Launch Team

Being a part of a church plant is a tremendous experience for any Christian who is looking for a place to use their spiritual gifts. In order for HBC of Austin to succeed, it takes every part of the body contributing. We do not have the luxury of multiple people for each task in the church. BUT that is a GOOD thing because it requires every member of the body to serve!

Expectations:
Nothing can make a person more miserable than having wrong expectations. We want to have our eyes wide open as we embark upon church planting.

(1) You are fully aligned with our mission, vision, values and distinctives. Harvest is a church built on the 4 Pillars. It is a contemporary church that proclaims the authority of God’s Word without apology, lifts high the name of Jesus Christ in worship, believes firmly in the power of prayer and shares the good news of Jesus with boldness.

Do these values fit you and excite you?

(2) You are willing to submit to the leadership.
Harvest Bible Fellowship along with the senior pastor will serve as the elders of the new plant for the first year. They will strive to lead in a way that is obedient to God’s Word. The reality is that you will not always agree with or understand the decisions that will be made.

Can you follow, support and speak well of the leadership?

(3) You have healthy motives for joining the Launch Team.
You are coming primarily because you sense God calling you to be a part of planting a new church committed to Harvest Bible Chapel’s mission, values and distinctives. You are not coming:

• To get more control and responsibility in a church
• To run away from difficulties in your current church
• Expecting to come on staff at HBC down the road

(4) To the best of your ability, you will make a healthy church transition.
Those leaving a current local church to participate with the HBC plant should “leave well.” Tell the leadership of your current local church what you are going to do. Ask for their blessing and prayer support. Within reason, fulfill your previously made commitments and after leaving, speak well of your former church.

(5) You are prepared for the constant change of church planting (flexibility).
Church planting does not provide the routine, comforts and predictability of a large established church. All will need to be flexible.

(6) You realize sacrifice will be the norm – not the exception.
There is no doubt that it is a sacrifice for you and your family to be a part of a church plant. We will not immediately have first rate facilities, a growing Jr. High/Sr. High ministry or other blessings of an established church. God will honor your sacrifice and abundantly bless you and your family despite the absence of these comforts. It is crucial that you know these things will not be available immediately.

(7) You are aware and committed to prepare for spiritual warfare.
Spiritual warfare is real and church planting is a direct and strategic assault against Satan and the kingdom of darkness. We must be vigilant to put on the full armor of God and cover everything we do in prayer.

(8) You are committed to financially support the vision with your income.
The church is funded by God’s people supporting the work. Giving generously to the work of the church is the New Testament norm. Your heart follows your treasure.

Our great desire is that Christ would be exalted in and through the lives of His people preparing to plant with us in Austin. We hope this letter has been helpful to you. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us.