If I were you, I wouldn't look at the San Tan Vineyard church launch from the "what can I do" mode. So often in Christian circles/ministry/church, we become aware that there is lots being done, and lots to do.  Yet, when we focus on "doing" we are jumping ahead of what God might be wanting to teach us about "being".

For those wondering if they should check out, or get involved with San Tan Vineyard church launch, I would say this-

First, come and just relax and enjoy being here.  See, first, if God is even calling you to be a part of the church launch group.  Focus first on just being with God, and seeing if you connect with the community that is gathering. We aren't really keen on trying to do lots of programs and such, especially right off the start.  Initially, our focus is to come together and worship, learn and minister to one another as God speaks.

Some people are actually afraid of new church startups and plants, because they think "oh no, they need a lot of help.  It will be lots of work if I go there".  For us, this is the wrong emphasis and exposes a mistake in our understanding of God and his church.

This doesn't mean we don't think God is calling us to do things.  We just don't think its the core of what defines us as people. We connect with God and people, and out of love and obedience to Him, we move to show His love in practical ways-- the outflow of that relationship becomes the basis of doing anything.

Like any community, needs will arise.  As He brings needs to us, we will look for how He will supply for those needs. We won't start programs for their own sake. If God brings someone called by Him to do a specific ministry and its obvious the need is there, then we will look at whether its the right fit and what He is saying.

But again, come and see if its in God's heart for you to be a part of the new community we are launching. If you connect with God and begin to see friendships flourish, let that be the place to start.  Out of relationship with God and others we will certainly move to acts of love towards both.

The San Tan Vineyard church launch is a desire to help be a part of a community that we want God to build.  Initially, a few couples have begun to pray and seek God for what the steps should be, and how to practically walk into this journey. Towards that end Jean-Paul and Margaret Parenteau have pursued to completion the church planting process that is part of the Vineyard Assocation of Churches desire to help new local plants have some good essentials in place for a healthy beginning.  We believe God has called JP and Margaret to pastor this new community.  Joining with JP & Margaret are Kim & Carol Gentes, and Tyler & Teresa Burke to facilitate and help with the practical nurturing of a new community.

This blog is meant to be a launching point of thoughts and ideas- not an "end all and be all" for us.  We are learning, just like you.  We certainly feel called by God to step out at this time and do this, but we also know He is the One who said He will build His church.  As we post journal entries here, we want you to come to our launching group and feel free to ask, respond, or even disagree (nicely, we hope!) with stuff.  The reason for posting some of our initial thoughts here is to give people a reference point for where we are coming from, and ultimately to see if this is what you feel God is calling you to.

The point of this journal is not to have a online discussion forum where everyone gets to make all their points, at least not right now. What we want to do is post our main points that we think lots of people will benefit from here.  We expect that people will have more they want to know about, and questions on what we do post.  As you do, we want to cover these together in the launch group.  We think real life discussion is a much better way to continue a conversation than the e-world of online blogs, at least for these initial times.

All that said, we won't become the community God is wanting to build (His church) without you.  We truly hope you will consider and pray about whether He might be calling you to the San Tan Vineyard church launch.