I think church plants would get off to a much better start if the planters recognized that just as God builds his church... that goes for new churches too. Most planters try to initiate the work of God, rather than join the one he's already been cultivating.
It's like a root system taking shape before the green leaves emerge.
It's a Church in the Making.
You will already be leading people. They will already be following you. You will already have spiritual influence in their lives. And they will practically be asking you to start services.
You know those churches that had break-away success? The ones we try to emulate? They have a massive root system that's invisible to the naked eye.
I'm releasing a free PDF book in the new year called "How They Started."
Great reminder: "Most planters try to initiate the work of God, rather than join the one he's already been cultivating."
Posted by: Ron Swanson | October 05, 2009 at 09:53 AM
Ben,
Thanks so much for your thoughts...I always enjoy reading your perspective.
I think you hit the nail square on the head with this one. It's so easy to try to initiate those things, but it's so much more effective when we join what God is already doing.
It also takes a huge load off the planter (a load that often makes the entirety of his life overwhelmed and unbalanced) and puts it on the one who wants it to begin with...Jesus!
Posted by: Steve Wulf | October 05, 2009 at 10:31 AM
there's a whole category of factors that gets ignored when assessing planters. They're sociological in nature
Posted by: Ben Arment | October 05, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Ben,
I love the message and I believe it is a reminder, that it is not about us. The hardest part of our roll in this is to remind ourself that Christ planted that passion in us. We get the joy to see just how amazing he can be.
Posted by: Roy McKinnon | October 05, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Very interesting thought. It is certainly all too easy to try and get ahead of God.
Before starting Holy Cow Creative I remember arguing with guy, frustrated that it was taking him so long to put me in the position of Creative Director at a church.
Looking back I realize he chuckled at my small view of things, realizing he had plans for me to work with many churches, not just one.
When I finally let go and stopped trying to orchestrate it all so exactly, God put it all together.
I do wonder though if we wait for people to 'follow us' and ask us to have services, does that make it too much about us? I'm torn in the fact that the church body needs a leader, but I'd rather that leader be a shepherd guiding sheep and not someone that the sheep follow.
Good stuff Ben, thanks for giving us something to chew on.
Posted by: Michael Buckingham | October 05, 2009 at 10:49 AM
I definitely agree. I like the good ole William Carey quote "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"
We do have to join in, but actively - not passively.
Posted by: Pat Gillen | October 05, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Love seeing the book cover! Congratulations!
Posted by: Bethany Hoang | October 06, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Hmm. I like it.
But the problem comes when the roots are deep into other churches. Or in a church you are on staff at.
Unfortunately, often times there's a bigger tree that won't be happy about sharing its roots.
Posted by: bobby | October 07, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Bobby, Paul often talked about spiritual parenthood in the NT. You can pour into people who need ministry and create your own root system. It takes time... but so did all those other root systems of which we're in awe. Leadership can never be borrowed from someone else
Posted by: Ben Arment | October 07, 2009 at 09:10 PM