What Are We Looking For in A Church Planter?

  1. Vision-casting ability
  • Can see beyond what is to what might be.
  • Is able to communicate a clearly articulated picture of the new work.
  • Can ask people to join them on mission and provide pathways for engagement.
  1. Self-starter and resilient
  • Is willing to work hard and has sufficient energy and healthto do so.
  • Is a self-starter and can work without supervision.
  • Can handle rejection and resistance without folding.
  1. Believes in the concept of team
  • Is comfortable with delegating.
  • Gains commitment from others to the shared vision, mission and values.
  • Regularly celebrates the “wins” and honors volunteers and staff.
  1. Is committed to evangelism/compassion, mercy and justice
  • Is willing to engage the culture and share the gospel.
  • Has a circle of un-churched friends they meet with regularly.
  • Can communicate in a way that allows everyone to understand the Good News.
  1. Has a fully committed spouse (if married)
  • Church planting is a team effort and requires equal commitment on the part of husband and wife.
  • Understands how to separate home and work in a healthy way.
  1. Values relationships
  • Is committed to “loving well.”
  • Non-judgmental of those in transition.
  • Knows that spending time with people IS the job.
  1. Understands the biblical concepts of “the body of Christ” and the “priesthood of all believers”
  • Is committed to helping people discover and use their gifts.
  • Realizes they’re not good enough or smart enough to plant a church alone.
  • Can develop enough structure to prevent ministry burnout.
  1. Engages the broader community
  • Gets to know the civic leaders, teachers, and business leaders in the community.
  • Willing to get out and ask the community questions.
  1. Is a good fit for church planting in their chosen context
  • Is a good denominational fit and has the right spiritual gifts for church planting.
  • Handles their finances in a responsible way.
  • Has shown fruit in previous ministry contexts.
  1. Has excellent communication skills
  • Has experience preaching and teaching.
  • Preaches in a way that helps people on their faith journey take steps toward Christ.
  1. Has the ability to gather people
  • Is not intimidated by the prospect of meeting new people.
  • Knows how to work with others on agenda harmony issues.
  • Is grace-filled and able to relate to people much different than themselves.
  1. Is committed to see discipleship happen
  • Can develop a clear pathway of discipleship to move people from new believers to a deeper walk with Christ.
  • Is a student of the Bible and can teach or can delegate to and equip those who can.
  1. Has a growing knowledge of church planting
  • Understands the methodology of Covenant Church Planting and is committed to planting a self-sustaining church over a 36-month timeframe.
  • Understands the difference between being a pastor in an established church and what is needed to be the pastor of a church plant.
  • Is coachable and teachable.
  1. Is compatible with the Covenant Church
  • Understands the key distinctives that set the Covenant apart.
  • Understands and embraces congregational polity.
  • Desires to support the broader ministries of the Midwest Conference & ECC.
  1. Will work on agenda harmony
  • Can build a “launch team” and a “leadership team.”
  • Will deal with conflict in a healthy way.
  • Can help a crowd become a church.
  1. Is a person of great faith
  • Believes that the Church is God’s first, best and only plan to reach the world.
  • Is filled with hope and anticipation.
  • Trusts that prayer is the first and most important thing in which they can engage.

Churches working together to transform lives and communities

by starting new churches, strengthening existing churches,

and developing missional leaders.

Brian Johnson, MWC Director of Church Planting

316.323.9289   midwestcovenant.org