John Markum

The Cost to Planting a Church

Planting costI dislike using “need” to motivate people to give their money to something. I find that if it works at all, people usually only give out of guilt, and not usually more than once. I find that “vision” is not only a more compelling reason to motivate people to give, but it helps people understand the impact that their giving is making. But as I prepare to launch LifeCity Church, I realize that most people are simply unaware of the cost of planting a church.

The fact of the matter is, this is the hardest and most difficult thing I have ever done. If it were not for the confidence I have that God is calling us to do this, I would never attempt such an otherwise intimidating challenge. Continue reading “The Cost to Planting a Church”

FASTING.

FAST

We have described our partnership commitments to LifeCity Church in three words:

  • FAST.
  • GIVE.
  • JOIN.

We have been blessed by literally hundreds of people who have told us that they would “pray” for us as we prepare to launch this new church. We are overwhelmingly grateful that so many people have expressed their intentions to keep us before God as we move forward to plant a church. Continue reading “FASTING.”

Naming a Church: Part 3

NAC3So with a healthy amount of research in hand, and after praying and fasting, and talking to people we trusted, everything came to the point of the entire process that we had been waiting for. There was nothing left but to decide the name of our new church plant and commit to that name, brand, and direction.

Our vision, “so the people of the South Bay will fully experience life in Christ,” had given us clarity in choosing the six names we researched. Continue reading “Naming a Church: Part 3”

The phrase no pain, no gain has been a mantra for athletes and fitness junkies for years. And what they understand about physical pain needs to be broadened to a much more general use in all of our lives. Pain hurts. That's the whole problem. No one enjoys it, and if someone does, we rightfully

The Premium of Pain