Creates Ownership of Ministry

Church planters are a unique breed. So many are driven by a passion to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and build new communities of followers, they embark on a challenging yet rewarding journey. But true fruitfulness for a church planter goes way beyond initial growth. It's about fostering a sense of ownership within the congregation, ensuring the church thrives long after the planter hands over the reins.

It is also important that these people new to faith in Jesus and christianity understand our mission as to why we are starting a new congregation. I love the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20:  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

So, how do church planters cultivate this ownership in others toward this new church? Here are some key strategies we have discovered over the years. These characteristics need to be evident during the church planting assessment center.

·       Make Disciples, Not Dependents: A thriving church isn't built on a one-man show. Focus on equipping individuals to become disciple-makers themselves. It’s important to Invest time in teaching God’s Word, mentoring, and providing opportunities for them to use their gifts within the church.

·       Empower, Don't Dictate: Micromanagement stifles ownership. Delegate tasks, encourage initiative, and trust your people to make decisions. This fosters a sense of responsibility, ownership and allows individuals to discover their passions within the ministry. The planter should help people to “buy in” and feel responsible for the growth and success of the church as well.

·       Shift the Focus: Instead of "my church," use language that emphasizes collective ownership: "our church," "our mission," "our vision." This subtle shift reminds everyone they're responsible for the church's success. It helps gain commitment of the people to buy into the vision.

·       Recruit with Ownership in Mind: Don't just fill volunteer slots. Certainly you need all hands on deck. But seek individuals who demonstrate a heart for the mission and a desire to be actively involved. Look for those who want to contribute their talents and ideas, not just follow instructions. I have discovered that people are more willing to make short-term commitments to discover where they best fit in this new work.

·       Celebrate Ownership: Recognize and appreciate the contributions of your team. Highlight stories of individuals taking initiative and making a difference. This public acknowledgment reinforces the value of ownership and inspires others to get involved. It also helps in establishing a congregational identity. Make sure you personally thank them for their service.

By promoting ownership, church planters create a vibrant and sustainable ministry. The church becomes less reliant on the church planter and more on the collective energy and commitment of its members. This decentralized leadership helps to see the church's longevity and allows the planter to focus on reproducing the Good News in other communities.

Ultimately, creating ownership isn't about relinquishing control; it's about empowering others to share the responsibility and joy of building a thriving new faith community. 

Glenn Herschberger, Executive Director of Church Planting