014: When it Feels Like Everything is Falling Apart

07/12/21 • 29 min

When everything is falling apart, there is a good chance that Jehovah Sneaky is at work. In this episode, Loren and Carrie talk about how Genesis 5:20 and Romans 8:28 were a comfort each time it felt like their church plant was doomed.
It felt like it was over when people leaving the church were leading ministries, and close friends moved away. There were also money blunders and crazy things happening with the church building... Yet, through it all, God has been faithful. In fact, He used those scary experiences to lead them in the direction He wanted! Carrie and Loren acknowledge that their ignorance has been one way that God led them to where He wanted them and used other terrifying situations to accomplish His will.
Nothing is too difficult for Him!
Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogether
contact us at [email protected]

Previous Episode

013: Protecting the Vision of Your Church Plant

People will try to hijack the vision of your church! In this episode, Loren and Carrie use the analogy of a cruise ship to identify four types of people you will have at your church, both in the first year and always. It is important to protect the vision of your church plant, and the couple gives some suggestions on how to do it, as well as how people interact differently with Carrie than with Loren.
The four types of people are
-crew members
-passengers
-stowaways
-Pirates
Crew members are those who are on board with the vision and engaged in ministry. Loren and Carrie share about how to help them keep from burning out.
Passengers are those who are aligned with the vision but are not engaged in ministry. Loren and Carrie share why this is not always bad, but how to help them eventually become crew members.
Stowaways are those who have been drug to church by someone.
Pirates are not aligned with the vision and might try to move the vision or your church plant in a different direction. Loren and Carrie share how to navigate this.
Carrie also shares the most important words she has learned in ministry while dealing with pirates in the church.
Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogether
For a copy of the vision chart, contact us at [email protected]
We're happy to send you one.

Next Episode

015: 10 Signs You are Making Your Church Plant About You

Although most church planters set out with the intention of serving the Lord, it's easy to get on the wrong track and make your church plant about you. In this episode, Loren and Carrie share 10 signs that you are making your church plant about you. Loren also uses the word "environ," which Carrie is pretty sure isn't a word (it turns out it actually is).
There are probably hundreds, but here are the ten that they chose:
1. You find your identity in the church plant's success or failure
2. When someone leaves the church, it absolutely crushes you
3. You are not willing to adapt to the culture
4. You are unwilling to sacrifice personally
5. You are willing to sacrifice your marriage and family
6. You can't delegate or let other people shine
7. You are threatened by the success of others
8. Your church is "insider" focused to the exclusion of outsiders
9. You are unwilling to do the right thing because of how it might affect the success of your church plant
10. You are unwilling to listen to the counsel of others
Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogether
contact us at [email protected]