The Four Loves of a Church Planter #1

This morning I’d like to start a new series of posts about something I have been thinking about for a while. In coaching, training, and observing hundreds of church planters over the years, I have noticed a few things that all successful church planters have in common.

It’s not going to be a series of posts about worship styles, haircuts, or how many people are following them on Twitter. No, the commonalities I’ve seen across the board in church planters who are knocking it out of the park deal with matters of the heart.

I’m calling this “The Four Loves of a Church Planter,” and the first love of a successful church planter is:

GOD

Simple, right? It seems so elementary, but the drive to plant a church that will make disciples and expand God’s Kingdom has to begin with a heart fully devoted to God. In an era when church planting has become the popular thing to do in many circles, we can never lose sight of this fact.

Even in the most “successful” new churches there will be days when the only thing you can fall back on is your love of God and your desire to obey Him. A successful church planter makes his relationship with God first priority and leads out of the overflow.

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”   – Matthew 22:37-38 (NLT)

Church Planter:
What is your motivation to do what you’re doing?
– Who is behind your drive to succeed?
What do you need to do today to be sure that you aren’t “forsaking your first love”?

Check back next week for Love #2 (between now and then see if you can guess what it might be)…

P.S. Speaking of what church planters love, don’t forget that we love church planters.  That’s why we offer over $75 of resources for FREE to church planters.  Here’s the link:
http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/resources/church_planters.php

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About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.

Nelson SearcyChurch Planting

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