Ed Stetzer, the newly appointed Dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University once said, “It takes a wise and sensitive person to realize what God does not want them to do.” Dr. Stetzer would know. He’s written extensively on church planting, has planted churches and is seen an authoritative voice on missiology and church planting. When it comes to church planting, I believe it does take wisdom and sensitivity to confirm whether a call to plant is from God.

How do we realize that God is calling or not calling a person to church planting? For years, denominations and churches often relied on the excitement and availability of a pastor who articulated a desire to start a new church. And because we wanted to see churches being planted, we put resources and effort behind their vision. Many times, though, as excitement waned and the work involved in church planting became more prevalent, that call to plant gave way to a realization that church planting was not their call.  

When I talk with people about church planting, I emphasize the importance of an assessment. In life, we make decisions every day using assessment tools. Whether it’s going in for a health check, surveying the produce aisle at the grocery store or refinancing our home, assessment is a part of life. It should also be a part of church planting. Why?

For The Planter. Unless you’ve planted a church, it is impossible to articulate the emotional, social and spiritual dynamics that will surface. There is so much at stake, not just for the community, but for the planter, their spouse and family. We need to make sure church planters are gifted, equipped and ultimately called by God to church planting.

For The Church. Christine Hoover once said, “The church plant often takes on the personality and passions of the church planter and his wife.” For this new community of believers that are being gathered and for the larger community in which the plant is located, it’s imperative that if a church plant does take on the personality of the planter, that the planter is striving to come alongside Jesus in the work being done in that community. An unhealthy, haphazard church plant is worse than no church plant at all.

To Be Good Stewards. As followers of Christ, we want to be good stewards with what we’ve been entrusted. We believe that we shouldn’t cast pearls before swine and we believe that if we’re faithful in a little, we’ll be given more. Depending on your experiences, financial support for church planting can be seen as a waste or as an investment. We believe having an assessment process and approaching church planting deliberately, prayerfully and with God’s person gives us the confidence that we’re not only being good stewards, we’re making an eternal investment for the cause of Christ.

Interested in learning more about church planting? Contact Adrian.