A few things I wish every POTENTIAL Church Planter knew - Part 3.

A Few thoughts for today for Potential or even existing church planters. Once you have answered the "Why?" of church planting and found your motives to be pure and once you have answered the "Who?" of church planting to discover that it isn't just a dream it is YOUR call... Well now it's time to get to business and consider a few things! You are CALLED to this - He (God) called you not men and if that is true you need to understand that NO amount of frustration, NO amount of heartache, NO low attendance Sunday or lack of funds should now convince you to quit!

But please understand there are still some pitfalls that we need to be careful of!

1. Marketing vs. Mission - This one will lead a church plant to the end of it's budgetary rope quicker than anything else. The call to plant a church is NOT A CALL TO MARKET YOUR BRAND!! Now don't get me wrong I believe that we should have a presence in media from print to television and everything in between. But we cannot spend the vast majority of our resources (money, creativity and time) on marketing when we are called to a MISSION! You want to see the lost saved it won't be your marketing that does that it will be a clear, powerful and active vision and mission that point to Christ that will do that! Stop worrying about T-Shirts, TV, and Billboards (that will come in time) and worry about affecting life change in the community!
   
   
2. Imitation vs. Revelation - You're called... right? Then stop trying to model your church, your style and your communication after someone else and BE YOU! Be what your city needs not what Atlanta, Sydney, New York or Dallas needs (unless of course you are in one of those). Be who God created you to be (Ephesians 2:10) not a second hand copy of an original. Listen to GOD's voice and simply do what he asks of you and you can't go wrong!
   
   
3. People Pleasing vs. Pruning - You are called to reach the lost NOT pacify the pew warmers! You are going to discover really quick that people don't like you... and that is OK as long as you know God's heart is pleased. I always heard early in ministry that I need to actively pray the right people into my life and ministry - SO TRUE but even more important I have learned is to pray the right people OUT!! PRUNE GOD PRUNE. If they don't like it - let them go and Give God the room to do what he wants to take YOU and your ministry to new levels.

More tomorrow...

~PN
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