Anyone who has read this blog for a bit or who knows me, knows I am all for church-planting (in the right circumstances). In fact, when I first began seminary I thought I was going to be a planter, and have not completely ruled it out of our future. However, I want to encourage potential pastors to make it the last option, or at least think really hard first. If you are wanting to plant a church so you can remove the pulpit, wear jeans while you preach, or crank up the music, you probably shouldn't plant a church. Secondly, if you haven't shared the gospel with someone in the last month, don't plant a church. It's probably not your calling. Church planters must be actively involved in personal evangelism. That's what biblical church planting is after all. If you're not doing it now, chances are you won't do it then.
I am thinking of those staying in America of course, and obviously, there are many places in America where there are very few if any evangelical churches and planting is vital (hence Keller in NYC, Driscoll in Seattle, NETS, etc). However, many people plan on planting churches in the south where there are plenty of churches. Every one of those churches is making a statement about Christ. I think its fair to say that the majority of those churches are sending a distorted message about Christianity to their communities. So why not go into a church, be patient, pray, work hard, shed tears, love and feed Christ's sheep, reform and reclaim for God's glory? Is it because you lack the patience, or the courage to go deal with hard people? No matter how confused, old, or generally un-hip they may be, Christ has sheep that are impoverished all over the country. Sure it may take 10 years to get to elder leadership, or longer expositional sermons, or updating the externals, or doing biblical discipline, but what better way to spend your life? Consider others, namely Christ's church, better than yourself and your personal preferences that will probably be out-dated in 5 years anyway. So make sure you are being selfless before you plant. Make sure you are being humble. Make sure you are being faithful in evangelism. Make sure reformation & reclamation is not a better option. If those things are in place, by all means, plant.
7 comments:
I have a heart for the South and have struggled with this question. I grew up in a small town (~20,000) with gobs of churches. The idea of planting another church does not sit well with me, especially in a small-town setting. So, church renewal was my original intention when coming to seminary. It is still very exciting to me, and if given the chance I would seriously considering following through with it. Two things concern me:
1) Many of these poor churches are successful churches. They like what they are doing and have no plans on changing. Those that aren't successful are just looking for that dynamic leader to make them so, comparing themselves to the Baptist church down the road with the building program. As well, being success-oriented, they are usually looking for experience and age. Have you followed the track of youth pastor for a few years, associate pastor for a few more, etc.? They want a built-out resume.
2) Related to #1, I have to ask myself how much should I be willing to mask my intentions with search committees so as to get the missionary pastorate. If I have no intention to lead in the way they are asking me to lead, can I just nod my head and quickly go to the next question? If I land the job, is playing the game a matter of patience or of dishonesty?
Does this make sense? Or is it excuse making? If it's hard to break into an area rife with gospel-lite churches, is church planting the best alternative? Could a (non-atagonistic) church plant have a positive influence on the other churches and their message? And could church plant team work give experience and age (and, therefore, credibility) to allow for future take-overs of established churches?
Good (and hard) thoughts and questions Dave. Here is my 1.5 cents:
1) All too true. Faithful shepherding and teaching could redefine success, but could take time. Lack of age & experience is an issue for all of us (as we've talked about before) so church plant team work can't hurt for sure. It seems pretty difficult to become 'senior' pastor at our age. Also, there are bound to be dying churches that one could go into and almost treat like a plant.
2) The interview process will be interesting. If they are serious about the way they want you to lead and you are opposed to it, you probably can't do much with it. I plan on putting the emphasis on leadership informed and driven by Scripture. If they ask specific questions, then I will give specific answers. I wouldn't feel right about masking much of anything. I am going to be sure and have some $ in the savings account for the job-seeking process ;)
I don't think its excuse making and church planting may be the best oppurtunity, but with gobs of churches I would look to restore first. A church plant could be good for neighboring churches, but not if its just viewed in terms of more competition.
I think your ultimate aim is to see Christ honored by the edification of his people, not self-promotion so planting would be good. But so would reclamation ;)
Great post.
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What up Blake? So you know that I was planning on planting a church when I first came to seminary, and now I'm a youth minister at the most traditional southern baptist church I have ever seen! The idea of having the music printed in the bulletin instead of in the hymnals causes an uprise here.
I have a two comments. First, if you haven't shared the gospel in the last month you probably shouldn't be in ministry period. That isn't a calling, that is a natural outflow of what Christ has done in our lives. Your church members will reflect their leader. So if you are not witnessing, don't expect them to be witnessing. You're church will soon be dead, and some young guy will come and approach you about replanting your church.
Second, Jason Dees and I are both in a really unique position being that we are both in our mid-20s and leading this 150 year old traditional church.
Side note: to Dave's comment... I represented myself honestly in the interview and they were the ones nodding their heads at me and moving to the next question. Then when I got here they wanted me to be someone else... very frustrating.
Jason and I are to an extent replanting this church. We have made so much ground in the last few months, but it has been a beating to both of us. While we are not planting a church from the ground up, I whole heartedly believe this has taken just as much dedication, blood, sweat, and tears.
Many of these churches are caught in their ways, and I hate it! But do we leave them to their ways and let the churches die?! By no means... it is going to take guys with just as much energy and zeal for the gospel as a church planter to come into these churches with a balance of loving spirits and firm gospel-centered convictions to make headway.
Thanks for the great post... if you talk to any guys who need a dose of what it's like to be in a church like this send them my way. I can use a summer intern.
Jeff,
Amen. An uprise over printed music v.s. hymnals? Wow, that's a new one. I am glad you guys are there, doing good work. I totally agree. Thanks for the post, and good to hear from you.
The older, struggling church is the more fulfilling and more challenging place of service in my opinion. These congregations began in the heart of God, and are we to suppose that God loves them less than the new starts?
I would encourage young pastors and seminarians to learn all they can about church revitalization and take the plunge with a struggling church.
It's this simple. The Evil One wants the Church to die. The congregations close to the edge of existence are right in Satan's crosshairs. If you doubt it, go pastor one of these congregations. These churches need strong, energetic young clergy and mature, seasoned pastors to take on the Devil with a vengence so the Evil One can not take these precious struggling churches out. Don't let the Devil win.
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