Waiting – man it’s hard.  When you have been waiting for something for years it tests you.  In 2005 we were waiting to plant a church.  We didn’t know how it would happen, we just kept believing it would.  5 years later it finally happened and 217church was born.  No matter what you are waiting for, there are some things that just make sense to do.

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 ESV

Those first four years of seeing no action was painful.  Uncertainty was a friend we didn’t want to keep.  There was a time when I asked the question, “God, did I hear you right?”  Have you ever been there?  Waiting is perhaps the most difficult thing to do, especially if you are a “let’s go” person like me!  I remember days and nights of frustration and confusion, feeling like I was at the end of my rope.  Patience may be a virtue, but not one that I am good at.  So let me ask you, “What are you waiting for?

How To Wait For The Vision…

#1 Pray Continually – Prayer cultivates dependance on God.  Great, just what you wanted to hear.  Since God’s timing usually isn’t my timing, I’m supposed to pray?  What for?  I mean, can’t God just be on our timeline for once?  Praying through the vision helped me to see “why not now.”  There were circumstances that needed to change, skills I needed to sharpen and experience that needed to gain for God to make me ready.  Whenever you get impatient, discipline yourself to pray.  Then pray some more…and some more.  Wait for it…

#2 Plan Diligently –  Planning refines the strategy God gives you.  I am eternally thankful for the “lag” time in my life between getting the vision and implementing the vision.  217church was prepared meticulously way before we ever held a public worship service or held our first 217group.  It allowed me valuable time to hone the gifts, strategy, philosophy and timing of what we needed as we started the church.  It wasn’t just about me, but I wasn’t ready.  In that time, God wanted to give us a gift named Lydia!  Planting a church with a pregnant wife would have been, well, CRAZY!  God also wanted me to wait so I could have the right team to plant with me, to reach the people we were supposed to meet.  By the time we launched, our plan was so well prepared, we just needed God to show UP!  Wait for it…

#3 Prepare Your Heart – God wants you develop your character deeper than you think you can go.  This is a HUGE blind spot for most of us.  We think we are ready and we have the message and so we go.  Show me someone who has learned the art of being content in waiting for God, and I will show you a person with character.  God cares more about you than what you can do for Him.  As a matter of fact, God doesn’t need you to fulfill his vision.  He chooses if you will be used and it’s not up to you, but HIM.  Wait for it…

#4 Persevere Through Disappointment – Your disappointments may be God appointments.  At the beginning I thought I had it figured out and ready to go and there were some disappointments.  Not only did we want to plant sooner, but some people we thought were going to come with us to start the church said no to us.  There were some tough days of uncertainty and confusion, but God allowed us to get to where we are now.  Wait for it…

It’s hard to believe, but we enter into year seven of 217church this Spring!  We are calling this the “RELAUNCH” of 217church.  This means developing a relaunch team.  I want you to be on our relaunch team.  Here are some ways to be involved in this historic moment:  Join one of these Relaunch teams:

• Small group team – making disciples that make disciples
• Weekend team – making our church the most hospitable place in Central New Jersey
• Worship team – leading the church into the presence of God
• Prayer team – interceding for the church
• Administrative team – ensuring excellence in communication
• Ministry fair team – helping people find their place and ultimate contribution
• Youth & Kids team – investing in the next generation

E-MAIL DOUG@217church.com to join one of these teams

Waiting is tough, but you are being developed, God hasn’t forgotten about you!

Josh

We are officially #Relaunching @217church after 6 full years of ministry.  Our first Sunday services will be Sunday February 7, 2016  Don’t worry, we have regular weekend services leading up to this historic day for us as we prepare and build our teams!   Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00.  Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us.  Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here