jroelive

A question I was recently asked…

What would you say are the top 5 books you would recommend for someone aspiring to plant a church? Similarly, what would you say are the top 5 books for someone to grow theologically?

I have no conditions on what books, I am just trying to build a better library.

My response…

TOP 5 PLANTER BOOKS:

• Driscoll’s Radical Reformission
• Malphurs’ Planting Growing Churches
• Belcher’s Deep Church
• Chan’s Forgotten God
• Keller’s Counterfeit Gods

TOP 5 THEOLOGY BOOKS:

• Elwell’s Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
• Grudem’s Systematic Theology
• Wright’s The Mission of God
• Frame’s The Doctrine of God
• Pearcey’s Total Truth

Some of these may be a surprise—like my church planting recommended list. There are few books that are worth reading regarding church planting. It’s better to focus on slaying idolatry in our lives and on learning the Holy Spirit…He will teach you how plant a church. It’s about making disciples…not recruiting people.

My 2.5 cents.
Love you Brother.
Your Nashville brother,
Jeremy

admin Christian Life, Idolatry, Study Tools, The Gospel, Uncategorized, church planting church planting, idols, The Gospel, Theology

This past week I addressed the Axis Church family of faith regarding my shepherding/pastoring of them as a church. Here is the prayer that I prayed over them (taken straight from 1 Thessalonians 2-3)…

• That we would constantly mention our people in our prayers
• That God would make us worthy of our people’s recognition of what kind of men we proved to be for their sake
• That they would become imitators of us and that we would be worthy of imitation
• That their response would be turning from idols to faithfully serve the living and true God
• That we would have boldness in our God to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of conflict, suffering and trials
• That our appeal – would spring NOT from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive – speaking NOT to please man, but to please God, who tests our hearts
• That God would cleanse our words of flattery and greed
• That we would never seek glory from man and that we would become humble stewards of the authority God has given us
• That we would be gentle to our people – like a nursing mother taking care of her own children
• That we would become affectionately desirous for our people – ready to share not only the gospel, but ourselves because of how dear to us our people have become
• That we would labor and toil so not to be a burden to any of our people
• That our conduct would be holy, righteous and blameless towards our people
• That we would love our people like a father does his children – exhorting, encouraging, and charging them, to walk in a manner worthy of God
• That when our people receive the Word of God from us, they would accept it, not as words from men but as the Word of God
• That we would endeavor eagerly to see our people face-to-face
• That when we meet Jesus face-to-face, that our hope and joy and crown and boasting would be our people – those entrusted to us
• That our people would be our glory and joy.

I love the Axis Church.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jeremy

admin Prayer, Preaching, church planting church planting, Jesus, Prayer, Preaching, The Axis Church, The Gospel

Little Red Tractor from South Georgia Church of God on Vimeo.

admin Great Story, Uncategorized, church planting church planting, Jesus, Missions

The Axis Church now owns a trailer! This is great news. We have been storing items at other locations for a while now. Each week we have been unloading/loading 3-4 different vehicles that have been acting as our church storage and trailer! A big THANK YOU is in order for those faithful friends who have sacrificed their trunks, back seats and rear view mirrors!

We are now planning to build large crates on wheels so we only have to roll each designated cart to its location. THEN, a fly paint job. THAT will be exciting!

Continue to pray for us at The Axis Church. Thanks!
PS…If you would like to give to our ministry in downtown Nashville, check out www.TheAxisChurch.org and look under “GET INVOLVED”

admin church planting church planting, The Axis Church

I was elated when I read this on the Acts 29 Network’s news wire!

Please welcome Jeremy and Jill Rose, & The Axis Church in Nashville, TN into full membership.
The Axis’s heart is to become a Christ-centered community which exists for the glory of God and the good of the city by extending hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ

Jeremy’s prayer is:
I need wisdom and grace to persevere. I must continue to preach the gospel to myself—pray this for me. Pray for my time with the Lord, my kids and my wife. We need more funding—pray for this. Pray also for the future elders of The Axis.

This is such a clear example of God’s grace. We are so privileged to be a part of this wonderful group of like-minded churches. Please pray for us as we make disciples of Christ.

Grace and Shalom,
Jeremy

admin church planting Acts29, church planting, Prayer, The Axis Church

My heart is full this morning.
I just had to write to share with you all a tremendous victory that our young church experienced this week.

Two weeks ago as we were setting up for our gathering, I noticed a man sitting on the park picnic tables. Let me be very honest here and say that we are very white so far at The Axis (this is humbling to confess). We pray each week during our core training for other races to be drawn to The Axis and that they partner with us. In our urban context, we must have other races…MUST. This man was from west Africa. He has his undergrad degree and seemed to be very genuine. He wasn’t interested in showing up that night.

I prayed for him at least 5 times over these last 2weeks. I even shared with him our prayer and need for “other cultures” to gather with us to worship. He thought it was funny but he understood and appreciated my desire for that.

