Waypoint Begins Planting Church in Frederick, MD

As a kid, when Michael Bartlett walked into church for the first time, he had no idea that it would change his life forever. It was a brand-new church called New Life in Chantilly, Virginia. There was a celebration that day as New Life prepared to send their former worship minister to work with another new church in Virginia Beach called Forefront Church.

Over the next few years, Michael was baptized, started leading the youth group, and felt a call to ministry that led him to Milligan College and the dream of one day planting a new church to seek the lost in the DC/Baltimore area. That dream now has a name and a location: Michael and his wife, Rae, along with their beautiful daughter, Elise, are planting Collective Church in Frederick, MD.

Frederick is a rapidly growing city in western Maryland. Full of history, art, and culture, Frederick has attracted the third largest percentage of millennials in the state. It is a perfect fit for the Bartletts, who want to introduce young adults to Jesus so that He will impact their major life decisions on marriage, kids and starting careers.

The Bartletts and three other families who moved to the Frederick area to help them are focusing on showing their neighbors that Jesus is a loving God who freely offers grace and forgiveness. Collective Church is launching small groups now and is working toward a fall 2017 launch date.

Collective Church is a “Church for the Rest of Us” designed for those who walked away from God a long time ago, those who have never been introduced to God, or those who are struggling to get connected in the Frederick community.

For more information about Collective Church, to support the project, or to connect with Michael, head over to http://www.mycollective.church, or find them on Facebook and Instagram at: MyCollectiveChurch.

A Great History – A Compelling Future

Sunday, October 2 was a day of celebration at Staunton Church of Christ as the church gathered to mark their seventy-fifth anniversary. Not only a significant day for the congregation gathered in Staunton, this Sunday was also a celebration in the history of Waypoint Church Partners. On October 5, 1941, with a grant of $44.85 from the VEF to pay rent and build pews, the first Waypoint-sponsored church was launched.

During the service, the congregation remembered what God has done with some great old hymns and pictures of previous days of ministry shown on the screen. But the theme for the day was not just reflecting on the past, but allowing the past to become a springboard into the future. Accompanied by dramatic presentations based on the parable of the lost sheep, coin, and boy in Luke 15, minister Barry Creasey cast a compelling vision of an outreach-focused church. As the service came to a conclusion, the congregation was directed to the front yard for the unveiling of the church’s new name – Parkview Christian Church.

As I sat in the service that day, learning about Parkview’s significant prayer ministry and multiple outreach initiatives, I thanked God for the thousands of people who had walked through the doors of Parkview Christian and the 500 souls who had been baptized into Christ there. And as I reflected, I realized that only God knew in 1941 the full Kingdom impact of that first Waypoint church plant.

As I drove away from Parkview Christian Church, I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that every person and church who has ever contributed to, prayed for, and worked with Waypoint Church Partners has an eternity of celebration waiting – celebration around the throne of God with His Lamb and with thousands of people who have come to know Christ through Waypoint church plants not only in Virginia, but across the mid-Atlantic region and around the world.

Thank you, Parkview Christian, for becoming our first church plant seventy-five years ago. And thank you, all of you who, through your sacrificial gifts, prayers, and hard work, have allowed us to plant dozens more!

Neil Wheeler
Director of Leader Care
nwheeler@waypointchurchpartners.com

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Happy First Birthday, Waypoint!

It was just a year ago that the Board of Directors for both Envision and the VEF unanimously voted to merge our two organizations into one strong ministry to serve churches and leaders throughout the region. It’s been a big year ever since.

A new name and logo were chosen to brand our new image. We hosted the ICOM missions conference in Richmond. We planted two great new churches. We hosted 3 leadership seminars in NC and VA. We held two golf tournaments to share the Waypoint story. We added nearly 10 Fusion groups to our growing array of peer learning groups for pastors. And those are just the highlights!

It is your partnership and support that make all this happen. Thanks for being part of Waypoint’s first year!

