It’s Halloween. If my youngest son has his way, he’ll scare me by the end of the day. When we go Trick or Treating tonight he will burst from behind a bush and say boo! Or he’ll try and sneak up on me and I will catch him before he does.
The fact is fear exists in the hearts of church planters as well. Over the past few months I’ve had conversations with many planters. Here’s some of the things they’ve told me they fear:
- I lack funding.
- People gather but they don’t scatter.
- I will lose my focus on helping people find their way to God.
- I am overwhelmed by all of the details and things to do.
- What if my leaders don’t lead?
- What if my family falls apart?
- Giving won’t be enough.
- People won’t connect in small groups.
- Our church won’t matter to the community.
- What if my staff gives me trouble?
- Our location isn’t great (or I don’t have a location).
- I really don’t know what I am doing and someone is going to find out.
- What if our leaders don’t reproduce?
- I am not on mission. I am just creating another attractional church.
- etc., etc., etc.
What about you? What do you fear? What is that thing in the pit of your gut that is scaring you this morning about church planting? The fact is fear paralyzes us. Fear is not from God. So this one is for you:
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6).
May I encourage you to pray through one fear today. I know that may sound trite. But it’s not. Being afraid is human. And drawing closer to God will give you peace and dispel the fear.