As I reflect on the question “Church planting: Do you have what it takes?” I feel a conflict brewing within me. It’s a duality I struggle with in that I feel like I want to say yes, but then again in reality I’ve already experienced failure once.
I asked my friends on twitter and facebook to suggest what they wanted me to blog about. I got 4 responses, used randomizer.org to pick 1. Thanks to Deborah for suggesting the topic “Church planters, stay the course!” as hers was the random winner.
As you can imagine, it’s a bit awkward writing about staying the course as a church planter when we just ended our first church planting experience incomplete. However, I truly believe that there are times to persevere and times to change direction. In light of my experiences--which I have no second thoughts about--I think it’s important to be reminded as a church planter to hang in there! If you’re a church planter already, you know that almost every day there is something that can cause you to give up or question your calling. If you’re just at the point of dreaming about church planting or wondering whether it’s in your future, embrace this as your mantra: If there is anything you can do other than church planting, go do it! I don’t mean this to discourage you, but it’s an experience that is not for one who wants to explore planting a church. It takes hard work, a clear calling and vision to a city and a people group, thick skin, heartache, and extreme willingness to push forward no matter what others say.
For those of you that have already endured the church planting hurdles and are questioning whether this is for you or not, know that it probably is. For you to have gone through everything so far, you’ll probably find your sense of purpose soon. Many successful church planters have not endured similar pressures, mis-steps, failures, false starts just once, but several times. There are countless stories of church leaders that were involved in several failed church plants before finally getting to the place where they are seeing their dreams fulfilled. The question you have to ask yourself now is whether or not you have what it takes to keep going with this church plant, or whether it’s time to move on. Do you have the heart to endure this a second, third, fourth time? If not, then seriously consider whether God is really calling you to step away. Through our human efforts, we endure a lot of hardships. It’s necessary to come to a place of dependence upon God and not ones self. Church planter, you have been gifted with the ability to move people and tell the story of the gospel of Christ that shine light on him--however, it is that ability that makes it easy to operate in your gift rather than in him. It can sneak up on you. Burn out, weakness, depression, pity…it all arises once you have done all you can do. It’s usually not a sign that you need to give up, but a sign that you need to look up! Turn to the one who gives you strength:
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” --Philippians 4:3
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” --Philippians 3:14
Don’t be another dejected pastor that kicks himself for quitting too soon. If you believe in the vision God gave you and want to see lives transformed through the Good News of Christ Jesus, press on toward the goal! Don’t let the enemy take you out when victory can be just one step away. Call upon others to pray with you and stand in agreement with the work God wants to see completed through you. Seek God and let go of what is yours, asking him to fill and renew you only with what is from him. I believe there is room in that heart of yours for one more big push. Remember Philippians 4:3 & Philippians 3:14 and believe it for yourself today!
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