Category Archives: Church

Church Plants Are Churches.

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A “Church Planter” is, quite simply, someone who has responded to God’s call to plant, or start a Church.  And although one would think it is obvious, I think I need to also say that a “Church Plant” is actually a Church.  Not “almost a Church,” not a “wannabe” Church, not a “one day you might become a real Church,” Church – but a real, live Church.

And because a Church Plant is a Church, a Church Planter is a Pastor.

But aside from the newness of the church being led and gathered, there is no Biblical distinction* between a Pastor who is leading a new church and a Pastor who is leading an established church.  Both Pastors, in  the end, have the same basic responsibility to lead their churches to love God and People while fulfilling the Great Commission of reaching, baptizing and teaching.

Even the strategies of one can apply to the other.  The biggest difference between the two is that the church planter must be active in gathering the initial members of the church or launch team.  Aside from that, the differences (in substance, anyway) are that one is newer than the other and that one may meet in a temporary, mobile meeting space.

Once the church in Ephesus or Corinth or anywhere else in Scripture was established, it was then referred to as “the Church in” wherever – not “the Church Plant” in wherever.  I’m not trying to “split hairs,” here, I’m only trying to say that a new church has all of the DNA of an established church – it’s just newer.

It has nothing to do with how small or large it is.  I’m aware of established churches who have fewer people gathering on the weekend than some “church plants” had before they closed their “doors” and moved on.

The truth is, all churches, large or small, established or new, should be doing the kinds of things that most church plants are attempting to do: Honor God by joining Him in His mission of reaching people in their communities and world with the life changing message of  Jesus Christ.

So to everyone who supports a Church Planter, first of all, God bless you for understanding how important it is to start new churches.  But second, understand that you are supporting  a real Pastor and a real Church.

And if you are a Church Planter, see yourself as a Pastor  who is leading a real Church.  It’s not a club.  It’s not a cool new ministry fad (although it may be cool).  It’s not a stepping stone out of Youth Ministry.  It’s a Church.  And as the Church Planter, you are the Pastor.

That said, I do need to add that although Church Plants are real Churches and Church Planters are real Pastors, based on the best research across denominations and geographical areas, there are definitely some qualities and traits that need to be developed or sharpened if a church planter is going to do well over the long haul.  These initial skills related to getting started are slightly different than leading an established Church and Ed Stetzer discusses several of these issues that Church Planters face here.

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* Side note: I understand the apostolic role of the missionary church starter.  I’m referring here to the role of the pastor who is leading once the church has started, regardless of the person’s ultimate role or gifting.  Once the church has started having worship services (and possibly even before that) and that person is leading and teaching the congregation, they are serving in the role of pastor.

A Guide For Christians In Presidential Election Years

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It happens every time.  I love the freedom I enjoy in America to participate in the process of electing our President and other Governmental representatives but I hate what it usually brings out in people as we head toward the day when we cast our votes.

Too often during this time, Christians also get caught up in the slinging of mud and other childish behaviors that are part of the election year.  So as a “CSA,” or “Christian Service Announcement,” I offer the following guidelines and reminders.

1. Presidential elections never give Christians an excuse to behave in an unchristian way.  ”Politics” is not the area of life in which you are given a “pass” to ignore God’s principles and commands for how we are to treat other people.  If you are mean, judgmental and a hot head about a political opponent or topic, you’re still being mean, judgmental and a hot head.  It’s not “okay” to do, just because it’s about politics.

We honor and respect our governmental authorities but we ultimately serve a Higher King, anyway – so we all could probably calm down a bit.  Of course the issues are important, but so is how we address them:  We are followers of Christ, first and foremost.

2. People in other Political Parties are not your enemy.  The same people who, before the election season, you were praying for and trying to share the love of Christ with in your community are…well, the same people.

They may see things differently than you in all things political, but you should still love them as Christ loves them.  Stop thinking of them as “the bad guys.”

There are people with a different political perspective than you who are also followers of Jesus and who are most likely worshiping with you every weekend.

3. Ephesians 4:29, James 3:10 and a gazillion other verses of Scripture are not nullified in an election year.  Here they are, in case they don’t readily come to mind:

Ehesians 4:29  ”Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” ESV

James 3:10 “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” – ESV

Need to defend the truth, you say?  Fine.  A debate on the issues is necessary, you say? Cool. Just stay respectful, courteous and calm as you do so.  How you speak is often as important as what you’re speaking.

Seriously, be careful how you communicate and defend the truth. There’s no need to bring dishonor to the name of Christ by the way you defend Him and certainly no need to do so when defending your political viewpoint.