It was also a big year for the Waypoint staff. Neil Wheeler came on board as the Director of Leader Care. Our Director of Media, Rachel Woolard, added a Graphic Design degree from Liberty University to her resume. Our Associate Director, Dave, and Administrator, Cindy Hileman, relocated from Williamsburg, VA to Raleigh, NC to serve as the home base for our ministry to North Carolina churches. And possibly the most exciting news was my family added four new ducks to our growing mini-farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
We’re poised for another big year in 2017: New Fusion groups, five (yes, five!) new churches, more leadership seminars, more targeted consulting to help churches stay on mission. Because of our partnership with you, we’re “Navigating Ministry Together!”

Your Ministry Partner,

Tim Cole
Executive Director
tcole@waypointchurchpartners.com

This article was originally published in The Waypoint Endeavor: Fall 2016 edition. If you would like to receive future printed editions of The Waypoint Endeavor, please send your name and mailing address to rwoolard@waypointchurchpartners.com

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Who’s in Your Bullpen?

Johnny Bench,
Cincinnati Reds legend

I grew up a big baseball fan. My heroes were players on the famed “Big Red Machine” like Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Pete Rose.

With the dog days of summer having already arrived, any serious fan of America’s favorite past time knows that one of the critical factors that makes an average team really great is a strong “bullpen.”  The bullpen is the group of 6 or 7 pitchers on the team ready to step in when one of the starting pitchers is lost due to injury, fatigue or ineffectiveness. Without them, a good team fades into mediocrity as the season progresses.

Who’s in YOUR bullpen?

The same is true for the church. One of the critical factors that makes an average church really great is a strong bullpen. Your “bullpen” is the group of 3-4 members fully ready to step in when one of your Elders is lost due to transfer, fatigue, ineffectiveness or death. Without a strategic, intentional plan to develop your church’s bullpen, even a good church will eventually fade into mediocrity (or worse!).

Waypoint is offering a great opportunity to help develop your bullpen this Fall. The E2-Effective Elders Conference in October is an ideal venue to bring not only your current team of Elders but also those who should be in your ‘bullpen.’  They’ll get to see and hear first-hand what it looks like be part of a healthy Eldership team and how that translates into building a strong church.

We hope to see you, your Elders and your bullpen at the E2: Effective Elders conference in October! Check out our events page to learn more and sign up today.

Tim Cole
Executive Director
tcole@waypointchurchpartners.com

This article was originally published in The Waypoint Endeavor: Summer 2016 edition. If you would like to receive future printed editions of The Waypoint Endeavor, please send your name and mailing address to rwoolard@waypointchurchpartners.com

 

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A Healthy Eldership: Waypoint Can Help Point the Way

Waypoint exists to help churches and leaders navigate uncharted ministry waters. Much of our time and energy is spent with ministers. We also advise and equip elders to chart the course and navigate through ministry challenges.

Here is a quick list of some of the services we provide to elders:

Elder Meeting Coaching
Waypoint staff can visit your elders’ meetings to give feedback and advice for creating a more effective leadership environment.

Elder Retreats
Waypoint staff can help you plan and deliver a great Elders’ Retreat designed to help your church elders focus and stay on track for the important mission entrusted to them.

Hiring Service
Waypoint staff can coach elders faced with the task of creating a comprehensive process for hiring a new senior minister or associate staff.

Strategic Consultations
Waypoint staff often advise elders about specific topics to provide broader perspective and wisdom. Recent consultations have included same-sex/transgender issues, bylaws revisions, long-range planning, incorporation & 501(c)(3) filing, merger discussions, and more.

For more information on how Waypoint Church Partners can help grow and serve your elders, contact Tim Cole at tcole@waypointchurchpartners.com.

Tim Cole
Executive Director
tcole@waypointchurchpartners.com

This article was originally published in The Waypoint Endeavor: Spring 2016 edition. If you would like to receive future printed editions of the VEF Quarterly, please send your name and mailing address to rwoolard@waypointchurchpartners.com

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ICOM 2016 Refugee Project

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
     — Hebrews 13:2, NIV

Refugee & International Student Engagement Project

In 2015, Waypoint challenged local churches to raise funds to plant seven churches on six continents. These efforts encouraged the ICOM 2016 President, Mike Schrage, to start an initiative of his own: The RISE Project.

