ARC Magazine: Vol 4 - Issue 2: Fall 2019

THE ASSOCIATION OF RELATED CHURCHES MAGAZINE

S E P 2 0 1 9 vol. 4 - iss. 2

Psychological Health & Christian Leadership p96

Ending Bible Poverty p68 / Testing Precedes Promotion p90 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Pastor, spouse, parent— most church planters fill all three roles. You may be thinking, “I want to plant a church, but what effects will church planting have on my kids?” p36

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MANY FACES OF ARC

CONTENTS

VOL 4 - ISSUE 2 - SEP 2019

A RC M A G A ZINE Volume 4 • Issue 2 • September 2019 The Official Publication of the Association of Related Churches

p18 Where Are They Now?

P UB L I S HE R Shaun Ray

p24

E DI T OR S Rachel Compo Lindsey Hansen Ann Rivera P RO JE C T M A N A GE R Lauren Song DE SIGN & L AYOU T Alissa Cucjen David Song CON T RIBU T OR S Cody Abercrombie Sarah Blount Emily Chenevert Rachel Compo Kevin Daughtry Samuel Deuth Kevin Gerald Peter Haas Lindsey Hansen Shawn Lovejoy Dustin and Allie McClain Kevin Miller Sharon Hodde Miller Alini Muller Dino Rizzo Josh Roberie Meghan Robinson Brady Shearer Larry Stockstill Greg Surratt Kraig Thompson Emy and Emily Vazquez Holly Wagner Jonathan Wiggins Dr. Andrew Yarborough HO W T O R E A CH U S Association of Related Churches 1201 Lee Branch Lane Birmingham, AL 35242 (205) 981-4566 info@arcchurches.com arcchurches.com

Catch up with a few of our planters to find out more about their ministry.

A Call to Dependence

by Alini Muller

p26

City Momentum

by Josh Roberie

p30

On Purpose: From Chicken Farmers to Church Planters

Even more impressive than the scope of their chicken farm is the scope of Dustin’s and Allie’s other vocations.

by Emily Chenevert

p36 Church Planting: It’s a Family Thing

Stepping into the unknown can be scary for adults and children alike. But kids are fearless, flexible, and make friends easily. We all should be more like that! an interview with Sarah Blount and Sharon Hodde Miller

p50

Many Faces of ARC

The ARC Family consists of a growing network of leaders from all around the globe.

p56 Change Is a Necessary Part of Leadership

by Jonathan Wiggins

p58 The New Rules for Churches on Social Media

by Brady Shearer

p60 The Art of Responding to Betrayal

by Peter Haas

p62 Spiritual Mothers and Daughters

It’s about being available to offer encouragement in good seasons, give support during the hard ones, and offer wisdom along the way. an interview with Holly Wagner and Meghan Robinson

p68 Ending Bible Poverty

According to the most recent data from SIL International, more than 2100 languages to-date do not have Bible translations. an interview with Kraig Thompson of Seed Company

p 84

Laughing More Has the Power to Change Your World

by Larry Stockstill

p 86

Encouragement to Pastors

by Cody Abercrombie

p 88

What legacy will you leave behind?

by Greg Surratt

p90 Testing Precedes Promotion

Most people want more. But if you’re struggling to manage a small team, what would you do with a bigger one?

by Kevin Gerald

p96 Psychological Health and Christian Leadership

Leadership is a privilege. Those of us who have been in positions of leadership within the church know the joys of seeing people learn to follow Christ in ways that advance God’s kingdom.

by Dr. Andrew Yarborough

FIRST WORD

A NOTE FROM THE ARC PRESIDENT

You Are Not Alone ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS to do with pastors is to get them away from the busyness of their roles and invite them to join me and a few of their peers at a retreat. We may get together at a beach house near my home in Charleston, or we may go to a Crow Indian reservation in Montana. I ask the pastors to tell us the highs and lows they’ve experienced in the past year. They often talk about something God did in their own lives or their families, such as a long-hopedfor pregnancy, the return of a prodigal child, or a breakthrough at their church.

After each person has talked about the highs, I ask them to be honest about the low points—difficult situations, and heartaches they’ve endured. In this kind of setting and with an invitation to be vulnerable, they find the courage to be brutally honest. Many are obviously struggling, even though they put on a positive face around their staff and the people in their churches. I could tell many of them felt overwhelmed and deeply discouraged.

