Stop Funding Church Plants? David Fitch Stirs the Pot

I have friends who have invested their lives into bringing Jesus' message to people who don't know what it means to be part of a community of people who are loving God and each other and caring for their neighbors - in other words, a church. These friends are real heroes to me. They are church planters. (I'm looking at you Tim Fowler and Joe Gnatek) Bunny and I were involved in a church splant early in our ministry with a group of people called Grace Baptist Church in Juliette Georgia. It was the best of times and the worst of times, but those people were awesome and things happened among us that still give me goosebumps.

So when I share this article from David Fitch, I am not anti-planting. Planting works... when it works. Tim and Joe have proven that as have many others.

But I do think that we need to step back and look at what we are doing and what the real costs and benefits are. Here at New Hope, we run the leanest we can, and will get leaner still when I am teaching. I think we'll do more ministry then, meeting more people and being able to help more. I like the idea he puts forth of teams of people rather than one family, and I like the idea of people working in the community alongside the folks they would do life with in a church.

So I guess I would give Fitch more a listen than most. Click over and check the article out.

STOP FUNDING CHURCH PLANTS and Start Funding Missionaries: A Plea to Denominations

Church Planting - The Church at Skyline Valley

One of the critical needs as we seek to have the message of Jesus heard by as many people as possible is simply venues to hear it in. The culture has changed, and most churches have lost much of their effectiveness at reaching out into it. So new churches are desperately needed.

My friend Tim Fowler is a church planter. This time around he's planting a church outside Ft Hood Texas in a town called "Copperas Cove." The fledgling congregation will meet for their first preview service this weekend. Previews are a time to try to draw people who are looking to find a church, to work out the kinks behind the scenes, and to form a core of people who are totally sold out to what God is calling them to do and be. I can tell you that getting that "core" means everything. I wouldn't take anything for the core of people God has gathered at New Hope, so I'm praying like mad that God would send Tim exactly who he needs.

Tim is a hero of mine. Please pray for him and the church. If you'd like to send an email of encouragement, or something else encouraging $ :)

Phone: 254-285-8668

E-mail: church@skylinevalley.org

20 Questions - Are You A Church Planter?

Really good post on Adrian Warnock's blog where he interviews Scott Thomas, Acts 29 Director. He goes through the characteristics of church planters and lists 20 characteristics. In the article, he fleshes each one of these out, but I thought I'd list them here. Many of these would be shared by transitional pastors, but not all. Still, I think it is critical that you know what you are about and what you are after regardless of whether you are planting a new work or trying to turn an older church from inwardly focused to a church on mission.
HT - Adrian Warnock

Take a look at these and go over and read it all.

1. Am I a Christian?
   
2. Am I passionately in love with Jesus, and is he the Lord of my life in every area?
   
3. Do I believe his Word, and does it affect my life deeply?
   
4. Am I Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-directed, and Spirit-controlled?
   
5. Am I qualified as an elder?
   
6. Do I love the local church as an expression of a gospel community on a mission?
   
7. Am I a missionary to the city? Am I sent for the advancement of the gospel in the city?
8. Do I have a clear vision for this new work?
   
9. Am I wiling to pour myself out in obedience to the vision?
   
10. Am I healthy physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, relationally, maritally, mentally?
    
11. Am I the kind of leader many people will follow? Have I served as some form of church leader successfully?
    
12. Can I preach effectively?
    
13. Can I guard the doctrinal door with biblical clarity and tenacious confidence?
    
14. Can I architect a new work with entrepreneurial skill?
    
15. Am I called to plant a church at this time and in this place?
    
16. Have my church leaders commended me for this calling?
    
17. Am I a hard worker? Am I persevering?
    
18. Am I adaptable to new people, places, and concepts?
    
19. Can I raise the funds required for my family's needs? Can I still be there for my family?
    
20. Am I humble enough to learn from others — particularly from those who have gone ahead of me in different areas?
    

What Does It Take To Plant or Turn A Church Around?

Resurrection faith.

You have to believe - not in your skills, or methods - but in the absolute fact that in light of what God did on Easter, there is always hope. You will encounter many reasons to cause questions to appear in your mind and even doubts to form in your heart. There will be days that you wonder why you even though you could possibly be used by God to bring the dead to life.

But then comes Easter. And you remember, God can do it. William Willimon, UMC Bishop of North Alabama writes today:

In a workshop with Paul Borden last year, someone asked him, “You are a natural leader in starting new churches. What is the main thing you look for in selecting new pastors?” Borden responded, “An Orthodox faith, a vivid belief in the Trinity, and of course, a sure faith in the resurrection.”

Don’t you find that an amazing response? I thought Borden would say something managerial, “an entrepreneurial spirit,” something like that. Or, I thought he might cite some psychological configuration or organizational expertise in the pastor. No. Borden demands theology, faith in resurrection.

It really makes a huge difference as we go about reaching a new generation of Christians, starting new churches, energizing established congregations, making disciples (our Conference priorities), if Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. If Easter is not true, then why bother?

Since Jesus Christ is raised, let loose, invading a world, returning to the very people who betrayed him, then we work not alone. The risen Christ goes before us. We serve a God who lives to raise the dead--even us. Therefore, we work with hope--not hope in ourselves and our efforts, but with hope in Christ.

It never ceases to amaze me. How little people really believe that God can do. That he is exceedingly abundantly able to do - to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. How we take resurrection and confine it to two choruses of "Up from the Grave He Arose", then resume our normal programming.

Well, no.

Resurrection changes everything.

Great Ideas From Michael @ Behind the Leaf

Michael, I always appreciate your posts, but this one is so good I had to quote it all. Folks, if you want to learn how to be better - whether you are a planter, or a pastor, put Michael's blog in your reader.

Behind the Leaf

Sunday Cheat Sheet
February 21, 2008

In our meeting room, I keep a sheet of paper with some reminder statements. These are things that shape our services. I have to keep reminding myself.

Connect the dots.
Keep the vision in front of the people.
Incorporate the mission statement into the welcome and announcements.
Tell personal stories about our volunteers.
Celebrate victories (look back) as much as you communicate vision (look forward)
Read cool e-mails.
Remind people about our kids policy.
Read Scripture during the worship set.
A hymn teaches people theology.
Make a big deal out of the offering. (a story, where the money goes, a Scripture)
Look at things from the eyes of a guest.
The unexpected gets noticed.
Humor unfolds arms.

To me, this shows a real depth of understanding not only of mission and vision, but of the pastor's role in it. Certain things you cannot delegate and keeping your church's focus on what matters is one of those.