To contrast my previous post yesterday, Death By Church Planting, I thought I’d share a few things that have breathed life into me and our city:
- Planting a church *will* make you a stronger person. This experience has caused me to dig deep within to find ways to get through some serious struggles and battles.
- I know God more. Having come to faith without being in a down-and-out moment or feeling as if I need a change or a better life, church planting has humbled me in ways no other experience could. I find myself turning to God in everything and letting him lead the way.
- I’ve made so many great friends through sharing my story and talking to others that have planted churches. There is a bond that develops between church planters because it gets in our blood. Church planter generally want to do what they can to support other church planters.
- Some people in ministry make leading churches a competition. It becomes about how many attend on a Sunday or how many staff you require to minister to a group of people, etc. However, church planting is more like a brotherhood. I’ve been very encouraged by that.
- As Craig Groeschel says, If your vision becomes too big for your current ministry, it’s time to move on. Feeling like you’re stuck in a ministry job doesn’t do anyone any good. If you feel bogged down because your vision is bigger than that of your current ministry, church planting could give you the freedom to nurture the seed God has placed in your heart in ways that working under another leader and their vision cannot.
- It’s exhilarating! There are a lot of disappointments in the process of planting a church. However, there are so many positives that come with that. For me, the positives that have come in church planting are that much more meaningful to me because they serve as confirmation and times of celebration for the work God has put in my path. Because it’s much harder to start a church from scratch than it is a new ministry within an existing church, I just feel like the rewards have been greater in my mind.
- Where have you been all my life? Seeing a vision begin to take shape in a way that draws people in that have been searching for it for a long time is a great place to be. Confirmations such as this really get me excited about where I’m at and how things are going with our new church.
- It’s unique! Your church plant has its own unique DNA and fingerprint. You alone are called to lead with your vision, not anyone else. As a result, no two church plants are alike. I am not a fan of cookie cutter ministry, so this appeals to me.
- People get excited about serving and making a difference in the community when they are not forced into the ways of the traditional church. As much as established churches try to connect with those that don’t believe in God or his church, there is always an us-against-them mentality that is present. They just don’t fit in completely. With a church plant, unbelievers can come in as they are and be accepted as a person rather than a statistic or a walking wallet. I know that sounds a bit harsh, but I know that my church planting brethren will understand my point.
- I really have come to appreciate the connections I’ve been able to make within the city and how people are receptive to our new ideas and perspectives on ministry. As a church plant, we don’t have a track record that people can point to and judge us. They either take us at our word or not. I like that.
- Church planting will make you more humble or it will take you down. For me, I appreciate being humble and want more of that in my life. Trust me, getting prepared to stand and speak before the church, realizing that it may just be the worship team in the seats is a humbling experience. It causes me to grow and trust in the vision--something I need more of.
At this moment, church planting makes me feel alive! Within ministry, there is never anything I have truly felt called to as a purpose other than church planting. I’ve felt that God has ordained me at times to minister to others as an associate pastor and youth pastor, but I always knew that God was going to unleash me some day as a church planter. I feel as if my experiences during my former years as an atheist have uniquely prepared me for the road ahead in ways that wouldn’t be received as well if I were serving anywhere else. Fulfilling what I believe is my purpose gives me the passion and resolve to see this through, even during the days I question why I am doing what I do or why God chose me for this place in time. My life as a church planter is something I wouldn’t trade for anything and I pray that I can continue to be led by the Lord and equipped to continue within this ministry for many years. It’s all I know right now, and I’m trying to do the best I can. This is my life…by church planting.
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