Comments on: The Double-Edge Sword of Raising Support as a Church Planter

By: Rick Redmond, Chicago

Rick Redmond, Chicago — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:36:09 +0000

I have to tell you guys that all of your comments are very edifying and informative. I am currently in between deciding to go with a church plant here in the city of Chicago or a well established church out in the West suburbs. The church plant draws on every passion and calling I have for ministry. The subrban church, though it will provide a full-time income, draws on only a few of my deepest passions and calling for ministry.

I am therefore struggling with how to make the urban church plant option work and I’ve never raised support before and quite honestly, it scares me to death…..especially in our current economy here in the US.

I do however, have a tent-making option in the form of teaching private music. It’s something that has worked before but, like everything else, it has it’s cycles and its ups and downs. I’m that to many of you true Missionaries out there, my situation sounds like a comfy piece of cake compared to yours.

I just want to do that right thing before the Lord and make it work.

By: N Thakor

N Thakor — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:35:34 +0000

Hi all,
Its good to read about each of you concerned about fundraising, jobs and Church planting.
I have worked in both the situations- tent maker and church leader, and also, fulltime pastor.
Though I found it most satisfying to serve God as a tent maker, yet the pressure was too much and the family was also under pressure.
Now I believe God is asking me to start up Church planting in India. Since my wife is physicall ill, we are thinking of having the first Church in Bombay.
Should any of you feel led by God to pray for us, write to us at mx2001@hotmail.com. We can share details later.

God Bless and regards.

N Thakor

By: Pastor Kota samuel

Pastor Kota samuel — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 18:12:29 +0000

Hello to all and Iam Pastor KOta Samuel, church Planter in Indian villeges.. I have been married and Blessed with 2 sons.. 7 & 3 years old. Me and My wife are seminary Graduates but working now independenlty for the Lord Jesus ’s Kingdom.. india is not a easy country for ministry. I Covet your Prayers as we carry on Church Planting .. We did start Bible Training Theological School and train up some men and women and we saw the need among children and we started Free Tuition Home for poor Children in a slum.. PLease Pray that the Lord would provide for our ministry needs..
PLease see our pictures here and reply me kindly.. If the Lord leads your heart, please reply me sothat I would be glad to have you as our blessed person in the ministry..
http://samuelkota.tripod.com/pics
Hoping your reply and support us to plant some more churches..
yours Brother in the Lord
Pastor KOta samuel
# 7-6-1149/1, Sanjeevaiah nagar Extension
Guntur- 522002
Andhra Pradesh State
India
Cell Ph NO: 0091 9866277183
Email.. kotasamuel@yahoo.co.in

By: John

John — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:39:00 +0000

To Adrian and others who have a passion for church planting. I am so weary right now of trying to raise funds from traditional sources just to secure a building and pay minimal support salaries. I keep meeting with mediocre responses as to why pastors can’t support new church starts.

I welcome any and all suggestions as to how I might secure stronger support for a new work. I am currently in the developmental stages of starting a new church in the Pine Hills(Orlando), FL area. This is an inner city area with great evangelism needs as well as a venue for all kinds of holistic ministry, i.e., feeding ministry, drug/substance abuse, Bible-based childcare, tutorial, afterschool care, alternative ed programs and the lists goes on and on.

I have a burning desire to be used of God but unfortunately fundraising is a vital part of any healthy ministry.

If anyone is led of the Lord to invest in this kingdom project, my personal email for further info is
jwesleymck63@aol.com

Prayer is always appreciated.

peace and blessings,

John

By: moses

moses — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:29:29 +0000

I AM A CHURCH PLANTER IN SENEGAL-W.AFRICA IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS GOD HAS OPENED A DOOR FOR US TO REACH THIS NATION OF 98PERCENT MUSLIM THROUGH THE MINISTRATION OF HEALING AND DELIVERANCE POWER OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE SICK. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.WE HAVE OTHER MINISTRY FOR RECOMANDATION IF YOU ASK FOR IT. CONTACT US at, jesusfriends107@hotmail.com

By: Adrian

Adrian — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:29:23 +0000

I used to be in ministry and church planting but I found the demands of family, job and no support too much to handle and got burned out. Now I am focused on my job and am seeking a place to volunteer (assist) and to give $$ to help church planting. You would think that this would not be a hard thing but I am having a hard time. Maybe becuase I am a professional b2b sales rep and former planter?
Anyhow, my dream is to create a fund to pay for planters so they do not have to be bi-vocational and they do not have to fall into the political traps of money or becoming an fund raising event every Sunday.

By: ruel

ruel — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:28:55 +0000

excellent ideas and thoughts, drew! paul worked together with his team to provide for himself and his team. he actually practiced what he preached that a man should work not only for himself but so that he could help others. and he thought his church planters to do the same.

but, may i add that he never really stayed too long in one locality to be like the church planters that we know of today. in some cases, he planted churches within just 6-8 weeks. came back after a few months to appoint/install elders. left for 2 years or more coaching from hundreds of miles away using only “express mail”. that was his example of church planting.

if we followed that example, we would never stay in any one city to be supported by the growing church there. instead, we would keep on moving from one city to another taking our trade/business with us.

if ever i get anywhere near san diego on this trip to the USA, i would love to talk over coffee with you. :)

By: Keith Watson

Keith Watson — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:23:00 +0000

Drew,
Great questions! Particularly in the paragraph on whether or not the money issue drives plants to be “event driven.” As I evaluated my life and what I felt to be a draw toward planting, the 1 question that ultimately pushed me to say, “I’m planting a church,” was this: If money were not an issue (that is providing for my family) what would I do? The answer - Plant a church… so off we go!

By: The Double-Edge Sword of Raising Support as a Church Planter « SFAdams

The Double-Edge Sword of Raising Support as a Church Planter « SFAdams — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:10:22 +0000

[...] “A few days ago I posted an idea to help fund church planting and transitions into ministry. Since then I’ve been thinking a bit more about a ‘tentmaker’ organization that would create sustainable church planting movements. The concept comes from the apostle Paul who worked as a tentmaker in Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus (cf. Acts 18:3, 1 Thess. 2:9) in order to plant these churches…” Read the whole post here. Filed under: Faith | [...]

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:49:19 +0000

After talking about this a few times with various individuals at our church, I think a combined effort and both “methods” are the way to go. As you said Drew, “as long as the gospel is preached and mission isn’t compromised a church has the freedom to pursue multiple routes of funding.”

Take a look at this company; http://www.edun-live.com what a great business model.

Create businesses in local communities that support the local communities. We could do this and the planters would work right along side the people they are there to serve. Supports the people in the local communities and the church plant.

If edun LIVE can demonstrate that you can do business (and do it very well) with developing countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa, why can’t we do it here in the US with all the resources we have available!?

One additional thought that has been on my mind lately;
Imagine if we sold our homes, second homes, and stopped trying to buy them… learned to live with less, we could fund more a whole lot more church plants every month! How about just supporting our own church… Just think instead of paying a $3000 mortgage, rent a place for $1500, and give the other half towards church plants. Isn’t that what we just learned in Acts? Sorry about the minor tangent.

Just my 2cents.