Church Planting Part 2

 

“44 PRINCIPLES ON CHURCH PLANTING” (PART 2 of 4)

 

12.            Do not be intimidated by a church down the street, that started with zero members and in 1 month they have 1,000 people. Trust me, there is more to the story. That could possibly be the result of a church split, perhaps they have a “celebrity” on staff with drawing power, it could be a “daughter church” birthed out of a larger ministry, etc. Focus on your assignment. You want your ministry to be solid and your fruit to remain. It takes time to do that. Feed the people that you do have (be thankful for them) and trust God to add to the church.

13.            Is your goal to win new souls or to get members from other churches. Your advertisement and marketing will reveal what your motive is. If your marketing has statements like, “Are you tired of church as usual,” that is not marketing to the lost, that is “fishing in other ponds.” Trust me, you do not want to build your church off of other churches. You will reap what you sow. When your church goes through difficulty (and it will as all churches do), there will be other pastors who will do you the same way (and fish for your members). You want to sow good seeds.

14.            Do not feel intimidated by other pastors that tell you that they have “wall to wall people, with standing room only,” and you only have a handful of people. As preachers we have HUGE egos and cannot stand to look bad. Most times those other ministers are exaggerating the truth. Do not lose your focus, worrying about someone else’s ministry.

15.            If you have one member, preach and minister, like you have 10,000. ALWAYS give it your best. Do not constantly show the people your frustration with your ministry; you will discourage them.

16.            For the love of grits with butter and sugar in them (smile) DO NOT crown yourself “apostle” or “bishop,” and you just got started. Bishop means, “overseer.” You have to have something to “see over,” to be in that role. Prove that you can pastor (consistently) first. All of the rest will come at the proper time.

17.            Set up a church account with “checks and balances.” The tithes and offerings of the people should not be going to your Cashapp or personal checking account.

18.            Stay on top of your credit. You never know when the church will need your help. Years ago, when our ministry relocated, the church did not have all of the funding to do it. Being in a time crunch, Rachel and I were able to mortgage our house and get the funding in one day. These are the types of sacrifices you will have to make as a new pastor.

19.            Do not be vulgar or brutal from the pulpit. You are starting a church, not a cult. There is a way to get your point across without being abusive from the pulpit. Using profanity and “over the top” language is not being “100” or real; it is being rude and undignified. Your ministry represents the Lord. So, it should have some class and dignity.

20.            Get some training. You would never be able to open a law office, doctors office or even sell real estate without some kind of certification. The church is the only place where people can jump up and declare themselves top leaders, without training. This is the information age. Information and training is available.

21.            Be sexually pure. If you are single, do not fornicate. If you are married, do not commit adultery. As the church, yes, we will forgive, but we never will forget. You do not want scandal following you your entire ministry. And, you cannot get mad at the people that talk, if YOU are the one that messed up.

22.            The type of member that you were, is the type of members you will draw. Do not be the type of person that you were rebellious and difficult with your pastor and now you want to beat up on your members for their rebellion. “Thou hypocrite!” First, go and get things right with your pastor and easily entreat the people to cooperate.