What is a launch team and what do they do?

Being part of a church plant launch team is a very exciting adventure (and it is an adventure). Essentially a launch team is a core group of believers who are committed to the church plant when the church launches. The ideal and recommended situation is to have a group of mature Christians within the group, although new believers and even non-Christians can be part of the launch team. The goal in forming a launch team is to have the leadership in place that is needed for a healthy church when the church plant begins to grow.

It is essential to remember that the purpose in planting a church is to reach the lost. One driving factor behind Foothills Baptist Church is that on any given Sunday, over 50% of Maryville does not attend church. Maryville is in the buckle of the Bible belt and yet there is still a need to reach the lost in a different way. We are not interested in "swapping sheep." But reality is that a launch team is made up of individuals who are connected to a church. What we are interested in is seeing families come to know Christ. In order to see that happen we must be obedient and there must be a launch team of mature believers in place to help mentor and disciple the new believers.

The purpose of our launch team fellowship meetings are just that...to fellowship. They are open to anyone--those who are interested in being part of the launch team and those who are not but are wanting to help in some way. We get together and we pray, we eat,we talk, and we study the Word. All we are asking is for people to pray about whether God is leading them to be part of this dynamic act of faith and obedience. We are asking people to commit to praying for God's leading on their life and to be open if the Lord leads them to an uncomfortable situation.

Many questions and concerns might arise in one's mind when asked to pray about joining a launch team. I know because I've been there. I asked the same questions when I began to feel God leading me in this direction. Let's not pretend...being part of an established church ministry is more comfortable for ourselves and our families. It's easier to fit in and it's more convenient.

So why plant another church or why should we consider uprooting and leave our existing ministry? Fair questions that need to be addressed. The 1st reason is that planting churches is inherently implied in the Great Commission given by Christ. Every church at some point in time was a church plant.

The second reason is found in Romans 10:14: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" Be careful this verse applies to more people than those struggling with the call to ministry. It applies to all believers. To preach simply means to proclaim. Preach or proclaim what? Proclaim the good news about the One who can take away their sins.

We can be naive about things or face reality and the truth. The truth is that hear in the buckle of the Bible belt there are people who have not heard the message of the saving Gospel of Christ. Very close to our church door are individuals who have never heard the name of Jesus. What a sad reality! But true. How does this tie together with being part of a launch team? Well a church plant simply focuses on those who have never had the Gospel shared with them. By being part of a launch team of a church plant you are that "someone preaching to them."

The 3rd reason for joining a launch team is that it will grow your faith. You will see God provide and do things that will blow your mind away. It's already happened to those of us who have been on staff at Foothills. When God's provision takes place it provides encouragement and a realization that God is indeed working. Anyone who commits to a launch team is taking a step of faith. This act of faith is based out of obedience to God's Word and a belief in the vision of the church.

It also grows our faith by getting us out of our comfort zone. The idea that Christianity is supposed to be comfortable is uniquely American. I would encourage you to google "Voice of the Martyrs" and look at their website. Christians in America have it made when compared to the rest of the world. We do not face persecution on such a grand scale as our fellow brothers and sisters around the world. My belief is that because we do not face this persecution we have become very comfortable in our faith. Being on a launch team will get you out of that comfort zone. Now..that doesn't mean that persecution will come rather it implies that it might lead you to do things for the Lord that you are not used to doing (which is not a bad thing).

Forming a launch team is vital to any church plant. For us it is vital as well. We have tried to talk with as many of our friends and relatives as possible. We know that many of you will not be led to do this and that some of you will. We also realize that there are those who are being led but are fighting with God because they are comfortable. God does not call us to be comfortable, He calls us to be obedient. All we are asking is that you come to our fellowships, pray about being on the launch team, be open to His leading, and be obedient.

Let us not forget that all glory be to the Father of Him who is the ransom for our souls!!

Jeremy