Send Network is a vibrant and diverse family of churches, engaging their cities with the gospel, making disciples of Jesus Christ, and planting multiplying churches everywhere, for everyone.
We partner with sending churches to train and equip church planters by developing them in nine essential qualities for faithful and effective ministry.
Our first essential considers a church planter’s character: is he marked by godly character?
A church planter should live a life that embodies the pastoral qualifications found in the New Testament, being marked by personal holiness, a Christ-honoring home life, godly relationships, and a respectable and hospitable social life.
So, how does a church planter exhibit a godly character in his daily life?
- He pursues Christlikeness.
- He has a strong marriage, if applicable,and manages his household well.
- He is humble and peaceable in relationships.
- Hehas an exemplary social life.
The older I get, the less impressed I am with how someone starts.
What really stirs me now and what glorifies God is finishing well, being a person of godly character over a lifetime.
When John Stott, one of the most influential pastors and theologians of the 20th century, was near the end of his life, a friend came to visit.
Stott was frail and close to death.
When asked how he could be prayed for, Stott whispered, “Pray that I’ll be faithful to Jesus until my last breath.”
After decades of preaching and writing and serving the global church, his concern was simply to finish faithfully.
As another seasoned leader once quipped, “Pray that I get home before dark.”
A few years ago, I was talking with my friend Matt Carter about the next hill to take in ministry.
And after a long conversation, he simply said, “Faithfulness is the hill.”
And that stuck with me.
Church planter, the goal is not fame or flashiness, but faithfulness.
Faithfulness to Jesus, your spouse, your calling, all the way until you see Him face to face, that’s the hill worth taking.
And in an age that celebrates charisma, platform, and innovation, it’s tempting to believe that the success of a church plant hinges on the planter’s gifts.
And while God certainly uses our talents, He does not depend on them.
God is not constrained by the limitations of our abilities.
Instead, He delights to display His glory through the humble and the holy, those who walk closely with Him and resemble Jesus.
So be relentless in your pursuit of Godly character.