Ever since Genesis, we have been reproducing “after our kind” (Gen 1:21,25 et al).  This same idea is made into a pattern in the New Testament when we are told to make disciples.  Disciples are followers, learners, and imitators.  They imitate who they follow and learn of their teaching and their lives are changed–they are made into the likeness of the person they follow.  Peter and his named friends were disciples and were identified with Christ–even though he denied it.  It was undeniable–even though he tried.  He later repented of even trying to deny it and went on to be a major spokesman for Christ.  What a change it was for him to stop talking about himself and talk of Christ.  His letters speak of this change of heart by the grace of God in Christ.  Paul also understood this and became a discipler and even exclaimed “…to give you in ourselves an example to imitate” (2 Thess 3:9).

This has to be a priority of a pastor.  A pastor (or, my favorite word, shepherd) must be one who disciples–that is, one whose very life can be imitated as he imitates Christ.  Christ had twelve immediate disciples–that is, men who were with him non-stop.   I like what Matthew Hoskinson said in a recent message on this topic: “Spend increasing amounts of time with a decreasing amount of people.”  This is a great picture of a discipler.  Go with those who are going!  Train other people.  Pastors should be training other men and eventually they should work themselves out of a job!

Start with small things.  Help your men take ownership of the church in small, but significant areas.  They can open doors and welcome people, they can usher, they can set up chairs, they can organize things, and they can even come up with their own ideas as to what they can do!  God has gifted men with different gifts–find out what they are (which happens only when there is time spent with them) and then put them into jobs that will exploit those gifts.  Give them training and vision in those areas, but let them do it!  They have the Holy Spirit, just like you do!

Next, train deacons and elders.  Spend time with them as a pastor and let them see your heart and life. Speak Christ into their heart and life.  Choose or write some studies that will enhance their giftedness and equip them.  This will be time well spent and you will begin to imitate Christ. Go over the qualifications of elders and deacons and search their hearts to make sure they are qualified according to Scriptural qualifications.  Alexander Strauch has an excellent tool for study for both the elder and deacon. Ask them questions–hard questions.  Ask their spouse good questions.  Watch their children and their interaction with them.  What does their community life look like?  Do they pay their bills on time?  Are they hospitable?  Many more questions can be asked here, but don’t be afraid to ask.

Be aware, though.  If you really believe in discipleship, you will no doubt disciple someone who eventually becomes better at it than you.  This is a good thing.  God has given some men some terrific gifts and sometimes they can seem intimidating, but know that they need discipleship as well.

If pastors don’t train men, do we leave it up to the seminaries?  I think they do a reasonably good job educating them, but I am not sure that an educational institution can take the place of discipleship–especially in the realm of the local church.

2Tim. 2:2 “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  Good advice!  Let’s do it!

This is not an article about children’s ministries in the formal sense.  It is about the children of people who are in ministry.  Missionaries and church planters often struggle with many things, but having children and seeking to start a church or minister in a foreign county is one of the biggest struggles.  I personally think that next to being a husband, being a father is the most difficult thing in all the world to do–and do effectively.

It all starts with the fathers.  You’re thinking, “Here it comes again, guilt trip!!”  This is not intended to heap up guilt as much as it is to remind us all what is important and rearrange our lives accordingly.  I am amazed at just how often missionary men or church planting (or pastors in general) have no idea what is going on with their children.   God’s discerning grace is all important here, for there is certainly no such thing as a magic wand or formula to follow.  However, there are some things that a father might want to take a long look at that makes room for God’s grace to work.

