A church planter is the individual, family or team leading the church planting process. As with other ministry vocations, whether pastoral or missions-related, a church planter must have a sense of God’s calling. Guiding principles for helping the church planter recognize his or her call include a recognition of the need for a church plant, an understanding of Christ’s command to make disciples, a passion to engage in the work of ministry and church support.2
The church planter is aware of the needs involving an area. For instance, our team prayerfully considered where to plant the church. We spent time praying for God’s guidance and researching areas of spiritual need. Our team understood the Gospel need in North Phoenix. Following this recognition, church planters must be motivated by the call to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). A church plant that fails to reach its surrounding community for Christ, making disciples, will not thrive and honor God in a meaningful way.
It is important for the church planter to have a passion for the people and location to which he or she will serve. When I first visited Phoenix in the middle of July, I immediately thought, “No way!” I am no fan of the heat, and I initially believed God could not be calling me here. However, as I began to earnestly pray for God’s direction, he gave me a love for the people and the place.
As the church planter embarks on the journey, it is crucial to have church support. For one, church support confirms God’s call. If he is calling you to plant a church, your home church will be supportive and encouraging. If not, then reassessment and prayer are necessary. Also, having as many churches as possible supporting your church plant through prayer, mission teams and funding will be a blessing and help in the long run.