I’ve realized that a lot of their discouragement comes from self-imposed, unrealistic expectations. They feel ashamed because they haven’t hit the numbers others have listed in blogs and articles, and they can’t face the shame of not measuring up. They also mention struggles about people leaving the church, finances, and family problems.

If you are feeling discouraged, please know, you are not alone. Others, including me, have walked where you walk. The pages of this magazine are filled with stories like yours, and resources that will help you renew your vision for the future. If you are not already, jump into this ARC Family. We want to see you and your church thrive. That is how we will reach more people with the message of Jesus.

GREG SURR AT T President, ARC

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293

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AV E R A GE L A UNCH D AY AT T E ND A NCE S O FA R IN 2 019

L A UNCH D AY S A LVAT ION S AT NE W A RC CHURCHE S S O FA R IN 2 019

8M

$

DOL L A R S IN V E S T E D IN T O CHURCH P L A N T ING IN 2 018

6

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100

%

P E RCE N TA GE OF PA R T NE R GI V ING T H AT GOE S DIR E C T LY T O CHURCH P L A N T ING

842 NUMBER OF CHURCHES L AUNCHED WITH ARC (U.S. churches as of Aug 1, 2019)

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STATE OF ARC

THE LATEST UPDATE FROM ARC

Family Vibes WHAT AN EXCITING SEASON for ARC.

2019 has been incredible, and we’re not done yet. New churches and campuses have been launched and many churches have celebrated anniversaries, new buildings, and attendance milestones. We’re growing stronger, healthier, and more efficient in what we do, and we’re closer and closer to seeing our dream of a life-giving church in every community.

One of the greatest factors that make ARC so healthy is that we are a family. We are built on relationships, and we are seeing God’s blessing flow through those relationships. More people are making decisions for Christ, more people are being baptized, more resources are being invested in missions, more lives are being set free from addictions, and more people who felt hopeless are finding purpose - all because life-giving churches are doing what the Church is here to do: give Life.

Each member of the ARC Family brings a unique set of experiences, strengths, and resources to create this family. Together, we have a set of shared values. Values that we are known for, that we stand for, and that drive our mission.

W E L OV E. We love because He first loved us! It’s the very nature of God. Nothing we do matters if it isn’t done in love. The love

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of God compels us as a family to be there for each other and to give that love to others who have not yet experienced it. Love is the fuel we need for carrying out the great commission.

W E GIV E. Generosity is ingrained in ARC deeply. We have been blessed to have a tremendously healthy financial model, and the result of that is that we stay in a position to be able to invest generously into planting churches - to the tune of $8 million last year alone.

W E UNIT E. It’s really all about the Kingdom of God. It’s not about any one of us. The Kingdom is full of diversity, so we celebrate our diversity. And we don’t do ministry alone. From all backgrounds, church environments, demographics, and regions, we gather. ARC Meetups, conferences, and many other types of gatherings - all are part of how we make sure nobody has to be isolated and can unite with other pastors and leaders.

W E SERV E. Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve. With that as our example, we as a family are quick to set aside our titles and pick up a towel to wash each other’s feet.

But it’s not just serving each other - it’s also serving our cities. We aren’t called just to pastor our churches - we are called to pastor

W E HONOR. We have such a rich past. We’re getting ready to celebrate 20 years of ARC, and trust me, we will celebrate our past.

So many great people have given themselves and paved the way for all of what we’re seeing now - and we honor them.

We also honor those who are poised to carry ARC into what’s next. Some tremendous new ARC Lead Team members have been added, and there’s a great group of ARC Launch Coaches and ARC Meet-Up Coordinators who give of themselves and their time to bless other pastors and leaders.

We honor them.

W E BELIE V E. One of the greatest things about our founder Billy Hornsby was that he believed in couples who no longer believed in themselves. There are so many pastors I have heard tell their story and the turning point for them was when they realized someone believed in them. What I love about that now is that it’s not just Billy Hornsby,

but it’s all of ARC believing in you. All of this ARC family is pulling for you, whether you’re a future planter or a recent planter, or you pastor a church you didn’t plant, or if you’ve pastored the church you’re at for 50 years, this ARC Family believes in you and is pulling for you.

