15 questions to ask when searching for a local church to serve, participate in and call home

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Cities are places of transition. Seattle is no different. Many people move to Seattle for school, work or new opportunities. Moving to a new community is difficult. But, finding a church that loves Jesus, believes the Bible and preaches the gospel is even more so. Since launching in 2011 we’ve met many new-to-the-city Jesus-following transplants in search of a church to call home. That search is not as easy as it might sound, particularly in Seattle. What follows are questions I encourage others to consider when in search of a new church family. There's no such thing as a perfect church or a church that will fulfill everything you wish a church would be, but there are a number of things that should be non-negotiable as you consider partnering with a local body of Jesus followers...

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Church Planter: What your people need most from you (and probably don't know it)

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​I'm about three years into planting a church, which means I'm not an expert. However, I do trust my Bible, love my Jesus and have some battle scars. I know first hand many of the things, internally and externally, that compete for the church planters heart, mind and soul.  Unfortunately, the reality is that many, if not all, of these can threaten to eclipse the very thing that our people need most from us.

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Church Planter: How to network when you hit the ground (and knowing where to start)

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​The early stage of church planting is a unique season that comes with its own share of opportunities and obstacles. We're familiar with the obstacles, but what about the opportunities? Because everything is so new and fresh (and frightening) at the beginning it is an opportune time to network. With who? With anyone who is willing to meet with you. Anyone. I'm not a natural networker, but I found the following to be incredibly helpful. 

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Updated: 9 books church planters must read

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I have the privilege of meeting with 2-3 potential church planters every month and one of the central questions asked is, "What books should I read?" One of my hopes is to be of help to those that are (1) considering planting, (2) in the early stages of planting, or (3) looking at becoming a church-planting-church. Given that, I plan to regularly provide an updated list of books and resources that every church planter should read. I'll update the list as I come across newer/better resources. This post builds off of a previous one here. I'd love to hear from you if have additional recommendations. There's a much longer list than what is provided below, but if you're planting you need it narrowed down. Let's look at the top nine... 

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The Apostle Paul and the heart of church planting (and pastoring)

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I have lost track of how many church planting books I have read. I have attended conferences. I have read blogs. I have listened to sermons, workshops and seminars. I have talked to seasoned planters and pastors. I have done my homework. As a novice church planter I was told to focus on: converts, leadership development, missional communities, connecting with city leaders, contextualization, strategic planning, social networking, engaging preaching, membership development, and contemporary worship. Those are all good, even needed. I agree with (most of) them. Yet, in focusing on so many things, it is easy to lose focus on the main thing. 

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Meet a church planter: Jay Bauman (planting Igreja do Redentor in Rio de Janeiro)

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There are few things that get me as excited as seeing normal, Jesus-loving, Spirit-filled men lay down their lives to plant/replant a church. For every pastor whose name is nationally known, there are 1,000s who are faithfully slugging it out in the trenches whose names you will never know. In fact, the overwhelming majority of churches throughout the history of Christianity have been planted and pastored by such men.

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Why plant new churches?

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"Church planting? What is that?" I still get asked that question, even after a couple years in. Any way you slice it the idea of church planting is often either misunderstood or, literally, unheard of. The questions are many, including:

  • Why plant a new church in a city already filled with other churches?
  • Why not focus instead on helping existing churches grow?
  • Won’t starting a new church merely take people away from other churches?
  • Shouldn’t we focus on cultivating better churches, rather than adding churches?

These are valid concerns that stem from a fundamental misunderstanding/ignorance of the complexities of revitalization, organizational life-cycles, demographic diversity, theological distinctions, leadership styles, evangelism, and general philosophies of ministry within existing churches. It’s more complicated than we may at first realize.

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Satan's favorite box at the Seattle library

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This past summer as I was preparing for our church's covenant membership series I dropped by the Seattle Central Library, located in downtown Seattle, to do some research on the history of Jesus' people in Seattle. What I found shocked me. On the bottom shelf of an isolated rack, located in a quiet corner of the Seattle Room on the top floor, I found a box. It was largely unmarked. I don't know why I decided to open it, but I did. The condition of the box made it evident that it hadn't been opened in some time. The box, about the size of a small shoe box, was packed with hundreds of 3x5 cards.

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Meet a church planter: Chris Swan (planting The Lord's Renown in San Diego)

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There are few things that get me as excited as seeing normal, Jesus-loving, Spirit-filled men lay down their lives to plant/replant a church. For every pastor whose name is nationally known, there are 1,000s who are faithfully slugging it out in the trenches whose names you will never know. In fact, the overwhelming majority of churches throughout the history of Christianity have been planted and pastored by such men.

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5 books every church planter should read (and know well)

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I am often asked by potential church planters, "What books should I read as I consider and/or prepare for planting?" There's a long list but I would narrow it down to these:

Brothers, We are Not Professionals, by John Piper.
Emphasis: Planting motivation.
One of the main things you'll need to be reminded of (constantly) is that you are not a professional church planter. Your job is to spread the unsearchable riches of Christ among his people. What your people need (and don't necessary know) is for you to be captured and captivated by the living God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Church Planter, by Darrin Patrick.
Emphasis: Planting philosophy.
This is the best all-around book aimed at church planters shaped around the "Man", "Mission" and "Message". The chapter on "calling" is particularly helpful and balanced. This book will help you identify any particular areas of weakness where further growth/study is needed. 

Church in the Making, by Ben Arment.
Emphasis: Planting expectations.
I just recently picked this up, but really wish I had it earlier. This book discusses common reasons why churches fail, but don't have to. Arment is down to earth and I agree with his conclusions. Super helpful in setting appropriate expectations and assessing your potential/current plant.

Launch, by Nelson Searcy.
Emphasis: Planting plan.
You're going to need a plan. Searcy leans "seeker/church growth" but is very helpful in thinking through the initial stages, timing and strategy of your overall plan. This is the most helpful book that I've found that aids in creating a plan for your plant that works for nearly every ministry model.

Planting Missional Churches, by Ed Stetzer.
Emphasis: Planting nitty-gritty.
Stetzer deals with everything from naming your church, to mailers, to finances, to kids, to churches-planting-churches. Super helpful.