1. Seek Christ and pursue humility that only He can give.
2. Watch closely the heart of your children.  Look into their eyes and look for the rebellious heart to show itself.  If you look carefully, God will show you.
3. Learn to say, “I was wrong.”  You will sin, but you have the privilege of modeling repentance–what more could your child need?
4. Love your wife.  Lead your wife.  Learn your wife.  This is easier said than done, but grace is available for this.
5. Read your environment!  What is the atmosphere of your house? Do your children like to be with you?  Do they like to be at home?  Is it a safe place for them to talk and share their thoughts and ideas?
6. Listen, listen, and did I mention that you need to listen to your children?  Listen to what they don’t say as much as what they do say and even listen to how they say it.  They may not be able to articulate it so you fully understand it at first.  That’s OK, isn’t it?  After all, you don’t know how to say it right all the time either do you?
7. Don’t assume anything.  This often gets us in trouble.  We should always ask them questions that will give us their feedback and then let them be right–after all, they are people too.
8. Use your spouse’s ears.  Somehow, one child is always easier to understand than the next.  So you may need to use another pair of ears.  This means that you need to be in a good loving relationship to your spouse and able to understand her too.  Hmmm….it all works together, doesn’t it?
9. Use other eyes.  Give the freedom of people around you in ministry and especially extended family member (such as grandparents or aunts and uncles) to give input into how you are doing with your children.  Parents who are defensive of their children are typically not good learners of their children.  The problem with blind spots is that you don’t see them.
10. Depend upon God’s grace.  You will not always do it right–that’s OK–isn’t it?  Do you have the capability of doing it wrong?  The answer should be yes–if you’re honest.  Then use God’s grace to change.  Grace is flowing–bathe yourself in it and love your children.

Not many people put these together in one sentence.  Young men and their families who embark upon the church planting adventure rarely if ever stop to think about suffering.  I don’t think this is true just with church planters, I think it has something to do with youth.  Young people don’t usually add suffering into the equation of life.  I don’t blame them, I just observe this–in my own life and then in the lives of many church planters that I have spent time with.

What about suffering?  Well, there are a number of reasons that church planters in particular suffer.  First, invariably when the church planter begins his voyage, there are a number of things that often happen somewhere along the way in the early stages.  I have observed moving truck breakdowns, car wrecks, blood clots or other health issues, complications with babies, inability to land a job, parent health issues, inability to get an apartment or a home right away, and the list goes on and on.  Most of the time, because of God’s great grace, the church planter and his dear wife have no idea that they are in the middle of suffering.  God’s grace does that!    I can remember our very first church plant in Germany.  On the day of our first service ever, our oldest son–not quite one year old–fell off the bed and got a concussion.  We had never seen a concussion before, but somehow new that the throwing up wasn’t normal.  We had only been in Germany for a few weeks and had no idea what to do.  Cindy took him home (an attic room in which we were staying with or co-workers) and had no idea who to call and how even to call her mother in the states.  Finally, God gave her the idea to call a Canadian friend who was already at church–she was a big help–and off they went to a children’s hospital downtown.  That night as he lay there pretty still and even lifeless, God really worked in my heart a brokenness that I’ll never forget.  It was life changing.  It was also suffering.

God uses two things in all of us to help mold us: people and circumstances.  In church planting, He knows how to use both in such a way that works a distinct brokenness  that works a dependence upon Him and a great knowledge of who He is and what He is doing.  This is vital to the work of a church planter–especially if he is going to build a church that is alive with the person and work of Christ.

I am always amazed at the words that Christ spoke to Annanias when Paul, then Saul, first came to Christ.  Acts 9:16 says, “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”  I would have thought it would have been a good time for Christ to say, “I will show him how to have the right philosophy of ministry, or the correct doctrine, or the greatest method of evangelism/discipleship–and just how great a conference speaker he will be.”  All that is inescapably missing. He must suffer.  So, church planter, missionary, pastor, friend, we too must suffer.  Enjoy the company.  Christ also came to suffer unspeakable suffering so that we might have life.  He is our trail blazer–our pattern–let’s follow Him with great joy and confidence–full of grace and truth.  God’s grace is flowing and is more than sufficient–especially in the middle of suffering.

I know what you’re thinking.  I misspelled the word–“Eric, it is FELLOWSHIP, not FOLLOWSHIP!”  Um, well, the word I am talking about is indeed a made up word and it is the word “FOLLOWSHIP!”  Sorry.  But, can we talk about it?

The “Followship” are those within the church who follow the leadership.  So, as usual, it’s a kind of a play on words, but hear me out.

I have said this for years and I think it bears repeating: “Good leadership in a church demands good followship; and good followship demands good leadership!”  This idea stems from several combined sources.

