101 Nuggets for Church Planters

Dear Church Planter,

As I write, we are just over two weeks out from going public with Project Church. I’ve spent the last two or three years preparing for this.  I’ve read loads of church books,  listened to some amazing church leaders, and swapped stories with some very bright church planters.

And now that I’m standing on the edge of the next phase of this journey, I felt compelled to share some things with you that I’ve learned (so far).  Some of them I learned the hard way. For what it’s worth, here are some nuggets that might help you as you take your next steps in your calling.

1. Jesus is the big deal.
2. If you are called, you have permission.
3. These are your first three priorities: 1) Follow Jesus 2) Love your wife 3) Be a good daddy.
4. Don’t just plant a church; start a movement.
5. You’re not called to grow a church; you’re called to grow missionaries.
6. Don’t make the church your idol.  It’s easier than you think.
7. Study your Bible.  I shouldn’t have to say this, but…
8. Be able to explain the Gospel simply and clearly.  Start now by writing it down.
9. You have what it takes.
10. Don’t be a poser. A graphic tee, ripped jeans, and Starbucks isn’t what makes you cool.
11. In other words, be yourself.  People smell fake a mile away.
12. Read books and blogs but don’t get caught in the formula trap.
13. Speaking of reading, don’t just read church planting books.
14. There’s a lot of wisdom in the words of dead guys.
15. Meet with guys who are getting it done.
16. Ask questions, shut up and listen, & take notes.
17. The core task of any church is to go and make disciples.
18. You’re not an event planner. You’re a pastor.
19. Church isn’t a big show or a building; it’s a people.  Don’t lose sight of that.
20. Make friends with people who are far from God.
21. Have church planting buddies. You’ll need them.
22. Don’t talk about church all the time to your wife.  Pace yourself.
23. What are you going to say to someone who just lost their baby?
24. Blog.  It’s a way for people to get to know you and a chronicle of your journey.
25. Don’t be an arrogant prick. Be teachable.
26. You should be able to explain the vision on the back of a napkin.
27. Go with what God gives you whether much or little.
28. Be careful what (and who) you criticize.
29. You’ll get criticized for things you never even said or implied. Get used to it.
30. Check your motives. Why are you starting this church?
31. Understand that starting a church is odd to outsiders.
32. Rarely are your options this OR that. Often it’s this AND that.
33. Local pastors are not your competition.
34. That being said, don’t be surprised if some of them are jerks.
35. If you have a launch team/core group; love them, don’t use them.
36. Do you have a theological framework?
37. Your words are more powerful than you realize.  Even the ones you say in passing.
38. Your heart will break and people will let you down.
39. Be a man.
40. Start a church where it’s okay to be a dude.
41. Be a leader who develops leaders.
42. Pray without ceasing.
43. The stress will be great, how will you deal with it? (I gained weight).
44. Don’t go it alone. Surround yourself with a support system.
45. Practice loving people where they are and not just as they should be.
46. If you don’t give a rip about people far from God- do something else.
47. Careful not to feed the consumerism monster with your church.
48. Lighting, sound systems, computers, projectors, etc. are great tools.
49. But if your church depends on them to be a church then you’re not a church.
50. You starting this church is an act of worship to God.
51. Fight the temptation to do everything yourself.
52. You can’t force community.
53. Timing matters.
54. The DNA of your church is determined early on. Get it right.
55. Would Jesus agree with your mission statement?
56. Can people easily remember your mission statement?
57. By the way, you are a missionary.
58. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
59. God loves to use unlikely people.
60. If it all fails, at least you went for it.
61. Be resilient and tenacious.
62. Your kids will say, “My dad had a dream and went for it…maybe I can too!”
63. Evolve.
64. Here’s an equation: Love God + Love People = _________________
65. Figure out what you’re going to do with the kiddos.
66. Typical is boring.
67. Love your city. Love your world.
68. Your vision is probably too small.
69. Studying the culture is more than just watching TV.
70. Would you do this for free?
71. People are watching you.
72. Get used to asking this question: “What the next step?”
73. Just when you think you have all the answers, the questions change.
74. Be intentional.
75. Some people will laugh at you but others will be inspired by you.
76. Watch your assumptions.
77. Prepare- but understand that you’ll never been prepared enough.
78. GO!
79. Stand up for the ones who can’t stand up at all.
80. Time alone with a notebook, a pen, and a Bible often lead to something special.
81. Authentic people are led by authentic leaders.
82. Dwell in your city.
83. R-E-P-E-N-T often.
84. You will become very familiar with your strengths and weaknesses.
85. Don’t forget that a large part of what qualifies you for ministry is how you manage your family.
86. Laugh a lot and get your mind off churchy stuff.
87. It will be messy.
88. When was the last time you went to a bar or sat in the smoking section of a restaurant?
89. Be big on grace AND truth.
90. We are accountable to God for our churches.
91. Say no to good things and say yes to the right things.
92. Repeat after me, “I heart simplicity.”
93. Don’t stop dreaming.
94. Borrow ideas but hear from God.
95. There’s never enough money.
96. Only the Holy Spirit can change people’s hearts.
97. Sometimes you just need to unplug.
98. Where does your city hurt?
99. Despite what you’ve read, church is not all about Sundays.
100. Church all boils down to relationships.
101. Again, Jesus is the big deal.

There is so much more but that’s all I could come up with off the top of my head.   What would you add? What are you learning? What questions do you have?

Tags: Church, Church Planting, missional church, movement

I’m Skeptical

This may come as a surprise to some- but I’m a skeptic. It must be the Simon Cowell in me.

The upside of this is I can typically spot when someone (or something) is genuine.

The flip side of this is I can also spot when someone (or something) isn’t.

It seems I’m constantly finding dishonesty, slants, biases, agendas, and exaggerations in various places. From the news I watch, the books I read, and the stories I hear. Even things in my own life.

I’m not sure if a follower of Christ, who is planting a church, is supposed to admit that- but it’s the truth. I have difficulty taking much of anything at face value.

Our beliefs or experiences may be genuine- but our beliefs or experiences may not be right. That’s why we need something to base it on beyond our own thoughts, opinions, passions, emotions, and experiences.

Thank God for the Bible.

When I hear about signs, wonders, healings, miracles, revivals, movements, teachings, and other spiritual matters- I don’t automatically bite. BUT- I don’t automatically discount it either. I do what we all should do- discern it.

Here is how I discern whether or not something is from God or not:

Check the Bible. (Does the Bible speak for or against this?)
If it’s not biblical, It’s not a God-thing.

Examine the motivation. (Is this man-centered or Jesus-centered? Who gets the glory?)
If Jesus is central and glorified, this could be from God. If not, beware!

Look for real change. (Is there evidence?)
If it’s biblical, Jesus is central and glorified, then it’s likely someone (or something) has changed. A heart, a mind, a body, a life, a family, a city, a country, a world.

I do believe that God still moves. I’ve seen lives changed- including my own. But it’s wise to be discerning about spiritual matters. It can be messy, confusing, weird, counterfeit, and deceptive.

God is a good God of order. Thankfully he’s given us some cautions, wisdom, and guidance in Scripture to help us navigate the waters of spirituality.

Mark 13:21-22
“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible.”

Matthew 7:15
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves”

1 John 4:1
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Romans 16:17-18
“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

2 Peter 2:1-3
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.”

Tags: , God, healings, Holy Spirit, Jesus, miracles, movement, revival, revivals, signs, spiritual matters, wonders