Last night this man showed up. His name is Gilbert. He took a Bible as his own and used it during our gathering. After our time together I was tracing the room for Gilbert. I wanted to connect with him before he left. After 15minutes, I assumed he had IMMEDIATELY slipped out—that wasn’t a good sign.

One of our Interim Leadership Team members (Jacob) asked me if I heard about Gilbert. I had not. He said, “Bro, Gilbert just got saved!” I was elated! Not only did God give us an African brother, He allowed our very first convert to be GILBERT! Gilbert told Jacob, “I want to be adopted by Christ.” DANG! I love it!!!

I hugged Gilbert like a bear (I know that is perhaps weird, but under the circumstances and my manly example of a bear, I consider it OK). I said, “What happened bro? I heard something about you.” He said, “I am owned by Jesus.” I said, “Yes you are my friend.” He said, “I want to be apart of your family here.” I said, “Gilbert, you are already apart of our family. We are going to eat together, drink together, watch UFC together, sing together—all sorts of things that families do, we will do together.” Tonight Jacob is picking him up and taking him to supper then on to our men’s Bible study at 8pm.

This is huge for us. We have been gathering for only 4 months but that is quite some time to go with no convert. I just knew it was going to happen soon…BUT GILBERT?!?! Last night?! Wow. I am so blessed.

That’s it. Thanks for your time.
Grace. Peace. Jeremy

admin Great Story, The Gospel church planting, Germantown, Jesus, Prayer, The Axis Church, The Gospel

There was a sweet spirit in the Morgan Park Community Center last night at The Axis Church—Gathered in the Germantown neighborhood of downtown Nashville.

I was so encouraged by the volume of the worshipers voices singing praises to our risen King Jesus. Their participation in song, in fellowship and in learning was so encouraging to me and I believe that it honored our Savior.

It is hard to believe that just six months ago none of the 30+ people who gathered together last night had ever worshiped together. God is doing a wonderful thing in the heart of Nashville for the hearts of Nashville.

Please continue to pray for The Axis Church as we seek the glory of God in Nashville and see the city find it’s satisfaction in Christ alone.

admin church planting church planting, Germantown, Prayer, The Axis Church

Last week as I was loading my truck for The Axis Church—Gathered I realized I had been robbed. It took place between 2pm and 3pm on Sunday (2 weeks ago). My cash, iPod & GPS were jacked from my vehicle. I felt somewhat violated. At first I was very angry that I wasn’t able to see this take place so I could apprehend the thief myself. Then I felt anger towards the people of the city (we live downtown).

Then, the grace of God taught me something.

I felt like such a pansy. I asked myself this, “Is my love for Nashville as deep and as genuine as an iPod full of sermons, a GPS and some cash? Am I so attached to these things that when taken or removed from my life I lose focus of my calling and mission? How pitiful. How weak.” At that moment I experienced such love from God.

I then realized that I had experienced something that proves the necessity of the mission of our church plant and the calling on my life specifically for Nashville. You see this city needs a Jesus that brings more hope than a thousand iPods, a million GPS’ and a trillion dollars.

Two weeks ago during our core training we were discussing “Nashville: Why another Church?” At least I had a real & fresh answer for that. What I see as an attack has also been used as a confirmation for us being here in Nashville.

This really challenged/convicted me. Pray for God to continue to remove what He must to form me as a pastor and shape our core as a church.

admin All things for good, Christian Life, Materialism, The Gospel, church planting church planting, Forgiveness, Jesus, Prayer, The Axis Church, The Gospel, Treasure

Hey!

Today has been a very “weighty” day for me—a day that has been somewhat somber. I am not totally sure why it has been this way. Perhaps it’s that some of The Axis Church friends and family are struggling and I am feeling that weight. Maybe it’s because God really worked in my heart earlier today. I guess it could be a combination of several things.

Whatever the reason for my heaviness of spirit, I do appreciate it because it has drawn me close to the words of God.

Here are a few personal things I am thinking through and working on from today…

This is a quote shared from Scott Thomas (Acts29 Network President) regarding church planting:

Work on creating a united gospel community on mission and focus on making disciples not building a church. If you focus on building a church, people will feel used. If you make disciples of those God has gathered together, they will multiply the disciples. Be a united gospel community on mission first.

This quote has been ringing in my ears for the past several weeks. I believe that what we at The Axis Church must be about is simply understanding the gospel together as a community, being on mission with the same vision/goals and then making disciples of Christ. The church will be fine and will grow, as God wants it to as long as we focus on these three things.

Of course there are several things that we must be concerned with but none nearly as important as these three—gospel, mission, disciples.

I see The Axis Church being a missional community that is theological conservative and culturally liberal. Meaning that we effectively engage an increasingly secular culture with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. We must learn how to better take the gospel (that we ourselves are being changed by—daily) to the city of Nashville—rendering it renewed, transformed thus ultimately satisfied.

We must pray for God’s agenda for The Axis Church to become our agenda for The Axis Church.

On that, I have several things that I would like to see happen one day with The Axis Church.

