MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

Plant Now!

by Dave Barba of Press On! Ministries

Men Start Churches

Men start churches God uses men to start churches. Paul is the premiere church starter of the New Testament. He planted a number of churches—and his converts (like Epaphras in Colosse?) started more churches.

What kind of man does God use to start a church from scratch? We do not have a list of qualifications as in Timothy and Titus. However, here is a list from my experience with church planters. These seem to be common to a man who effectively plants. Surely there are more traits than five, but these are essential.

Commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)

A lover of souls, he believes that souls can be led to Christ anywhere the Holy Spirit chooses to work, He commonly has the Ephesians 4: 11 gift of evangelism.

Vision (Proverbs 29:18)

A church planter envisions a full church building on a plot of desert land, where others see only scrub brush. He asks God to reveal His will; then he communicates that will to the followers.

Love for the Adventure of Faith (Hebrews 11:3)

Early in his Christian life, it dawns on a church planter that living by faith is possible only during his short earthly visit. Admiring the Hebrews 11 heroes of faith (should Abraham have all the fun?), he is excited about trusting God every moment.

As a young man, I was challenged by the faith-life. On a hot afternoon in 1972, Dr. Bob Jones, III, spoke to our class of ministerial students. "Men, the University is burdened to help start new churches in America. Our plan is to train you, send you out, and help you plant churches from scratch."

That afternoon, I knew God wanted me to be a church planter. The thought of entering a town and watching God provide everything from nothing stirred my soul. It still does. Three years later, we planted our first church. There are now over 100 churches in America started through the BJU church planting program.

Optimism (I Thessalonians 5:18)

A church planter is a Biblical optimist. He always sees his glass of chocolate milk half full. The experience of church planting may be more negative than positive during the first few years. A church starter is not discouraged by negatives. He knows how to let God turn them into positives. People will not follow "walking minus signs." A leader is always an optimist.

Self-Starting Organizer

A church planter, though an evangelist, must pretend that he has the organizational gifts of a steady, Bible-teaching pastor. Dreaming of the day he can hire an assistant, he labors to provide plans, programs, and organization to get the church planted. Since he is not accountable to church members or staff, he must be able to make plans, get up, get out, and put the plans to work.