How Can a Sending Church Serve a Church Planter?
Answering the third church planting question (if you don't know what I'm talking about, see here): How can a sending church best serve a church planter?
These things aren't written in stone, but in my opinion four things are key but sometimes missing:
- People -- You can plant a church without a team of people. You can also build a house by yourself. But there's a reason that people usually do things like this in groups. Help the church planter put together a team of people that includes at least some who are very mission minded and sacrificially committed. I would strongly encourage you to send an elder/leader with the planter. It will help alleviate a tremendous burden,
- Money -- Money can't solve your problems, but it can make a lot of things a lot easier. Again, this is a burden that you can take off the planter's back so that he can focus on spreading the gospel.
- Connection -- Church planting can be lonely and difficult on the family. Appoint an elder that can remain connected and involved in making sure the planter and his family are OK.
- Encouragement -- View the plant as a mission of your church, not a would-be competitor. Refer visitors to your church to the church plant if they live close to it. Help with evangelism programs or projects. Pray for them and do everything you can to see them succeed.
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