Send Network is a family of churches planting churches everywhere for everyone.
Training and equipping planters for this work is critical, and we develop planters in nine essential qualities for faithful and effective ministry.
One of our essentials focuses on the church: does the planter love the church?
This is important because a clear understanding of the church will inspire and focus the work of church planting.
Christ founded the church and is building it.
He purchased it with His own blood.
A good church planter loves what Jesus loves, and Jesus loves the church.
So, how does a church planter demonstrate his understanding of and love for the church?
- He studies foundational ecclesiological matters and seeks to implement them wisely in the local church.
- He seeks to cultivate a rich, life-on-life Christian community within the church.
- He learns lessons for doing church from others, including those in the global church.
- He has a plan for and is engaged in the development of future leaders to plant more healthy churches.
- He has experience shepherding people, giving care, counsel, and encouragement.
- He leads his church in gathering together to meet with God and pray for one another.
I remember talking with a man who was interested in planting a church.
As we talked about his testimony, his calling and gifts for ministry, I asked him to define “the church.”
He explained what the Sunday service would look like in terms of songs, preaching, and “vibe.”
I then asked him to give a biblical and theological definition of a local church.
He was confused.
He couldn’t give me one.
He wasn’t ready to plant a church because he didn’t know what the church is.
For planters to be faithful and effective, they must know what they are planting, what makes a faithful church, and how to shepherd that church for the glory of God and the good of the people.
When a church plant is established, and when you gather to sing praise to the Triune God, to sit under the Word of God, to partake in the Lord’s Supper, to observe a baptism, to fellowship with fellow saints, and to pray together, you are doing more than “going to a religious meeting.”
You are part of something different—something glorious—and something eternal. And all of it is made possible through the saving work of Jesus.