1.  The One-Anothers that I talked about in an earlier blog must be taking place in a healthy body of believers.  That is, leadership is entering the lives of the followship and speaking the gospel into their lives, but the followship is listening and speaking back into the lives of the leadership.  Paul talks about this within the bounds of marriage where he says, “Submitting yourselves to one another out of reverence for Christ” Ephesians 5:21.  This should not be a new thought then when we carry that idea into the church.  Philippians 2:1-4 gives some clear commands on how we are to treat one another.  So, let’s keep that thought in motion and explore another stream of thought.

2. Good leadership has some crucial and vital roles.  Elders/Overseers/Shepherds are soul watchers.  Hebrew 13:17 gives some stunning realities that leadership in the church of God–yes, human beings with all of their warts and personalities, actually give an account of their shepherding to God and they are to “keep watch over your souls.”  Now, Peter reminds the leadership that they are not to be “lording it over those allotted to your charge…” 1 Peter 5:3, so we begin to see some vital roles take shape that God has designed for a shepherd.  They are a bit breath-taking.

3. Let’s go back to the Hebrews passage for a moment.  Here, the writer is giving some vital roles of the followship–words like “obey…submit…obey..” are all words that are not heard much or accepted much.  They are words that really involve trust.  Trusting in God first.  The writer of Hebrews has just spent 12 chapters putting together a glorious picture of all that Christ as High Priest has accomplished for us and the satisfying results of this Salvation!  Now, he is giving at the very end of his letter some short but important imperatives–obey and submit to your leadership.

I like what Mark Devers says in his book “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church” about this.  He says: “It is often said that trust must be earned…’Show me your competence to lead, and I will give you my trust by following.(p. 228)'”  There is a ring of truth to that, but in all areas of life God has placed us under fallible, sinning human beings who are to lead and we are to follow–no where is this better seen than in a body of believers called the church.  This is the role of the followship!

Now, there are several ramifications of this idea that are important to follow-up, but I will reserve that for a later post.  Right now, I just want to ask you, “Are you having good followship?”  This is a two-way question: Is leadership doing its job of leading and is followship doing its job of following?

I came across this years ago and just recently read it again.  I couldn’t help but see in my own life the way I live to please myself.  Richard Baxter has said it better than any of us could, so I’ll let him tell it.

The Ten Marks of a Flesh-Pleaser

by Richard Baxter
Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The signs of a flesh-pleaser are these:
1. When a man in his desire to please his appetite, does not do it with a view to a higher end, that is to say to the preparing himself for the service of God; but does it only for the delight itself. (Of course no one does every action consciously with a view to the service of God. Nevertheless, the general manner or habit of a life spent in the service of God is absent for the flesh-pleaser.)
2. When he looks more eagerly and industriously after the prosperity of his body than of his soul.
3. When he will not refrain from his pleasures, when God forbids them, or when they hurt his soul, or when the necessities of his soul call him away from them. But he must have his delight whatever it costs him, and is so set upon it, that he cannot deny it to himself.
4. When the pleasures of his flesh exceed his delights in God, and his holy word and ways, and the expectations of endless pleasure. And this not only in the passion, but in the estimation, choice, and action. When he had rather be at a play, or feast, or other entertainment, or getting good bargains or profits in the world, than to live in the life of faith and love, which would be a holy and heavenly way of living.
5. When men set their minds to scheme and study to make provision for the pleasures of the flesh; and this is first and sweetest in their thoughts.
6. When they had rather talk, or hear, or read of fleshly pleasures, than of spiritual and heavenly delights.
7. When they love the company of merry sensualists, better than the communion of saints, in which they may be exercised in the praises of their Maker.
8. When they consider that the best place to live and work is where they have the pleasure of the flesh. They would rather be where they have things easy, and lack nothing for the body, rather than where they have far better help and provision for the soul, though the flesh be pinched for it.
9. When he will be more eager to spend money to please his flesh than to please God.
10. When he will believe or like no doctrine but “easy-believism,” and hate mortification as too strict “legalism.” By these, and similar signs, sensuality may easily be known; indeed, by the main bent of the life.

Wow, how convicting!  Let us be people of repentance and serve our Savior!

