I have been thinking and praying about the upcoming new year and my plans, goals, and dreams. One thing I know is – I don’t want to be a reactive pastor. I want to be proactive and intentional.
One of my goals last year was to plant another church.
I am currently planting a church outside Manila, Philippines. I am prayed up and journaling as the Holy Spirit leads. As I think back to the origins of this dream, I recalled a book I came across titled -The Multi-Site Church Revolution by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird.
While the book is about multi-site church planting, there are some “golden nuggets of wisdom” which could be applied to church planting across the board.
Here is an excerpt from the book which can help church planters nail down a process with regard to the location of future church plants.
While we are identifying and training these key leaders, we are also looking for the right community for a new campus.
We ask three crucial questions in deciding where to locate our next campus:
• Are there people in the area with a connection to our church?
• Is there a need in the community for a church like ours?
• Is the community growing?
Once we have targeted a community for a new campus, we begin to narrow our selection of an exact location.The Multi-Site Church Revolution by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird.
As we get closer to the end of this year, I encourage you to take some time off and allow yourself to dream. Be open to change, remain teachable, and remember – With God, all things are possible.
I am 55 years old. I had to ask myself if I had one more church plant in me. After praying about it long and hard, I made plans to come to the Philippines for one month. I met a pastor who took me to his new church plant on the southern island of Mindanao. I asked his age, and he replied, “70 years young.” That should encourage us.
Don’t go at it alone, but do go after it!
If you feel led to plant a church, but the thought overwhelms you, there are many great networks, denominations, and church planting coaches that can help you.
God has given you dreams, and they weren’t given to lay dormant.
Go ahead.
Take that step of faith and begin a new adventure.