4. You do not have a license to spread rumors during an election year.  View political rumors on Facebook, Twitter and other sites as you would the headlines in the Supermarket checkout line.  Always check the source of the story and do not draw wild conclusions based on a random statement you heard was made in a speech to the Lion’s Club or a Barbecue somewhere.

There’s this little thing addressed in Scripture that’s like a million termites in the wall.  It’s called, “gossip,” and it’s a pain.  It’s also wrong and can cause great harm.

“My grandmother and her dog would be dead if [insert candidate's name here] had his way!  He[or she] hates America!” is the kind of line that most likely has very little, if any truth in it.  Don’t pass it along to someone else.

Chew on these verses, instead:

Proverbs 16:28 “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” – NLT

Proverbs 18:8 “Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.” – NLT

Proverbs 26:20 “Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.” – NLT

That last one might need to soak in for a minute.  But here’s one more:

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – ESV

Again, we should be very thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in America to participate in the process.  Let’s commit to doing so in a God honoring way – wherever and “whenever” we are.

1 Way To Know That You Are Growing Spiritually

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If you are growing spiritually, you may certainly be reading the Bible, praying, “going to church” and other spiritual disciplines, but frankly, you can do all of those things and still be a jerk not be growing spiritually.  These things are all vitally important for spiritual growth, but they are not necessarily indicators of spiritual growth.

So what is an indicator?  What results in a heart that is strong, blameless and holy?

“12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NLT (Emphasis added my me)

One way to know that you’re growing spiritually is when you see that the Lord is making your heart grow and overflow with love for the people in your church and for people everywhere.

Let me also put it this way:  Whatever you are “full of,” you’ll overflow “with.”

If you’re full of arrogance, bitterness, anger or yourself, that’s what you will ultimately overflow with.  When we are truly growing spiritually, we begin to overflow with love for others.  This is because God Himself is overflowing with love for people and spiritual growth is about becoming more like Him.

God wants our lives to be full of Him, and He is love.  ”Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8 ESV)

Loving people does not mean loving and approving of the sin that they do.  It means loving them in spite of it.  It involves seeing them through God’s lens –  to their potential as people created in the image of God.

So if you are “filled with the Spirit,” you will also be full of love.  And if you are genuinely full of the knowledge of God and His word, you will also be full of love – Not sappy love, but strong love.  If you’re full of something else, you’re not doing it right. :)

So what’s a way to know if you’re growing spiritually?  It depends.  What are you full of?

Side note:  If you hate the idea of ending a sentence with a preposition, which I do all over this post,  ”that’s just the sort of nonsense up with which I will not put.” :)

We Serve At The Pleasure Of The King

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If you are a Christian leader,  you serve at the pleasure of the King.  Not to get ahead, not to be honored, not to be famous, not to have power, not to plaster your face and name on everything you do.*  You are under the authority of the King, and you serve at His pleasure.

This is the essence of Jesus’ prayer, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  (Matthew 6:10)

It’s also the understanding of  the Roman officer who came to Jesus requesting healing for his servant in Matthew 8:8-9:

8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.  And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” – ESV

Humility in leadership helps us to avoid the foolish mistakes that arise from arrogance.  It’s the attitude behind James 4:6 and many other verses of Scripture: ”God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  If you are leading on behalf of Christ, you definitely don’t want Him to be against you as you go.

Christian Leaders must have humility if they are to truly be effective.  They must understand that they are under authority and represent the King.  Sometimes that means serving in a place of honor, as a paid, full time Pastor or Staff Member.  Sometimes that means serving in a place that does not have the same visibility or recognition.  Sometimes it means picking up and moving across the country.

Humility is not a word that means “weakness” or “lack of confidence” or “low self-esteem.” It is a word that conveys the idea that we understand that we are under the authority of One who is greater than us.  We go at His pleasure; we serve at His pleasure; we do whatever He calls us to do.  Our responsibility is to see His will done rather than our will done on earth as it is in heaven.

I had a Professor in Seminary who told us about his first, official, paid position in ministry.  He had just graduated with a Master’s degree, and was excited to start serving on a Church staff.  The Monday of his first week at the Church, he was given his first assignment:  Clean up the vomit of a kid who had thrown up in the Church van the night before.

Welcome to ministry.  If our King grabs a towel and tells us, “This is how to lead,” then we join Him and start washing feet.  If a task is given to us by the King, no matter how menial or grandiose, it is an honorable thing for us to be doing. The honor is in the fact that we are doing something on behalf of and in the name of the One who is worthy of all honor.

Humility is a “Backpack Essential” for Christian Leaders.  We are not the King. We serve at the pleasure of the King.

* (I’m not talking about your name and face on promotional materials or websites.  I’m talking about an ongoing need for recognition.)

