BLP 28. 10 Years Into a Church Plant - Avoid These Mistakes (Part 2)
Carter and Brandon discuss two more lessons learned in the early years of a church plant: 1) be sure to get wisdom, coaching and vision, and 2) be slow to trust people who brag; everybody starts at the bottom.
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Show Notes
Welcome to BLP. Today, Pastor Carter interviews Brandon Adkins, his partner in planting the church, ten years ago. Brandon is Worship Pastor at Fierce Church.
- Wisdom, Coaching, Vision. // Lean into these three categories and seek each of them out, you will not lose your leadership authority by doing so. Instead, you will limit your options by relying only upon yourself. Proverbs 11:14 (NASB) Where there is no guidance, the people fall, But in abundance of counselors, there is victory. Ask, “How else might we solve this?”, God speaks and leads through other people. Ask for advice, especially in your areas of weakness or where you might be overlooking details. Hire or find a free(ish) coach, they will provide valuable feedback from an objective, outsider’s perspective. Lastly, you are not the sole source of the church’s vision. Engage your team to contribute to the vision by visiting other, bigger churches, to be encouraged and refreshed by seeing the amazing things God is doing and can/will do through their church.
- Beware of the brag. // Be patient when trusting others with an important position when they say they don’t have to start at the bottom. Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. Bragging is a red flag, the spiritually mature will trust God to raise them up. When you have no history with someone, let them show that they are competent at a lower position before trusting them with more responsibility and influence. Follow a distinct process so newcomers can learn culture, values, and represent the church well. On the flip side, also beware of saying no too early when you sense arrogance, that person may be good, and by starting small the Lord could refine them and you may be able to shepherd them through that shortcoming. It’s important to always keep a will-see perspective and give the person a chance to show their gifts, notwithstanding the nonexistent spiritual gift of critique. The right to critique is earned by becoming part of the tribe, over time.
