Church Plant Advertisement November 9, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting.add a comment
This newspaper advertisement is attributed to Ernest Shackleton the famous Antarctic explorer. Some question whether he really posted it or if it was attributed to him later. Regardless, this is exactly the spirit we’re looking for in core group members for our new church plant.
If you’re interested in a similar adventure please contact me immediately about moving to downtown Oklahoma City 
The other pastor September 15, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting, God.1 comment so far
At Crosstown Church we believe in leadership by a team of Biblically qualified elder/pastors. As of right now there are 2 of us. Ben and me. There will be more someday, but for now there’s not.
One of my favorite things about Ben is his ability to teach God’s Word. Right now on Sunday nights we’re doing a hybrid between a Bible study and a worship service. Sometimes the preacher in Ben starts coming out and I absolutely love it. I love his passion for God and the Scriptures. His wisdom and depth of insight continually amaze me. God shows me something new every time I sit under Ben’s teaching.
Sunday night he was talking about serving God and brought up the passage where Jesus says “you can’t serve both God and money.” We talked about what it means to serve money and that you don’t serve money by doing something for it. You serve it by being controlled by it and seeking the delight it can bring you.
Jesus draws a parallel between how we interact with money and how we interact with God. Am I finding delight in God and what He offers? Am I yielding myself to His control? Am I dedicating myself to the pursuit of God?
Thanks Ben for bringing this up and challenging me once again.
Just about time September 6, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting.1 comment so far
After a week in KC, I’m ready to get back to see my hunny and my babies. I’ll be eating lunch with some good friends in Stanberry, MO and then hitting the road for the 7 hour drive home. I’m glad I get to stay home next week and not traverse the country.
I really enjoyed my time in KC. I saw lots of friends and had many encouraging conversations. There were a lot of people I wanted to see, but didn’t get to. Another KC trip is on the horizon, as well as another St. Louis and Fort Worth expedition. I crossed the halfway point for support development yesterday. I’ve now raised 51% of our monthly goal. God is good and His people are generous.
Walking in the neighborhood September 2, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting.1 comment so far
I’ve been getting up and walking each morning while I’m in KC. It’s kind of weird to walk in our old neighborhood. I kind of feel like I belong and I kind of don’t. The first morning was cold and I wished I was wearing a jacket. This morning was beautiful when I started and then the heavens opened up and I walked through the rain. It was still beautiful!
I’ve met with 10 people so far on this support development trip. It has been incredibly encouraging. I will state it again and I’m sure it won’t be the last time, but there is no better place to be than relying on God with no back up plan. It was hard to do at first. But once you lean your full weight into Him and let go of all of your safety nets, you discover that this is actually the most secure place to be. God continues to call His people to generosity on our behalf.
Can’t wait to do this again tomorrow and the next day and the next day. I wish my family was here with me. But if I have to be away from them, there’s nothing better than spending time with God’s people talking about His kingdom.
First day of work August 11, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting, Oklahoma City.add a comment
It has been a crazy and enjoyable couple of weeks. Our 10 days in Saint Louis were a blessing. I visited with 50+ people and have now raised 37% of our monthly needs. The best part of the trip was renewing friendships. There is little that is more exciting then talking with God’s people about God’s work – especially when they catch the vision for what we’re trying to do.
I’m sitting in a study room at the downtown library looking out the window at the skyscrapers – this picture is what I’m looking at. I guess this is my first day of work for Crosstown. The majority of my working hours right now are still focused on support development, but today I’m working on my first Crosstown assignments.
This is unlike any job I’ve ever had and I’m liking it.
Disconnected August 3, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting.add a comment
I feel disconnected from the world around me right now. I’m constantly running from one appointment to the next. It is literally non-stop. Most of my meals are over appointments. I do take time to check on my Ranger’s scores each day, but that’s the extent of my free time.
In the last week I’ve had 35 appointments. Most of which last from 90-120 minutes. That’s a lot of vision casting. The kids have been troopers. Some days they’ve had to sit through 3-4 meetings. I know they’re ready to get home and find some normalcy. I am too.
Only 4 days left and then it’s back to OK. This has been a great trip. I’ve been challenged, inspired and encouraged by the people I’ve met with. But I am looking forward to having some time for my wife, my kids and myself once we get home.
Saint Louis July 30, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting.add a comment
We’ve been in Saint Louis since Monday night. We’ve shared our vision for Crosstown with 15 people/couples so far. It has been a blessing to reconnect with them and humbling to have them take an interest in our lives and our new ministry through financial support.
We are relying on God to raise up His people to support His work. There have been many faith steps in our journey over the last year. Stepping away from a salary to live on support from individuals and churches has been one more way that He is growing our faith. I’m convinced that there isn’t a better place to be than depending on God to come through and save the day.
The Big Day July 13, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting, Oklahoma City.1 comment so far
Tomorrow we move! 3 years ago we started talking about church planting. It’s hard to believe that it’s becoming a reality. We were in OKC yesterday to sign a lease agreement and to attend the Crosstown Bible Study. We had 17 adults and 8 kids present. We’re studying the book of Titus right now – which incidentally was written to a church planter and has a lot to say about starting a new church.
After the Bible Study we took some friends on a tour of our new home – which is half a block away from Ben and Mindy’s. Next week we’ll be hosting the Bible Study in our new living room! After everyone else had left, we spent sometime with Ben and Mindy dreaming, scheming and talking about the challenges we face.
Tomorrow morning we pick up the U-haul and start filling it!
It won’t be long now July 8, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting, Oklahoma City.3 comments
That’s what the monkey said when he got his tail caught under the lawn mower You’re welcome.
We have secured a house to live in near downtown OKC. It is in Mesta Park – which is right where we wanted to be and only 10 blocks from the elementary school. Here is a link to see the front of the house – it’s the one with red brick.
There’s nothing fancy about it – upstairs there are 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small study (which will of course be someone’s bedroom). The main floor is a perfect meeting space for Crosstown and will also give us plenty of room for having people to our home for dinner. There is a large living room, a dining room, kitchen and a half bath downstairs.
The other great thing about this home is that it is just around the corner from Ben and Mindy’s home. Move-in is only 11 days away! We are crazy excited about moving to the city and crazy thankful to God for providing this house and this chance to be apart of Crosstown Church.
Renting June 27, 2009
Posted by clintcarter in Church Planting, Life.2 comments
So here’s the scoop – at least as much of the scoop that I’m aware of. Things are progressing with our potential move to Oklahoma City. Carey and I had a great meeting with the Crosstown board 2 weeks ago. All 3 guys affirmed God’s hand on us to this point and were very encouraged with the prospect of us joining Ben and Mindy in this church plant.
Last Friday we looked at houses for rent close to downtown/midtown. Renting will be a whole new ball game for us. We haven’t rented anything since our first apartment together in college, right after we were married.
We looked at a 3 bedroom and a 5 bedroom house last week. Neither of them had been taken care of by previous tenants. That’s just something I don’t understand – why wouldn’t you take care of and take pride in the place that you live? We need to look at more properties, but we were intrigued by the 5 bedroom. It’s an older house with a lot of space – which is what we need since the church will be gathering in our house on a regular basis.
Carey and I are driving to OKC on Monday afternoon to look at the house closer. For some reason I didn’t get to look closely – well maybe there were 4 reasons We’re going to make a list of things that need to be done to make it liveable for our family and then talk with the owner about them. It will be an interesting day.