STATE OF ARC

our cities. We do our best when we serve our cities with no strings attached. We serve the poor and hurting, serving those who may never be able to repay us but are the very heartbeat of God.

W E DRE A M. Church planting itself is intrinsically all about a dream. We love hearing the dream in a future church planter’s heart and dreaming with them. We love to dream of cities literally being transformed by the presence of God pouring out through a group of life-giving churches in that city, loving, giving, uniting, serving, honoring, and believing together. We dream, and we hope. We put motion to those dreams and those hopes, and by God’s grace, we will be able to see a life-giving church thriving in every community.

Thank you for being part of this family. It means so much - you mean so much. We are honored to get to love, give, unite, serve, honor, believe, and dream with you. When it’s all said and done, I believe Heaven will be fuller because of what God is able to do through us together.

DINO & DELYNN RIZZO Executive Directors, ARC

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Launch T HE MIS SION

WE EXIST TO SEE A THRIVING CHURCH IN EVERY COMMUNIT Y REACHING PEOPLE WITH THE MESSAGE OF JESUS. THANKS TO OUR A R C FA M I LY, W E H AV E B E E N A B L E T O A S S I S T HUNDREDS OF COUPLES PL ANT CHURCHES NATION-WIDE AND FORM GLOBAL NET WORKS TO L AUNCH CHURCHES AROUND THE WORLD. PL ANTING LIFE-GIVING CHURCHES IS AT THE CORE OF ALL WE DO. WE ARE E XCITED TO CELEBRATE EVERY SUCCESS AND MILESTONE A S T HE S E CHURCHE S GRO W, BUIL D, A ND M A K E A N I M P A C T O N T H E I R CI T Y.

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IN T HIS SEC TION

p18

Where Are They Now?

Catch up with a few of our planters to find out more about their ministry.

p24

A Call to Dependence

I tried going to my parents for comfort, but the response was always the same: “Defend yourself! You need to learn to take care of yourself!”

by Alini Muller

p30

On Purpose: From Chicken Farmers to Church Planters

Even more impressive than the scope of their chicken farm is the scope of Dustin’s and Allie’s other vocations.

by Emily Chenevert

p36

Church Planting: It’s a Family Thing Stepping into the unknown can be scary for adults and children alike. But kids are fearless, flexible, and make friends easily. We all should be more like that! an interview with Sarah Blount and Sharon Hodde Miller

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LAUNCH

Benefits of Portable Church Planting

by Josh Roberie

ARC Launch Team

BE T T ER L OCATION. When you lease a site in an area of prime exposure in a community, you can meet in a place you would not be able to afford or that may not be available for purchase if you launched in a permanent location.

REDUCED RISK . You run the risk of investing a significant amount of money in a permanent location and then needing to move before your church receives an adequate return on that investment. This could result from a changing relationship with the property owner, or perhaps the location cannot meet your needs after you launch because it is too small or too large.

FL E XIBILIT Y. Planting a portable church gives you time to find your best location in the community while you meet with people in a place that is easy for them to access. If something unexpected changes and you are committed to an expensive lease, it is more challenging to make necessary changes to your budget.

COMMUNIT Y ENG AGEMEN T. Meeting new people is crucial for a church planter. When you start in your own space, it is easy to drift back into the comfortable confines of your building once you receive initial permits. A mobile church environment provides the opportunity to work with others in the marketplace regularly, be a witness to business leaders, and bring more awareness to your church.

L O W ER UPFRON T COS T S. A temporary location allows you to invest your limited finances as a church planter to bring awareness to your new church instead of spending those funds on a physical site that must be updated, branded, and repaired.

L O W ER RECURRING COS T S. You pay only a fraction of the overhead to be in a prime location when you use a space only on Sundays. The costs of utilities, maintenance, and other expenses for the rest of the week are covered by someone else.

CRE AT E S O W NERSHIP ON YOUR T E A M. The need to set up and tear down for a meeting keeps the mission in front of everyone. For example, people who do not volunteer for leadership roles may choose to be involved in church operations.

IT ’S E VA NGELIS TIC. A portable church brings awareness to people who do not already attend a church. It allows you to add value to the place you are meeting, which will get the attention of community members as you tangibly show them your church cares.

