Table of Contents - Queensland Baptists€¦ · Web viewDeveloped for Queensland Baptists. by Colin Stoodley (2017) Updated . 29 August 2018. Table of Contents. Table of Contents2

HOW TO KNOWIF YOU SHOULD

PLANT A CHURCH

Original concept developedby Steve Addison (1993)

Developed for Queensland Baptists

by Colin Stoodley (2017)

Updated 29 August 2018

Table of ContentsTable of Contents............................................................................................................................... 2

Preface............................................................................................................................................... 3

Using this manual.............................................................................................................................. 3

Introduction: Am I a church planter?.................................................................................................4

Six Components of a Good Decision...................................................................................................5

1. Looking back.........................................................................................................................................5

2. Characteristics of effective church planters..........................................................................................6

3. Personality and Leadership Style........................................................................................................10

4. Spiritual Giftedness.............................................................................................................................12

5. Seeking God’s Will..............................................................................................................................13

6. Counting the Cost...............................................................................................................................16

Bringing it all together.....................................................................................................................18

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PrefaceA new generation of churches…

A new generation of leaders…

Church planting is still regarded as “the single most effective form of evangelism”. (Peter Wagner)Starting new churches that reproduce is the key to reaching this generation of Australians with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Church leaders all around the country are asking, “where are the church planters?”. The opportunities for starting new churches abound and the missing ingredient is leadership.

God is wanting to ignite the hearts of a new generation of leaders with a vision for reaching this nation by multiplying hundreds and thousands of new churches across this Great Southland.

Our purpose in producing this resource is tohelp you decide if God is calling you

to the strategic ministry of a church planter.

Using this manualThe manual has been produced to assist individuals or married couples in their decision-making regarding church planting. You may find it helpful to seek the input of someone in leadership to help guide you through the process.

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Introduction: Am I a church planter?

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him.

James 1:5 There is no simple formula for finding the will of God. God deals with each one of us differently, because we are different. What is important is that we have surrendered our lives to his love and want to do his will more than anything else. Then finding his will becomes another opportunity to grow in our relationship with him. As we seek God’s will we can “look” in a number of places for the clues he has given us. None are conclusive in themselves. Each provides a piece of the picture. Look back

What hints of the future lie hidden in your past? Can you detect any signs that God has been preparing you for a church planting ministry?

Look at yourself

What gifts has God given you? Does your unique personality and style match those of an effective church planter?

Look around

What do the key people (spouse, mentors, leaders, peers) in your life say about your call to church planting?

Look to God

What do you believe God is saying as you open your heart and mind to his Word and the Spirit?

This workbook will help you look for the clues to God’s leading in each of these places and then to point you to the next steps you need to take in carrying out God’s will for your life. As you move through this workbook, do no regard it as a lifeless process. This is an opportunity for God to speak into your life. Pray and ask the Lord of the harvest, what part of the harvest he wants you to be working in (Matthew 9:35-38).

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Six Components of a Good Decision1. Looking back

To help prompt you, please consider:

- How does God’s leading in the past point to what he might do in the future? - Have there been any significant times of clarity or doubt? - Have you had any words of prophesy spoken over you?

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2. Characteristics of effective church planters

For by the grace given me I say to everyone one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought but rather think of yourself with sober (realistic) judgement, in

accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.Romans 12:3

No two church planters will be the same. But there are some characteristics common to effective church planters. The following questionnaire is based on Charles Ridley’s attempt to identify the thirteen most important characteristics of an effective church planter. Instructions

A. Rate yourself for each category based on your past experience in ministry and provide specific examples of your behaviour to justify your rating:

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

1 2 3 4 5

B. Copy this questionnaire and have 2-3 others (spouse, pastor, employer, lay leader, co-worker) who know you well complete it with you in mind.

1. “Visioning” capacity

I am able to see ahead clearly to where God wants my ministry to go, and to lead others in that direction

1 2 3 4 5

Give specific instances:

2. Intrinsic motivationI am committed to doing things well despite the cost and can work hard and long without close supervision

1 2 3 4 5


3. Ownership of ministryI am able to inspire others so they will commit themselves to work together to fulfil a worthwhile goal

1 2 3 4 5


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4. Relating to the unchurchedI form good relationships with unchurched people, and can relate the gospel to their lives in a way they will understand

1 2 3 4 5


5. Spousal Cooperation (if applicable)My husband/wife/fiancée understands, accepts and supports my commitment to church planting and is willing to support me in it.

1 2 3 4 5


6. Relationship buildingI relate well to others and I am sensitive to their needs

1 2 3 4 5


7. Church growthI am committed to see the church grow numerically

1 2 3 4 5


8. Community responsivenessI am sensitive to the character and needs of the people we are seeking to reach and can establish appropriate ministries to meet their needs

1 2 3 4 5


9. Utilising the giftedness of othersI have demonstrated skills in the recruiting, training, supervising and supporting of others in ministry according to their giftedness

1 2 3 4 5

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10. Flexibility/adaptabilityI can adapt well, and take advantage of sudden and abrupt change and uncertainty

1 2 3 4 5


11. Building a cohesive church bodyI draw individuals together into teams engaged in meaningful ministry. I have been able to help them resolve conflicts that have arisen.

