Two Mistakes in Church Planting That We Can Learn From

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By: Nathan Young

Mistakes have often been my greatest teachers. The sting of defeat equips me faster and further than any book or professor. If sitting in a classroom is like learning in a slow cooker then being a new pastor of a church plant is like learning in a high-powered microwave. I stopped counting the number of mistakes that I’ve made a long time ago, but there are a couple that stand out like a red neck at Ruth Chris Steak House.   

1) Impatience

When you listen to the church planting stories at the big conferences you hear about plants that go from 0-1000 in two years. I didn’t expect things to take off that fast, but I was hopeful that if we had dynamic worship, a fun children’s environment, and life changing Missional Communities (our version of small groups) then we would grow quickly.

I’m reminded of the Israelites who became impatient waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain. It led them to melt down their gold earrings to form an idol to worship. It is so easy for us to seek out satisfaction in other areas when we become impatient with God.

Impatience leads to frustration, doubt, and disobedience.  I was arrogant to believe that we would easily convince people far from God to turn away from their sins and become fully devoted followers of Christ. I was arrogant to believe that people who have been hurt by a church in their past would instantly trust a new church plant.

The Lesson I’m Learning: Trust God and enjoy the journey. Leaning on God’s grace, mercy, and love is enough. The further we get in the journey the clearer it becomes that God’s timing is always perfect. Looking back at where we were two years ago is really helpful. I am amazed at what God has done and how he has brought together an amazing team that loves Jesus and our community. Things may not progress as fast as I would like, but I’m thankful for the struggle because I know that nothing great comes easy.

2) Neglecting Leadership Training

They say that planting a church is a lot like trying to build an airplane while you are in mid-air. You are constantly trying new things, hoping that they work, and worrying that you may crash and burn. In the midst of the busyness of sermon prep, planning for outreach, coordinating volunteers, and counseling it is easy to forget about the importance of leadership.

John Maxwell defines leadership simply as influence. As a human, my influence potential is limited, which is why equipping leaders is essential for multiplying the church. Unfortunately, the tendency for me is to focus on the here and now, the urgent rather than the important.

The Lesson I’m Learning: We need to have a reproducible system in place to identify, equip, and release leaders for ministry. Jim Putman’s Real Life Discipleship has been very helpful as we develop our strategy.

In identifying leaders, it is easy to mistake talent for leadership. Just because someone is a good communicator, knows the Bible, has multiple degrees, or can sing doesn’t mean that they should be in a leadership position. I am learning to be patient in identifying leaders. The biggest things that I look for is their willingness to serve, take initiative, and passion for the Gospel.  People will follow the passionate servant leaders.

Another lesson I have learned is that equipping is not simply transferring information. Equipping involves modeling leadership, giving opportunities to lead, and giving feedback. Developing leaders involves sharing life together. It involves formal and informal times together. Life on life. Equipping leaders is essential for multiplying the church.

Eventually leaders need to be released not only to lead, but also to help equip other leaders. We are using the phrase “spiritual parent” more often now at Mercy Hill. We want our people to be intentional about raising up fully devoted followers of Christ.

If I took the time, I am sure that I could write a whole book on the lessons that I have learned through my mistakes. Even though they are painful and embarrassing at times, I am thankful for them. I’m most thankful for a Father in heaven who looks at me and doesn’t see my flaws, because they have been wiped away by the precious blood of Jesus.

What about you? What mistakes in ministry have you learned from?

Nathan Young has been happily married to Camaron since 1998. They have five children, Hannah, Eli, Jacob, Sam, and Hope. Nathan is the Teaching Pastor at Mercy Hill Baptist Church which launched in 2013. Before starting Mercy Hill, he served as the Minister of Activities and Outreach at First Baptist Church Mt. Washington. 

 

The Challenges of Being a New Pastor

Pastors Blog

By: Jason McCray

As a new pastor, there are numerous challenges that have impacted my ministry since moving from being a youth minister. While I was not blind to the challenges, I was amazed by the intensity of those challenges. The first major challenge has to do with prioritizing my time. Unfortunately, I fell into the trap of trying to be the official “Super Man” of the church, or should I say “Captain America” since I am more partial to him; because of the really cool shield and deep sense of patriotism. Sorry, I digress. While I knew and trusted in God, I would still try and do everything. In addition, I would struggle with trying to please everyone. While I did see God moving and impacting lives, I noticed my stress load would never decrease. Instead of making progress on the to-do list, there were two items added for every one item that was checked off. Feeling overwhelmed and inadequate was a constant way of life and ministry. Also, what about my family? I would see them and be with them but my focus seemed to be back on my to-do list. It became such a challenge that I doubted God for placing me in the pastorate position because I could not get a “handle” on everything that needed to be done. No matter how well the Sermon, the Bible lessons, and counseling sessions were, I felt like a failure.