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by New Life Church

Love So Great – Live Hillsong Worship – Let There Be Light (Deluxe) God, You’re So Good – Live Passion, Kristian Stanfill, Melodie Malone – God, You’re So Good (Live) King of My Heart (Live) Bethel Music, Staffany Gretzinger – Starlight (Live) Do It Again Elevation Worship – There Is a Cloud Be Enthroned (Live) Bethel Music, Jeremy Riddle – Have It All (Live) Reckless Love Cory Asbury – Reckless Love Build My Life – Live Passion, Brett Younker – Worthy Of Your Name (Live) Your Love Awakens Me Phil Wickham – Children of God Grace To Grace – Live Hillsong Worship – Let There Be Light (Deluxe)

No Longer Slaves (Live) Bethel Music, Melissa Helser, Jonathan David Helser – We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) Blessed Assurance Elevation Worship – Only King Forever Our God & Our King NLC Worship – Our God & Our King (Deluxe Edition) Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) – Live Hillsong Worship – No Other Name (Deluxe Edition/Live) Faithful to the End (Live) Bethel Music, Paul McClure, Hannah McClure – Have It All (Live) Ever Be (Live) Bethel Music, Kalley Heiligenthal – We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) What A Beautiful Name – Live Hillsong Worship – Let There Be Light (Deluxe) Mercy (Live) Bethel Music, Amanda Lindsey Cook – Have It All (Live)

LAUNCH

Sunday Setlist

4 Things About the Journey that Never Change

by Dino Rizzo

Executive Director, ARC

01.

PR AY. All of your prayer can't be for presentation sake. Pray for His presence, not your presentation.

02.

T E A M. Build your team around relationships, not transactions.

03.

HONOR. Honor those around you and commit to the greatness of others.

0 4.

L OV E. When all else fails, you love.

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COOL Church Cares Outreach Spotlight Based in the heart of the City of Miramar, Florida, COOL Church, which stands for Created Out of Love, is a multicultural, cross-generational, thriving ministry built on solid biblical principles, love, and family.

COOL Church launched in 2019 as ARC church plant number 833. Co-pastored by the creative and spirit-filled husband and wife team, Terrance and Johanne Wilson, COOL Church aims to showcase that anything worth doing should be done with love to make a positive impact in the world.

COOL Church recently organized a unique outreach for students of New Renaissance Middle School, where they first held their weekly services. They surprised 100 New Renaissance Middle School Students with brand new pairs of Vans sneakers.

By serving these students in a fun and tangible way, COOL Church displayed the 14

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passion and love it has for the community to the youth, faculty, and staff of New Renaissance Middle School. Pastors Terrance and Johanne delivered the sneakers to the students and shared with them their hearts, and the heart behind COOL Church.

“We’re doing this because we love you,” the Wilsons said. “We want you to know that each and every one of you were created out of love, and because of that, your church wants to bless you. The church is here to help you if you need something. We’re not trying to push religion on you; it’s about relationship.”

To learn more about this outreach, check out COOL Church on Facebook and Instagram at @wearecoolchurch.

Resources

LAUNCH

When to Hire

by Kevin Miller Awaken Church

At many church plants today, the lead pastor starts with a full-time salary. This was not my story. I got my first (small) paycheck about 10 months after our church’s launch and was hired full time two years after the launch. I’m thankful to my board for working diligently to hire me as soon as possible. As you consider hiring early in the game, below are a few rules I recommend you follow.

HIRE YOURSEL F FIRS T. I wasn’t hired full time for two years not because I didn’t want the pay, but because I prioritized renting a permanent building before receiving a paycheck.

Like a mom takes a few months of maternity leave to be fully dedicated to time with her newborn, ideally the church should have your full attention in its most needy state. A church can function without a full-time worship leader, but it can’t function without a pastor.

WAIT IF YOU CA N T O S AV E A S MUCH MONE Y A S YOU CA N. A staff of five for a church of 50 is overkill; you’ll drain your budget. On the other hand, a staff of five for a church of 500 is more accurate. A general rule of thumb to follow is to hire one full-time staff member per 100 people at your church. If you can hire some heavy lifters early in the game, the few of you may be able to run with a lot of weight for some time.

