Recently I have had the privilege of creating and directing a new church planting network in Raleigh NC with my pastor. Hopefully many of these blogs will become a benefit to those who are considering church planting, those who are future church planters, or those who have already planted a church. God bless you as you serve Jesus in advancing His kingdom as a church planter and pastor.
If God calls you, He will equip you. Many church planters hear God speak to them in a very clear and specific way when it comes to planting a church. Let’s face it, planting a church isn’t easy. So having clarity on the voice of God is very important. And if a planter’s calling is truly of God, then God will open the doors to prepare them to launch a church. That preparation comes through many avenues. Education, mentoring, experience, personal devotion, and trial and error will be just a few ways that a church planter will be equipped.
But most young church planters lack the experience necessary to launch a healthy church. Many times it’s all about patience, which is a part of experience. Patience is greatly underestimated in the preparation process. So many planters get so excited about the clear calling of God, that they want to rush the process, start raising money, quit their job, and jump out in blind faith. Many of those things need to happen, but being patient and moving cautiously is where many young planters miss the mark. Patience in the process helps you prepare for a successful launch. Patience is our way of trusting and having faith in the calling that God has given. Through patience we say “Ok God, I hear you clearly calling me, now what next?” When we wait for God to move and open doors, we get our agenda off the table. Losing your agenda is saying “I don’t know. Now please show me my next step and prepare me God for the process”.
