Daniel and Tammie Floyd, partners with ARC (Association of Related Churches) have a lot to offer ministry leaders in terms of life lessons. Their path to becoming church planters and leaders in ministry was long and winding, and one that started when Daniel was pursuing his graduate studies, and Tammie was teaching music to middle schoolers.
It was after the couple moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, where Daniel was studying at Liberty University, that they felt called by God to help their friends plant a new church in Fredericksburg, located three hours north. They spent the first year making the drive to and from on weekends before they decided to relocate to the city.
In the years since, the Floyds have welcomed four children to their family, have helped grow Lifepoint to two permanent campuses and three temporary ones, and even helped launch Lifepoint College, which offers an associate’s degree in ministerial leadership.
The Floyds offer the following advice for future ARC church planters.
Relationships and Resources
In the nearly 20 years since they first started out, a lot has changed in terms of relationships and resources available to church planters. Today, Daniel says there are so many people who are willing to help.
Daniel, who is a member of the ARC Church Lead team, says organizations such as ARC (Association of Related Churches) provide the tools, resources, and guidance for those who wish to start new life-giving churches. But, most of all, they provide a community of like-minded people who’ve been there before and can offer invaluable advice, friendship, and family.
Change with the Seasons
Daniel says that his role and that of his wife Tammie are ever-changing, and that’s because the needs of the church and the family are ever-changing.
The Floyds planted their first church before they had kids, so Tammie says she was serving as one of the main worship leaders. While she wasn’t on the church staff, she was serving as a volunteer.
Once the couple welcomed their first child, Owen, Tammie stepped out of that role for a season.
“So, you have to decide, whatever season you’re in, what areas you’re going to be involved in,” Tammie said. “It’s going to change based on your season.”
More Sending Capacity
The Floyds say that their long-term goal is to continue opening locations around Virginia, as they have a heart for church planting.
Daniel explains, though, that it’s not about getting more seating capacity, but rather more sending capacity. As he explains:
“Can we raise up and multiply leaders that go out and plant churches? That means having a staff that feels called to church planting. So, now we’re not only opening campuses but opening family churches that are planted, sent out, and supported by us.”
It’s this support that ARC (Association of Related Churches) can provide to ARC church planters, just like the Floyds.
When Daniel became a partner with ARC, he explained that he wasn’t looking for a denomination but “like-minded relationships where we could do life and accomplish the mission of planting churches that were life-giving and reaching the lost.”
About ARC (Association of Related Churches)
ARC (Association of Related Churches) is a cooperative of independent churches from different denominations, networks, and backgrounds who strategically resource church planters and pastors to help them reach people with the message of Jesus. ARC exists to see a thriving church in every community, reaching people with the message of Jesus. Since its beginning in 2001, ARC has grown into a global organization and has helped plant more than 1,000 churches.