Always keep a pulse on the team but don’t apologize for asking a lot of them. I advise being slow and prayerful. And if someone is regularly requesting a paycheck, add him to your “do not hire” list. You want someone on staff who shows up for people, not only for a paycheck.

PROAC TIV E HIRING IS BE T T ER T H A N RE AC TIV E HIRING. Make it your goal to hire for what you want to grow into instead of what you’ve already established. I haven’t always done this well, and sometimes the budget or circumstances won’t allow it. Some of our positions on staff came from a need to take something off someone else’s plate. As the church grows, it will outgrow the shoulders of the person who has been carrying much of the weight. Other positions on our staff have been created for a need we sense or plan to meet.

NEXT LEVEL CONFERENCE Oct. 21-23

BROKEN ESCALATORS

by Peter Haas

GROW

growleader.com

ACTIVATE CONFERENCE propelwomen.org

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LAUNCH

3 Tips on Leading a New Creative Team

by Toni Romero

hillsong.com/collected

Leading the creative team in a brand-new church plant is an amazing journey but definitely also a stretching one. Although you probably feel like you’re just starting to figure things out yourself, you still need to put on confidence and work with others to raise them as leaders at an accelerated speed. With this thought in mind, here are a few lessons I’m still learning about leading a new creative team.

01.

02.

03.

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L E A D T HROUGH EMPO W ERMEN T. Releasing and empowering the right people to help you carry the weight is absolutely key. Leading is not about doing everything, but about fulfilling a goal together. The right people will carry not only the responsibilities but also the culture of your team. To entrust responsibility is different to simply delegating a task for completion. Raising leaders and carriers and not just doers of tasks is paramount for the sustainability of the team.

REPLICAT E YOURSEL F. When we talk about replicating ourselves, many times what we meant is teaching someone to do what you do, which is totally great and valid, but in this case, I’m referring more to replicating your heart in others. When the team of volunteers and leaders that you are raising can understand your heart and the “why” behind the “what,” they’ll become the biggest asset to help you build a healthy team. Invest into the key people that “get you” and what you are about and then release them to run with the vision of the team.

BRING IT BACK T O T HE BA SICS. Our creative team exists to serve the vision of our church, which means I don’t have to come up with a new cool vision for our creative team. Our vision is as simple and as powerful as loving God, loving people, and loving life. We can sometimes overcomplicate things, systems and structures. Those elements are necessary, but they exist to serve us, not the other way around. Let us bring our work back to the basics of what we stand for. Let’s place Jesus at the centre of everything we do! Pointing people to Him is something that can’t ever be overemphasized.

LAUNCH

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

AN UPDATE ON ARC LAUNCHES

Catch up with a few of our planters to find out more about what is happening in the life of their church.

Over the past 19 years, ARC has helped launch over 800 churches. We had the opportunity to catch up with a few of our planters to get an update on what is happening in the life of their church. It’s such a great honor to work with couples that have a heart to launch a thriving church in their city!

W H AT MO TIVAT ED YOU T O PL A N T YOUR CHURCH IN MEL BOURNE ?

This area always has had a special place in our hearts. It’s been our home no matter where we have lived. When we felt the calling to plant a church, we knew Melbourne was the best place.

Olinski AARON & NICOLE

ARC CHURCH PL ANT #140

Grace Church MELBOURNE, FL

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W H AT DO YOU L OV E A BOU T YOUR CHURCH A ND COMMUNIT Y ?

Every Sunday there are people who gladly give of their time and talents so that others can experience the power and presence of God for the first time. We love that we do life together—we learn together, grow together, serve together, and make a difference together. We are grateful that ours is a generous church. And because of that generosity, we have been able to love our community well and lead people to Christ.

W H AT IS T HE BIGGE S T CH A NGE YOU’ V E SEEN IN YOURSEL F SINCE YOU PL A N T ED? We’ve learned that our approval comes from God. It’s not about what we do for Him; we don’t have to do anything to gain His approval because we already are loved and approved by Him! God has shown us that He cares more about us than about what we are doing to lead and grow the Church. It has taken us years to fully embrace this understanding, but it has been life changing for us both and has brought us so much peace.