The advice from others was simple. Jason, you just need to prioritize your time and your tasks. While I agreed with their quick solution, I always asked “How?”. How do I prioritize my time and my to-do list when both are full of priorities? I wonder if their system was better than mine. Practically, I would utilize a method of completing tasks similar to Franklin-Covey’s method. However, was it really the best? One of the best helps came from a book on my Logos Bible Software that was written over twenty years ago called The Time Crunch: What to do When You Can’t Do it All by Steve McKinley, John Maxwell, and Greg Asimakoupoulos. Even though the book is “dated” compared to our app driven society, the principles and nuggets of info can be brought into our 21st century context of ministry.  For instance, “…I set a prioritized schedule in advance. If you don’t set your schedule in advance, others will fill it for you—with no regard for your priorities.” What a simple but brilliant concept! After stopping to do a self evaluation of how I have been spending my time, I discovered that I had been allowing others to fill my time and my to-do list. While I am still not perfect in prioritizing my time, I have made better strides in organizing my schedule in advance so that I can better protect my time and the important tasks that must get done. For instance, I noticed that I accomplished more in a week when the week was planned out by weekend before the start of the new week. I didn’t plan out every single moment of time in order to leave room for some flexibility. When emergencies happened, I would come back to the weekly plan and make adjustments as needed when I have a moment. This plan of action and schedule would give me the opportunity to say “yes”, “no”, or more importantly “not right now” to someone because I am limited on the time that I have been given. However, there needs to be an obvious starting point.

Mark 1:35, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (ESV) Being more of a “night owl”, I hate this verse. However, it does not take away from its truth, importance, and example. No matter what our role or position in ministry may be, our schedule and work would fall short of how hard our Savior worked to spread God’s kingdom. Yet, no matter what, Jesus would go spend time with God the Father in a place that was private and away from everyone else. Yes, I would personally spend time with God on a daily basis. However, I have been inconsistent in giving God my to-do list and my schedule for Him to determine what His priorities are for that day, week, and month. Should I plan and prioritize my time in advance? Absolutely! However, I must consistently seek God daily and first thing to determine His will for His ministry. Martin Luther, the great Reformer, said this, “I have so much to do today, I must begin with at least two hours alone with God.” I have to admit. I am trying to change my habits and tendencies. I would go nuts to push pause on all that needs to be done in order to spend two hours of prayer with God. I shouldn’t, but I would feel guilty because I am not busy “doing.” Would you feel guilty? When I spend time with my God to align my will and to-do list with His, it amazes me how I am able to prioritize the time that has been given to me to further His kingdom. Am I perfect at following the example of Mark 1:35 and applying the concept of prioritizing my time? I wish I could say “yes”. I am getting better by the grace of God.

While my first challenge has everything to do with prioritizing my time, my second challenge has to do with a phrase that God gave me during a prayer time, “stay the course.” Before coming pastor of FBC of Lebanon Junction in April of 2013, I had the opportunity to be a full-time youth pastor for over eight years in Elizabethtown, KY. While it was a wonderful blessing and will treasure every opportunity I had there, there were many difficult moments and hardships. Some challenges I handled very well by the grace of God. Unfortunately, some I could of handled much better than I did. Yet through all those challenges, I walked away believing that I was equipped and ready for any challenges that I would face at the pastorate position. I know. I know. For those experienced and seasoned pastors, go ahead and laugh. In fact, I am chuckling as I reflect on it. While there have been countless experiences and opportunities that have prepared me for the pastor position, I still had a lot to learn. In reality, I still have a lot more to learn. Before reaching that point of humility, there have been many situations and emergencies in which I have been frustrated and wanted to give up by seeking a new church or even leaving the ministry. Frequently, I would pray for such opportunities and God to just speak to me. On one such occasion, God revealed that phrase from earlier, “Stay the course.” Frankly, I was hoping for something a little more.

Yet as I meditate on those words, I was reminded of Scripture. Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Similar to the earlier issue with prioritizing my time, I had tried to do ministry my way. I had lost sight of when God had called me to the ministry to begin with. He is the One that called me. I did not call myself. Doesn’t that sound silly? God is the One who is commanding and encouraging me to run the marathon race, not the sprint, that He has set before me. So during that wonderful time of prayer, God could not have given me any better words to encourage me to stay where I am and in ministry than “Stay the course.”

While there are other challenges that I have faced and will face, I know I will be able to get through them. In addition, I know that you will be able to get through every challenge you are facing and will face. How do I know this? First, aligning our priorities with God’s by following Jesus’ example in Mark 1:35. Second, “Stay the Course.”

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Jason has been the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lebanon Junction in Bullitt County since April 2014. Prior, Jason served as the Youth Pastor for Valley Creek Baptist Church in Elizabethtown for over eight years. Jason is a graduate of Boyce college and received his masters from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jason has been married to Angela for 12 years, and has two children: Carter and Anneliese. In his free time Jason enjoys reading, history, golf, sports, and photography.