Fuel For Pastors

Planting a church is much more than launching a Sunday service, finding a building, or gathering a group of people. It begins with a genuine calling from God, a biblical vision for reaching the lost, and a commitment to making disciples of Jesus Christ. 

During a recent leadership conference, I had the opportunity to sit down with a fellow pastor to discuss the church planting process through Send Network and what it truly takes to establish a healthy, biblical, and thriving local church. We explored why church planting is one of the most important ways we can advance the Great Commission and reach communities with the hope of the gospel.

One of the central themes of our conversation was the importance of assessing, preparing, and equipping those who believe God has called them to plant a church. Not everyone who desires to plant a church is necessarily ready to do so, which is why a thoughtful assessment process is so valuable. Through Send Network, prospective church planters have the opportunity to evaluate their calling, character, theological convictions, leadership capabilities, and readiness for the challenges of pastoral ministry. The goal is not simply to determine whether someone can launch a church, but whether they are spiritually and practically prepared to shepherd God’s people faithfully.

We also discussed the importance of healthy leadership, accountability, discipleship, and intentional preparation throughout the church planting journey. Planting a church requires more than passion and good intentions; it demands spiritual maturity, biblical qualifications, a clear understanding of the gospel, and the ability to develop and lead a healthy ministry team. From the initial assessment to ongoing training, coaching, and support, the church planting process is designed to help future pastors build strong biblical foundations before stepping into the responsibilities of leading a new congregation. Our desire is not merely to see more churches planted, but to see healthy churches established that will make disciples, develop leaders, and eventually plant other churches.

Ultimately, church planting is about fulfilling the Great Commission and making the name of Jesus known in communities that desperately need the gospel. Jesus commanded His followers in Matthew 28:19–20 to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe everything He commanded. Every healthy church plant represents an opportunity for new believers to come to faith, families to be transformed, and communities to experience the life-changing power of the gospel. My prayer is that this conversation will encourage pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone considering church planting to seek God’s calling seriously, embrace the preparation process humbly, and pursue the mission of establishing churches that faithfully proclaim Christ for generations to come.

Bogdan Kipko on Instagram: https://kipko.us/4uQGXKL 
Ten Year Anniversary Forward Church Irvine: https://kipko.us/3QbJwYH
Fuel For Pastors Podcast: https://kipko.us/2D9eLOE
Why I Decided To Plant A Church Podcast: https://kipko.us/3NEv1Yv
Send Network: https://kipko.us/4ajcU65
Church Planter Interest Form: https://kipko.us/43F9cQy
NAMB: https://kipko.us/435Vypr
IMB: https://kipko.us/4dSe2i1 
SBC Annual Meeting: https://kipko.us/3KBnCYp

Южная Баптистская Конвенция (SBC): Всё, Что Нужно Знать

Что такое Южная Баптистская Конвенция (SBC) и почему она стала крупнейшим протестантским объединением церквей в Соединённых Штатах? В этом видео пастор Богдан Кипко рассказывает свою личную историю знакомства с SBC, развеивает популярные мифы о её структуре и объясняет, как тысячи автономных церквей сотрудничают ради исполнения Великого Поручения. Вы узнаете, как работает SBC, почему она не является централизованной системой управления церквями и каким образом поддерживает миссионеров, основателей новых церквей, семинарии и гуманитарные проекты по всему миру. Также мы поговорим о служении Send Network, международных миссиях, подготовке пасторов и о том, как славянские церкви могут эффективно участвовать в этом движении. Если вы когда-либо задавались вопросом, что представляет собой SBC и какую роль она играет в распространении Евангелия, это видео для вас.