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST MOMENTS YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN MINISTRY? On Sunday, January 1, 2017, because of the combination of a hurricane-level storm and New Year’s Day, we had our lowest attendance ever as a church. That day I learned that if your joy is attached to attendance, your joy is unstable. That day made me appreciate every Sunday after it. It also made me re-establish my priorities.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

W H AT H A S BEEN ONE OF YOUR GRE AT E S T MOMEN T S SINCE PL A N TING YOUR CHURCH ?

The stories are the greatest moments.

Sometimes I go to bed at night, and it all feels surreal. You want to start a church, and you hope it changes lives. Then you discover through emails and direct messages that it really is! Marriages are being restored. People are breaking free from their addictions. My sister, for whom I’ve prayed and fasted for more than three years, gave her life to Jesus on the last of our 21 days of prayer and fasting this year. It’s unbelievable what God will do if you simply obey.

Vasquez JJ & LIZ

ARC CHURCH PLANT #594

Journey Church WINTER PARK, FL

W H AT IS T HE BIGGE S T CH A NGE YOU’ V E SEEN IN YOURSEL F OR YOUR CHURCH SINCE YOU PL A N T ED? My faith is higher than it’s ever been, and I’ve served God my whole life. There’s something about endurance—so many people quit when it gets hard. But it isn’t until the end of the tunnel when God shows His faithfulness and strength. When you make it out, you realize He was carrying you the whole way and will continue to carry you through the next one.

W H AT DO YOU WA N T T O SH A RE WIT H SOMEONE T HINK ING A BOU T BECOMING A CHURCH PL A N T ER? Get connected. We are much further on this journey than we would be had we decided to do it alone.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

W H AT MO TIVAT ED YOU T O PL A N T YOUR CHURCH IN H A MP T ON ?

Hampton is a very diverse city, but in many ways a divided city. We believe God called us to plant a church that gives people a glimpse of heaven—a church that is made up of people from all walks of life and experiences.

Revelation 5:9 talks about how people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will be gathered together to worship Jesus. We believe that our church is called to tear down dividing walls and build a bridge for people to experience the life and unity that Jesus gives.

Jones EDWIN & ARIAL

ARC CHURCH PL ANT # 4 41

The Bridge Church HAMPTON, VA

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W H AT H A S BEEN ONE OF YOUR GRE AT E S T MOMEN T S SINCE PL A N TING YOUR CHURCH ?

Towards the end of 2017, a growing church in our city was transitioning to a larger facility to accommodate its needs. The pastor offered us the opportunity to move into their former building as they were moving out of it.

On April 1, 2018 (Easter Sunday), we moved into what is now our permanent location.

That moment is special because we weren’t striving for it. Even though our dream was to eventually find a permanent location, our aim was to be faithful where we were as a portable church and to let God accomplish this vision in His time.

W H AT DO YOU WA N T T O SH A RE WIT H SOMEONE T HINK ING A BOU T BECOMING A CHURCH PL A N T ER? Some of the greatest wisdom I received from my mentor and pastor when planting our church still speaks to my wife and I to this day: “Be you.” I’m a firm a believer that God can’t bless what you pretend to be. In a world filled with so much artificiality, authenticity stands apart. God has uniquely designed and anointed your family and you to transform the city where He is calling you to plant.

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR GREATEST MOMENTS SINCE PLANTING YOUR CHURCH? Our annual citywide outreach downtown is one of our greatest moments. We serve more than a thousand free meals and provide countless giveaways to the homeless and less fortunate.

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST MOMENTS YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN MINISTRY? Our youngest son was born with an irregular heart in 2014, and that was one of our most difficult moments in ministry. Within 48 hours of being born, he was diagnosed with Atrial Flutter and was on a respirator in New Orleans Children’s Hospital.

W H AT IS T HE BIGGE S T CH A NGE YOU’ V E SEEN IN YOURSEL F OR YOUR CHURCH SINCE YOU PL A N T ED? The biggest blessing in our church—which amazes me—is how it attracts and is filled with people from all backgrounds, religions, and races, but continues to exist in one of the most segregated places in America.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PLANT YOUR CHURCH IN LAFAYETTE? We would often pass Lafayette on our way to sing or preach in Houston and think, “This place needs more life-giving churches.” My wife is from Lafayette, so we would visit loved ones, and I began to have a deep burden for the people there. Then in 2010, God spoke to my heart to resign from 24 years of ministry in Baton Rouge and plant in Lafayette.

