I'm gonna do a few series kind of interacting with and starting discussions about themes in some books on church planting. This first series comes out of the The Multiplying Church.
What are the characteristics of a church planter? Bob Roberts lists 5 characteristics:
- Entrepreneurs: The First One to Jump
- Evangelists: Great Conversationalists for Christ
- Equippers: Skillful Encouragers Who Challenge and Coach
- Mystics: Seeing and Thinking in Ways Others Don’t
- Designers: Learning from a World of Knowledge
So, what do you think of that list? Anything you think isn’t necessary? Or anything you think should be added?
I’m adding “Faith.” That’s probably a part of the idea of “Mystics” in Bob’s list. But I just think a church planter has to be able to see what can’t be seen. And on the dark days (there are many!) the have to be able to believe in something that makes no sense.
If I’m putting the characteristics in order of importance, I’m going: (1) Faith, (2) Mystic, (3) Entrepreneur, (4) Evangelist, (5) Designer, (6) Equipper.
Okay, one more question. For you church planters: Which of those five is your weakest, and which is your strongest? For me, weakest is easy: Equipper. Strongest for me? I’m not sure. Maybe entrepreneur, or evangelist? What about you?
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8 comments:
Strongest: Mystic/Faith & Evangelist
Weakest: Designer & Equipper
My question is this, How does one become an expert equipper? Discipleship I know is imporant, meaning invested time, but are there certain tools for the equipping process we should be looking to, or just follow the model of Jesus and use our Spirit led instincts to determine the needs of each individual we are to equip?
Richie
I would add Perseverance to the list.
Strongest: Faith...but from the original 5 it would be Entrepreneur.
Weakest: Equipper
I think I'd put Designer up top. I think what Bob was talking about was being able to create new models and paradigms as you go that fit your culture. In our ever-changing world I think this is will become one of the greatest characteristics. If you don't learn to think and create and design and keep trying different things and be fluid and flexible...you won't make it.
Strongest: Mystic
Weakest: Equipper
I've been great at seeing the possibilities and casting the vision (if great is a fair word to use given the result) but painfully inadequate in step by step planning our way to accomplish the vision. So I wholeheartedly agree with Kevin and would add that I've learned the hard way how crucial it is to think very clearly about the implementation of those models.
I think the Design aspect of this comes from the Mystic/Faith side of it though. I am weak in this area, but God is the one who instils the ideas and dreams that enable me to be somewhat impetuous at times (although I am increasingly getting better). So.., where I am weak, he is strong, but the equipper aspect is such a diverse beast because of the diverse group of personalities and peeps we encounter.
Tools such as personality profiles, i.e., Strength-Finders and so on help.., but..., beyond that?
I'd have to say out of the list that my strongest are mystic/designer, and my weakest is equipper. I was a little worried being weak in that area until I read everyone else's comments. Guess I'm in good company.
By the way, Vince, I visit your blog everyday and I just finished Lousy T-shirt. Thanks for all you do. YOU THE MAN!
Strongest: Mysic/Entreprenuer/Designer (in no particular order--they kind of all get mixed together with me). Equipper is quickly catching up.
Weakest: Evangelist (although I'm slowly getting better).
I also think faith and perseverance need to be added to this list. And I'm not sure I can put them in an order of importance. Looking back on my journey so far, I've had to be strongest in each of these things at different times. For example, if we take Vince's order of importance, and equipping is at the bottom, we still think it's important, but it may get pushed to the bottom of the stack of things to get done. I've learned that there must be intentional times set aside for each of these things, or some will get ignored.
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