В этом видео:
Что такое Южная Баптистская Конвенция (SBC)
История возникновения SBC в 1845 году
Почему SBC является крупнейшим протестантским объединением в США
Главная миссия SBC — исполнение Великого Поручения
Почему SBC не является централизованной церковной структурой
Разница между «конвенцией» и «деноминацией»
Что означает автономия поместной церкви в SBC
Как устроена система посланников (messengers)
Почему никто в SBC не может назначить вашей церкви пастора
Личная история Богдана Кипко и путь Forward Church в SBC
Участие Forward Church на местном, региональном и национальном уровнях SBC
Обзор основных служений и организаций SBC
Что такое NAMB и Send Network
Почему церкви основывают церкви, а не деноминации
Как Send Network помогает церковным основателем
Три основных способа основания новых церквей
Как стать церковным основателем в SBC
Статистика церковного основания в Северной Америке
Что такое IMB и международные миссии SBC
Поддержка более 3,500 миссионеров по всему миру
Работа SBC среди сотен народов и языковых групп
Обзор шести семинарий Южной Баптистской Конвенции
Как SBC готовит будущих пасторов и служителей
Роль Lifeway Christian Resources
Ресурсы для пасторов, мужчин, женщин и детей
Служение Комиссии по Этике и Религиозной Свободе (ERLC)
Защита религиозной свободы и библейских ценностей
Работа Исполнительного Комитета SBC
Как функционирует ежегодное собрание SBC
Почему SBC официально существует только во время Annual Meeting
Как церкви определяют направление развития SBC
Cooperative Program и совместная миссионерская работа
Почему SBC называют крупнейшим кооперативным миссионерским движением в истории протестантского христианства
Как тысячи автономных церквей сотрудничают ради распространения Евангелия по всему миру

Хотите основать церковь вместе с SBC?

Если Бог призывает вас к церковному основанию, обновлению существующей церкви или запуску нового служения, я буду рад лично помочь вам разобраться в процессе и познакомить вас с возможностями Southern Baptist Convention и Send Network.

Свяжитесь со мной напрямую через Forward Church или мои социальные сети. Я с радостью отвечу на ваши вопросы, поделюсь своим опытом и помогу сделать следующий шаг в служении.

Давайте вместе достигать людей Евангелием и основывать новые церкви для славы Божьей

Полезные ссылки для получения дополнительной информации: 

Bogdan Kipko on Instagram: https://kipko.us/4uQGXKL 
Ten Year Anniversary Forward Church Irvine: https://kipko.us/3QbJwYH
Fuel For Pastors Podcast: https://kipko.us/2D9eLOE
Why I Decided To Plant A Church Podcast: https://kipko.us/3NEv1Yv
Send Network: https://kipko.us/4ajcU65
Church Planter Interest Form: https://kipko.us/43F9cQy
NAMB: https://kipko.us/435Vypr
IMB: https://kipko.us/4dSe2i1 
SBC Annual Meeting: https://kipko.us/3KBnCYp 
Register for Slavic Leader's Meeting at SBC 2026: https://kipko.us/4nTJktu

On this episode of the Fuel For Pastors Podcast, I interview my good friend and fellow church planter Aleksei Kharlamov. Aleksei immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area eight years ago from Moscow, Russia. Aleksei and his wife Lera are planting a new church, Spring Church, in Moraga, CA, in the East Bay Area of Northern California. In this interview, Aleksei talks about his experience in going through the church planter assessment process with SEND NETWORK. 

Если у вас или у кого-то из ваших знакомых есть желание основать новую церковь в Америке или Канаде, напишите мне в директ или отправьте им это видео, и я хотел бы начать с вами этот разговор и поделиться с вами дополнительной информацией! my email: [email protected] 

If you or someone you know, has a desire to plant a new church in either America or Canada, please direct message me or send this video to them and I would love to start this conversation with you and share with you more info! my email: [email protected] 

@sendnetworkcalifornia 

@wearesendnetwork 

@californiasbc 

@sendbayarea 

@springbiblechurch 

@forwardirvine 

@harlye23

Connect with Aleksei on these following Social Media Platforms:

Click here to check out Spring Church: https://www.springchurch.co/home 

Click here to follow Aleksei on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harlye23 

Click here to check out the production company Aleksei founded: https://www.quietrock.video/ 

Connect with Bogdan on these following Social Media Platforms:

Click here to follow Bogdan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kipko 

Click here to subscribe and listen to the Fuel For Life Podcast: https://kipko.us/3Rq2mYK 

Click here to find out more about Forward Church in Irvine: https://www.forwardchurchirvine.com 

To get in touch with Forward Church or to request Pastor Bogdan Kipko to speak at your church or event, please send an email to: [email protected]

On this episode of Fuel For Pastors, I am interviewed by my friend Elijah Koryfan. Elijah and I sat down recently in Sacramento, California where he asked me a series of questions that have to do with planting churches in America, as well as the state of the church in America. Elijah is a great interviewer and I was excited to share my thoughts about these topics, that are near and dear to my heart.

Connect with Elijah on these following Social Media Platforms:

Click here to check out Elijah's Youtube Channel
Click here to follow Elijah on Instagram.

Connect with Bogdan on these following Social Media Platforms:

Click here to check out Bogdan's Youtube Channel
Click here to follow Bogdan on Instagram.
Click here to find out more about Forward Church in Irvine. 

Follow Pastor Kipko on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kipko

• Watch all sermons from Forward Church on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kipko
• To get in touch with Forward Church or to request Pastor Bogdan Kipko to speak at your church or event, please send an email to: [email protected]

If you are visiting Southern California, we would love to have you come and enjoy the Sunday Service at Forward Church!

On this episode of The Church Planting Life Podcast, I talk about what the church is. But seriously, when was the last time that you actually asked yourself this question and had a nuanced conversation about it. Is church only when we gather together on Sunday or is church when your people are watching the service online in their pajamas? What if tomorrow, social media doesn't exist and the only flock you had left to shepherd was your family. What would you do? How much of your identity is wrapped up in you being a pastor as opposed to being a follower of Jesus? Welcome to the inter-workings of my mind as I wrestle with these questions myself and invite you along to observe the chaos at a safe distance. 

On this episode of The Church Planting Life Podcast, I talk about my philosophy behind how we gauge the success and effectiveness of our outreach efforts, specifically when it comes to streaming church online on Social Media. What counts as a real person? Is a three second video view of your Sunday Service a real metric of how many people came to your church? Is online church going to replace in-person church? That is exactly what I will wax eloquent about for about one full hour. Grab a lunch and a coffee and let's go, it will be worth your time! 

On this episode of The Church Planting Life Podcast, I outline step by step what Forward Church has been doing for the last seven months when it comes to reaching those that are far from God, on Facebook. God has been breathing on our efforts and we have seen much gospel fruit come forth from our Facebook evangelism efforts. How did we do it and what did it entail? I talk all about it in this episode. 

On this episode of The Church Planting Life Podcast, I talk about the Corona Chaos. There was never a class in seminary that taught pastors or church planters how to effectively handle a pandemic. There are no experts. No one knows anything. If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, they are lying to you. What might be right for your church, might not be the best decision for another church. So what do you do? Good question, because I don't know. In this episode, I walk you through my entire thought process and reasoning behind how Forward Church pivoted during the Corona Chaos, that is still well and wreaking havoc, until today. 

On this episode of The Church Planting Life Podcast, I talk about what most church planters hugely and almost always exaggerate, and that is the amount of people that come to their church. You already know you are speaking to a church planter when you ask a guy how many people come to their church, and they answer you with "if you count all the women and children and those that come once a year, our church has this many people." Don't feel bad because I've been there and I am definitely a recovering addict of being obsessed with the number of people that come to church. I share with you how God has been working on my heart during my planting journey and some startling discoveries I made along the way, when it comes to counting the people in your church. 

On this episode of The Church Planting Life Podcast, I talk about the real reason why we plant a church in the first place - so that we can preach every single Sunday! If that is not one of the main reasons why you planted the church, then are you even a church planter? On this episode, I discuss not only the most popular preachers in the evangelical industrial complex, but I also dissect sermon length. I also give some of my own unsolicited advice about when it is ok for you to preach over sixty minutes in length and when you should keep your sermons to under thirty minutes.