Many people have consistently asked about our plans for planting a church in the Denver area and would like to know about the stages and time frames involved in such an endeavor. We have done our best to list below a tentative idea using a harvesting analogy for what is required at each stage of development and a potential timetable involved in each step of process.
With that being said, we believe that prayer and obedience are the key distinctives in this entire process. Through spending time with the Lord we have been led to believe that the Lord would like us to plant Harvest Bible Chapel Denver. Each step of the process for the past nine months has been marked by times of extensive prayer. Jesus Christ is the One who will build His church and we just want to seek Him and continue to be obedient during every step of the journey.
At the same time we believe that having a plan of action is imperative for mobilizing God's people for the purpose of launching the church. While we will not dictate the exact time and ways in which the Lord will work, we will use the following as a guide for our direction. You will notice that each stage of development is filled with challenges and rewards.
Pastor Jeff is planning on moving with his family to the Denver area as soon as his house sells (that's a prayer request), with several other families following closely behind. We also have been in contact with many families in the Denver area who are committing to our launch team and many others who are considering being a part of our church. We are excited and looking forward building our launch team.
If after reading this page you feel compelled to learn more or join our launch team please contact us or visit our launch team page.
Seed - Plow to prepare the soil (April, May, June)
During this stage we will build and recruit the core group, develop a leadership team, cast vision, pray, set up finances, and begin the process of incorporation.
Germination - Grow Roots and Shoots (July, August, September)
During this stage, the core group will gather and meet together on a weekly basis (perhaps Saturday evening or Sunday evening - not Sunday morning) for the study of God's Word, prayer, worship, and planning. A location will be secured, our worship teams will be formed, and members of the core group will be assigned areas of service based on gifted and need. Greatest focus will on the primary ministries of worship, children's, small groups, assimilation, finances, administration, and promotion.
Emerging Plant - Going Public (Fall 2010) During this stage, Harvest Denver will emerge publicly for worship services and extended ministry. The core group will go from a launch team to a church. The current elders appointed by Harvest Bible Fellowship will continue to serve in their capacity for the first year, at which time we will appoint our own elders as a church. All major ministry components will be planned, prepared and ready to go prior to the launch date. These ministries include preaching, worship, children's, small groups, assimilation, administration, and logistics. Growing and Pruning - Bear Fruit, Expect Pruning, Stick with it! During this stage, Harvest Denver will begin to grow, bear fruit and multiply. Ministry growth will take place as will the addition of new ministries to help grow and mature disciples. Pruning also takes place in this stage. Trials, challenges, disappointments, and discipline may cause some to leave but ultimately it will strengthen and bring maturity to the body. Maturity and Multiplication - Multiply, Mature Ministry During this stage, Harvest Denver will be established, strong, and autonomous in its ability to thrive on its own. The church will become a ministry-giving-ministry-multiplying body. It has deep roots and a resilient base evidence by a deep and growing fruitfulness and the church's ability to endure difficulties. At this point Harvest Denver will become a church-planting church.