J.R. Lee: http://jrlive.net
Lead Pastor: Freedom Church in Acworth, GA

Personal Notes: (J.R. is one of the most encouraging people I have ever met! I was very excited to meet him at Evolve earlier this year. The fact that he took time to speak into my life and encourage me meant more than he will ever know.)

Chris asked me to answer the following question... What advice would you give to a guy that has been called into church planting, but sometimes feels that he has no idea what he is doing?  To be fair, we are only 12 weeks into this journey called Freedom Church and that feeling hasn't left.  I suspect it never will.  To be honest - I don't think I want it to.

That being said, I have had to come to grips with a few things in order to not be paralyzed by fear.  One phrase that I consistently have to remember and that I try to communicate on a regular basis is that...

Incredible journeys start with irreversible steps.

There is no way around this.  When Joshua was leading people across the Jordan River, the command was to walk out into the water... It was only then - that the water would part.  The people were going to have to get their feet wet before the miracle would take place.

Taking time to learn from the right people is invaluable.  Truth be known, to not do so is irresponsible and arrogant.  I believe that with everything I have, but ultimately, the day will come when theory must meet practice and the irreversible steps must be taken.  For Joshua, it was taking a few steps out into the water.  For you, it might mean leaving behind a stable salary, moving to a new community, establishing new relationships, and the list goes on and on.  What's the point?  If you wait until you have all the answers - the church will never come into existence.  Move forward understanding that incredible journeys start with irreversible steps - and get ready for the most invigorating, exhausting, challenging, and rewarding journey of your life!