In his message this morning, Pastor Danny Brooks mentioned a Washington Post article (see http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/holy-post/archive/2009/05/22/u-s-congressman-draws-fire-for-year-of-the-bible-pitch.aspx).  Essentially, it is an article decrying the attempt of Congressman Paul Broun from Georgia who has sponsored a bill that would name 2010 the year of the Bible.  In this article, the writer states, “‘Right now, we’re seeing atheism on such a rise,’ David Silverman, vice president and national spokesman of American Atheists, a group dedicated to fighting for the civil rights of atheists. ‘We are seeing Christianity on such a dramatic decline that we’re not particularly worried about it.'”

So, the question we have to ask is, “What impact are we having anyway?”  There are more conferences, church plants, books written, passionate worship, and seemingly more people in churches across American, yet, we have lost completely our status as a “Christian nation.”  It is not that we are non-religious, we really are irreligious. So, what is going on in our nation, anyway?

In situations like this, I think you have to look to yourself first and then look at the church as a whole today?  We have bought into a type of Christianity that is very man-centered–or honestly, self-centered.  This is a type of Christianity that doesn’t look at sacrifice, commitment, or giving to a body as part of the life of a believer.  We want the time of services to be when it is convenient to our busy schedules, we want the preaching to dabble in doctrine, but it has to be “my doctrine;” we want to go to church, do church, and then get on with our lives.  Be honest with yourself and ask, “When was the last time I really listened to the sermon of my pastor with the goal of letting the Word of God change me?”  This kind of approach is what will begin the stir of heart so that the Word of God will have more than just a nice sound to it, but that it will continue to work in us the glory of our Savior.  So many hear sermons and seem to live all through the service of worship never impacted in the heart or never seem to change from within.  From a pastor’s standpoint, this is a scary thought, because we are supposed to give care for the souls of our people.  It shouldn’t be a surprise to us to find many people who are merely doing church. Paul warns Timothy of the last days where there will be many who will not want truth. The truth is, we reject authority, and God’s hand in our very lives–and so we reject the authorities that He outlines in Scripture–including the authority of the church in our lives.

So how is it in your life personally, really?  Is God’s Word having a life-changing impact, or are you using it to live out your own “religion” that fits your lifestyle and life choices? Are people around you not really worried about the impact of your life on them?  Hmm…what an indictment on the church of Christ today.

What is that?  What is “One-Anothering?”  If you are a part of most churches around the world today, you really may not have ever put these words together. But God did put these words together. One of the most vivid ways the Lord Jesus reveals His intention for the church is by a series of statements given about our responsibilities to one another. The phrase “one another” usually represents the Greek word “allelon,” and a consideration of the allelon principle in the New Testament provides us with a tremendous study of what quality friendship and a healthy church body will look like in action. Here is a list of those allelon statements, and what a list it is!
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Acts 19:38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Romans 16:16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
1 Cor. 4:6  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
1 Cor. 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
1 Cor. 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
1 Cor. 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1 Cor. 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
2 Cor. 13:12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Galatians 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Ephes. 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Ephes. 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
Ephes. 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephes. 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Col. 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col. 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
1 Thes. 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
1 Thes. 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
1 Thes. 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thes. 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
2 Thes. 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
1 Tim. 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
James 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:11-12 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
2 John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

Amazing list, isn’t it?  So, I ask you the question again: Does your church “One-Another?”
“One-anothering” is a two-way street.  It is a give-and-take relational orientation to all that God puts in our path, but especially those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This means:
1.    We are “one-anothering!”  This means that we are aware of the needs of those who God has purposely placed around us.  This is a nameless, faceless, and raceless designation that God has called us to without respect of person.  This includes old/young, meek/bold, weak/strong, unlikeable/likeable, strange/normal and all other possible groupings that we might find difficult to give to.  Go through the list and ask yourself, “Who has God placed in my life that I need to be subject to (1Pet 5:5)?  Then fill in that blank with any of the “one-other” commands.  This will give you an indication of your obedience to God in this very important area.
2.    We are being “one-anothered!”  This means that we are alert to how God is using other people in our lives to reprove us, love us, serve us, exhort us, edify us, etc.  Are we defensive, and do we build walls to keep people from serving us this way?

