Turning Converts into Co-Laborers

There's a problem with parachute-drop church planting. When you start with nobody, there's an unhealthy pressure to turn converts into co-laborers too quickly. People come into the church because they like a small community, friendship with the pastor, personal attention.

But then they're exposed to the burden of church planting. And there is one. A big one. Most people don't experience it because it's usually handled by the 20% who opt into it. But when these folks are the only ones around, they are beckoned to carry it.

To justify the burden, the planter preaches about service, commitment, and vision. You'd be surprised at how much biblical justification there is for unloading a trailer. Trouble is, other Christians at other churches don't have to carry this burden. They're not even aware of it. They, in their established churches with their multi-million dollar buildings and throngs of professional staff.

So the core group either embraces the load, or they get angry, complain that it's not what they signed-up for... and leave. This cycle continues until a committed core group has grown up around the vision and embraces the workload that's required to make it happen.

All the more reason to start a church with a team. To launch a church as a group effort.

Comments

[Josh Wilcox]

"This cycle continues until a committed core group has grown up around the vision and embraces the workload that's required to make it happen."

But it's pretty darn cool when you finally get there :)

[Matt]

Wow. Right on. Been there... still trying to fight my way out. Good stuff.

[Chris]

All the more reason to not do a parachute drop. If you are committed to an area to plant a church, then go live there for a few years and get a job in the community. That will relieve almost all of this pressure.

[Charles]

I couldn't agree more Ben, but funding a team seems even more daunting (and more expensive) than funding a parachute model. I'm leaning towards a model that Chris suggests, but that's almost impossible to talk a team into: "Hey, come move to this place together and lets get jobs and plant a church together..."

[Pat Gillen]

More agreement from me!

I'd also add, that often the 'christians' that are interested in helping you get off the ground at a parachute seem to have ulterior motives and not a necessarily a passion for planting.

[Jason]

I agree. The workload his heavy! The days seem long, and all of the "other guys" are growing faster, bigger, and seem to be bearing more fruit!

But, the good news is...if God has called you, then, work with what you got and beg God for a Team!

Thanks for the great post, Ben!

[Nathan Camp]

Hey Ben, great post. I'd love to see you turn this into a thread, as I think a lot of church planters go through this. I know we did. The average life-cycle of the a CPT (Church PLanting Team) is 6 months into the plant. So, plugging in new people is MANDADTORY. If not, the core team just keeps running the same plays, week after week, and begin to lose their missional zeal. I think that turning the core team into TEAM BUILDERS and TEAM PASTORS is the key. Having them see success as judged by the level of LIFE seen in the teams they lead is huge.

But, this may make me sound like I know something...which I don't. We have had a huge turn over in this area. We'd get people saved, and then plug them in and they'd quite within 6 months, saying they feel like church isn't FUN any more.

Keep the conversation going, because we are still struggling here and would love to hear what you and others have to say.

[Richie "Rich" Merritt]

Ben,

Is this a modern/post-mod phenom do you think or is it an issue of structure and what we deem as necessary to do church?

Did Paul plant Ephesus or Corinth with a team or a couple? Should we follow his model or should be continue in the cultural context of the day? This me thinks is where to rub lies for most. We are trying to remain true to the text, but the culture is resistant or in some cases lazy.

Just some rambling thoughts here. Thanks for sharing. I launch next year and I was at Forefront from the beginning as part of that 20% - So...., I kinda know what to expect, but...., does that make it right? :-)

IHL,

Richie

[Ben Arment]

Richie, watch closely how Paul planted churches. He stopped through as a missionary... led people to Christ... and then left. He allowed a church to form out of the new converts... and then he came back to appoint elders and officially start the church. So... his churches were always started by teams.