J.R. Lee

One question we get asked alot is how we are able to recruit staff in our situation. Basically, how can you recruit staff members with no money? Good question. Here’s our story.

Freedom Church has 5 staff members. 3 full time. 2 part time (I use that term very loosely).

Our full time staff members are responsible for raising our own financial support for the first couple years. This is done through relationships with people and/or other churches/organizations. This is HARD! You definitely learn what it means to be God-dependant. Our part time staff members work full time jobs and are still able to give quite a bit of time to Freedom Church. These people are an invaluable resource!

We have been very blessed with an INCREDIBLE staff. For our entire team – it is not about money. It’s not a “good job opportunity”. It is about a calling from God and the opportunity to be a part of something that is bigger than us!

It is difficult! To say that it’s not would be a lie. That being said – it is more than worth it!

One of the challenges that exist in my world is to come out from under the shelter. Not once, but continuously.

Connecting with people involves going to them, not just expecting them to come to us. To intentionally engage real live people – in real live situations – sounds simple, but I am not sure how often it is getting done.

Let’s develop an expectation of engagement. Engaging people who are not like us.

There’s a lot of debate about how people “do” church, etc. I don’t have time to argue with random people, but I do have time to throw out my thoughts.

I believe that the Bible can and will change the lives of people. As a result, I am willing to do whatever it takes to enable as many people as possible to hear that life changing message.

This is why we are creative, innovative, or whatever other word you want to use.

Because the good news of Jesus Christ is so important – anything less than going all out to make sure people hear it – is irreverance.

I was asked a question the other day about whether I had gotten to the place where I was comfortable as a church planter. I thought about it for a minute, and realized that the answer is NO.

Here is the logic behind my answer.

I am learning to be comfortable IN Christ. I am who He says that I am. Period. That’s a very good thing because God speaks very highly of His kids!

I am comforted BY Christ. No matter what’s up – God’s there to walk us through.

I am UNcomfortable FOR Christ. I never want to be comfortable. I always want to be pressing forward, risking everything, and moving far beyond my comfort level for the cause of Christ.

Not sure if that’s the answer they were looking for…but that’s the answer they got.

Quotatious

“The work we do is a reflection of who we are. If we’re sloppy at it, it’s because we’re sloppy inside. If we’re late at it, it’s because we’re late inside. If we’re bored by it, it’s because we’re bored inside, with ourselves, not with the work. The most menial work can be a piece of art when done by an artist. So the job here is not outside of ourselves, but inside of ourselves. How we do our work becomes a mirror of how we are inside.”

The E-Myth Revisited