STICKING WITH THE CHURCH PLANT

Author: ​PASTOR ANDY DOSS

​Planting a church is a difficult business, filled with problems, pitfalls, and perils. Though every church plant is different, almost all will encounter a significant amount of adversity. Here’s some truths to consider of why you should stick it out through the difficult times.

1. Remember Your Calling
• First and foremost, if you have been called by the Lord to plant the church then you cannot leave until God calls you somewhere else.
• Servants serve in the place of their Master’s choosing.
• If God hasn’t changed His mind about the need for a church in the place to where you are called, then why should you change yours?
• Your calling will keep you, when other things will not.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
 
2. Reacting to Your Circumstances
• Often discouragement comes when we are reacting to adverse circumstances.
• Don’t be a prisoner to your circumstances.
• Respond with faith and not with fear.
• Circumstances can change rapidly, either for the good or bad.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
 
3. Revive Your Compassion
• When we loose sight of the purpose of ministry, we allow our compassion for souls to be diminished.
• The ministry is about people.
• When things are difficult, pour yourself into helping and ministering to people.
• Focus on the needs of others instead of your own problems.
• If you leave, who will shepherd the people that God has given to you?
• Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
 
4. Resist Comparisons
• Comparing ourselves to other church plants and other ministries fills our hearts with discouragement and discontentment.
• Remember the grass looks greener on the other side because you are not close enough to see the dirt. Every ministry has problems.
• Comparing ministries leads to a results-based mentality and focus, which in turn can lead to an-end-justifies-the-means ministry.
• Duties our ours, results are God’s.
• 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
 
5. Rest in Christ
• Above all, rest in Christ. It is not your church it is His.
• It is not your ministry, it is His.
• The pressure is not on you, but on Him and He can handle it.
• You are just the servant, not the decision maker, not the responsible party. Be faithful in your duty and responsibilities and then rest in Christ for the results.
• Genesis 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
• Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.