• Host conferences
• Plant several other churches (10+)
• See our facility gather our community like a magnet via after school tutoring, venue for shows & concerts, etc.
• Perhaps start a business in Germantown that is open for community from 7pm-midnight
• I would like to write a few books
• Change the city of Nashville for Jesus
• Train up other pastors

These are just a few of the things that I am praying for The Axis Church to be able to accomplish. These are some of the things that I have been thinking today.

Today I have also been praying through these different things…

• Praying for Christ’s agenda to be my agenda—thus our agenda
• Praying for deacons
• Praying for elders/pastors to help care for the future converts
• Praying for community group concepts/ dreams to become a reality
• Praying that I would spend more time in God’s Word and in prayer with Him
• Praying for God to allow me to become a missiologist of Nashville—investigating the city then leading The Axis Church to mission in reaching the city. Basically that I would listen and listen well to the city of Nashville.
• Praying for more families to join us on mission
• Praying for help with the PowerPoint on Sundays  (creating and running)
• Praying for children volunteers (both male & female)
• Praying for a projector, screen & sound system
• Pray for those far from Christ to be brought near only by the sheer grace of God

Anyhow, I just wanted you to have a glimpse into my life today. Let’s pray together regarding these things. Would you?

Grace to you,
Pastor Jeremy

admin Christian Life, Missions, The Gospel, church planting Acts29, church planting, Jesus, Missions, Prayer, The Gospel, vision

Here is a great perspective from NON-Acts29 Network church planters who attended an Acts29 regional event. Read, enjoy.
Taken from TheUpStream Blog

This by Caleb on 08/18/09 at 9:02 pm

Today we attended the Acts 29 Midwest quarterly meeting. It’s basically a get-together of Acts 29 church planters, leaders, and other interested parties. The meeting took place at the Journey in St. Louis. We enjoyed reconnecting with Journey pastor Steve Miller- the last time we saw him he had to leave the Upstream Jet Set trip to Marsaille early due to a stomach bug. He’s better now.

We work with a lot of Acts 29 guys. In fact, we’ve got on on our board of directors- Kevin Jamison, pastor of the Oaks Community Church in Middletown, Ohio. We’ve always appreciated Acts 29 and their contribution to the ongoing conversation among leaders about the need for culturally appropriate expressions of the church. They have provided a sense of movement and identity for hundreds (thousands?) of church planters who would otherwise be on their own.

That said, this was our first official Acts 29 function. The short meeting was a “mini-conference” of sorts- with a message by Bob Thune of Coram Deo in Omaha and a live interview with “Your Jesus is Too Safe” author Jared Wilson. We went into the meeting with certain expectations. We wanted to connect with some of the planters/pastors. We wanted to catch up with friends. We wanted to check in with the Acts 29 network to see how things were going, and how involved Acts 29 churches were in international missions.

Some things that surprised us about the meeting:

* Not everyone was white and middle class. Call us ignorant, but most of our interaction with the network was with 30 yr. old white guys who grew up in the suburbs but moved into the city to plant a church. But in a roomful of Acts 29 planters, there were a handful of black, Korean, Chinese, and Filipino church planting teams.
* Women were present. Sure the network is a boys club, but there were several ladies in the room- planter’s wives, no doubt, but it was nice to see. Some might have us believe that Acts 29 would block them at the door.
* Hair: As much gray and as gelled spikey. Who knew that Acts 29 had anyone younger than Darrin Patrick?
* Despite being made up of young and innovative guys, a lot of what we heard was surprisingly modern and, well, traditional. It’s a wonder these guys ever get lumped in with the emerging church. We heard a lot of proposition, a lot of linear discussion, and quite a bit of “how-to.” Maybe an Acts 29 meeting in California wouldn’t be as modern.
* Lots of those in attendance weren’t actually part of the Acts 29 network. There were students, denominational representatives, Darrin Patrick fanboys, and at least a couple Driscoll wannabes.

As much as we were surprised, we also saw lots of what we expected to see at an Acts 29 meeting:

* A relentless focus on the gospel. Seriously, we heard countless references to the gospel- being “gospel centered,” “gospel focused,” and “gospel literate.” Acts 29 leaves no doubt in our minds that the gospel is the single most important thing to them.
* Lots of sports analogies. Acts 29 is a bit of a boys club, and they like to talk about “wins” and “home runs” and “moving the ball down the field.” Thune’s curriculum, “The Gospel-Centered Life” was referred to as a “playbook.”
* Macbooks, iPhones, and horn-rimmed glasses. The stereotype isn’t totally unfounded.
* No-nonsense, honest, straightforward communication. I get the feeling that nobody at an Acts 29 meeting is going to tell you everything’s okay unless it really is okay. They seem to practice a kind of radical honesty that is both refreshing and unnerving at the same time.
* Fun. Everyone there wanted to be there. They genuinely enjoyed being together, and we felt welcome.

We’d like to thank Acts 29, the Journey, and Lifepoint Ozark for letting us tag along. We’re fans of Acts 29, and we look forward to serving network churches however we can. Be sure to check out the Acts 29 website for more information.

admin The Gospel, church planting Acts29, church planting, The Gospel