5 THINGS I LOOK FOR WHEN TALKING TO A CHURCH PLANTER

(Or to someone who wants to start a campus, watch party, or business.)

Their reaction to my immediate and serious “no, don’t.”

I start with “no.” That’s intentional. If I can talk them out of it, that saves them and our Christianity “brand” a lot of hassle. They proved they have no grit. But if they fight me with substance, I’m behind them and will typically personally pay into it. But just like with soldiers, I don’t buy the philosophy of “follow your heart, you can do it buckaroo." I don't think at all that's what the world needs. The Church is an offensive weapon that requires warriors to operate. 

Their fight to sell me on why it’ll work.

I’m listening for the stats and stories of their experiences, not expectations. I watch for widening eyes and stone cold stance, them leaning forward, the no-stuttering passion of their deep-seeded conviction that proves they’re an expert on what’s in them, not a reporter of what they’ve heard.

If they quote a podcaster’s cliche or celebrity preacher roundtable host, I’m out. If they use a famous preacher’s line as an attempt to inspire me or others, that’s tells me they’re a good project manager more than a great builder. What's genius sounds different and many of us can tell the difference.

Their desire and openness to process out loud with me (or someone else).

I quickly dismiss a “perfect” plan on a 17-page prospectus attached to an “assessment.” Those are fine supplements but that’s not craft mastery or life-long learner stuff. I want clear vision with unclear strategy. I want to hear someone ask me for what I know, have seen, and even be bold enough to ask me for references and connections to some real experts I know. I want to see them work it out, not hear their rebuttals. “But I’ve been assessed” is irrelevant info to me. If they subscribe to ARC or a “model”, I’m out. They have the market cornered on starting-not-finishing, I do different. 

Their self awareness.

This isn’t self-deprecation for political posturing. I want to hear that they’re knowledgeable of their gaps and even ok with them. Bonus points if they already know the solutions or who they have on the team to guard against a gap or fill the hole. I especially love their awareness that it’s gonna take a while and be hard. I can hear if they’re fighting to be efficient. But I don’t read a lot about Jesus’s development plan or salvation endeavor being efficient. Too strong of a drive towards efficiency is actually a red flag for me. That’s why when someone says “model” I hear “I’ll quit in a year.”

Their lack of knowledge and mentions of other churches or “models.”

I’ve grown to immediately stop listening when I hear “church model.” And my eyes start rolling when I hear comparisons or intentions to “emulate” or “learn from” (aka copy) the big names. Learn, sure, but we all know what shortcuts and plagiarism look and sound like. If it fits, wear it. If it doesn’t, step out as you. Don’t go look for the right crowd or model. Be the right solution to the problem in your path.