This is a question sent in by Drew on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:
PaaronD – I’m in the process of planting a church. What would say are the three things have done that worked best, helped you reach the most people or whatnot, and the three things your have done, that if you could have a “do-over”, you would do differently. Grace and Peace! -Erik
My Answer:
Erik,
First of all I am proud of you and glad to hear that you are planting a church. I pray for grace, strength, and persaverance from Jesus as you press towards that calling in Jesus. This question is interesting because I am still trying to figure out what I am doing, sometimes I get the feeling I am all right and other times I feel like I am all wrong. I love what God is doing but I am sure the biggest barrier is me.
“DO-OVERS”
(1) My damnable pride – I think when I started at 24 I had a lot more pride. I thought I had everything figured out and did not set myself in a place where I was surrounded by coaches. I think having good godly coaches would have been a great idea. I had some people who I could go to but I think I have way more now that I actually use. I think 7 years in I know less and need more help! I wish I would have started that way.
(2) My idol of the approval of man – I do not think I had enough security in Jesus and the gospel. I wanted everyone to be happy and I wanted everyones approval, to the point that I had unqualified leadership who were not tested, anyone who said they could sing was given a mic (so I had more people on stage then in the seats), and we ended up having no community or commitment.
(3) Teamwork – because I rushed into it I created a one man show instead of a team. A core team is really important. Start by building a core team.
“WORKED” - I am not sure if any of this worked but I like it.
(1) Clear Simple Vision – long story but just getting a clear simple vision of what we were about helped us to focus and decide who we were, what we were doing, and what we would not do.
(2) Empowering team – we drastically switched and we have a real plurality of eldership and great gifted team members who care about the gospel and the church as much as I do. I am sure that is something God did but it worked. Building community is so important.
(3) Endurance – I think just sticking with it has worked. By God’s grace I just got to out last some of the hardships and problems. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
I am not sure any of that will help but bless you brother. We just joined the A29 network if you are not involved in a network it may be a good idea to get assessed and have some coaching. Bless you.
For me, it was about being a missionary. What worked, was 'allowing' God to beat the pride out of me, which He seems to do every day. Realize, I can't make it work, it is him how makes it work. Rest. However if I were to put it into three steps, it would be to be a missionary in the culture you are loving:
1) engage culture (being missional in an incarnational way): hang out with people; become a friend; learn the context; every person is an individual context; every person has an individual story that will often butt heads with our stories. So questions to ask, are, “What do you naturally like to do?” This is where you hang out! “What’s a Friend?” A Friend is a real Friend when they invite us to hang out with their friends. If they don’t learn to love us, we aren’t doing ‘it’ well.
2. Formation of Community: It’s what we read about in Acts. This is inclusive community. This happens when saints and sojourners are hanging together. A community made up of missionaries (intentionally living as missionaries in a foreign land; an intentional set of accountabilities), sojourners (temporary travelers; people who are searching; they can sin all they want and anyway they want and there’s no judgment against them; but they are included in the community)…This is where we are making the Kingdom tangible…Here the Gospel becomes incarnate…
3. Structure a Congregation: A structure that holds God’s people together. Here you are to proclaim aspects of the gospel, corporately worship God, partake in communion, etc…
This is what we have done…does IT work? NO! What worked about it, was that it was obedience to Christ…good luck and may God bless you in your work!
Matt, Love your thoughts. Thanks for the insight. Everyone, listen to this dude for sure… He knows what he is talking about. Keep it up bro.
Awesome guys thanks for your encouragement and tips!
As far as a network, I'm Foursquare and we have an awesome team here that is supporting me, but A29 is also awesome stuff.
Grace and Peace!
Good word my brother!
thanks my brother… Check out my bro's blog everyone.