So Jay, How's that New Church Plant Going?

If I had a dime for each time I've been asked that question over the last 7 days, I wouldn't be burning up the road preaching all over the place in order to eat and live indoors! :-) I'm humbled that so many of you email, that people I ran into last week at Catalyst asked, and that people I meet care enough to ask.

Some of you are potential church planters and you want to know every detail on how to crank up a church. Some of you are friends who want to know how to pray. Some of you are just curious observers. No matter, I'm thankful that you care and I'm happy to answer.

Based on Collins' monograph addendum to Good to Great, I have broken our launch process into phases. Right now, we are in Phase One: Leadership. Phase One has two objectives: 1. For me to become a Level 5 leader and 2. Get the right people on the bus.

Everyday, I ask God to show me what keeps me from being a Level 5 leader - a leader who leads out of humility with a laser focus on the mission before us. As best as I can see, here are the areas that I am working on in my personal leadership:

1. A Level 5 leader is focused on city transformation, not growing a big church.
Growing a big church is easier than transforming a city. You can grow a big church without God. You can't change a city without Him. If my focus is simply to grow a big church, then I am building my kingdom. If my focus is transforming a city, then I am doing my part to build THE Kingdom. Which one do you think God blesses?

2. A Level 5 leader is a prayer warrior.
I am convinced that humility is a product of a committed, disciplined prayer-life. When I am not praying, I am depending on me. When I pray, I am depending on God. Sounds elementary...maybe it should be. But the reality is that I know I don't pray like I should and I know a lot of other pastors who don't either. The most important activity for me everyday is praying - hearing God's voice, allowing Him to break me, casting my cares on Him.

3. A Level 5 leader is clear and focused.
I have much to learn about what this church needs to look like. It would be easy for me to bring my can of past experiences, open it up, and dump it out in Columbia. But what if what is in my can totally misses the culture God has called our church to reach and eventually create? I am reading everything I can get my hands on regarding missional codes, cultural exegesis, the future, etc. I don't agree with all of it, but my thinking is stretched and I am learning. The result of it all will be a clear picture of what God has called us to do, who He has called us to reach, and how we are going to do it.

4. A Level 5 leader pastors his family first.
I'll just say it: I stink at pastoring my family. Pastoring has built-in intentionality. Pastoring has built-in creativity. Pastoring has built-in drive. Why do I have these when it comes to my church, but struggle to have them when it comes to my family? I have been gone so much over the last few weeks and it is literally breaking my heart. I guess that's good because it's a sign of growth. I love my wife and girls more than anyone on this planet. They need to know it and see it. I need to lead my family with greater vision and intensity than I lead my church. If I don't, I forfeit.

So, that's what I am doing. There's more, but these are front and center for me right now. I'll share some tomorrow of what's going on in getting the right people on the bus.

Comments

[Michael O'Neal]

JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Michael O'Neal from old SBTS days. Great thoughts on Level 5 Leadership--Dr. Lawless would be proud. Ran across your blog somwhere and just wanted to say hi. Sorry I missed you at Catalyst. Glad to hear about the church plant. Please keep me updated, and please know that I will be praying for you all! Let's talk soon.

Michael O'Neal (old SBTS alum)

[Jeff Mangum]

Great stuff bro...focus focus focus! Love it!

[Eric Bryant]

Great meeting you too! Keep up your great work! Would love to see you next week in NC if you are able (www.theoriginsproject.org).

I love Good To Great! Have you seen the extra chapter Collins wrote about the Social Sector?