Starting something is easy. It's what comes
after the start that's hard: the work that appears
fruitless, the sacrifices, the looming uncertainties. And when what you're
starting is a church, your entire life hangs in the balance. Too often, what
begins as a faith-filled adventure becomes a reality of fear, discouragement, and
struggle. For the church planting wife in particular, the first year or
two leaves her with just one question: "What have I gotten myself
into?"
In 2008, I enthusiastically signed on to
plant a church alongside my husband. My heart was steady, immovable, and full
of faith, so certain of the call of God on our lives. And then we actually
moved and started the church and, despite our best efforts, hardly anyone came.
I cried, I doubted, I worried out loud to my husband, I questioned how God
would make something out of nothing, and, yes, wondered what I had gotten myself
into. Finally, knowing nothing else to do, I simply threw myself at Jesus in
utter dependence.
There, powerless at the feet of Jesus, as I learned to depend on
Him, my old ways of controlling and performing and self-dependence began to
fall away. And I saw that this, in fact, was what I had gotten myself
into, this deepened trust, this new perspective on God and on myself. As
I learned to depend on Him, I actually began to enjoy the exhilarating adventure of
church planting.
This is why I have written a book for church planting wives. Like a sojourner a few
steps ahead, I wanted to retrace my steps and come alongside women who are just
now starting the journey, women who are experiencing those first few years of
brokenness and frustration, and women who are striving to consistently maintain
the joy of faithfulness to God's call on their lives.
Perhaps that's you, my co-laborer in the gospel.
The book addresses the issues of your heart: uncertainty, fear,
discouragement, stress, resentment, loneliness, and self-reliance. Using
biblical wisdom, my own experience, and interviews with seasoned church
planting wives, such as Lauren Chandler, Ginger Vassar, Lora Batterson, Brandi
Wilson, and Jennifer Carter, it offers hope, encouragement, and help as you fulfill this unique calling. It is my prayer that this resource will help
you "lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares you, and run with endurance the race that is set before you, looking
unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
It is my hope that many women, many marriages, and
many churches will be strengthened! Most of all, co-laborers and friends, I hope it encourages you to continue on in this
crazy, wonderful adventure called church planting.
The countdown has begun. Only 29 days until the book's release! I invite you to subscribe to the blog so you don't miss the giveaways and promotions coming during launch week.
