Planting a church is anything but easy. In fact, it is quite difficult. I’m sure the only reason people actually do it is because the intersection of God’s call and personal passion/gifting creates missional unction that can not be ignored. Why else would someone choose the personal and vocational insecurities that accompany church planting over a comfortably secure and salaried position at an established church? If you have ever planted a church, or are planting a church, then you know what I mean. There are great joys to be had in church planting, but there are also great trials and tribulations. It’s the nature of the mission; it’s a direct result of being on the bleeding edge of Christ’s expanding kingdom. The bleeding edge comes with all sorts of challenges, spiritual and otherwise. Overall, I have to say, that church planting is an exciting, joy-laden, and incredibly rewarding ministry, but it is not for the faint of heart.
I recently discovered a post by Dan Taylor, a church planter in Edmonton, Canada (h/t Mike Clawson), called “Why Church Planting Sucks.” It was a great read, and completely accurate! I’ve experienced everything on the list in five months time. The following are quick hit and miss excerpts of the most resonate and sometime humorous points raised by Dan in this fun and encouraging list.
1. It’s harder than you think – but not in that ways you expect. I expected it to be a lot of work and I expected there to be discouraging times and I expected there would be times I would want to quit, but I didn’t expect that I would spend most of my time doing stuff that I don’t love and doesn’t excite me …
2. It’s more fun than you think it’s going to be. Strap on your helmet, but it is fun. You’re building something from scratch and fighting and winning and failing …
3. There are people who don’t want you to succeed … Identify these people and ignore them …
4. There are people who desperately want to you to succeed … Identify these people and seek them out …
5. It is not easy to figure out who are #3 people and who are #4 people.
6. Weather will kick your ass … There’s not much you can do but be ready for it …
7. You will also schedule something no one will show up for …
8. This is not the church you built in your head … Trying to be the church in your head will kill your joy for the church you have, so kill the church in your head …
9. Don’t take anything personally. People will come to your church and go, and friends will choose to be a part or not … If your confidence and self image depend on the “success” of your church, you are screwed as a pastor and will be a terrible person to live with …
10. Settle the failure question before you start …
Note: Why Church Planting Sucks is an encouraging list because it really does let other planters know they aren’t the only ones experiencing such things! It’s good to know that other planters are experiencing the very same things! Let’s pray for one another, and keep working for Christ’s glory and fame.
Related posts:
Homebrewed Christianity
Idol Chatter
Brian McLaren
Julie Clawson
Keep up the faith, bro. We’re nine years into our little church planting venture and we still have struggles. Still, God is the author and finisher of our faith, and the daily blessings we receive are almost too much to handle.
Thanks, Jonathan! Encouragement and prayers to you and your plant as well!
This is a great reminder to keep it real and stay focused. Thank you!
Right on, Joey! Thanks for stopping by. Your blog is great, BTW. I’ve never seen it before, but will be back regularly.
Thanks bro! I’ll be back. Good stuff.
We are busy preparing to plant a church in RSA ! Please pray . Thanks and God bless.
Sounds like you, toilet boys, need your mouths washed out before you try planting “churches”. Sucks? ass? screwed? Grow up. The world can say a lot worse than that. Who needs your little pale vanilla attempts at relevance?
@Val: “Toilet boys?” Seriously? You couldn’t ignore the need to interact with a post you didn’t like, eh? I should just tell you to move on, because you clearly have no idea what you are talking about, but, like you, I can’t resist the need to say … something.
Actually, I’ll say five things:
#1: I didn’t right the article I referenced, so your plural use of the word “boys” is misguided.
#2: I don’t believe the author of the aforementioned article is a boy. So, you shouldn’t refer to him as such.
#3: Both of us are already planting churches.
#4: Lighten up a bit. It will be good for you and the Gospel you are most likely smothering to death.
#5: Have a great day. Seriously. I mean it.
If you dont mind I took the liberty of adapting the above list. I think my Church Planting Vision Team will enjoy it.
10 things to think about before beginning a church plant
1. It’s harder than you think. So don’t start without realizing that it’s impossible for you to succeed. However, nothing is impossible for G-d.
2. Its more fun than you think it’s going to be. Enjoy the process of beginning a work for G-d’s glory. Remember, if you fail its ok G-d still loves you and His grace is sufficient for you.
