Date: Jun 30, 2003 [ 8: 12: 22]
Subject: Summary - Attitudes in the Ministry
© 2003 BCP Harry Shelton Cole
Subject: Summary - Attitudes in the Ministry
SUMMARY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH PLANTING LIST
===========================================
Moderated and edited by Pastor Harry Shelton Cole
===========================================
Introduction: The attitudes of a Church planter are often what is visibly
seen to be the strength and or weakness in the planting of a Baptist
church. Our goal in asking this question was not to try to separate or
identify attitudes that every church planter should have but isolate some
character traits that one might consider before and during a church plant.
Each church plant is different and every church planter is different. It
is the sum of ones character that God uses in each and every circumstance.
We are not clones but we can identify traits that we might find beneficial
in developing within ourselves before planting a church. Thanks to all who
responded to this question.
=========================================================
Pastor Jerry Reed, Liberty Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, TX, is now a
veteran contributor to this list as well as a veteran church planter. I
appreciate the quick response to the question of the week. More
importantly I appreciate the glimpse you have allowed us into your heart.
This is truly a post that edifies our Lord. Thanks again.
===================================================
Baptist Church Planters List - Question of the Week
===================================================
What attitudes are important for a church planter/pastor?
===================================================
GRATITUDE
Never will there be a time in my ministry when I felt my total dependence
on God any greater than when we started our church. (I know what you're
thinking, and you're right. I should always feel that total dependence.
Hard for me to do when there's money in the bank, pray for me.) Anyway,
everything, I mean everything, God did was a refreshing miracle and reminder
how much He loved and cared for us. I have forgotten many things along the
way, but I will always remember God intervening and feeding my wife and
kids, keeping them healthy, and keeping us safe when the tornado of 1979
destroyed our home and church.
At one point, times were particularly tough and groceries were scarce. I
got a job at McDonalds and God touched the owner to let me bring home
leftovers for my family! At one point, I told my wife to give a check for
groceries, and I knew I couldn't cover it! $126 and it seemed like a
fortune. The very next day a $125 check came in from friends 100's of
miles away with a simple note, 'Bet you can use this' That day, God put us
on our knees in total gratitude.
It is having an attitude of GRATITUDE, not only to God, but to our wives
and kids for being willing to share the sometimes difficult experience,
gratitude to the members of our tiny, struggling church whose sacrifice
seemed to know no limits. Thanks for using this Question of the Week to
remind me again how good God has been to this preacher.
============================================================
Marc Leverett, pastor of First Independent Baptist Church in Mobile, AL,
has one of the biggest hearts of any preacher I have ever met. His church
planting efforts are a result of a submissive spirit to the will of God.
Thanks Marc for this great response.
===================================================
Baptist Church Planters List - Question of the Week
===================================================
What attitudes are important for a church planter/pastor?
TENACITY
It is difficult for me to refer to an attitude that is particularly
conducive to the church planter without mentioning the spiritual graces
that are above and beyond mere attitude. For example, when I try to talk
about the attitude of humility, this is a spiritual matter also. When I
try to talk of optimism, it quickly moves me toward the graces of faith or
hope.
Defining attitude as a mental outlook, a way of acting and thinking, or
one's disposition, that one should personally develop and maintain, I
keep coming up with the attitude of TENACITY. Yes I know that may seem
strange at first but follow me a little on this one. This is a personal
trait that comes from the desire to persevere against difficulty. This is
an attitude of the mind and will that is necessary for anyone to refuse to
quit. If someone does not have this attitude then he will be easily
beaten. It one excels in this attitude (and of course, the spiritual
graces that we have alluded to) he will be hard to defeat!
Tenacity has some synonyms: perseverance, persistence, unswervingness,
relentless, diligence, iron willed etc, etc.
To anyone who is trying to do a difficult and challenging work that is
fraught with setbacks and risk of failure, TENACITY in its sanctified form
is an essential attitude to have. Without it none of the other attitudes
will have opportunity to come into play. And now the thought just occurred
to me that sanctified tenacity is just another way of describing the
spiritual exercises of zeal or steadfastness. Well, I tried to make a
distinction between attitude and spiritual attributes but they keep running
together with me! Tenacity without spirituality is just blind stubbornness.
