So far we've mostly been talking about the general things of church planting. Note: If you haven't yet, check out the podcast for an in-depth conversation on that. But today I want to focus on a specific aspect of our church planting process: my role as a Resident Church Planter. Specifically, what does "Resident" mean in that job title?
What Is a Resident Church Planter
A church planter is someone who is sent out from the sending church (a.k.a. the "mother church") to lead and pastor the new church plant. Being sent out is the whole point. That's why the "Resident" designation is helpful for clarification. The Resident Church Planter is one who hasn't been sent yet. But he's in the preparation stage to be sent. During the preparation stage he's ministering and serving at the sending church, as a resident of the sending church. Once the new church plant is launched, the Church Planter moves to serving the new church.
In my case, right now I am serving on staff at Fellowship Church as we prepare to plant a church. Once our church plant is launched (meaning it is functioning as a full-fledged church, having weekly worship services, etc), I'll be the pastor of the new church. I'll be employed by the new church and no longer on staff at Fellowship Church. But for now, until then, I'll be on staff serving at Fellowship. That word "Resident" reminds us that I currently reside at Fellowship church, to minister and serve there. But it also reminds us that this is only a temporary, transitional role. Ultimately, I'll be sent out to serve the new church.
Why Do It That Way?
That's what a Resident Church Planter is, but why do it that way? Why not just have the Church Planter be sent out right away to plant a church? Why have this transition period? There are several good reasons for having a resident period before sending out a church planter.
People Don't Plant Churches; Churches Plant Churches
The first one is that people don't plant churches; churches plant churches. I am not planting a church. The Church is planting a church. Fellowship Church has the primary role in planting the church, but even the larger Body of Christ is involved in this work, including those outside Fellowship Church who are praying and supporting the church plant. The Church is the institution that Christ established to carry out His mission in the world. Christ's Church is a Body, not an assortment of single-cell organisms, but a Body. It is through local churches (which are the tangible expressions of that Body) that Christ's mission is carried out. We are not independent, but rather dependent upon one another. It's the Body that builds itself up into Christ the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16). We need a whole church in order to plant a church, not just one person (one church planter).
You Have to Be Sent from Somewhere to Be Sent
In order to be sent you have to be sent from somewhere, from someone. Otherwise, you're just going. You're not sent unless someone does the sending. Ultimately, Christ did the sending when He commissioned His disciples to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). But that sending continues through the Church—those who hold to and pass on the faith that was once-for-all handed down by the Apostles. During my residency, we get to build relationship together so that when it comes time for us to be sent, we will be sent out, not as strangers, but as partners and members of this fellowship.
Strong Relationships Are Key
"Most church plants fail, not because they don't have a plan or enough money, they fail because they don't have significant enough relationships—relationships with the sending church and with the target community." Those were the words of the EFCA East superintendent and church planting pastor Tony Balsamo in my first meeting with him. They are insightful words, and it makes sense when you think about it. Church planting is a long-term commitment, not a one-time event. The sending church is sacrificing their own time, money, and people to start another church in a different community. It's sacrificial and long-term. As time goes on or challenges arise we may be tempted to wonder, "Why are we doing all of this for them?" That's where good relationships come in. If we take the time to build strong relational bonds, it is no longer "us" and "them," but we are doing something together.
Calling Is Confirmed Through the Church
Another reason for the resident period is that it allows the sending church leaders and congregation to observe and confirm the gifting and calling of the church planter. I may have a desire to plant a church and believe it is a genuine leading from the Lord, but the validity of my idea doesn't rest in my personal passion. Rather it rests in the full counsel of God's Word and in the confirmation of the local church. As a resident planter I am in submission to the authority and direction of the Elders of Fellowship church.
It's a Biblical Pattern
In the New Testament people didn't get their own ideas and go off and do their own thing. They were commissioned and sent by the local church. In Acts 13 it was in the context of the local church in Antioch where Paul and Barnabas were known that those two men were called and sent out to their mission (Acts 13:1-3). Paul and Barnabas didn't just go off to minister because they had a personal passion. The church laid hands on them and sent them off. In another example, Titus didn't simply decide he was called to build up the churches on the island of Crete. He was sent by Paul (Titus 1:5).
It Increase Our Joy
When the day comes and the church plant is ready to launch, Fellowship Church will gather together and have a commissioning service for the team as we are sent out to start the new church. I expect that day will be a bittersweet one. Bitter, because those of us being sent will be leaving behind a fellowship of believers we have loved and called home, but sweet because, out of that leaving a new church will be born. The amount of joy we experience that day will be in direct proportion to the depths of relationships we've built during the resident period. When the new church is launched everyone—both those who have been sent, and those who have stayed and done the sending—should have great joy in what we have done together through God's power. We all get to share in the joy because we as one body have created something new together.
It Honors Christ
Christ is the one building His Church. He gives different roles within the Church and puts it together according to His will (Ephesians 4:11-13). Our responsibility is for all of us to grow up in every way into Christ the Head by each of us carrying out our part in the Body (Ephesians 4:15-16). When we submit ourselves and function as a Body the Church is built up and Christ is glorified. Amen!
-Stephen Anderson