"What Does a Church Planter Look Like?"


What is the biggest need we have in the Evangelical Church right now when it comes to starting and restarting churches?  If you talk to many of our leaders, you will hear similar answers-"we need church planters."
But what does a church planter "look like"?  The answer may surprise you!

Principles About Planters
Our goal in the Evangelical Church is to plant vibrant reproducing Wesleyan churches with "the right planter in the right place doing the right plant with the right people."  Everyone can be involved in church planting...praying, giving, participating...though not everyone is equipped to plant every kind of church.  Let's see what this means...

Right Planter-a person passionate about reaching lost people with a gift mix that fits the church he is called to plant or restart.  God uses all kinds of personalities from all kinds of backgrounds to do His work!
Right Place-a place we've studied and saturated with prayer that fits the "affinity" of our planter and plan.
Right Plant-a strategy that fits the area we want to reach...different plans for different places.
Right People-targeting people that fits the planter and plan we believe God has given us.  We believe God for a "team" of people will come together with gifts and talents that blend together into effective ministry.

In other words, it takes all kinds of people to plant all the kinds of churches God wants us to start and restart!

A Picture of a Spiritual Pioneer

What kind of people are we praying for?  These are some of the key qualities we look for in spiritual pioneers, with a view that "the best predictor of future performance is past behavior."

1. Character
* Strong, consistent walk with God.  Deep prayer life.  
* Sticks to commitments even under tough times.  Perseveres.  Bounces back after setbacks.
* Strong sense of call
* Spiritual gifts "package" that includes leadership, faith, discernment, evangelism
* Scriptural commitment to Wesleyan theology

2. Casts Vision
* Communicates vision in an inspiring and practical manner.
* Can "see" into the future with faith
* Creates and initiates projects from the ground up

3. Capacity for Excellence
* Self-starter and self-managed-strong desire to achieve for the glory of God
* Strong work ethic 
* Strives for excellence

4. Creates Ownership of Ministry
* Recruits, coaches and delegates effectively
* Reproduction mindset-develops an ever widening circle of reproducing leaders and groups
* Releases others into ministry-assesses gifts, equips wisely.
* Receptive to other's ideas-flexible, yet builds group cohesion and agenda harmony around the vision

5. Cooperation of Spouse and Family
* "Heart agreement" about roles and expectations in ministry
* Healthy family life
* Helped by a strong support system of family and friends

6. Constructive, Compassionate People Skills
* Appreciates and accepts a wide variety of people, able to respond with compassion when needs arise.
* Approachable and active in developing relationships
* Able to handle conflict constructively and deal with difficult people

7. Consistent Fruitfulness
* Consistently develops relationships with unchurched people
* Continual evidence of people coming to Christ
* Church planting and church growth mindset-sees evangelism as essential.

8. Community Responsive, Culturally Relevant Ministry Mindset
* Studies local community-understands the needs and opportunities
* Starts ministries that meet needs in the community
* "Seen" in the community as a positive influence
* Strategic intercession practiced intentionally
 
Let's believe God for spiritual pioneers...but be ready to be a part of a church planting team.  God can use us all for His Kingdom purposes!
--Rev. Tim Roehl, North Central Conference