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Qualities of a pre-field, on-field Church planter 1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted, Apollos watered but God was causing the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Paul was the Church planter extraordinaire. Alongside his tent making business he was responsible for planting Churches in significant places. These Churches later became the seeds from which sprang the visible Church. What was it that made him such a powerhouse of activity and fruitfulness? What were the qualities inherent in Paul (pre-field and on-field qualities) which made him to be an extraordinary Church planter?
Paul started early in his zeal for God by persecuting the Church. This was because he recognised that the Church was at the heart of the Jesus Movement and the key to God's Kingdom (Ephesians 1:20-23, 1 Cor 1:2, 12:27. His Antioch experience of being selected, sent and supported through the discovery of his spiritual giftings by the Antiochene Church all made him realise the importance of the Church in missions.
To those of us who are called into his mission field our involvement of the Church in our seeking after His will should be the bench-mark for an examination of our calling. As Ben Sawatsky says, 'It is incredible to see young men and women make grand plans for cross cultural ministries involving huge amounts of money without roots in a local Church...Too often candidates choose a school, ministry and mission agency before coming to the local Church for support.’ Paul was sent out by the Antioch Church after being recognised for his effective ministry in Antioch itself (Gal 1:17 and Acts 9:26).
Paul understood the importance of possessing Spiritual gifts in Church ministry and Church planting. An examination of his letters and the accounts in the book of Acts shows us that Paul pre-eminently had five gifts that made him an effective Church planting. First he had the gift of apostleship. Being sent as an apostle he had a pioneer spirit and cross cultural adaptability. Both important qualities which would enable him to plant Churches where there were none. Second, the gifts of preaching and teaching. Paul preached and taught in circumstances that demanded sensitivity to cultural nuances (Acts 17:22-34). Thirdly the gifts of evangelism. Here where Churches were started from scratch, Paul showed himself to be the master communicator of the Good news (Acts 16:14, 31-34, 17:11 etc.). Church planting must go hand in hand with effective evangelism. Fourthly Paul had the gift of faith. He had the spiritual vision to 'see' something as an accomplished fact well before the natural eyes could see anything. This gift of faith allowed Paul to see a congregation of believers worshipping, fellowshipping, serving and witnessing together before such a congregation existed. Finally he had leadership gifts. Modeled on Jesus' servant role he led by example, humbly walking in His steps.
Brought up in Tarsus, a Greek city of learning and commerce, Paul was acquainted with Greek Philosophies. As a Pharisee sitting at the feet of Gamaliel, Paul was well versed with the scriptures and its exegesis. This formal training would help Paul to share the good news in a cross cultural setting without departing from the word of God.
Church planters in a cross cultural setting must be able to share the gospel within the host country's culture meaningfully and sensitively. Without the rudiments of a discipline of formal learning, cross cultural missionaries would not be able to craft a suitable Christian apologetic in the context of non-Christian thought forms.
Paul had initial trouble with Mark but this was solved in later years. The resolution of the conflict between Paul and Barnabas was through the spiritual fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Gal 6:22,23. This ability to work together in a spirit of cooperation and amiability is a very important quality of effectiveness in any missionary.
Paul was essentially bicultural equally at home in Hebrew or Greek (1 Corinthians 9:20). Conversant in Hebrew and Koine Greek, Paul moved easily within the pluralistic society that was the Roman empire.
Church planters need to be bicultural. This will involve sacrifice and ministry setbacks when mistakes are made with regards to culture but Church planters must devote themselves to becoming bicultural. There is a need to distinguish between what is from our culture (or sub-culture) and what is Christian. This will enable a planted Church to develop indigenously.
Paul learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry whether living in plenty or in want (Phil. 4:12). Simplicity in lifestyle helps the Church planter to blend into the culture of the ministered. High expectations of material possessions is anathema to an effective Church planter who strives for lasting fruits.
Paul was an itinerant evangelist moving from one place to the next. By being mobile, he covered as large an area as circumstances permitted. In addition to the three missionary journeys in Acts, Paul visited Spain, the Aegean area and probably the East.
The nature of cross cultural Church planting means that missionaries will only spend a few years in one place before they move to a new area. To remain in one place for substantially long period will defeat the objective of Church planting.
Paul was a strategist. The Churches he planted were located in strategic areas, frequently at the cross roads of commerce and ideas. He usually started his ministry at synagogues and then left to go to the Gentiles. After planting a Church, he left behind responsible men and went on to plant other Churches. He continued his contacts through his writings and the sending of personal emissaries to them. Like this he was able to minister over a wide area frequently addressing issues of common concern.
Every field needs at least one cross cultural Church planter who is a strategist. The strategy followed must take into account the unique circumstances of the area. It is the result of collective experience of many who are involved and should be flexible to fresh and new input which necessitates change.
Strategist realize that there is no such thing as a universal or timeless strategy. Strategy should be sensitive to cultural and time changes. Strategist must think in terms of strategies rather than a single strategy.
Paul was flexible in his ministry. This flexibility reflects his personality and giftings. For example rather than be limited by his rabbinical training he preached to a gentile women Lydia. By becoming all things to all men, Paul was prepared to change himself in order that the supreme purpose of Christ be realized.
Church planters need to be flexible. While holding to a singleness of purpose, Church planters must be flexible in their methodology. They must also be flexible enough to assume responsibility for administrative duties along with their primary task of church planting.
Conclusion. Paul was an extraordinarily successful Church planter. Let us be challenged by his life as we serve Him by also walking in His steps.
by B.B.
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