The Refugee and International Student Engagement (RISE) Project calls on the Church to mobilize and seize the unique opportunities we have in our own country. We can make a difference without acquiring a passport or learning a new language! Our ability to go to the ends of the earth has never been easier.

The RISE Project includes a small group video series to encourage viewers to better understand and get involved with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. We have an unprecedented opportunity to display the heart of Jesus by welcoming and serving those who are far away from loved ones and looking for ways to belong in their new home, whether temporary or permanent.

The goal of The RISE Project is to raise $250,000 to distribute through grants to churches and ministries who are willing to reach out and welcome those who have arrived as refugees or international students. As expert practitioners inform and train us, we hope to start a new conversation about these open doors and to rise up and embrace this sacred opportunity to represent the loving heart of Jesus to those who have come so far.

For more information, go to www.theicom.org/rise to learn, listen, and give.

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Urgency Over Complacency

It is impossible to read the gospels without catching the sense urgency that Jesus challenged His followers to live under. He constantly stressed the importance of watching with expectancy, being dressed ready, and even looking to the heavens for His return. And the last recorded words of our Lord in Scripture are “I am coming soon!”

Is it just me, or has the Church lost its sense of expectancy of the Lord’s soon return? Could it be that the Enemy has lulled followers of Jesus into a complacency regarding His return? Could it be that he has that he is very satisfied that we spend most or our time and effort trying to grow our churches rather than focusing on saving lost people from an eternity without Jesus?

Perhaps it is time that we go to our knees to repent of our complacency and pray that God’s Spirit would raise up a massive spirit of urgency for evangelism among our churches and a burning desire to do whatever it takes to see as many lost people saved as possible before Jesus’ soon return!

Neil Wheeler
Director of Leader Care
neil@vef.cc

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My Father, Earle Cole

Earle Cole, Tim Cole’s father, with his brother, mother, and little Tim Cole on the far right.

My dad was an elder. He was also a career military man in the Air Force, so we got to experience a different church family every two or three years. Some churches were fairly large, some not so much. Some churches were fairly healthy, many were not.

As the son of an elder, I witnessed firsthand elders driving the mission and evangelistic culture of a church. I also saw groups of elders that were at best hurdles to accomplishing the mission, or, even worse, a roadblock for evangelism and a healthy culture within the Body.

I saw great elders who were the preacher’s biggest advocate and best friend, like my dad. I also saw elders who seemed to almost enjoy being the “thorn” in the preacher’s side through criticism, conflict, or passive-aggressive actions.

Please take special notice of the “E2-Effective Elders” conference we are hosting this fall. It’s about creating healthy elders and elderships. Every elder you know should come!

Which event will you attend?

Friday, October 28th from 8:30am – 4pm

First Christian Church of Kernersville

130 North Main Street, Kernersville, NC, 28284
     >  Sign up for the NC event now!

Saturday, October 29th from 8:30am – 4pm

Mechanicsville Church of Christ

8067 Atlee Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111

     > Sign up for the VA event now!

Registration is $29 per person. All of your materials and lunch are included.

We hope you (and your elders and prospective elders) will be able to join us.

Tim Cole
Executive Director
tim@vef.cc

This article was originally published in The Waypoint Endeavor: Spring 2016 edition. If you would like to receive future printed editions of The Waypoint Endeavor, please send your name and mailing address to rwoolard@waypointchurchpartners.com

 

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Are You Praying For Your Church Elders? 4 Prayers that will Bless Them (and Benefit You)!

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Pray for us . . .”
      — Hebrews 13:2, NIV

When is the last time you stopped to pray earnestly for the elders of your church? According to the Hebrew writer, they will one day have to “give an account” of how they led the Lord’s church under their care. It’s a sobering thought to have to stand before Christ and justify your actions.

