A new church is launched

Easter had so many new beginnings -- signs of new life! This morning, I was privileged to be part of the launch of a new church -- the new church start, Reactivate! at the Fairgrove Campus of Christ Church -- our United Methodist multi-site church in the Statesville District.

Both the 9:00 a.m. and the 11:00 worship services were standing room only. A walk through the campus showed signs of new life blossoming as vibrantly as the dogwoods and tulips are bursting to life in my yard.

The launch of a church -- like the birth of a baby--has a LOT that goes into it. And that investment has come from many sources. In this case, it included the ending and beginning made possible by a merger of Fairgrove United Methodist Church with Christ United Methodist Church. The launch is grounded in the Christ Church vision to reach unchurched people for Jesus Christ -- especially those in the young adult age group. The launch required extensive renovation of the Fairgrove facilities and untold hours of volunteer labor. There has been planning and praying and, now, preaching. The conference has paid the salary of the new start pastor, the district has been partners in prayer and the Christ Church campuses have been praying, paying and volunteering to birth this new church as another way for us to reach the sea of unchurched people around us.

In addition to the extraordinary welcome and inspiring worship, people are invited to additional ways to get involved in discipleship through the church. There are all kinds of open doors provided for people who are ready to take a next step in faith.

As one who deals mostly with congregations that are very lackadaisical about welcoming others and resistant to change, the ReActivate! service was a great sign of hope and life to me on this Easter Day.