn't have any snazzy methods or catchy programs. I prayed and still do, talked to people when able about what we are doing, and trusted that God would bring people along.

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

I am still tent making. I made the decision to move into a building that we could use prior to taking any salary. I have attempted some fundraising, with little return. The challenge is that even that requires time, and so finding a balance between meeting with people, preparing sermons, personal spiritual walk, and family time has been rough. So, I continue to pray that God will put it on someone’s heart to help financially, bring in people who give generously, and will work until I see the door open.

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

I heard about Acts 29 because of another planter in the area. The greatest benefits I have received have come in spiritual growth and advice. Being among some of these Pastors and hearing their heart for Gospel centered ministry not only rang true in the depths of my soul, but also pushes me to remain faithful to the gospel. The entire process has also helped me to clarify the vision that God has placed in me for this church and where we are headed.

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

Get involved in a church planting church. If I had one thing to do over, this would be it. We started from scratch without a sending or supporting church (that at the time was not focusing on planting other churches), and stumbling along. I think we would have stumbled along anyway, but at least we would have at least been better prepared.

How do you pastor your family? 

We have regular times of prayer together, and every circumstance is seen as a teaching opportunity. I get teased from time to time because of that, but practical life/doctrinal/theology lessons are some of the best.

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

Total Church, Vintage Church, Deep Church

How can we pray for you?

Wisdom, growing humility, deeper trust,

Church Profile: The Way Faith Community
Launch Date: January, 2009
Location: Springfield, MO

Mission, Vision, Values of Church

The Way exists to worship God and lead others to worship Him.

To see that done we are striving to be...

...A family that lives unified and authentic lives together for God’s glory.

...A community that selflessly serve one another with our spiritual gifts and God given abilities.

...A people used by God to share His love and grow His kingdom.

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

Community cannot be created by programs and methods. It takes people committing to one another. In a world that is desperately self centered and often times living in shame it seems impossible that we can ever truly know one another. However, we are trusting in the Spirit to build unbreakable bonds. We seek to enforce it buy regular meeting times, but fully recognize it requires more than just simply showing up to a home group or our Sunday morning gathering. While these gatherings small and large have slightly different emphasis, they are both opportunities for the body to be together. We reinforce the need to live life together beyond just these meetings, bearing burdens, praying for one another, meeting needs, and just hanging out together.

We gather intentionally also so that we can scatter. The preaching and teaching that occur is done with the intent that it demonstrates Jesus worthiness and to teach us how His message intersects our lives so that we can then go and share that with others. We do some corporate evangelism events, but the emphasis we place on evangelism is more personal. As we are equipped we go and share.

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

He continues to forgive my prideful thoughts, ego, and even when I want to make this church about me or what I want, He works it out in me. I have seen people who have been with me from the beginning grow in their faith as they have recognized it is not seeker sensitive or modern or traditional models that honor God, it is our hearts trusting in Him to call us acceptable and to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. We are also seeing now several people connect (slowly but still connecting) that have been away from the church for some time.