In the Coracle
“It’s almost like you’re writing a book one post at a time” - Kedge
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What would you say to a church planter?
I had the opportunity to exchange a brief email today with a new friend who’s church planter, and realized that what I wrote to him would be fun to post for any church planters out there:
Stay focused on your vision of mission and relationship with Christ in community, and don’t make decisions that would dilute that vision for the sake of fast growth. It’s not worth it. Be who you are called to be, as a man, a husband and dad, a planter; trust God to do his part. Take 1 Cor 3:5-7 seriously, even when you don’t see it happening. (Ditto that for all the other promises and prophecies that come your way :-)). Take an eternal perspective, especially when the day to day sucks. Find trustworthy people who speak your language and who get and support what you’re trying to do - these friends and mentors are worth far more than gold - they’re worth your sanity and your soul.
If you were given the opportunity to to write advice and encouragement to people who in the process of starting new churches, what would you say?
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Wayne Park said...
1probably, slow down… (it’s what I’ve been told), discern carefully before starting.. and do your homework before starting….
01/2/08 12:25 PM | Comment Link
Pat Loughery said...
2Good stuff.
What kind of homework are you thinking or, in particular?
01/2/08 5:26 PM | Comment Link
Wayne Park said...
3I would think demographic, i.e ethnic, financial, churched, etc - also trends - what kind of growth (or lack of - I’ve learned that Detroit is a city that has been in sharp decline in terms of business, economy, etc) population percentages, (Austin TX is like 75% of its pop between ages 20 - 40) … I’ve found stuff like this to help know what we’re trying to do…
01/2/08 7:15 PM | Comment Link
eugene said...
4i’d add…
relax.
laugh at yourself.
god doesn’t need you.
you don’t have to.
you get to.
enjoy.
01/3/08 10:34 AM | Comment Link
Colleen EH said...
5I was recently asked this same sort of question. What came to mind at the time was attitude and perspective. Constantly maintaining a positive attitude has been crucial for our three years as church planters. If you are a glass half empty kind of a person it could prove difficult to recover from the rough times that will surely come your way.
01/3/08 2:10 PM | Comment Link
Wayne Park said...
6Colleen + Matt - I’d personally love to hear more about your journey the past 3 yrs - the ups and downs…
01/3/08 2:13 PM | Comment Link
Pat said...
7Well, I know *for certain* that a major up for Colleen and Matt happened when we walked through their doors ;-)
01/3/08 3:46 PM | Comment Link