Church Planting Wrap Up... At least for Now!

Ok so I really thought this over through the weekend and I could go on and on here but I want to ensure that I am speaking to the rest of the audience that checks this blog so this will be my last church planter post... at least for now! So here are a few more things that I think MIGHT help any church planter out there.

1. Faith vs. Foolishness - There is a very fine line between the two and NO-ONE in your church, especially in it's infancy, will understand this line better than you and at times even you will miss it! But don't freak out about it - embrace it and set your foundation right on it's borders. Let me give you a concrete example: Take your facilities for instance - Faith says we don't really have the resources but people are coming to Christ we need more space and we trust God to fill in the gaps - Foolishness says stupid stuff like "If we build it they will come". Yeah it sounds great in a movie but try that stunt in real life and you'll just have a slightly bigger more empty building than you did before! Find the line and trust the spirit inside of you. I believe I heard Steven Furtick say one time that at Elevation Church in Charlotte they have never been more than like 85% sure of any decision they have made and with those they blazed forward without hesitation. So if you have 75% confidence in it faith the final 25% and go for it!
   
   
2. The Enemy is going to try and KILL you - NO that is not a figure of speech meaning he will beat you up real bad. I mean he will quite literally try to kill you. At the launch of Breakthrough just 3 years ago I was completely dehydrated, had not slept in weeks, had been running a fever of 104 for a month and had lost 40 lbs. I couldn't keep any food down (or in) and the doctors after running every test they could think of had NO CLUE what was going on. I preached the first sermon at Breakthrough and still have no idea what I said as the cheap music stand held me up. Sound terrifying? It was and if you don't believe in that kind of spiritual warfare you should probably bail out now because he will come for you, your wife, your kids, your marriage - everything. And the only advice I can give is ISAIAH 54:17 - say it over and over even when you feel like you are DONE! You are called to this don't quit!
   
   
3. No Ministry is more important than the ministry in your own home! PLEASE remember that! Because at they end of they day as much as they love you Pastor... they love there families more and they will drop you in a heartbeat to be with them so don't feel guilty for saying NO at times. Your wife needs to know you love her more than an appointment! Your kids need to see you more than the kids in the Children's ministry at your church. Your teenager needs your encouragement more than those youth do. Because ultimately what have you gained if you please 5000 and loose your family!

~PN