Steve’s July Congregational Letter

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1.8)

So were Jesus’ words to his disciples just before his ascension into heaven.  In this one little verse we see two things: first power (Holy Spirit power) is needed for the church to complete her mission, but also, when the Spirit comes he will propel us, “you will be,” into mission.

Several months ago the staff and vestry leadership began to prayerfully discern where and when we might plant a church.  Through amazing circumstances we have reached an agreement with the Music Farm (downtown Charleston) to plant a church using their facility!

The genesis of this endeavor began with our young professionals who live both downtown and West Ashley who have asked us to do something for quite sometime closer to their homes.  While we were entangled in the mess of TEC, and the potential negative outcomes, we were unable to focus much attention on things like church planting.  However, with the completion of our departure we have found both the time and a significant interest within the parish to engage new projects.

Serendipitous to the expressed interest of our young professionals, and our newfound freedom, was a conversation that developed with the general manager of the Music Farm who was very happy to explore with us the possibility of using their facility to plant a church.  As time moved on we had several conversations of the kind that only God can arrange:  through a variety of circumstances several of us – both staff and non-staff – had conversations with young adults who are completely and contentedly disconnected from a community of faith.  As we explored the challenges they face with regard to their faith we spoke about the idea of a church plant downtown and all expressed their enthusiasm and interest.  It became evident that the Lord was opening a way for us to engage in a constructive manner and work to reach a disaffected and disaffiliated segment of our community.

Now, here’s the framework:  after his believe-it-or-not resurrection from the dead, Jesus announced that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”  Shortly thereafter Jesus goes on to say, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”  The Church of Jesus is established not simply as a place where people go to, but it is also a place where people go from.  This fall St. Andrew’s will take another step to become a place where people “go from.”  What do I mean?  Here’s what I mean:  I am inviting fifty people from St. Andrew’s to make a two year commitment and help establish a new church downtown.

These fifty people will be on the launch team for “St. Andrew’s City Church.”  We are asking the whole congregation to pray whether or not God might be calling you to join us in this very exciting initiative downtown.

We understand how much we are asking of these individuals who will compose the launch team.  It is no easy thing to leave the church you love and put your hand towards the hard work of building a new church.  As you pray over this serious decision it might help to know what to expect at the new church plant:

• You will have the same leadership that you currently have in Mt Pleasant.
• You will have the excellent pastoral and discipleship care of our LifeGroups.
• Worship will be very similar to our Wednesday nights and 10.45 Ministry Center services.
• You will still be connected to St. Andrew’s Mt. Pleasant through a network of events designed to keep the two communities relationally close.
• You will receive excellent training to equip you to reach out to the downtown community in exciting and innovative ways.

So what is expected of you?  We are asking that all those who wish to join the launch team make a two year commitment beginning this fall to support the worship and service life of St. Andrew’s City Church.  After this commitment is fulfilled you may return to St. Andrew’s Mt. Pleasant or remain downtown.

If you want to learn more about this exciting opportunity we will be hosting two informational meetings.  The first will be Wednesday, 14 July at 7.00 pm in the Chapel (downstairs in the Ministry Center), and, the second will be Sunday, 8 August immediately following the 10.45 service, again, in the Chapel. I do hope you will take this exciting opportunity seriously and pray whether or not God might be calling you to help us start a new Gospel-centered community downtown.

With much love,

Steve