Could God Use You?

By Brad Ransom

Church planting takes the effort of preachers, musicians, laymen, men, women, children, and ultimately and importantly, God. But could God use you? To some pastors, planting a brand-new church seems like a dream: no traditions to deal with, no “sacred cows,” no disgruntled members or deacons. What could be better than that? Well, before you request an application, let me give you some things to consider:

Church planting is extremely necessary in fulfilling the Great Commission. Statistically, new churches reach exponentially more people with the gospel than older churches. Several reasons for this include focus on outreach and evangelism, excitement, and pure survival. We need to reach as many people as possible with the gospel, and starting new churches is a great way to help fulfill this scriptural mandate. But some hard truths go along with the glitz and glamor of church planting.

Church planters must be called by God. This is the first and foremost truth. I often tell new church planters during their initial training, if you don’t feel called of God to do this, then don’t. Ministry can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding when there is a calling from God. The same ministry can be overwhelming and brutal if it relies on human strength and power.

Church planting is hard. One book’s title sums it up accurately, Church Planting Isn’t for Wimps. In reality, planting a new church is perhaps the most difficult assignment in ministry. It’s not easy to build something self-sustaining out of nothing. It’s hard to raise sufficient support, move away from family and friends, and be “in charge” of literally everything. The church planting family often serve as greeters, ushers, singers, preacher, janitors, set up crew, host, and the list goes on and on. There’s little glamor, especially in the early days. Church planters raise financial support while building structure and systems, selling vision, and creating something that no one has ever seen before (in their context).

Church planting isn't for everyone. Not every preacher can plant a church. The Bible makes it clear many unique gifts are given to believers. Not every preacher or pastor is gifted to be a church planter. Unique qualities are necessary to be successful in church planting. I will share just a few, but please understand there are many more. Some of the most important characteristics of a church planter include:

• Self-starter. A church planter must be self-motivated and a natural go-getter. Often, no one is there to tell you what to do today or to check to see if you finished your to-do list. If you don’t motivate yourself, you probably won’t get motivated.
  

• Good organizer. Since you’re starting with nothing, a church planter must be able to dream big dreams and see them fulfilled. There are many steps between the two, and a church planter must figure out the path to seeing that dream fulfilled.
  

• Evangelist. If you don’t already actively share your faith and lead people to Christ, you won’t do well as a church planter. Becoming a church planter doesn’t magically make you a soul winner, vision caster, and people person. After you dream the big dreams, a church planter must be able to communicate the vision to others, recruit people to help fulfill the vision, and then carry it out to completion.
  

• Vision caster. A church planter must be able to cast vision exceptionally well and make people see what can’t yet been seen.
  

• Take-charge person. With so many responsibilities, a church planter needs to be able to take charge and lead with a servant’s heart.
  

The Great Commission to “go and make disciples” is a heavy and dutiful command to every believer. Not everyone is called to plant a church, but many are. North American Ministries is always looking for those individuals. If you feel God calling you to plant a church, and you have the qualities mentioned above, why don’t you reach out and give us a call? It may be that God does want to use you in church planting.

Can God use you?

About the Writer: Dr. Brad Ransom is director of church planting and chief training officer for North American Ministries. Learn more about becoming a church planter: fwbnam.com/path.