3. There are people who don’t want you to succeed. Identify these people and ignore them.
4. There are people who desperately want to you to succeed. Identify these people and seek them out …
5. It is not easy to figure out who are #3 people and who are #4 people.
6. Don’t let the weather discourage you, just grab a hot chocolate or cappuccino and start preaching people out of hell.
7. You will always schedule a meeting that no one will show up for. Take the opportunity to pray and study the bible.
8. This is not your church plant its G-d’s.
9. Remember you will always find people who don’t have the chutzpah to leave their spiritually dead churches. Some people enjoy the company of zombies.
10. Don’t take anything personally. People will come and go. Some will be committed and others will simply die insignificant lives.
Rev. Dr. Peter L. Riquelme
Church Planter/Senior Elder
Grace Community Chapel
Brooklyn New York
Wow…I have accomplished all on the list…It is amazing to hear somebody say…what I have wanted to say…and for someone to understand where I am coming from…I want to quit…but my faith just will not fail…Because Christ is praying for us.
Again…wow…By the way, where are african-american church planters…I am one…but I don’t meet alot of them…most of them have churches given to them…I had that option in Shreveport, LA…but God decided otherwise and I am in New Orleans, LA…go figure…Praise be unto God…I need some church planter friends that I can tell them inside jokes and plans…you can find me on twitter and facebook. Peace and keep fighting planters…God will reward…
Shawn,
I have decided that the “unifying vision of the religious imagination” you are in search of is the Kingdom of God. It is the rule, or Administration of Jesus Christ in the here-and-now on earth. When and where Jesus reigns “spirituality, religion, culture and social issues”–of which you write–are fully embraced, cleansed, redeemed and transformed from within, by Christ Himself. I would also add to that list even the more righteous elements of America’s of Rebulicans and Democrats. “New life forms’, so to speak, come alive. All is transcended. Satan’s authority is removed, and life as it should be blossoms. Everything changes. It is not unlike what happens in revivals or awakenings. And it most clearly demonstrated when cultures, previously untouched by the gospel, receive it and go forward in it.
Consider this as well–not even the Kingdom of God can fully describe everthing that is in Christ Himself. The Kingdom is Christ Present, but Christ is actually even greater than the presence of His rule. and so ultimately–and unfathomably–Christ is unifying, first Principle of all that is–and should be.
Shawn
Is it “Church Planting?”
Or is it really “Corporation Planting?”
Or “Denomination Planting?”
Can’t seem to find “church planting” in the Bible.
Did Jesus ask “His disciples” to “plant churches?”
When you hear words that are not in the Bible?
don’t you wonder why we use them?
and where they came from?
Isn’t it challenge enough understanding?
the truth of the words that are written?
How much harder word’s that we make up?
Doesn’t the Bible warn us about;
The commandments of men?
The doctrines of men?
The philosophies of men?
The traditions of men
that make the Word of God
of non effect?
Making the word of God of none effect
through your tradition…
Mark 7:13
Hmmm? A simple word, “church?”
What do most people understand
the word “church” to mean?
Building with a steeple on it?
Is that in the Bible?
Pastor in a pulpit preaching to people in pews?
Is that in the Bible?
That’s what the world thinks, the unbeliever, isn’t it?
Isn’t that what the so called “local church plants”
has accomplished with four buildings on
four corners in a lot of “local towns?”
Haven’t we deceived the people
we’re supposed to be reaching out to?
How many will know that “The Church of God?”
The ekklesia of God? The called out one’s of God?
Are the habitation of God?
The redeemed of the Lord?
The body of Christ?
The Israel of God?
And Jesus is the head of the body, “the Church?”
Does God dwell in buildings made with
the hands of men? Or does He dwell in people?
Did Jesus shed His blood for;
a building, a denomination,
an institution, an organization, a corporation?
Should “disciples of Christ” call a corporation, “The Church?” ;-)
The IRS does. Oy Vey!!!
Will people know that “The Church of God?”
Are kings and priests unto God?
The bride of Christ?
The servants of Christ?
The sons of God?
Led by the spirit? – Or led by man?
Disciples of Christ?
Learners and students of Christ?
Ambassadors for Christ?
How many will know, in the Bible,
no one ever went “to church?”
How many will know, in the Bible,
you become “the Church?”
And hear His voice? And follow Him?
Out of heaven he made thee to hear “his voice,”
that he might instruct thee.
Deuteronomy 4:36
And other sheep I have,
which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring,
and they shall hear “my voice;”
and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice.
If Not Now, When?
In His Service. By His Grace.