1 2 3 4 5


12. ResilienceI rebound strongly from setbacks, disappointments and failure

1 2 3 4 5


13. FaithI believe God is calling me to plant a church and that he will supply what is needed to get the job done

1 2 3 4 5


14. Raising SupportI can raise the support (team, finance, resources) needed to effectively meet the demands of a new ministry

1 2 3 4 5

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Assessment

Review your responses to the questionnaire and the input you have received from others.

What are your strengths as a potential church planter

Are there any areas in which you are lacking?

Do any of these potentially disqualify you as a church planter?

Conclusions

What has this section shown you about your potential as a church planter?

Digging Deeper

- Robert E. Logan and Steven L. Ogne, Church Planter’s Toolkit (Charles E. Fuller Institute: 1991). Section 2.

- Charles Ridley, How to Select Church Planters, (Fuller Institute: 1988).- Peter Wagner, Church Planting For a Greater Harvest (Regal: 1990) 51-56.

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3. Personality and Leadership Style

Personality Type

Each of us is different in the way we relate to others and carry out our responsibilities. Understanding your personality type and leadership style will help you make a wise decision about your suitability as a church planter. The questionnaire below will provide you with a very basic introduction to personality styles.

Rate each word between 1-5 depending on the degree to which it describes you.

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always1 2 3 4 5

Add the numbers in each category to determine your primary and secondary personality types.

Copy this questionnaire and have 2-3 others (spouse, pastor, employer, lay leader, co-worker) who know you well complete it with you in mind.

Task Orientated

Analytical DriverOrganised Results orientedThinker ImpatientCautions DecisivePerfectionist Risk Taker

Total Total

Slow Pace/Asks Fast Pace/Tells

Amiable ExpressiveSupportive SociableLoyal ImpulsiveUnhurried OutgoingTeam member Motivator

Total Total

Relationship Orientated

(Adapted from Bob Phillips, The Delicate Art of Dancing with Porcupines (Regal: 1989))

None of us fall perfectly into one leadership style or another. But one of the four styles will predominate. For some people their primary leadership style will be qualified by a secondary, but less dominate style.

Mark your primary and secondary personality style (1 & 2):

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Analytical Amiable Driver Expressive

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Leadership Style

Your personality type will flavour the kind of leadership style you naturally adopt. Some leaders gravitate towards working with what is (Developers). Others prefer to create something new (Innovators).

Developer(Amiables and/or Analyticals)

Takes existing structures and helps improve/develop them

Consistent and steady Enjoys being part of a team

Preferred ministry rolesPastor-shepherd, teacher, counsellor, associate pastor

Innovator(Drivers and/or Expressives)

Creates something out of nothing Pioneering and change agents Enjoys leading a team

Preferred ministry roles:Pastor-leader, church planter, organisation leader, senior pastor

What is your leadership style?

Developer Mixed Innovator

Church planters will tend to be Innovators whose personality styles approximate the Expressive or Driver.

This does not rule out the other personality types and leadership styles from church planting, but it is not what they are naturally suited to. To plant a church, they must recruit others onto their team who can balance who they are. They must also be prepared for increased stress in fulfilling their ministry.

Conclusions

What does your personality type and leadership style say to you about your call to be a church planter?

If you do plant a church, what types of people do you need on your team to balance your personality type and leadership style?

Digging Deeper

- Bob Phillips, The Delicate Art of Dancing with Porcupines (Regal: 1989).- Personal Profile System (DiSC) Questionnaire, Church Resource Ministries Australia.- PDP Questionnaires, Dr Jim Ridgway.

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4. Spiritual Giftedness

Gifts that are especially relevant

There is no one profile of a good church planter. But at least some of the following gifts would be helpful in a church planter’s gift mix. The two that come closest to being essential for any church planter are Leadership and Faith.

AdministrationThe ability to understand immediate and long-range goals for a ministry and to divide and implement plans to accomplish those goals.

EvangelistThe ability to share the Gospel with unbelievers so that people become disciples of Jesus Christ and are added to the church.

FaithThe ability to discern, with confidence, the will and purpose of God for the future of a ministry and to communicate it to others.

LeadershipThe ability to set goals in accordance with God’s purpose for the future and communicate those goals to others, resulting in their working together to accomplish those goals.

MissionaryThe ability to use whatever gifts you have in a culture that is different to your own.

PastorThe ability to assume responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers.

(Definitions adapted from C. Peter Wagner, Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow.)

Conclusions

What does your gift mix say to you about your suitability as a church planter?

What other gifts would you require on your team to balance and complement your own?

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5. Seeking God’s Will

In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers..… While they were worshipping and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their

hands on them and sent them off.Acts 13:1-4

How God leads each person will vary. But some principles apply to all of us when we are coming to terms with God’s will. This section is designed to make sure you have addressed each of these issues in making a decision about being a church planter.

This section is based upon the assumption that God is in the business of your development as a leader. As such he is concerned with your balanced growth in knowledge, character and skills. It is unwise to move onto a new responsibility until you have completed all that you needed to learn in the situation you are currently in.