Watering Up The Gospel

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Recently, I heard of a pastor saying, “Trying to make the Gospel relevant is like trying to make water wet.”

I agree with that statement and I know where he’s coming from, but I would add something to it.  I would say that the Gospel is always relevant, but our communication of it is not always relevant.

You can communicate something that is relevant in an irrelevant way.

Drinking water is relevant.  Lame, rambling directions to the fountain or long scientific explanations of H20 are not necessarily so…

So…What Went Wrong?

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“So…What Went Wrong?”

I was asked this by a friend recently in a private conversation.  Truth be told, this is a great question, and it should always be asked when things don’t turn out the way we expected and hoped.

I’ve posted recently about “When To ‘Move On’ in Ministry,” but aside from the video announcement about our recent decision regarding Stoneview, I’ve not mentioned specifically what led us to that decision.

Of course, first and foremost, I should have done a better job of reading and applying the lessons from this classic work: “31 Refutably Irrefutable Laws of Lame Leadership.” :)

But more seriously and specifically, the truth of the following factors converged on us one weekend, and the decision became clear.

1. The Team didn’t materialize.

Possible team members came and went, essentially putting me in a “parachute drop” situation.  In church planting, 99% of the time, that’s a recipe for failure.  I was and am determined to not be a “Lone Ranger” in ministry – but especially when attempting to plant a church.

2. Fundraising efforts fell flat.

I was conflicted in my thinking by previous “strings attached” funds from previous experiences and was too determined early on to “boot-strap” the process.  I’m still all for “boot-strapping” your way in most church planting situations, but there should be a balance.

I waited too long to get extra funding and ironically, “paid the price” for it later.

3.  Momentum was not established.

We “trickled along” for far too long.  Interest in what we were doing was stirred with each community event or presence we established, but the “next” event or gathering was either too many days away or was too different in format or size.  For example, “Hot Dogs in the Park” was followed with a “Gathering in a Home.”  It might work for some in some places, but it didn’t work for us.  At all.

Whether that’s an accurate assessment of the “why,” I do not know.  But I do know that for what ever reason, we had no momentum.

4. Timing was not on our side.

There are times in the year that are better than others for launching services.   For example, the first of the year, Easter, or early fall are great times to shoot for, so we tried to aim for those.  Unfortunately, when we were not ready for launch at one of those times, our next optimal launch time would often be months away.  When we weren’t ready by the next one,  there was another long stretch till the next best date.

I completely misjudged the timing and then found myself in a seemingly unending “catch-22″ type of circle.  I should have resolved this in my head and actions much more quickly.

5. Our launch strategy was derailed.

We had intended to launch with preview services in a Theater in our area and it was an important part of our timeline and area of focus.

Surprisingly, as we were attempting to gather a solid launch team, another church “beat us to the punch.”  They rented out the theater as a part of their revitalization/relaunch of an an old First Baptist Church.  Which, by the way, is incredibly awesome.  How could we be upset about that?

So we weren’t upset.  …But we were derailed.  Or rather, our strategy was derailed, as  a “backup launch location” wasn’t as easy to find as I thought it would be.

But honestly, a specific location should never be a major deterrent to launching a church when momentum is established.  You can always meet in a park, a school, a warehouse, a home or something to get things going.  But as I mentioned before, “momentum” was something we did not have.

(The next 2 are not things that went “wrong,” necessarily, but were factors that made things “clear.”)

6. My family was overextended and the needle was tipping into the danger zone.

Frankly, this was the biggie.  Financial pressures, stress, uncertainty, doubt, specific needs of our kids and our pressing responsibilities as parents had taken their toll.  To continue without relief in this area for the sake of a ministry would be utter foolishness, and simply wrong.  As I’ve said before, its far easier to get a new ministry than it is to get a new family.

7. I heard God say, “Stop.  It’s time to lay this down.”

This happened after #6 became clear.  It also settled it, for me.  For the first time since beginning the process, I had a peace about letting it go.  Am I saying I heard an audible voice from the clouds? No.  But it could just as well have been.  It was that loud in my head and heart.

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So, what went wrong?  A number of things.

But a lot went “right” as well, and the lessons learned are invaluable for our next step in ministry.

When To “Move On” In Ministry (Part 4)

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Read Part 1 here.  Read Part 2 here.  Read Part 3 here.

Sometimes it’s clear.  Sometimes it is not. These posts list possible indicators that it’s time to “move on” in ministry.  Again, all of these possible “indicators” are just that – “possible.”  Please understand that they could also simply be distractions from your calling or mission, or “red light indicators” that something in your life, family or ministry is in trouble and needs attention.