Elders are just men, often from different walks of life, different generations, and at different stages of maturity in their faith. They’re human, prone to sin and imperfection. They don’t always make the right decisions.  They make mistakes. But most have the best interest of the flock in their hearts and minds.

When is the last time you intentionally, earnestly prayed for the elders of your church? They need it! Here are four specific areas you can pray for concerning the elders of your church:

Wisdom: Discerning the needs of the people, settling disputes among the church family, and overseeing the proper stewardship of giving all require much wisdom.  Elders often feel, as even Solomon did, under-qualified to lead the people of God.
Pray that God would grant the elders of your church the spiritual insight they need to fulfill their duties.

Vision: A good shepherd knows where to lead his flock and is always on the lookout for danger.  The elders of your church have been commissioned not to maintain the church but to grow it. They are looking for new ways to invest in the spiritual well-being of its people and to impact the community at large.
Pray that your elders will be given a vision for the future of the church that is in line with God’s vision and that they will hear the voice of the Great Shepherd leading them as they lead others.

Stamina: The elders of your church were selected because they manage their own households well. Elders are usually men with time and experience in leadership or management roles.
Leadership takes a toll. An elder gets tired in his body and in his spirit. He desperately needs the strength that God provides to adequately fulfill his ministry. Pray for health, endurance, vigor and grit for your elders. They need it!

Unity: One committee meeting can demonstrate how easily Christians disagree and get sideways with each other.  Satan loves disunity and disharmony in the church. Just look how many different churches there are!
Elders must strive to maintain unity within their own group and in the church to be effective shepherds. It is important for you to pray that the elders have unity among them and an ability to foster unity in the church.

So please… pray for your elders. It will bless you as much as them.

*Adapted from an article by Todd Brown on Bridge Christian Church’s Blog at bridgechristian.wordpress.com
Todd is the Senior Minister of Bridge Christian Church in Fishersville, VA.

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Fusion Groups: Following Jesus’ Example In Leadership

A new wind is blowing across the VEF landscape these days – the Fusion Group wind. This fall as many as 200 ministers will begin gathering monthly in 30 Fusion Groups, and we will continue to start new groups monthly. Like Jesus’ early peer learning community, these groups will have three over-riding goals: 1) To offer practical peer learning, 2) To provide authentic pastoral care to each other, 3) To produce prayer-empowered leaders.

Reggie McNeal, in his book Revolution in Leadership, describes a key element in Jesus’ strategy to develop and sustain leaders. He says, “With the whole world to save, Jesus decided to create a learning community.” While Jesus ministered to thousands, he gathered a small group around him in the first Christian peer learning community.

Could it be that Jesus knew something about leaders that we’ve missed today? And could it be that Satan knows something about leaders that he desperately wants us to overlook?

Growing up in a solid church under the leadership of a very capable minister was a blessing. But I must admit I developed a very skewed view of ministers. To me, ministers were people with inexhaustible energy, capable of answering every question, ready to meet any challenge and solve any problem. While I never actually saw any ministers change from their street clothes into Super-Man outfits, in my mind as a little boy I was quite sure they could when needed.

But after almost 40 years in ministry and after spending a life-time rubbing shoulders with ministers, can I tell you a secret, just between you and me? Your minister may not want you to know this secret and I’m certain Satan doesn’t want you to hear it, but here it is: Ministers are only people, just like you! There! The secret’s out. Ministers don’t have all the answers, they are often lonely and hurting, and they regularly struggle under the load of trying to pursue Kingdom growth in their God-given context and calling.

If you are in ministry and would like to become part of a Fusion Group, contact me at neil@vef.cc. Please join me in praying regularly for your church leaders and encourage them to join a Fusion Group soon.

Here is a graphic of all the current VEF Fusion Groups meeting across Virginia, North Carolina, and beyond:

Neil Wheeler
Director of Leader Care
neil@vef.cc