Check as you go

Character

I have made a study of the Scriptural qualifications for church leadership (Mark 8:34-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) and I have spent time reflecting on them and gathering input from others to assess whether I am committed to living in conformity with them.

Qualities of a church leader: How my life compares:

Is there an area of my life that could potentially disqualify me from ministry? What is your action plan for working on this area?

Issues you need to address if you are to move towards church planting?

To whom am I accountable for my walk with God and personal integrity?

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Wise counsel

The key leaders and mentors in my life affirm my call to church planting.

List the names of three key leaders or mentors in your life and their responses to your thoughts regarding church planting. They may include a pastor, Bible/theological college lecturer, a lay leader, an employer.

Name Comments Overall response

How would you describe the general tone of the responses? (please circle/highlight)

Negative Concerned Neutral Encouraging Enthusiastic

Closure

I have brought to completion what God wanted me to learn and to achieve in my current work/ministry situation before I step out into church planting.

Why did God place you in the situation you are in now?

What do you need to have learnt and to have achieved before you will be ready to leave it?

What would be your motivations for leaving?

Prayer

I have spent extended time (10 hours +) in thought and prayer and I believe God is affirming a call to church planting.

As you pray and wait upon God, maintain a journal that records your thoughts and impressions of what God is saying to you regarding church planting. Summarize your conclusions on the next page.

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Journal Summary

Assessment

As you work through the checklist, are there any areas in which you are lacking and need to deal before moving into a church planting ministry?

Do any of these areas potentially disqualify you as a church planter?

From this section, what are your overall conclusions regarding your call as a church planter?

Conclusions

As you reflect on this section, what are your thoughts about your call to church planting?

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6. Counting the Cost

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that

we despaired even of life. 2 Corinthians 1:8

Suppose one of you want to build a tower, will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? Luke 14:28a

What will it cost YOU to plant a church?

In each of the following categories, rate the level of stress you predict you will experience and your willingness to count the cost. If you are married, or about to be married, it is essential that both you and your spouse complete this exercise and that you discuss your responses together.

1. The cost of transition

In order to church plant will you be required to leave your current position of employment or ministry?

Resulting stress level: Low Moderate High

Willingness to count the cost: Unwilling Undecided Willing

2. The cost of financial insecurity

How will you provide for yourself and your family (if applicable)?



3. The cost of moving

Will church planting require you to move house and form new relationships? If you have a family, what will be the impact on them?



4. The cost of long hours

Church planting often requires hard work without immediate results.



5. The cost of possible “failure”

As Paul discovered, church planters are not guaranteed immediate success. How do you feel about the risk of “failure” in the eyes of others?



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6. The cost of the battle

Church planting is spiritual warfare. Satan knows where we are vulnerable. The battle is the Lord’s, but as Jesus demonstrated, victory comes at a price.



7. The cost of uncertainty

The life of a church planter is full of uncertainties and constant change. Are you willing to face a sustained period of instability?



8. The cost of loneliness

The church planter does not have an existing congregation which provides support and affirmation. In the early days of pioneering, rejection or apathy may be the most common response of those he or she is ministering to.



Checklist

I have talked to someone who has planted a church about the costs encountered in church planting

(If you are married) Have you shared openly and honestly with each other about any fears you both may have?

(If you have children) We have talked the matter through with them and allowed them time to come to terms with the decision.

Conclusion

What are your conclusions about your willingness to count the cost of church planting?

Your conclusions:

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Bringing it all togetherGo back and review your conclusions about your suitability as a church planter at the end of each section.

Enter your conclusions in the space provided. Then assume you are on your own selection panel and rate yourself accordingly.

1. Looking Back

Conclusions:

Church planting suitability: 1 2 3 4 5

2. Characteristics of Effective Church Planters

Conclusions:


3. Personality and Leadership Style

Conclusions:


4. Spiritual Giftedness

Conclusions:


5. Seeking God’s Will

Conclusions:


6. Counting the Cost

Conclusions:


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Overall assessment

As you review your conclusions for each section, what is your overall assessment of your suitability?

Conclusions:


Four Options

As you have considered your call to church planting, there are at least three possible outcomes:

1. NO, I am definitely not a church planter

Action Plan:

List the alternatives to church planting you wish to consider. (Don’t rule out being a member of a church planting team led by someone else).

Alternatives:

What is your plan to examine each of these alternatives and to determine God’s will for your life?

2. MAYBE I am a church planter – but I’m still not sure

Action Plan:

Review the various sections of this workbook. Under the following headings, identify the issues that are still unresolved:

a. Skillsb. Knowledgec. Character

What is your plan for working them through?

3. YES, I am a church planter – but I’m not ready yet

Action Plan:

Under the following categories what further preparation do you need in order to be equipped as a church planter?

a. Skillsb. Knowledgec. Character

What is your plan for developing your readiness?

4. YES, I am a church planter – I’m am ready to begin

Action Plan:

Contact the MTQ Leader.

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Documents

Table of Contents - Queensland Baptists€¦ · Web viewDeveloped for Queensland Baptists. by Colin Stoodley (2017) Updated . 29 August 2018. Table of Contents. Table of Contents2