Building blocks of the Church Planter Assessment Center Pt 3

What Does a Typical Church Planter Look Like? Part 3

As a starting point in answering the question of what a typical church planter looks like, we begin with the 16 building blocks that form the foundation of Converge’s Church Planting Assessment Center. You can read that article here. Last month, we took a closer look at the first five building blocks and here you will find that article.

Here, we will consider three more components of the building blocks: Vision/Philosophy of Ministry, Motivation and Resiliency, and Public Ministry Skills.

It’s important to remember that in assessing these building blocks, we seek to look beyond affirming them intellectually, but seek to assess through behavior. Ask any pastor if they believe that discipleship and evangelism, are important and you will hear ringing endorsements. But, if you ask the question, “who are you discipling right now,” or “provide me with some examples of spiritual conversations you’ve had with an unbeliever,” you begin to discover if behavior reveals whether or not a specific building block exists.

Vision/Philosophy of Ministry

Church planters have a compelling vision which leads them to birth a new church. It’s the vision which is the foundation and driving force behind the new work. They have a compelling vision which is deeply rooted in the heart. Planting a new church is something they have to do…it’s wired in how they think and act. Often, this compelling vision is connected to what God is already doing. Planters can look at a community and not just see the needs and the opportunities, but can also discern where God is already working in that community seek ing to connect in the areas where God is already moving. The vision needed by a church planter is also bigger than what they can accomplish alone and thus requiring them to be dependent upon God for the present and the future.

Vision is often framed by at least four components. Mission speaks into what are we doing? What is the ultimate reason this church exists? What is supposed to be doing?  Values help define why are we doing it? These are the shared convictions which are defined from the very begin, reinforced constantly, and foundational to every decision. Strategy contributes the question, how are we going to do it? What are the steps, processes, programs, and systems we will employ to accomplish our ministry? Measure is important to vision as it asks when are we successful? What marks will there be to reflect or define the accomplish of our ministry? What things will hold us accountable to how we are doing?

The philosophy of ministry that a church planter brings to the new church builds from the vision. It’s where the vision meets tasks. It’s where the church planter addresses the different elements of mission and ministries. It touches upon the specifics and dynamics of the Sunday gathering, children’s ministry, small groups, organizational structure and more.

Some foundational expressions in a philosophy of ministry are Evangelism (how will we reach people?), Discipleship (how will we move people in their spiritual walk?), Leadership (what will our leadership look like and how will we develop people?), Worship (what will our gatherings look like from street to seat and everything in between?), and Multiplication (how will reproduce disciples, leaders, ministries, churches, and more?)

Motivation and Resiliency

For a church planter, motivation is needed from two perspectives. The first is found in the ability to motivate others. Their speech is inspiring and people are engaged. There is an energy that is applied to tasks and their communication is filled with passion and conviction. Their optimism and energy motivates those around them to new actions and new attitudes.

A church planter also exhibits an intrinsic motivation. Along with a desire to do well and a commitment to excellence, they also possess a stick-to-itiveness and persistence. Often a self-starter, a church planter who is intrinsically motivated takes the initiative and is not deterred by long and hard work. They are ready, willing, and able to bring the energy, stamina, and vitality to see something built from nothing.

Closely related to motivation is resiliency. Setbacks will come. Challenges are constant. Disappointment happens. Expectations might not always be achieved. If a church planter is not resilient, unable to experience setbacks without defeat, the path to planting a church will become more and more challenging. If they are unequipped to ride the ups and downs of things such as attendance, and unprepared to expect the unexpected, this lack of resilience will mire the planter in disappointment and failure.

Resiliency often is strongly rooted in the call to plant a church. The planter relies on a strong and clear call in those difficult times when there’s a voice whispering in your ear that you should give up. Resiliency, built upon a strong call reminds you that this just isn’t a job, but you are serving within the will of God. Confidence in the call of God to planting a church provides resolves and confidence to navigate and endure the hardships.

Public Ministry Skills

An important skill for any lead pastor, public ministry skills are even more important for a church planter. In an established church, there are many different public ministry connection points for people to make with the church. Children and youth ministries, social and small group gatherings to name a few. For the church planter, especially in the early days, the church planter is the primary and most consistent person in the public ministry of the church. In addition to teaching and preaching, public ministry also is key for the church planting in effectively communicating vision, mission, values, and strategy in different forums.

Preaching and teaching skills need to be well-developed. An effective church planter can effectively and confidently open Scripture in a captivating and engaging way. The Spirit’s power is evident as the planter provides useful information as well as relevant and practical application.

So, what does a typical church planter look like? One planter may be an introvert who preaches topically while another may be an extrovert who prefers verse-by-verse expository preaching. Gift mix and skills differ from person to person, but a common thread for church planters is God doing His work in their life through their gifts, abilities, and calling building upon the blocks and characteristics found in effective church planters.

The next article in their series will look at the building blocks and characteristics of evangelism, entrepreneurialism, and knowledge and understanding of church planting and growing a church.

As you unpack these characteristics, is there someone you know who might possess these church planting building blocks? Perhaps you, as you familiarize yourself with these ideas feel an affinity and perhaps God is leading you to investigate church planting more. Either way, I would love the opportunity to talk more with you. Contact me at jnelson@convergenorthcentral.org