(I'll take that over wimpishness) Spirituality without tenacity is just
warm fuzzy sentiment having no evidence of genuine spirituality. TENACITY.
There, I've said it and I'll stick by it.
============================================================
Pastor Jeff O'Dell of Fayetteville Baptist Church, Fayetteville, AR, is my
answer to these Yankees up here that ask, "Can any good come out of
Arkansas?" I say, "Yes," you need to go to Fayetteville. Seriously,
appreciate the thoughtful response of brother O'Dell. My sentiment is not
based on the fact that I was born in W. Memphis either :) Thanks brother
Jeff.
===================================================
Baptist Church Planters List - Question of the Week
===================================================
What attitudes are important for a church planter/pastor?
===================================================
ELASTICITY
One of the greatest attitudes a pastor must exhibit is that of
"elasticity". Webster defines this as, "the capability of a body to
recover its original
size and shape after it has been altered. I like to think of it as the
"Michelin Man", or "Pillsbury Doughboy" Mentality. Or better yet, "The
Apostle Paul" attitude. This is the mentality that says we must bounce back
when we get run over, poked at, or just plain beat up in the ministry.
When we first started our church, I was convinced that I had it all figured
out. I was the best pastor of the best church in town, and I knew everyone
would love me.
After 4 1/2 years, surprise, surprise. Not everyone likes me. I couldn't
believe that families would really leave the church and be mad at me at the
same time, too. ("I'm such a nice guy" I thought) This is when I had to
learn to bounce back. Get back on my feet, quit feeling sorry for myself,
and stay by the stuff. I suppose a better name for this attitude might be
determination, or perseverance.
By the way, a smart pastor will also help his wife to learn this attitude
through the difficult times. I believe it will either make you or break your
ministry.
============================================================
I knew someone would get to it. That is why I chose another one for the
example. Pastor Jeff Ables, Pastor Calvary Baptist Church, Knob Noster
Missouri, (the bishop of Knob Noster) relates the one attitude that I
believe is intertwined with all the others and vitally important in church
planting. Thanks brother Jeff for your faithfulness.
===================================================
Baptist Church Planters List - Question of the Week
===================================================
What attitudes are important for a church planter/pastor?
===================================================
FAITHFULNESS
We need a great reminder from time to time that God will bless
faithfulness. God is asking us to be faithful no matter what. I can
remember times within the first few years of being the Pastor here I
thought way in the back of my mind that it just was not going to work out.
But in the front of my mind I knew God just wanted me to be faithful. I
must be faithful to God, faithful to the call of God, faithful to where God
had placed me, faithful to the Word of God, and faithful to the church God
had placed me over as the under shepherd.
Test after test, trial after trial, it was the word faithful that would
always come to my mind. I'm glad that I stuck in out in the bad times so
God good make the good times just that much sweeter. Through it all God
has taught me He is the one who is in control and we just need to be
faithful to the preaching of God's Word. By the way, God is always faithful.
============================================================
Pastor David McGraw is one of the newest members of the BCP list. I
appreciate the input from our new guys. It really helps to get the
prospective of guys who have advice on Church planting who are in different
areas. David is from Clyde Texas and pastors Bible Baptist Church. Thanks
for your help brother McGraw.
===================================================
Baptist Church Planters List - Question of the Week
===================================================
What attitudes are important for a church planter/pastor?
===================================================
ENCOURAGEMENT
Having started two churches, I know the important of staying encouraged.
The families that say they are right behind you are so far behind you
when you need help that you cant see them sometimes. Going after the lost,
I believe, is the key that keeps the new pastor encouraged and gives him some
great sermon illustrations. Many people that come to your services have been
a member of most of the churches in town. Don't get discouraged if they leave
you. Sometimes the Lord sees things coming that we don't.
2003 BCP HOME PAGE
=================================
Pastor Harry Shelton Cole Moderator
bcp@baptistchurchplanting.com >:-o
http://www.baptistchurchplanting.com/