Probably one of the more evident things we did early on was expect growth and plan on it. And not because we thought we were good, but rather because God\u2019s call was so strong. I personally believe people can sense when you\u2019re leading from a deep call (as opposed to leading with a finger in the wind), and that type of leadership, which is actually radical followership, is attractive and compelling. Knowing that God had called us to this church plant and that we had no choice but to follow, we simply believed he would do what he promised \u2014 build the church. So we led with that humble confidence.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t think I\u2019m saying that Jesus “building his church” means your church will grow in its membership numerically forever. I\u2019m not. But I am saying all churches Jesus builds will impact their surroundings significantly. Making disciples \u2014 seeing God save people, seeing those people baptized and taught, then seeing those people obediently reproduce \u2014 isn\u2019t simply something that\u00a0needs<\/em>\u00a0to happen (like we\u2019re trying to convince people to \u201cbuy in\u201d to God\u2019s sales technique for global evangelization); in Jesus-built churches, it\u00a0will<\/em>\u00a0happen. The power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, the supernatural effects of the Word of God, the visible evidence of God\u2019s people worshiping authentically and passionately \u2014 these are some of the avenues in which God sovereignly and inevitably \u201cshows up\u201d and invades our lives with his saving, sanctifying grace (Titus 2). As we\u2019ve said for years, God\u2019s people gifted for God\u2019s purposes will result in God\u2019s power. Simply put, this is what we expected, so we structured for it from the outset.<\/p>\n This \u2018impact mentality\u2019 showed up in a number of ways. Here are five simple examples:<\/p>\n How extensive we formed our first staff.<\/em>\u00a0We began with myself, a part-time staffer in each ministry division, plus an office manager. All total, that was a staff of seven on Day One. All those positions became full-time eventually, and many of those same people were the ones who enjoyed the journey of growth and impact we took together.<\/p>\n When we planned our service times.<\/em>\u00a0We started with an early service so we could intentionally add a later service. And three months after launch day, we did exactly that. Not because we necessarily\u00a0had<\/em>\u00a0to then, but because we knew would have to later. Sure enough, both filled up.<\/p>\n How we formed our budget.<\/em>\u00a0Investing in missions and prioritizing global issues helped all of us realize there\u2019s more going on than just what we see here. Sure, we knew we had to be good stewards of our \u201cJerusalem\u201d responsibilities, but we also knew God could send us wherever else He wanted as well. Would we be ready when He did exactly that?<\/p>\n What we expected in our small group leaders.<\/em>\u00a0What I mean here is that duplication was \u2014 and is \u2014 the norm. Why? Because \u201cyour group will impact people and grow, so be ready.\u201d At FFC, having a co-leader or up-and-coming trainee is vital to a continuing impact.<\/p>\n How we asked people to serve.<\/em>\u00a0There\u2019s no doubt that the “word on the street” regarding FFC is that we\u2019re somewhat intense. There are probably multiple reasons for this, but one is that we intentionally and consistently ask people to invest time in serving others. Why? Because it\u2019s the normal expectation of a Christ follower (Phil. 2:1-4).<\/p>\n Practically speaking, here\u2019s why we structured for what we knew\u00a0would<\/em>\u00a0happen (future) as opposed to what\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0happening (present): Transitions are where churches lose ground. This is true when it comes to staff, small groups, systems \u2014 you name it, you\u2019ll discover it\u2019s true: It\u2019s the transitions that trip us. But because you can\u2019t avoid transitions, you have to work to minimize their effect. And one of the ways you can do this is by structuring, as best you can, for what is to come, not just what is there.<\/p>\n In a word, this is simply vision. Seeing and believing what God could do, then living and leading in such a way that those around you get glimpses of what\u2019s to come, not just what is. After all, as one church planter told us with a chuckle, \u201cIf you don\u2019t see it before they see it, they\u2019ll never see it. So once you see it, start saying it and take steps towards it.\u201d<\/p>\n No matter how much a young church may embrace its portability (assuming that\u2019s your situation), the stark reality is that most of your people will get weary of what they perceive to be \u201ctemporary.\u201d They will inevitably, at least here in America, begin to long for a permanent place. While that\u2019s not sinful, it\u2019s not a solution either. Churches don\u2019t get healthier just because they own a piece of property. Brick and mortar don\u2019t equal life and vitality. While a building may be in your future, keep reminding your people it\u2019s just a tool, not a treasure. Our real treasure is Christ, and the place we meet is just a way to help us spread the news about the incredible value of the real treasure we have \u2014 Jesus!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a real-life reflection: About six years into our existence, we purchased an old warehouse. And though it seemed like, in the days of renting, that we were setting up and tearing down for a long time, the truth is we didn\u2019t. In fact, the average rent time for most new plants is about eight years. Yet we moved in after only six.<\/p>\n Was it right? You bet! God provided in a supernatural way, and our people are quite content. But what is so ironic is that our growth rate slowed once we bought. Those two things may or may not be related; correlation doesn\u2019t always equal causation. My opinion? There is a slight connection somehow in that we probably exhaled loudly and thought to ourselves subconsciously, \u201cFinally!\u201d Regardless, we have to work just as hard\u00a0with<\/em>\u00a0our building (probably even harder) as we did when we were\u00a0without<\/em>\u00a0the building. My point? A permanent place is not a problem solver; it\u2019s just a problem relocator.<\/p>\n You see, the church \u201cmachine\u201d ramps up when you get a building. Facilities to clean, lights to keep on, schedules to manage, property to watch and maintain, pests to control, codes to follow \u2026 you get the point. Without even realizing it, non-building ministry can get lost \u2014 or clamped down on \u2014 because of what we perceive to be the mandates of the building. Watch out for the unintended consequences.<\/p>\n8. Refuse to believe a building is your answer<\/h3>\n