My first question is, "Why?" Let's be real...Before you rent a building and talk to all your friends, family, co-workers and fellow members at the church you are currently attending; why do you want to start a church? What are you giftings? What makes you cry? What is your motivation? Are your gifts in line with what is required to be a pastor? Or are you more driven by a prideful desire to speak in front of people? Even worse, are you driven by a need to control people? Do you need a way to earn a salary? Will it build your self-esteem? When you see mega-church leaders or even "Preachers of LA" do you imagine yourself in their place and think that you could do that as well as they do? So I ask again, what are your gifts and what is your motivation?
A person truly called to found and pastor a church had better be sure of their motivation and their calling. If ego plays a part, it will be a hard road that doesn't end well. Do you have great compassion for people? Do you have a great hunger for the knowledge in God's Word? Do you have a servant's heart in addition to the strength to take the darts fired at you at times? Are you willing for your spouse and your children to also be wounded?
I was a "preacher's kid". I must admit that most of my emotional wounds and scars have been from "church people". It is no surprise when the children of pastors turn their backs on church and at times, sadly, God. In my research, I came across several studies that all stated over 80% of adult preacher's kids have sought professional help for depression! The stresses on a pastor and his family can be overwhelming. What has protected me was being able to separate my relationship with God from the behavior of some "church people". Also, God did some extensive "emotional surgery" and gave me some great revelations that brought healing within me as an adult. God is so good!
My next question, is there a lack of churches where you will plant your church? In America, as of 2010, there were approximately 314,000 Protestant churches. Of those 314,000, 59% had less than 99 members! Why is your "church" needed? What will be done there that cannot be done at one of those 314,000 churches? Is there an existing church/pastor that you can partner with to grow that congregation? Can you serve under another pastor or must you go your own way? Often, this can not be done because the pastor with the church is insecure and not willing to bring someone else in who could "steal his congregation"! So much of what God COULD do through us is hindered by our egos and our insecurities. Insecurity is really just pride turned inside out. It is made of the same material. Egos are the ropes that bind us and prevent us from allowing God to work through us. One sure sign of an ego problem is giving yourself a title and insisting everyone address you by that title. Jesus never gave himself a title!
Pursue your purpose! Study God's Word and study yourself. Take an honest, in depth assessment of yourself and of your motivations. Don't put yourself in a box. Ministry isn't something that is only done in a church building. Most ministry takes place outside of those church walls. Maybe you are really an evangelist, a teacher, a prophet? Maybe you have a healing gift. God may give you a word of knowledge for a stranger who crosses your path. Maybe on your job you will minister to your co-workers. Your character on the job can lead a co-worker to Jesus. Everywhere you go, keep your eyes and ears open and stay in tune with the Holy Spirit. Let everywhere you place your feet be your church and every person with whom you interact your parishioner!
We don't need another steeple, pew, pulpit, three fast songs, two slow songs and a twenty minute sermon! If you are truly called to found and pastor a church, let it begin with obedience to the Father and a hunger for His Word. Be the good and faithful servant that God will promote. You can't "make it happen". That is like hammering a square peg into a round hole. Be willing and obedient and leave the rest to God. He will open doors, show you the way and provide everything you need! ~~ Arlene
A person truly called to found and pastor a church had better be sure of their motivation and their calling. If ego plays a part, it will be a hard road that doesn't end well. Do you have great compassion for people? Do you have a great hunger for the knowledge in God's Word? Do you have a servant's heart in addition to the strength to take the darts fired at you at times? Are you willing for your spouse and your children to also be wounded?
I was a "preacher's kid". I must admit that most of my emotional wounds and scars have been from "church people". It is no surprise when the children of pastors turn their backs on church and at times, sadly, God. In my research, I came across several studies that all stated over 80% of adult preacher's kids have sought professional help for depression! The stresses on a pastor and his family can be overwhelming. What has protected me was being able to separate my relationship with God from the behavior of some "church people". Also, God did some extensive "emotional surgery" and gave me some great revelations that brought healing within me as an adult. God is so good!
My next question, is there a lack of churches where you will plant your church? In America, as of 2010, there were approximately 314,000 Protestant churches. Of those 314,000, 59% had less than 99 members! Why is your "church" needed? What will be done there that cannot be done at one of those 314,000 churches? Is there an existing church/pastor that you can partner with to grow that congregation? Can you serve under another pastor or must you go your own way? Often, this can not be done because the pastor with the church is insecure and not willing to bring someone else in who could "steal his congregation"! So much of what God COULD do through us is hindered by our egos and our insecurities. Insecurity is really just pride turned inside out. It is made of the same material. Egos are the ropes that bind us and prevent us from allowing God to work through us. One sure sign of an ego problem is giving yourself a title and insisting everyone address you by that title. Jesus never gave himself a title!
Pursue your purpose! Study God's Word and study yourself. Take an honest, in depth assessment of yourself and of your motivations. Don't put yourself in a box. Ministry isn't something that is only done in a church building. Most ministry takes place outside of those church walls. Maybe you are really an evangelist, a teacher, a prophet? Maybe you have a healing gift. God may give you a word of knowledge for a stranger who crosses your path. Maybe on your job you will minister to your co-workers. Your character on the job can lead a co-worker to Jesus. Everywhere you go, keep your eyes and ears open and stay in tune with the Holy Spirit. Let everywhere you place your feet be your church and every person with whom you interact your parishioner!
We don't need another steeple, pew, pulpit, three fast songs, two slow songs and a twenty minute sermon! If you are truly called to found and pastor a church, let it begin with obedience to the Father and a hunger for His Word. Be the good and faithful servant that God will promote. You can't "make it happen". That is like hammering a square peg into a round hole. Be willing and obedient and leave the rest to God. He will open doors, show you the way and provide everything you need! ~~ Arlene
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