Episode 1: Am I Ready to Church Plant?

Episode Summary:

In this inaugural episode of the Revitalisation Review series, we dive into the deeply personal and practical question: “Am I ready to church plant?” Sharing from his own four-year journey of leading a revitalisation project, your host reflects on the highs, the heartbreaks, and the holy ground of planting not from scratch—but from the remnant of something that once was.

Key Topics Covered:

·       The Call to Plant – How an unexpected seed of calling was sown as a teenager through witnessing his father’s church planting journey.

·       Discerning and Disappointment – A candid look at five failed planting attempts—and the spiritual formation that emerged through rejection, patience, and perseverance.

·       The Shift to Revitalisation – Embracing the challenge of weaving together the old with the new to form something beautifully renewed.

·       The Reality of Readiness – Feeling unprepared despite training—and learning to lead in the unknown.

·       A Tent-Pitching Analogy – A humorous but helpful metaphor for church planting—full of trial, error, and readjustment.

·       Key Learnings – Don’t confuse revitalisation with a blank-canvas plant. Pace matters. Relationships and trust take time. Measure success by spiritual health and transformation, not flashy numbers. Prioritise relational discipleship over grand strategies.

·       Practical Models – From Messy Church to weekly missional rhythms—how a sustainable and relational approach can build trust and community over time.

Reflection Questions:

·       What shape of planting best aligns with your strengths and personality?

·       What problems in leadership or mission stir your passion—and how do they relate to your planting context?

·       What does success look like for you, personally, as a planter?

·       Who else in your sphere might be called to plant?

·       Is the community you’re called to also preparing for what’s coming?

Connect & Continue the Conversation:

Instagram: @churchplantchat
Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to hear upcoming episodes as we unpack more insights from revitalisation, planting, and leading through change.

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By

Welcome to the Season Teaser of 'Revitalisation Review'! 

In this season I will be unpacking a few lessons learnt from the last four years of his Church Plant Revitalisation project. Whilst not an exhaustive list and by no means a complete 360 of Leadership, my hope is that there will be enough encouragement and education throughout to help spur you on in your own Planting journey. 

This season will just be me and the mic, up close and personal, sharing some of the learnings that have stood out to me over the last four years. These learnings will be spread over 10 episodes, these being: 

1. Am I ready to Church Plant? 
2. First Year - First Priorities 
3. Getting curious about growth 
4. Ministry of the 'One' 
5. Relational Discipleship
6. Evangelism 
7. Asking the hard Questions (Part 1)
8. Asking the hard Questions (Part 2) 
9. Pastoral Scaffold 
10. Round up - Some final leadership thoughts 

I'm aware there are listeners from all over the World, I would love to connect with you and hear about your story and be able to pray and encourage you where possible! If you haven't already, do connect on Instagram: @churchplantchat where you can DM me, or get in touch via email at: [email protected] 

Be on the look out for the first episode of this latest series coming next week! 

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By

Concluding the Journal of a Church Planter, Paul Pavlou shares the value he has found in journaling, reflecting with Helen Shannon on the importance of prayer for the planter.

To buy the book ‘Journal of a Church Planter’, go here: https://amzn.eu/d/9usfcjZ

If you'd like to watch the video interview head to: https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=1https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=5https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=6https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=7

Stay in touch over on Instagram: @churchplantchat

This video series was created with the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. They help the Church reach new people in new and renewed ways. If you're interested in church growth, planting and multiplication, visit their website at ccx.org.uk 

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By

'Sunrises' sees Paul Pavlou share with Helen Shannon some of the uplifting moments of church planting, where the light of God has broken through in small, unexpected ways.

To buy the book ‘Journal of a Church Planter’, go here: https://amzn.eu/d/9usfcjZ

If you'd like to watch the video interview head to: https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=1https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=5https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=6

Stay in touch over on Instagram: @churchplantchat

This video series was created with the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. They help the Church reach new people in new and renewed ways. If you're interested in church growth, planting and multiplication, visit their website at ccx.org.uk 

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By

In 'Shadows', Paul Pavlou opens up on some of the tougher experiences in his church planting journey, and God's consistent faithfulness.

To buy the book ‘Journal of a Church Planter’, go here: https://amzn.eu/d/9usfcjZ

If you'd like to watch the video interview head to: https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=1https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=5

Stay in touch over on Instagram: @churchplantchat

This video series was created with the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. They help the Church reach new people in new and renewed ways. If you're interested in church growth, planting and multiplication, visit their website at ccx.org.uk 

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By

In this episode, Helen Shannon and Paul Pavlou reflect on how the process of planting saw Paul himself being shaped by God in ways he didn’t expect.

To buy the book ‘Journal of a Church Planter’, go here: https://amzn.eu/d/9usfcjZ

If you'd like to watch the video interview head to: https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=1https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=4

Stay in touch over on Instagram: @churchplantchat

This video series was created with the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. They help the Church reach new people in new and renewed ways. If you're interested in church growth, planting and multiplication, visit their website at ccx.org.uk 

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By

In this episode, Paul Pavlou highlights the balance needed to put structures - or scaffolding - in place for planting, while staying attentive to God’s voice and being sensitive to others in a new context.

To buy the book ‘Journal of a Church Planter’, go here: https://amzn.eu/d/9usfcjZ

If you'd like to watch the video interview head to: https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=1https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=2https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=3

Stay in touch over on Instagram: @churchplantchat

This video series was created with the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. They help the Church reach new people in new and renewed ways. If you're interested in church growth, planting and multiplication, visit their website at ccx.org.uk 

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By

In this episode, Paul talks honestly on the challenges and doubts he experienced during his curacy, seeking to follow God’s call to plant.

To buy the book ‘Journal of a Church Planter’, go here: https://amzn.eu/d/9usfcjZ

If you'd like to watch the video interview head to: https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=1https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=2

Stay in touch over on Instagram: @churchplantchat

This video series was created with the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. They help the Church reach new people in new and renewed ways. If you're interested in church growth, planting and multiplication, visit their website at ccx.org.uk 

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By

In this episode, Helen Shannon introduces Paul Pavlou, discovering where Paul’s church planting journey began.

To buy the book ‘Journal of a Church Planter’, go here: https://amzn.eu/d/9usfcjZ

If you'd like to watch the video interview head to: https://ccx.org.uk/course/journal-church-planter/?session=1

Stay in touch over on Instagram: @churchplantchat

This video series was created with the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. They help the Church reach new people in new and renewed ways. If you're interested in church growth, planting and multiplication, visit their website at ccx.org.uk 

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By

This is the final episode of the Planting with Hayley mini series where we discuss the highs and lows of our planting journey so far. 

Support the show

Buy 'Journal of a Church Planter' here:

https://amzn.eu/d/dcFw9By