Christ Himself is our pattern as He lived for others even to the point of death, the ultimate self-sacrifice.  He also was served by others and thus established the pattern to be worked in our own lives by His grace (see John 12:3).

When God inspired the Words of Paul in 1Corinthians 10:31, I don’t think God had a time, culture, movement, or period in mind.  The truth of this verse is pretty straight forward: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  The eternal God set this out for humanity to pursue, obey, and join.  As we look around us, we can’t help but see that times are changing and changing quicker than any of us know or think.  When it comes to living out Christ, there is no other option–or should I say–privilege than to live a life that presents to all the multi-faceted glory of God’s magnificence.  What an honor.

For many of us, however, we really struggle with this privilege.  This is because we all still have the remnants of sin in us so we struggle at what the glory of God looks like in every situation of life.  This is what the verse is talking about though–every situation of life. We tend to compartmentalize life.  When we go to church, we can glorify God there, but in my house, in my own little corner of the world, I can and will do anything and everything I want to.  We don’t know how God gets the glory in our “time off,” so, we live for self-glory.  This failure to live out God’s glory has great impact in our personal lives, then it spreads into our family, and we bring it to the gathering of the church–and then wonder why the church seems so lifeless.  God’s glory is not some mystical feeling or emotional tickle, it is God and all He is living through us and thus demonstrating Himself in us.  This too has a tremendous impact on us personally, in our families and relationships, and we then bring this into the gathering of the church as well.  When all of the church gathered has this kind of vibrant, God-glorifying personal life, it shows up with life and joy overflowing from within individuals.  It doesn’t have to be “miked” or put up on a screen, and it can’t be forced or mimicked.  The glory and the presence of God is either there…or, it isn’t.  It is as simple as that.

It is very easy for us to align ourselves with a culture, a region of the country, or movement and simply “do” what the particular culture demands.  It is easy because we really don’t have to go to God and really seek Him, or we don’t have to “see” God at work in all of this, we just have to “do.”  Those of you that have been around me much know that I love to ask the question, “Where is God in all of this?”  I do this because my default is always, “What do I think” or “How do I feel about this?” and I unintentionally leave God completely out of it.   The truth is, God is never left out of anything–no matter what we feel or what we think.  So, let the times change!  We shouldn’t fear, we should behold our God at work and seek His great goodness, grace, and glory!

There is no such thing as the “ideal” church planter.  Not every pastor is a church planter, nor should they be.  In the face of Scripture, there seems to be a variety of gifted people who cultivate and plant, some water, some fertilize, but it is always God who ultimately gives he increase.  Humanly speaking, the role of a church planter plays the most important part of the success of the church plant.  There are no perfect models for the church planter as God continually seeks to do his work with imperfect, weak, and often humanly “disabled” people.  However, it is good to recognize some important marks that will help a church planter understand how he is wired to do the work that God has called him to.  The desire to plant a church is often not enough, it takes some key qualities that will help the overall success.  It is vital that a church planter have a proper assessment of his own personal skills, character, and ministry skills that will help him or hinder him in the process of planting a church.

His life and profile
Once it is understood where you are going we then ask ourselves—“How do we get there?”  As in everything else in live, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”  It begins with the person whom God would call into the position of church planter.  This is the starting point in any church-planting endeavor.  The Book of the Acts of the Apostles is a historical account of church planters starting churches who then in turn started churches.  It is a picture and pattern for churches today.  It wasn’t a mere single effort, but in fact, an entire movement that we see unfolds from the very beginning to early stages of development.  In this movement, God used imperfect men who were uniquely gifted or “wired” to do the work of pioneer church planting.
Acts 13 gives us some good insight as to how God seeks out His men and puts them into the work He has called them.  Later in the epistles, God brings to clarity the character of an elder and deacon.  Notice some key observations from Acts 13:
•    They were already ministering.   V. 2 – “while they were ministering….”
•    They were Spirit Called and Sent.  Vv. 2,4
•    They were man sent as well!  V. 3

What is unfolding here in begins to pick up tempo as these men go into different cities where God is at work bringing in new believers.  In Acts 14:21-23 we see the process of church planting beginning to grow.  They began to appoint elders in every church and they were off to begin again where God was directing.
By the time we get to the Epistles, God fine tunes what He is looking for as the righteousness of Christ works its way out of a transformed heart and into a life that is transformed.  It takes special shape and form that affects every area of his life.

