Frequently Asked Questions  

What you always wanted to know but couldn't find an answer.

As you consider the possibility of becoming a church planter, many questions begin to turn over in your mind. You want answers, the right answers. In this section, we will answer some nagging questions about who can become a church planter. These answers will help you to fill in the gaps where you lack information and overcome your preconceived ideas or misinformation. More important, these answers will begin to shed light on your potential as a church planter.

First, is there a certain personality type that is ideally suited for church planting?

Personality plays a role in everyone's job performance. For example, an obnoxious person will have difficulty as a salesperson. But personality is not everything when it comes to success on a job. Individuals with radically different personalities can be equally successful or unsuccessful in the same line of work. The best predictors of success are job-related skills. For every candidate, it must be determined the extent to which the person possesses these skills.

Second, are there special characteristics needed of church planters?

The model profile of the church planter is applicable in most settings. Certainly, a church planter must also contextualize ministry. Each geographical region and group of people have some predominant customs, traditions, and cultural values. Here is a good rule of thumb: meet the requirements of the church planter profile first and ability to contextualize the gospel second. Contextualizing without competency as a church planter will not result in success.

In some cases, you might believe that God is calling you to serve among the very people and very community that you know well. In this case, you would be what we call indigenous; in other words you come from that community and people. By knowing your context, you are in a good position to know what works and what does not work among your people. This should contribute greatly to your effectiveness as a church planter in your own setting.

Third, isn't the call to church planting enough to substantiate one as a church planter?

Numerous individuals have felt a call to plant churches. Many of these "called" pastors have planted churches without any objective confirmation. The usual logic is that the felt call is the obvious will of God. Tragically, many of these founding pastors have failed. It is not unusual to have more failures than successes. Throughout the history of the church, an authentic call to ministry has been confirmed by responsible leaders in the church. God often reveals Himself in decision-making through shared wisdom and discretion. Today, church leaders have a tool to enhance the decision-making process. Consequently, the personal call is considered necessary, but it is not the only consideration used for choosing church planters.

Fourth, can a person plant churches among people groups other than his own?

Cross-cultural ministry has a biblical precedent. The apostle Paul, a staunch Jew, planted the original churches among the Gentiles. To effectively minister cross-culturally, church planters must show humility, respect cultural differences, accept their limitations, and demonstrate a willingness to learn. The last thing they want to do is impose their culture on their constituents. The same expectations would hold in situations beyond the usual understanding of race and ethnicity, to other kinds of cross-cultural examples such as generational, regional, and socioeconomic.

Fifth, are church planters born or taught?

Church planters have specialized giftedness within the body of Christ. The apostle Paul could say just as easily in Ephesians 4:1, "And some he called to be church planters." Indeed, church planters have natural gifting. At the same time, most church planters can refine their skills and increase their effectiveness through training and mentoring. We should first look for potential church planters who have natural gifting in the key performance areas. We should then build on their giftedness.

Sixth, do church planters need a seminary degree?

Some church planters have seminary training. Others do not. The value of graduate theological education cannot be overstated. Neither can that value be misconstrued. Theological training helps a pastor bring a sharper and more in-depth message. However, it takes more than a theological education to plant churches. Some studies of church planters have found that seminary training did not necessarily relate to their success as church planters. In fact, a seminary degree does not guarantee the planting of a healthy church.

Seventh, do church planters need prior pastoral experience?

Pastoral experience is advisable but not a bottom-line requirement. Successful church planters have emerged out of a wide spectrum of professions. Individuals from business, teaching, athletics, law, military, sports, crafts, and industry are among the numerous types of professions held by those who have taken up the church planter mantle. What successful church planters have in common is their gifting.

Eighth, can single people plant churches?

The majority of church planters are married, and most of these are men. There are unmarried church planters, and a few of these are women. Marital status carries its advantages and disadvantages. The major advantage of singleness is that the church planter has more discretionary time to devote to ministry. The major disadvantages are the perceptions of other people and the increased vulnerability to sexual temptation. Each church planter must weigh the relative advantages and disadvantages of his or her marital status.

Ninth, does the church planter's spouse need to help plant the church?

Spousal cooperation is critical to the success of a married church planter. But spousal cooperation does not necessarily mean the spouse plays a direct role in planting. What is most important is that the couple defines for itself the roles expected of each partner? For some couples, both partners actively participate in planting. For other couples, the spouse is indirectly involved, providing emotional support and encouragement from the sidelines. Having an explicit agreement between partners is more important than having a predefined script for all couples.

The A.C.T.S. Center for Church Planting is a ministry of the Gulf Coast Baptist Association.

A.C.T.S. Center
PO Box 84406
Pearland, TX 77584
PH: 281-728-0795