Before you Plant

This was originally part of my previous post... but God edited it quite generously as He attempted to work grace and life into my words instead of, well instead of what was there before His edit :). I wanted to put this out though, because I believe it could be helpful to some who are considering the strategy behind church planting. As I have stated many times I believe one of the most crucial things in a successful plant is to get a certain DNA into the planting pastor. To that end, if a pastor feels called to work with a certain people group then I have two suggestions:

1. If your church is not passionate about church planting, then join one that is and spend a year there. Church planting DNA is unique. Healthy church planting DNA is extremely rare. If you can find a church with healthy church planting DNA it would be worth year to go and soak in as much as you can; even if they don't pay you. You are going to be raising support anyway, and they year you spend investing in yourself will pay decades of dividends down the road. (Look at Hill Country Bible Church if you need a good example.)
2. Find a church in the area you feel called to and join their staff for 6-12 months. Again, you are already looking to raise support, so they should welcome a free addition to their staff. Partner with a local work, again trying to look for a healthy one, but even if not realize that you can learn from people who have been on the field... even the unhealthy ones. There are many practical benefits as well, such as a potential "office" area with all of the perks you don't have at home. Things like printers, faxes, quiet places to make phone calls, etc. are handy to have. And, you may even be able to forge a relationship with a local church that will partner with you into the future. That should be part of your long-term goal anyway, so why not get started from the beginning?

We need to be better team players in The Church. I also think it would behoove us to develop a mentality that honors and strengthens current works as well as new ones. Sometimes it will not be possible to partner with others because no other church will exist in your area or people group; or no other church will willingly partner with you. If so, then you can plant knowing that as far as it depends on you, you have walked in honor and unity.