Scripture says that our life is an aroma of Christ to God among people (2 Cor 2:15-17).  This aroma has a certain impact whether it is a fresh and floral aroma—full of life, or it is the aroma of death and decay.  So, it is no wonder that when God talks about what really qualifies a pastor, He begins with the very inner life of a man.  In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 God outlines His qualifications for pastors.

His Character – While there are some things that can be shaped through circumstances and trials, the raw materials of a Godly character must be in place as this will spill into every area of the church.  The church-planter then must exhibit as the foundation of his life these qualities.  Notice the areas of life they cover:
1.    Broad umbrella character quality of blamelessness
2.    Blameless in Moral Character
3.    Blameless in Home Life
4.    Blameless in Spiritual Maturity
5.    Blameless in Public Life
Statistics say that by the time a pastor is in his fifth year, the congregation begins to take on his personality and character.  A man who exhibits godly character is the foundation then for the entire church.  This kind of character that exhibits itself in transparency and integrity earns the respect of people and produces a trust that begins to build up a leadership that exemplifies Christ in every respect.  Paul speaks of this kind of leadership in 1Thessalonians 2:2-6.  Paul exemplified a heart that was open and transparent and spoke of the motives that showed themselves in character.
Motives – We get a peek at what is going on under Paul’s heart.
•    Spread the Gospel – V. 2
•    Please God – V.4
•    Tell what needed to be heard – V.5
•    To Serve God – V.5
Character – Motivations, passions, and drives always show up in character.
•    Courage – V.2
•    Endurance – V.2
•    Integrity – V.3 – freedom from error; purity of motive, and honesty
•    Gentleness – V.7
•    Affection – V.7

His Family  – Nowhere does one’s theology show itself more clear than in the home.  This is why God says that if an elder cannot take care of his house, how can he take care of the house of God (1Timothy 3:5)?
1.    His Relationships – How he treats the very up-close relationships in his life will tell you volumes how he will treat the relationships in his own house.  God looks at each part as being important and linked together these relationships can give you an overall view of His own personal relationship with God.
a.    Relationship with his wife.  Is there good communication, genuine warmth, careful care and sensitivity to her and her needs.  Does he shield her and protect her?  Does he value her opinion on life and ministry? Does he belittle her, keep her at arms length, allow her to have to lead because he follows?
b.    Relationship with his children.  Does he know his children?  Is he sensitive to their needs and seek to be the provider and protector in way that clearly articulates God’s provision and protection of His children?  Is he aloof to their behavior thus, making the wife do the work of discipline and teaching?
c.    Relationship to his own parents/in-laws.  How does he handle these important relationships?  Is there a strain in their communication and in their dealings with each other and the grand kids?
2.    His approach to life – By this, I mean what is his overall attitude toward life?  This may overlap somewhat with the discussion to follow on personality, but I am speaking in general terms.  Is the cup half empty or half full—all the time?  Is he  a whining, complaining, negative sort of person, or is there sense of reality that he lives with.  This is vital for a church planter.  The pioneer cannot be one who often gets dismayed, discouraged, or disgruntled.
3.    His personality  – By this, I mean what is his overall personality type?  I know there are personality tests that help determine this.  There are two of them that could be helpful:
•    Personal Profile System (DiSC)
•    Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
There are two important aspects about the assessment of him as a person:
1.    Does he see himself accurately?  Is he a person of truth for his own life?
2.    Does he easily submit to how others assess him? Is there humilty?

The church planter has no magic wand or special blessing that others should seek.  Instead, he is a man that God has His hand on, others see this work of God in him, and with these capabilites obvious, he does as God directs him–and plants a church!

If you check books and websites, you can find a number of things written about church planting, shepherding, and all that goes into the Kingdom work of God.  Here are some things I think about when a young man comes to me to express his desire to plant a church.

Are You A Church Planter?

