Advice to future church planters
In December of 2009, we came to pastor a small church plant (or a new church start-up) in southwest Missouri. The church had been planted several years before we came, but had taken a pretty rough roller coaster ride before our arrival. Having been there for almost two years now, we have a few pieces of advice for future church planters based on what we've learned so far:
Lesson #1: Don't plant your church in a rented space that is larger that what you can afford to build. Why? You'll be spoiled by all the space and it will be somewhat of a shock when you enter your new building. It is better to be squeezed for space in your rental so that your new building is a welcome relief.
Lesson #2: Watch TLC's "Hoarders: Buried Alive" and strive to do the exact opposite. Don't accumulate items you won't want to move later. 'Tis better to have to re-purchase a few items than to figure out what to do with thousands of items you'll never need to use again.
Lesson #3: Seek advice from others who have gone before you and use the advice that fits your situation. Other church planters are a fount of knowledge on the subject and can offer you amazing advice that you couldn't possibly think up on your own. It's not a sign of weakness to learn from others' successes and failures....it's a sign of wisdom.
Lesson #4: There are about 5,847 details that will fly at you, demanding your attention every day of pastoring a church plant. It's easy to get bogged down in all those details. Just don't forget all the people you're there to lead and the other people you're there to reach out to. The details need to get done, but none of those details matter without the people.
Lesson #5: Your spouse had better be 100% on your team or you'll never make it. We have amazing friends outside our church and inside our church, but leading a church plant requires a special kind of team-work and communication as spouses. Lean on your spouse because you are each others best advisors and cheerleaders.
Lesson #6: Don't forget to love people and have fun along the way.
Lesson #1: Don't plant your church in a rented space that is larger that what you can afford to build. Why? You'll be spoiled by all the space and it will be somewhat of a shock when you enter your new building. It is better to be squeezed for space in your rental so that your new building is a welcome relief.
Lesson #2: Watch TLC's "Hoarders: Buried Alive" and strive to do the exact opposite. Don't accumulate items you won't want to move later. 'Tis better to have to re-purchase a few items than to figure out what to do with thousands of items you'll never need to use again.
Lesson #3: Seek advice from others who have gone before you and use the advice that fits your situation. Other church planters are a fount of knowledge on the subject and can offer you amazing advice that you couldn't possibly think up on your own. It's not a sign of weakness to learn from others' successes and failures....it's a sign of wisdom.
Lesson #4: There are about 5,847 details that will fly at you, demanding your attention every day of pastoring a church plant. It's easy to get bogged down in all those details. Just don't forget all the people you're there to lead and the other people you're there to reach out to. The details need to get done, but none of those details matter without the people.
Lesson #5: Your spouse had better be 100% on your team or you'll never make it. We have amazing friends outside our church and inside our church, but leading a church plant requires a special kind of team-work and communication as spouses. Lean on your spouse because you are each others best advisors and cheerleaders.
Lesson #6: Don't forget to love people and have fun along the way.
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