There are no perfect models, and there is no silver bullet. Many models are useful though.
What’s fascinating is that two church planters can use the exact same model in the same city and get vastly varying results. Notice that I said the same model, but I didn’t mention anything about the systems that each church planter used.
For example, let’s consider the Dodge Charger that police drive versus the Dodge Charger that you can drive off the lot.
Although, at first glance, they both look like the same car, the performance between the two is like night and day. For police cars, not only do they upgrade the engine, but they also change out the battery, alternator, cooler, suspension, brakes, and many other components that make up the car.
Essentially, the model or framework of the car is the same, but everything that makes up the car, which are its systems, are different.
I realize this isn’t a perfect example, but it illustrates the importance of systems, as the next step, in church planting.
This is a natural next step for those of you who are highly detailed and systematic. However, what I’ve found is that many church planters are weak in this area.
As a result, church planters will often think about their church planting model at a 30,000 foot level and work on many of the aspects needed to plant successfully, instead of working in those aspects.
If all the work is done on the plant, instead of in the plant, then planters will not have any control over the systems that are shaping it; and that will ultimately determine the fate of their church plant.
For example, working on the plant is all about thinking through the location, name, logo, and vision statement. Working in the plant is about thinking through financial sustainability, church structure, launch team, and the intricacies of congregational formation, and long-term discipleship.
I’m not advocating that you take care of every single detail yourself, but I am advocating that you involve yourself at every step of the process. If God has called you to plant a church, he has called you to be the steward of this vision. Don’t neglect your responsibilities and don’t delegate the details.
What would happen if you were stubborn and decided to leave systems to chance?
[Read more…] about 10 Reasons Systems Matter for Church Planting