Do not try it alone! That's a warning every church planter needs to heed. Trying to launch a new church without any ministry support systems is a recipe for disaster and probably failure. So what systems does the church planter need? Let me suggest several.
A church planter needs to go through an assessment system that will confirm a calling to plant and multiply churches. The best support systems to evaluate church planting potential will involve an assessment team, pre-assessment, testing, and a team-based assessment experience for the couple, preferably with other potential church planters. They will also focus on using behavioral interviews. The outcome of the assessment will be a yes, no, or maybe, but just not yet. Along with a written outcome will be recommendations, and a post-assessment interview. The best sources where you can find assessment systems are some denominations, districts, or church planting networks.
The planter also needs a system for ongoing training in church multiplication needs and skills. This training will follow a proven pathway for success. It will have both in-person and online modules, and will generally cover the first three years of the development and launch of a new church. Pre-launch, launch, and post-launch needs will be covered. Like assessment, the best sources where you can find a training system are some denominations, districts, or church planting networks.
A third essential system for church planters is coaching. Finding a trained coach who will meet in person or on a video call may make the difference between survival or failure. A skilled coach will ask the hard questions and then listen intently as the planter provides the answers. The coach will help bring out of the planter the plans that God has placed in the heart of the planter. Thus the planter develops his own ways of overcoming obstacles and improving the game plan with the help of his coach.
Another church planting support system that can be very valuable is networking with other church multipliers. Church planters need regular contact with others who are in the same boat. They can be from the same denomination or from other groups, but they serve as peer coaches and catalyzers who support and pray for one another. The network can be as small as three planters or as large as hundreds.
Still another big help for the church planter is a financial support system. Church planters learn to build financial and prayer teams that include those who are not part of the core group or launch team as well as some who are part of those who will help launch the new church. Multiple support streams make up a support system, so the church planter will need to work hard to recruit and build people and organizations that will make up these streams.
If you are planning to plant a new church or help provide resources, prayer, and encouragement for a church planter, what other external support system would you add to this list? What internal support team from within the new church core group or launch team would you add?
[Photo by Hello I'm Nik on Unsplash]