There are many ingredients that combine to make a cake, but there are certain ingredients that every cake will have.  Every church planter has a unique set of gifts and abilities that God has given him, yet every church planter that enjoys a measure of success will demonstrate a certain level of gifts that set apart him from a pastor of an existing church. However, these gifts will run parallel with the gifts that any effective pastor will demonstrate. If you aspire to church planting, these gifts will be a must!

1.    Sharp Vision Casting – This is the ability to see where to go and communicate in an infectious way so that others will follow.  The church planter should know where he is going in the church plant and what the church should look like, feel like, smell like, and, with great precision, show it to those who would follow in such a way that they too articulate this vision with many of the same words used by the planter.

2.    Self-Starting – This is the ability to motivate oneself without someone watching over one’s shoulder.  The church planter cannot be slothful in any way.  He does not have to be asked to do what is necessary and should demonstrate skillful initiative.  He is one who carefully gauges his time and energy to give himself to the priorities he has set forth to accomplish his tasks.

3.    Outward Facing – This is the ability to meet new people with ease.  A stranger is indeed not a stranger, and a church planter uniquely faces each person with a notable ease to make him feel important, listened to, and valuable.  The church planter should demonstrate an ease in developing rapport with people by breaking down barriers and slicing through the walls others erect to keep people out.  This ability is a gift, but it is also a learned action.

4.    Inward Drawing – This is the ability to draw people into one’s life and thereby enter into their lives through “life portals.”  “Life portals” are doors of entrance into people’s lives which include similar circumstances (tragedies, education, church backgrounds, locations or backgrounds, present life orientation), common relationships, areas of greater knowledge from which you can learn or you can teach, areas of service where you can serve them or be served by them, and areas of hurt or need, etc.

5.    Ownership Giving – This is the ability to give people ownership of and take personal responsibility for specific areas in a ministry.  The church planter should carefully delegate parts of the ministry that will promote growth in individuals and cause them to take personal responsibility and accountability for that part of the ministry.  The church planter should do it in such a way that the work of the ministry is not cumbersome, administratively heavy, or arduous, but can be accomplished with a measure of joyful involvement.  He should know his people and be able to match well the ministry with the gifts of the people.

6.    Flexible and Adapting – This is the ability to “read the environment” and adapt accordingly.  This matter takes generous portions of wisdom, understanding, and discernment.  It involves good reasoning skills, a careful balance in all areas of life, and the ability to multi-task.  The church planter must be willing to make mistakes and correct them, to shift priorities when necessary, and to learn new ways yet refuse new things merely for the sake of new.

7.    Team Building – This is the ability to take people where they are and lead them to where they think they cannot go.  It is done by sensing strengths and weaknesses in people and placing them in ministry positions where they can do what they were created to do.  This ability lets people enjoy success or failure and does not make them feel less important or more important.  It includes unity, cohesiveness, and harmony, all with a sense of belonging or symphony.

8.    Resilience Demonstrating – This is the ability to persist, suffer long, and sustain oneself through the roller coaster of emotions and physical, mental, and spiritual setbacks.  This would include times of rejection and periods of exuberance.

9.     Faith Exercising – This is the ability to trust God and step out to live by conviction when making personal and ministry decisions.  The church planter must walk by faith and not by sight.  It may sometimes seem like “flying by the seat of your pants” since often there are not answers to immediate questions.  However, the church planter is called to step out by faith, and the “waters will part” as they did for Moses in the Old Testament.  He must walk with God in such a way that the fine line of faith and sheer foolishness is carefully walked with confidence in who God is and what He is doing.

10. Humble Serving – Grace is vital to the ministry of shepherding and nowhere is more needed than in church planting.  Humility is the God-ordained activator of grace.  A church planter must maintain a God-induced humility so that grace flows in the atmosphere of the life of the church planter.  Regardless of his age or experience, he must give himself to being a careful learner of God and people.  He must diligently work at loving both!

There is no “magic” or “mystique” about serving God through this pioneering way of fulfilling the Great Commission.  It is ultimately Christ who will build His church.  The adventure is finding out what God is doing in Christ through the Church for His own glory, forever and ever (Ephesians 1-3)!