As with all things, praying, fasting and seeking God’s direction continuously can help bring clarity and focus to your situation.

That said, here are two more:

5. You can no longer honestly follow or support the leadership.

Obviously, this assumes that you are not the lead guy.  But if you find that there are “one too many” things that you can’t see eye to eye on with the leadership, it’s most likely time to get going.

The longer you stay, the more unhappy and ineffective you, the leadership and the church will become.  Better to part ways in a God honoring way than to allow things to boil.  (See Law #6 – The Law of the Scorched Pan in my free ebook.)

6. You’re at an impenetrable brick wall.

Basically, this is when you have no support, are not received well, or your opportunity for success has passed.  Nothing seems to work.  There is no progress and no impression from God that you need to stay the course and keep hammering away.

I believe these times are similar to the situation that Jesus described to His disciples in Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11 and Luke 9:5 – Essentially, if no one listens to you and you are not welcomed, “shake the dust” of your sandals and move on.

Don’t waste your life banging your head against a brick wall. If God wants you to stay He will give you that conviction, but if not – the fields are white for harvest and there are people everywhere who need Jesus.

When To “Move On” In Ministry (Part 3)

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Read Part 1 here.  Read Part 2 here.

Sometimes it’s clear.  Other times, there are indicators that point in a certain direction.   Here are two more:

3. Your family begins to suffer beyond the normal risk/sacrifice ratio required for ministry.

There is a delicate balance between one’s responsibility to provide for one’s family and the necessity for one’s family to make certain sacrifices for the sake of the call.   When the balance tips in the direction of not being healthy for your family, it may be an indicator that a search for a new place of ministry is in order.

It’s much easier to move into a new ministry than to get a new family.

4.  The advice and counsel of Godly, trusted people outside of your ministry suggests you consider a move.

Sometimes an outside perspective from someone who has nothing to gain but the joy of seeing you succeed can bring insight you might never discover on your own.  If you are wrestling with the issue of staying or moving on from your current ministry, find wise advisors who can keep things in confidence and give you their take on things.  (Be sure to have a good wisdom filter in place when you do so.)

But when these good people suggest that you consider the  possibility of moving “out of the blue” as it were, without any prompting from you – it may indicate that it’s time to consider packing up and heading out.

I have some final thoughts on all of this that I’ll share in the next and last post of this series.

When To “Move On” In Ministry (Part 2)

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Read Part 1 here.

Sometimes God makes it unmistakably clear that He is calling you to someplace new.   Other times, …not so much.

In those “fuzzy” times, here are some possible indicators that God may use to inform you that it is time to transition to a new ministry.  Keep in mind that this is not a formula, and your results may vary…

1.  You have a growing passion and heart for a ministry or opportunity that can not or will not be realized in your current situation.

This is when that passion or heart just won’t go away.  No matter how hard you try to envision or implement it where you are, it just doesn’t work, or is continually blocked for some reason.  Like the Apostle Paul’s “Macedonian call, (Acts 16:9-10)” it can only be fulfilled in one way: Going to Macedonia.

2.  You lack vision, passion and love for the people in your area for an extended period of time.

This is not just the “Monday blues,” but a difficulty seeing what God may want to accomplish in your current ministry.  If all you can come up with are “canned” goals from someone else’s ministry, and you can’t love the people with a desire to see them become all that God wants them to be, it may be time to go.

Of course, you may just need a vacation.  But if after prayer and rest, you can’t seem to muster up love and vision for the people and place of ministry where you are, the “time to go” light may be flashing.

But wait, there’s more.  I’ll share two more possible indicators in part 3.

When To “Move On” In Ministry

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From time to time someone will ask me:  ”How do you know when it’s time to move on to another Church, ministry or opportunity?”  I’ve wrestled with this question a number of times along the way.  Here’s how I approach it.

Two quick “filters” before I share the indicators that it may be time to hit the road:

  1. You shouldn’t leave just because things get tough.  ”Obstacles are not always indicators” that it is time to move on, because ministry is not always easy.  In fact, it’s usually pretty tough.  If you are involved in ministry of any kind, you can pretty much expect to encounter obstacles and challenges every week.  That’s just how it goes.  I will go so far as to say that obstacles are usually (though not always) terrible indicators of direction in this regard.
  2. You shouldn’t be in too big of a hurry to leave. I think many people hit the road way too soon in ministry.  Usually it takes at least 2 to 3 years in one place just to deal with the “messes of our own making.”

But just as it is a mistake to leave a position too soon in ministry, it is also a mistake to stay too long.

So in the next few posts, I’ll share some of the things that could be indicators that your time in your current position is drawing to a close and your next step in ministry is  just ahead.