Church Planting Assessment Recap

The following is my random thoughts and reflections on our time last week at the church planting assessment center.  I'm probably writing this more for myself, but if it's of interest to you, then keep reading.

Both Heather and I were pretty anxious and nervous prior to getting up there.  What if we got a poor recommendation?  For us it was weird because we felt like we had already headed down this church planting path, and what if we were told to turn around?  We felt pretty invested already, and so we worried what God would teach us.

As mentioned in a previous post, I also found myself, especially before it started, failing to live in light of the Gospel.  Deep down I struggled with an identity issue based on the assessors thoughts about me as a leader.  I know this will always be a struggle--to want to get better and steward what God has given me and at the same time be fully satisfied in who I am in Christ. 

It was intense from the outset.  Upon arriving, I found out I would be preaching a 10 minute mini-sermon.  Apparently I missed that email somehow, and so I just stared at the lady with one of those dazed and confused looks.  About 30 minutes later, after scrambling to put something together, I was up "preaching".  Crazy.  God was very good and after spending some time talking and praying with Heather, He gave me a peace.  I honestly think God wanted to cultivate a spirit of prayer and following His leading from the very outset.  It's not how I would have planned it, but I am thankful in hindsight. 

The next morning (Tuesday) brought my time to share my philosophy of
ministry.  Although I had missed this email as well, I felt okay about
this.  Not because I just know this stuff intuitively, but because this
is the stuff I've been having to work through as part of the
apprenticeship.  Sharing the vision and philosophy was a vivid reminder
of how blessed I am to be at CrossPointe for this season of my life. 

After these two initial "presentations", we began more exercises
with our team.  They put us in groups to discuss church planting
scenarios, planting strategy, etc.  All the while the assessors were
watching and taking notes, observing how we communicated, how we
asserted ourselves as leaders, etc.  Thankfully you just get immersed
in the project and kind of forget you are being watched.  It was still
weird though. 

We also spent a lot of time going over our personality and strength
tests.  It was fascinating to see the variety amongst the 40 people who
were there.  I was reminded and encouraged that there is no one
caricature of a church planter.  God uses all sorts of people and
situations.  The best thing I can do is to operate in my strengths and
leverage who God has created me to be for His kingdom.  Me trying to be
somebody else is not good for anybody.  These tests also prompted some
really good conversations for Heather and I as a couple.  It was as if
in the middle of a crazy time, God allowed me to hit "pause" and be
grateful for the gift that is Heather.  We are truly meant to do this
together. 

Speaking of Heather, and because she would never brag, I will do it
for her...she was great the whole time.  She led in her own unique
way.  She communicated well and spoke with poignant honesty and
candidness during our interview times.  I could hear the Gospel message
in her own life.  She challenges me to be a better Christ follower.
She was a great encouragement to me.  Hearing her re-tell where God has
brought us over the past few months, in regards to church planting, it
was so evident that God is in this.  He has knit our hearts together,
and for that I am extremely grateful. 

We also had the great joy of getting to know many of the other
"candidates" (i.e. lab rats/church planters).  I can't wait to hear the
stories of how God will use these men and women to further His
kingdom.  I worried the whole experience might be uber-competitive and
cut-throat--inadvertently viewing the other candidates as the
competition.  I never felt that was the case.  I think we all had the
same desires, fears and passion for planting.  I was challenged and
encouraged by all the interactions. 

As mentioned before, the church planter caricature dissolved a bit
for me.  Sure there are certain characteristics church planters have in
common (this is part of what they look for at the assessment), but
there was also great diversity.  People led in different ways.  People
had different visions and philosophies.  I really felt like Jesus'
prayer in John 17 was being answered in some small way--we were unified
in the essentials.  We want people to know Jesus.  To experience the
power of the Gospel.

Lastly, I was glad for both the encouragement and the challenges I
was given at the end.  I have some definite things to work on (personal
evangelism, leader development, strategy), and for those I would ask
for your prayer.  I really want to grow and I am thankful for the many
folks who spoke truth into my life last week.

Well I've probably "reflected" long enough.  If you are still reading, I am quite impressed.