How we helped plant a church - Part 5

Let's wrap this up, shall we?

For me, throughout the entire process of getting this plant off the ground, I kept trying my best not to claim ownership of anything. This church was not mine. The people were not mine. The "how's" and the "why's" were not mine. The vision was not mine. Satan certainly tried to convince me otherwise. I was just the point man. The steward. The Shepherd. God was and is the owner of The Church.

Christians who think they are "owners" are some of the most dangerous church members. They have attitudes that can literally tear a church apart at the seams. They are self-centered, not Christ-centered. They are consumers, not contributors. They are needy, not giving. They have an agenda, not a team-attitude. They seek glory for themselves, not for Christ. I did not want to be like them. But at times, it was (and is) quite a fight!

There came a time when a Campus Pastor was hired to lead our budding church. As the Steward, it was my role to step aside and let him take the lead. It was painful, I won't lie. There was a lot of blood, sweat, tears and prayers invested on my part. And yet, it was also a relief. All of the stresses and pressures of leadership were now off my shoulders (after all, I had a day job too). I wanted to "own" the leadership role, but I knew that wasn't the role God had for me. I was not the rightful Owner to begin with.

Have you considered that you are trying to "own" something in your church that isn't yours to begin with? What is it?

How we helped plant a church - Part 1

In his book entitled Courageous Leadership Bill Hybels said that he believed with all his heart that "the local church is the hope of the world." Let that soak into your brain a little bit. Do you believe that too?

In October 2001, my wife and I opened our home to approximately 20-some-odd people, many of whom were total strangers, to prayerfully discuss the possibility of starting a new type of church in our area. 7 years later our dreams have become a reality with almost 3000 people attending weekly. Also, a new separate campus on the other side of town was launched out of ours just last week. And we are only getting started!

This week I'd like to share with all of you how we got involved and took part in this amazing journey. My prayer is that you will see how tentmakers can make a Kingdom difference. Also, maybe you might feel called, as my wife and I did, to venture out and help plant a church. Believe me, there isn't a more rewarding experience in this world!

If you were asked today by your church leadership, would you be willing to help plant a church? What would be some of your reservations?