Lunch with a successful church planter

On Tuesday I met with David Cox, someone I would consider to be a successful church planter. After several years of ministry, David planted a church here in Raleigh at the age of 34. He remained at this church for 7 years and watched the church grow to 700 people. The church is still thriving and keeps a regular attendance upwards of 1,400 people 12 years later. While numbers aren't the main criteria for a healthy church, I do believe a healthy church should grow.

Here are some random insights I viciously scribbled in my journal from our time together. I hope you enjoy.

• “God is absolutely faithful and completely unpredictable”

• Say “no” to the sheep when you know what is best…they are sheep; don’t be a pushover

• The people who come to a church plant are often seeking control and power

• Wait at least 1 year before adding elders

• A church plant is less defined during the beginning, and as you define the church, you will loose people who don’t like where you are going

• Be balanced in all the purposes of the church and keep prayer as the vital foundation upon which all the purposes stand

• 1 pastor can only manage up to 100 people, so equip and empower others to do ministry; let go and let them run with it; meet with a gifted person 1 on 1, inspire them with a vision for a specific ministry, and let them go for it

• 3 vital roles of the pastor—Preach the Word, Pray, & Lead…only the pastor can do these things, and if he doesn’t, no one will

• Don’t target a particular demographic, but target the purposes of the church; if you are doing your purposes, they will attract all ages

• Don’t plant a church because you think it will be cool or interesting; only plant if you know God is leading you to do so