I spend as much time or more coaching those planters who are almost ready to give up or close down their churches due to them failing to thrive. Many of them are on the verge of mental and physical breakdown, but they have enough left in their spirits to not give up, and they give me a call or an e-mail.
Typically they ask me if I can help them “grow” or “re-brand” or “re-something” their churches. I ask them a series of questions and then typically can ascertain that they don’t need to “grow”, they don’t need to “change”, they don’t need to close…usually they need to take a dramatic step and re-launch their church!
A lack of coaching, funding, planning, facilities, team, etc. are usually the contributing factors [outside of the main reason that God will build His church with or without us of course…]. So here are some questions that you might consider if you feel your church plant is not exactly fulfilling the vision and dreams God has called you to:
1. Do you have less than 100 adults every weekend?
**If your church is not over 200 and you are 2-3 years old, you may never be.
2. Do you have at least $15,000 in the bank?
**You cannot be aggressive in serving the poor, marketing, hiring, etc. without cash on hand.
3. Is your church truly making an impact in your city?
**If you closed your doors, would anyone notice…or is it just a place to have a “worship service” and meet with fellow believers?
4. Do you have any full time staff outside of yourself?
**If you are the only one working Full-Time [usually not even this person is full time] after 1 year, plans need to change.
5. Do you have momentum, or are things pretty stagnant?
**Starting new programs, a new series, the latest and greatest idea, etc. will not jump-start your church.
6. Has your wife posted a personal ad looking for a husband that isn’t grumpy, absent, tired and gone 24/7?
**If so, you have more issues than just re-launching.
If a church is less than 100 adults, without funds, barely making an impact on the physical and spiritual needs of city and without staffing and momentum…it might be time to pull the plug on everything and re-launch with a new plan.
Our team has helped many planters re-launch, re-locate, re-vision, re-staff and re-fund their church plants. If you need some help or just someone to talk to who has been there, done that…hit me up. [ch**********@gm***.com]
And remember…your church plant doesn’t define you. Let HIS kingdom come back fresh and new in your life and soul.
