Almost every day I talk to someone who is struggling to answer this question or someone who is in the process of planting hoping to find out. This is really a difficult question to answer and one that I do not believe is meant to be answered alone.
Typically words like entrepreneur, self-initiative, promoter, strategist and fundraiser are mentioned as some of the primary markers of who should make the cut or not. I am sure some of these traits would be very helpful but truth be told they are trumped by another list of words given in Titus and 1 Timothy 3.
What do church planters look like? At the last church planting conference I attended it appeared that church planters are a bunch of guys running around wearing skinny jeans and designer classes. When I think about the disciples I can’t help but think of the picture above from Deadliest Catch. I want a group of men like these in our church planting residency that are biblically called, trained and sent from our church.
Here are five words that I hope will encourage you as you consider your calling as a church planter.
Everyone- The work of the Holy Spirit is seen throughout the book of ACTS and the rest of the NT as establishing and planting churches. Every church should and must be a church planting church, no matter its size. This work is where men like Paul invested their lives. Examine his letters to young church planters and then to fledgling young church plants. Currently fewer than 4% of SBC churches are intentionally involved in church planting. Churches led by the Spirit plant churches, not solo artists.
Confirmation- Paul became a believer in ACTS 9, yet he wasn’t “sent out” until he was observed, trained and equipped. It isn’t until ACTS 13 that Paul and Barnabas are confirmed and “set apart.” Neither Paul nor Barnabas sent themselves out. Dave Harvey says, “They were not free-agent apostles looking for “ministry partners.” External confirmation from the church will give the man a humble confidence when church planting trials arise.
Humility- Jesus never sent the disciples out alone (Luke 10:1). Paul needed Barnabas (Acts 9:27). Paul, later went with Silas (Acts 15:40). Because the church had a clear message it sent its best men and they were sent together. Many church planters lack the humility and patience to build a strong team and this becomes one of their downfalls. Humility invitesa great portion of God’s grace into the church planters personal life and his ministry.
Family- A question we ask every married man that applies for our training, “Does your wife shares this vision and calling?” Church planting is hard work and we desire to see our church planters receiving great encouragement and support from their wives. This was also a huge concern for Paul as he wrote Timothy and Titus.
Sent- Almost every week I meet with church planters that desire to come to South Florida to plant a church. I always ask them this question. Is this exclusively your idea or dream and does your church recognize pastoral giftedness in your life? What I really want to know is this, “Is your church sending you? Is the ministry you are currently serving in thriving and grace-filled to the point that your church desires to send you as one of their best?
Am I a church planter? I would encourage you to submit yourself to pastoral and church leadership and allow the church to confirm pastoral calling in your life.
When we send church planters out from First Baptist West Palm Beach we not only support them financially but we send as many of our best families as possible with them. We have launched churches with 60 people, 123 people, and 140 people. We have found that a core team the size of these have been a great encouragement to our church planters and has contributed greatly to the sustainability of the church.
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