We made the decision to move to Virginia Beach to start Forefront. Leaving our friends in Centreville, VA was so hard. Moving is one of the hardest things to go through. I knew that we were following God, but it still sucked. I hate goodbyes.
Vince drove the U-Haul and I drove our car with Buster, our insane dog. To get into Virgina Beach we had to go through a tunnel. As I drove through the tunnel I started freaking out. I knew that we were moving to start a church, but it didn't really hit me until I got into the tunnel. Have you ever had an experience like this where you've been working and planning on something, but in the back of your mind you aren't sure that it's actually going to happen? That's kind of how I felt. We'd talked and prayed so much about it that it seemed like a dream; it was so surreal.
I felt like I was going to pass out. I started rambling to Buster, "What in the world are we doing? This isn't going to work! Who will show up? Who are we kidding? Who am I kidding? I'm not church planting wife material! This is going to fail miserably!" Thankfully I made it through the tunnel and somehow came out slightly less freaked out. I continued to drive and pulled into our new house. It was May 27, 1997.
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Sunday, January 20, 2008
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6 comments:
Hi,
I read your blog all the time and I am so glad you are telling your and Vince's story. I am exactly in your "Part Four" shoes. We just moved two weeks ago to the city we are planting in. As I paint the walls of my new house, while me kids are sleeping, I start to think "What in the world are we doing?, Is anyone going to come? and "Which neighbor should I have over first?. We launch in September. Anyway, thank you so much for sharing your experience. It is a true encouragement to me.
Ashley
Hi Jen,
I just was able to meet Vince and read his book this week (I work at Baker). Vince was nice enough to pass your blog address and email over to me when I mentioned that we are in the first phases of planning a church plant (my husband graduates seminary in May and we are planning a plant with another couple). I am in the phase of trying to trust God about his provision but it is really hard. Anyways, I am thankful that you have this blog! It is a real encouragement.
Lauren
That tunnel IS kind of freaky! ;) I feel like I've been sort of detached from the process a little bit, what with being consumed by childcare all day long, and with Chris still at Starbucks. But, we have the God given (mercifully!) advantage of having lived here for 2 years, making friends, contacts, etc, so at least it's not ALL new! We're really excited about the process & it's so cool to see it all coming together. We did have a sort of open forum "What would you like to see in our new church" discussion a few nights ago with some of our potential core team members. I have to keep in mind that this particular group of people are all in their 20s & lack ministry experience, but it was pretty frustrating to hear some of their "expectations". Like, the pastor should personally connect with everybody...um, yeah... not gonna happen for very long. I know you've had those experiences. Anyway, God has given us some good friends in ministry (at other churches! I think that's a plus!!) to support us and when the going gets tough, we can turn to them for encouragement. Thanks for being here, Jen!
I too appreciate all the insight and wisdom you are sharing through your experiences. My husband and I just moved to Japan to do a church plant with a team and I feel that exact feeling. I keep asking God why we're here, and why don't I feel excited about it. And I totally resonated with the post about the wife being interviewed too, because we just had a confrontation with our team leaders yesterday b/c they think my character isn't up to a certain standard in order to be on "staff" with our team...That was really hard to hear and obviously upsetting considering the fact that we moved all the way here and now they're saying this. They still want my husband as a full time staff member, they just don't want me involved in any kind of leadership. Do you have any suggestions about how to go on from here? Has anyone experienced something like this?
Kacie,
I'm so sorry that you are going through this. I am so proud of you for moving all the way to Japan to start a church. That takes amazing faith! As far as the leadership team goes, I'm not really sure how to respond because I don't know the whole situation. Think back through their comments and allow God to speak to you about which parts are true or partially true or false. Talk to your husband about how you're feeling and ask his HONEST opinion about their comments. Sometimes God uses other people to speak TRUTH into our lives so that we can change. Other times people are idiots and are completely wrong. Pray for wisdom and discernment. Feel free to email me at j_antonucci@hotmai.com if you'd like to talk more.
Thanks!
Girl, as one of those friends you left behind in Centreville, it sucked for us too! How we missed you! :) But the great thing is: that leap of faith you and Vince took inspired us to do the same (leave a place we love and embark on this crazy cp ride) and plant a church 5 years later. So, ladies, continue to walk this road...who knows how many churches you'll be repsonsible for inspiring!
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