New Churches Podcast

Episode 674: Churches with a desire to multiply will greatly benefit from the expertise of pastors experienced in developing and sending out planters. In this episode, Trevin Wax and Clint Clifton introduce the first part of our new Sending Church Masterclass, which is designed specifically for churches that want to multiply. This free course showcases practical advice from planting practitioners and well-respected leaders across the spectrum of evangelicalism.

Insights from three Sending Church Masterclass sample clips:

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I’m close enough to church multiplication to know how difficult it is. In the beginning I wondered whether there really are any masters in church planting. But as I’ve watched this come together, I’ve learned so much and thought, “Man, these really are masters in their craft.” @ClintJClifton

Yes, masters, but they don’t come across in a pretentious way. You can tell they are continuing to learn and grow. There’s also a built-in aspect of contextualization. It’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of course. @TrevinWax

As diverse as this group of people is philosophically, the whole course presents really practical ideas. This is designed to be a tool, if you’d like to lead your church to multiply, you could use this as a part of your equipping for that. @ClintJClifton

A lot of people want to plant churches, but they don’t make the connection that you won’t ever become effective at planting churches if you don’t become effective at developing leaders. That’s a fundamental skill for every every church multiplier. @ClintJClifton

I’ve been hearing more and more about inviting people to the table of fellowship, that sharing meals together and listening in community shows that the spiritual journey starts with community from the beginning. @TrevinWax

The great missionary theologian Lesslie Newbigin always said the church is the hermeneutic of the gospel, the church is to make the gospel visible to people. There’s true evangelistic power in being invited into the community of the cross to witness what the life of Jesus looks like fleshed out.

People who don’t feel they’re that equipped for evangelism should recognize that spiritual conversations play a part in someone’s spiritual journey, moving them toward faith, even though they might not have been the one to cross the threshold of faith with them. @TrevinWax

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Episode 673: When the preparedness of a prospective church planter is being assessed, different evaluators may come to different conclusions. Clint Clifton, Nathan Knight and Adam Muhtaseb, however, discuss several traits that should be automatic dealbreakers for an aspiring planter’s approval.

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As we think about this in the assessment process, sometimes there’s an ultra-focus on competence and virtually none on character. @ClintJClifton

Paul says he came “in weakness and trembling,” so he didn’t have much competence, but he had a lot of character. We need more of that. @Adam_Muhtaseb

If no church is sending you – if you are sending yourself – that should be a dealbreaker. If you’re part of a bad church, you need to align yourself with a good one. @ClintJClifton

If you’re not meaningfully involved in a local church, I see all kinds of red flags. @NathanKnightDC

One church planter had $300,000 of student debt. We ran a credit check and it came back good because he paid his bills. I had to say, “I just don’t think I can see you going out and raising funds for this new church, knowing that so much of that’s going to to your student debt.” @ClintJClifton

If a guy wants to plant and his wife’s not on board, it’s game over game over and not even a question. I wouldn’t join a church that my wife didn’t want to join. Just let it go and let God in His timing send you out when you’re ready and she’s ready. @Adam_Muhtaseb

I would just want to be clear that you’re doing this because of your devotion and affection for Christ, not because you like planting churches and want to multiply and have an influence. @NathanKnightDC

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Episode 668: The past couple of years have been a difficult season for church planters and too many have thrown in the towel. Host Clint Clifton and veteran church planter Peyton Jones open up about their most discouraging moments in church planting and why they persevered.

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Charles Spurgeon was once asked by a student, “Did you ever think of quitting?” And he answered, “Yes, about once a fortnight.” — PeytonJones

In my first year of one plant, I drove to church on Sunday morning and there were hardly any cars in the parking lot. But there was this lady named Pam who said, “But Jesus is here,” and it gave me what I needed to keep going. — PeytonJones

I remember this Sunday where nobody showed up to help me unload the trailer. I set everything up and greeted people. I was so sweaty I had to change my clothes. I sang the songs, said the prayers, preached the sermon and greeted people as they left. Then I packed up the trailer. I told my wife, “I’ll never drive back in this parking lot again.” @ClintJClifton

I think a lot of planters may feel condemned by feeling discouraged. But that is normal. It comes with it. — PeytonJones

Every marriage goes through rough times. You’re going to have some real pain and at times you’re going to see things in yourself you don’t want to see. But you tough it out. — PeytonJones

In those moments, it feels so terminal. But it’s against that dark backdrop that the light of the gospel shines brightest. God shows He can redeem even the darkest despair. He can still use our lives for His glory, even when we are a mess. @ClintJClifton

If you are a church planter in that season, I want you to know there is only one thing you can do to ensure you won’t fail as a church planter and that’s to not give up. Trust in Jesus, put one foot in front of the other each day. Down the road, you’ll be grateful you did. @ClintJClifton

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