Reading: Scoping Out Your Church Plant - Video Slides

Scoping Out Your Church Plant

Henry Reyenga

Who Are You Called To Reach?

Villages and People Group Villages

Given that prayer is the first thing that is leading you in your plant, just about any city, in any state is ripe for the harvest. However, you may not be the right farmer for that particular field.

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 425-427).  Kindle Edition. 

We Understand Each Other

For us and for many successful church planters, it is the city, or close to the city where we grew up. Once you think about the place and the way you grew up, the people with which you have influence and the culture to which you are already accustomed, for God to train you and send you back there just makes perfect sense.

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 430-432).  Kindle Edition. 

Visit New Churches

Now is the perfect time to visit as many new church plants as you are able. Although it is always good to visit established churches whenever possible, remember that new churches and established ones are completely different. Take plenty of notes, ask questions, make appointments with the lead pastors, and do as much due diligence as possible to gain reliable insight and knowledge during this period. Remember the old adage that says, "There ain't no such thing as a dumb question?" It’s true. If you think it, go ahead and ask it. You'll be thankful you did.

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 466-470).  Kindle Edition. 

Your Local Vision Will Start Forming

What you will actually be doing whether you realize it or not, will be shaping the vision, philosophy, core-values, mission, and solidifying the governmental structure for your new church. Yes, visiting other churches is just that important. You can go to many of the church-planting seminars, and round-tables if you like, but I promise you this: you'll gain tons more information by going and watching on a normal Sunday when the rubber is meeting the road.

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 471-474).  . Kindle Edition. 

Are You Called To Sacrifice?

When asked about ministry, a great pastor and friend of mine always responds, "How do you spell ministry? W-O-R-K." There is no other statement that could be any truer when it comes to what planting a church is all about than this one. Many leaders have been deceived and not fully prepared by what ministry will be and look like during the first few years of the new church.

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 489-492).  Kindle Edition. 

It May Not Be The People You Think? 

I know that many leave Bible Schools with high hopes of attracting the top leaders in their communities on the first day, but unless they are relatives or close friends, it's probably going to be that other group of people.

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 504-506). Kindle Edition. 

Asking God To Help You Reach Those Who Need God

I asked for the disgruntled, bruised and offended, and guess what? I got exactly what I asked for. We literally had to dedicate two Wednesday night services to teach people how to not be awkward. You want to know something else? God showed us that if we would open our church to the people that no other church wanted, He would fill it with the people that every church wanted. It just sounds like God doesn't it?

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 507-510).  Kindle Edition. 

Will You Do Anything That Needs To Be Done?

It was very common to visit families, visit the hospitals, study, pray, run errands such as pick up supplies for the bathrooms, have a counsel session, and then go pick up building supplies from Lowes for the renovation, or demolition that was going on at the building you just signed the lease on. All of this by noon!

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 511-513).  Kindle Edition. 

Bi-Vocational or Vocational 

All The Roles Are In You To Start! 

My first year as a church planter I was a pastor, visionary, an evangelist, a counselor, a fund-raiser, a bible teacher, a team leader, a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber, an air-conditioning repairman, a demolition man, a floor guy, a consultant, a negotiator, a mediator, a pick-up and delivery guy, a janitor, a washer of dishes, a maker of coffee, and of course, a writer of checks.

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 514-516).  . Kindle Edition. 

The Team Will Form

At times you will feel overwhelmed at all of the things that have to be done, and question what have you gotten yourself into. That's normal, and if you follow along with me throughout the rest of this book you will find out very quickly how to raise up great teams of leaders around you, and how to accurately, intentionally, and correctly give them ownership of the ministry without it coming back to bite you later.

Crumbly, Douglas (2013-03-01). Church Planting 101 (Kindle Locations 531-533). Kindle Edition. 

Church Planter Expectations