I’ve always tried to be honest on this blog, especially when it comes to my experiences in either trying to turn around an existing church, or more recently, trying to launch a new church in the North Austin area.
If I’m being honest, it is much easier to be honest when things are going well.
Six months ago, there was a lot about which I was happy to be honest. The Fulcrum Community was building momentum. We were hosting bi-monthly gatherings in a local coffee house, had plenty of new people checking out what we were doing, and had a handful of previously unchurched people sinking deeper into our community. What we were doing was a bit unconventional compared to the typical textbook church plant, but God seemed to be blessing it.
As we began to outgrow the coffee house, we made the decision to move to a local recreation center that would give us more room to grow. We also opted to go from meeting twice a month to every week. These decisions put us on the path to become a more conventional church plant.
All we had to do was make it through the summer without losing too much momentum and we’d be good to go in September. Unfortunately, the summer decimated our sense of community. Everyone scattered in June and we didn’t see much of each other for a couple of months even though we tried to keep getting together for small groups, parties, and special events.
We held several “preview” gatherings at the rec center over the summer with disappointing attendance. It was hard to know if it was a summer slump or if our pets’ heads were falling off. By late August, I was getting the sense that we were in trouble. Midway through the summer, several members of our launch team opted out of the project. All departed for justifiable, and yet different, reasons. At summer’s end, we had lost half of our launch team.
My hope was that many of those who had attended the Cafes back in the spring would re-engage once school started and that they would jump in and energize our launch team. We made a concerted effort to get as many of them there as possible on September 12th.
The result was that we launched with about 45 people in the room. It wasn’t what I was hoping for, but it wasn’t awful either. If we could get that group of 45 to begin to function as a new and improved launch team, then we could grow from there.
The next Sunday only 35 people showed up and there was very little energy in the room. The third Sunday there was even less and it was obvious that we had failed to achieve critical mass. Two Sundays ago, I preached to 11 or 12 people. In an established church, debilitating decline can take months or even years to become noticeable. In a church plant, it can happen in just a few weeks.
Our gatherings very quickly became a celebration of the awkward moment. Every week we had at least one guest. This would usually be good news, but when guests walk into a busy rec center hoping to check out a new church in the area, only to find a handful of very nice people meeting in a room way too large for their numbers, they immediately start playing “What’s wrong with this picture?” in their heads. It was the kind of setting where only Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute would feel at ease.
We tried to make a few quick course corrections along the way, but when you lack critical mass it doesn’t really matter what you do. What sealed it, was when I began to ask members of our team if they felt comfortable inviting someone to our gathering in its present state. The resounding response was “no.” Not a good sign for a new church.
So last week we decided to pull the plug on this particular expression of the Fulcrum Community and start meeting in a home setting where we can evaluate what happened and what we can learn from it. We will also be able to spend some focused time on better training ourselves to think and act like missionaries. Something we didn’t do enough of early on when our team was forming.
By the way, Heather and I can’t fully express the esteem we have for those who are still part of the Fulcrum Community launch team. We’re humbled to be on their team and grateful for their willingness to join us on this adventure. Hang in there gang and let’s see what God wants to teach us through this experience.
As our team processes our experiences, I’ll share some of the lessons we’re learning and what “next steps” we’re discerning.
While I would have rather not added this experience to my portfolio, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion it’s the beginning of a whole new world.
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
Wade –
God be with you through and in all you are trying to do in following Him. Do not despair, friend. Open your hearts to God and try to listen to what He may have to say. It may take a while and may not go the way YOU think it should, even in your best discernment.
Think of the apostles as they worked and worked in different places to bring the Good News. North Austin is as good a place as any to work in, I think, so let God’s Spirit move in you as best you can to find a way to reach out to those around you.
Dee
Thanks for your honesty and transparency.
Your example will lead you and the Fulcrum community to anticipate a future that has God’s fingerprints all over it.
I don’t know what to say to help except that through the years I’ve learned much from you and I wish you the best.
Dee, Lantz, and Steve: Thanks for these kinds words of encouragement.
I know it’s frustrating; sometimes nothing seems to work. After 29 years at the same congregation, and having experienced periods of decline (we’re in one right now), I’m still puzzled by what causes “team spirit” to evaporate and what brings it back. Sometimes it just happens, and I can’t figure out why.
It must be that the factors involved are too complicated for me to fathom. People can’t be measured and placed into neat boxes, nor will they always respond to my good intentions.
So, I have to walk by faith and not by sight. I’ve learned that I don’t yet know much about real, Bible-based, radical, water-walking faith. I’m working on that. I’ve also learned that both decline and growth can be impostors. The real story is what God is doing, often without my permission.
We love you and will keep praying.
You’re still one of the best, Wade. Our Father has a plan, and you are a part of it. He is still preparing you to do the work He has in mind. Those of us who read your blog love you. I love you. I’m so proud of you (and your wife). We all are. The two of you have stepped out and done something most of us are afraid to. You have willingly taken risks for the Kingdom. You have acted boldly, and some of us have been tuning in to hear of your successes so we can feel a sense of hope. You have encouraged many.
I’m not real sure you realize the impact you have had on those of us who are watching. Of course the purpose of the work you are devoted to is the church plant. And I pray that our Father will give the increase soon. Know also that it is also about more than that. Your example is far reaching.
The real impact you are going to be remembered for is in the future. One day a community of believers is going to look back and remember you. They will call you “beloved” my friend. The ride is just beginning. At least you haven’t had to escape through the city walls in a basket. But of course, if you ever do have to, you will have bragging rights like Paul did.
Wade, I am an outsider. I don’t ever recall meeting you, but I have followed your blog for several years. I find you to be an excellent writer, and as others have mentioned, I especially like your honesty. I have a question. Not knowing much at all about the Austin area I wonder if it really needs another church. What drew you to Austin? Could you see yourself planting a church in a part of the country where churches are few and far between? In any case, I really do appreciate your honesty and these questions are in no way meant as judgmental. I honestly don’t know much about the area. I have spent the vast majority of my life east of the Mississippi River.
Keith and Brent: Thanks for taking the time to throw some encouragement my way. I really appreciate it. We believe God is up to something in all of this. Now we’re just waiting to see what it is. 🙂
Richard: I’m honored that you enjoy my writing. Thanks for saying so. Thank you also for asking your question about Austin in such a thoughtful way. The Austin area has a some great churches, but it’s not saturated by any means. Does it need another church? Yes, but not necessarily one more like many of the other churches that already exist. We moved here because the organization we are working with had some funds set aside for a project in this area and because we were both ready to come back to Texas and ultimately because this is where it seemed God wanted us to go. Indeed, my family has flourished here, even in the midst of this setback.
It just may be that the diappointment or “failure to launch” on the first attempt will provide the exact thing that will make the next launch successful. I do appreciate both the positive and the real lessons that you have shared with us. When God is in the center it can not fail……it may just take a different form that what you thought it would…. Praying.
Wade,
I do not know you but I have enjoyed reading your blog and following the journey of the Fulcrum Community. I admire and respect that you are trying to create a mission outpost for the Kingdom of God as a church planter in Austin. Many established church preachers daydream about doing something like that. May God bless you and help you persevere in your vision for a Jesus community in Austin.
Matt