Cook TY & DARNELL

A RC CHURCH P L A N T #177

Lighthouse Family Church L AFAYET TE, L A

W H AT DO YOU WA N T T O SH A RE WIT H SOMEONE T HINK ING A BOU T BECOMING A CHURCH PL A N T ER? If God has spoken to your heart to go somewhere you’ve never been and to do something you’ve never done, be bold and courageous, knowing that if He has made you a promise, He will fulfill it.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

W H AT IS T HE BIGGE S T CH A NGE YOU’ V E SEEN IN YOURSEL F SINCE YOU PL A N T ED? Philadelphia has become our home. We honestly wondered if that could ever happen.

But God surprised us, giving us joy to live in the city, and a vision big enough to keep us here. And an epic Super Bowl championship didn’t hurt—Go Birds!

Leach

BRAD & LEAH

A R C C H U R C H P L A N T # 2 11

City Life Church PHILADELPHIA, PA

W H AT DO YOU L OV E A BOU T YOUR CHURCH A ND COMMUNIT Y ?

We love the diversity of South Philly. Every kind of person you could imagine seeing anywhere in the world lives in our city.

Through God’s grace, our church has grown to reflect that diversity, showing a skeptical culture that the Gospel can produce a vibrant community out of people from every kind of racial, religious, and socioeconomic background.

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST MOMENTS YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN MINISTRY? We lived in Philly for one year before publicly launching City Life. We were a long way from home, separated from friends and family, and building relationships from scratch.

It was an intensely lonely season with little fruit and lots of resistance. But God used it to clarify our identity in Him and to define us as a church that would always focus on the one.

W H AT DO YOU WA N T T O SH A RE WIT H SOMEONE T HINK ING A BOU T BECOMING A CHURCH PL A N T ER? You’ll only make it as far as the quality of your relationships. You need pastors, friends, and a committed team walking this journey with you, praying for you, speaking life over you, noticing your blind spots, and encouraging you when you want to give up.

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W H AT IS T HE BIGGE S T CH A NGE YOU’ V E SEEN IN YOURSEL F OR YOUR CHURCH SINCE YOU PL A N T ED? During the past 12 months we have seen a major increase in racial diversity. Watching our church become more than a black church, but a church that attracts people from all races and ethnicities is amazing.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

W H AT DO YOU L OV E A BOU T YOUR CHURCH A ND COMMUNIT Y ?

Savannah is a beautiful city with so much history and an amazing warmth of Southern hospitality. As a military town there are many transient people here, and we love that many locals find Impact Church to be either a breath of fresh air from previous church searches or a reminder of a life-giving church they attended in a former city or state. I love how many people embrace our church’s Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Your Purpose, and Make a Difference model, whether they are accepting Christ for the first time or have been unchurched for some time.

Williams COREY & TOMEKIA

A RC CHURCH PL A N T #166

Impact Church of Savannah SAVANNAH, GA

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR GREATEST MOMENTS SINCE PLANTING YOUR CHURCH? Seeing our church grow from a handful of people to more than 500 regular attendees on the weekend during the past five years is one of our greatest moments. Also, it is exciting to watch people mature in their faith and develop a hunger for the truth of God’s word—not because of a religious mandate, but because they are growing a personal relationship with God. Then, seeing the effect of such faith in their relationships, spiritual growth, and dreams and visions…it is amazing to watch so many people walk in purpose.

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A Call to Dependence

by Alini Muller @alinimuller

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I CAN REMEMBER being taught to defend

myself as early as 3 or 4 years old. I had a cousin who was about three months older than I who insisted on having the upper hand and often left me in tears. I tried going to my parents for comfort, but the response was always the same: “Defend yourself! You need to learn to take care of yourself!”

In stark contrast, we find the way of Jesus.

Jesus chose to accomplish His purpose with people. Let’s be honest—the disciples probably slowed him down. With all their questions and doubting, the disciples had no clue what Jesus was talking about most of the time. Yet Jesus chose to go at it together. He chose to minister alongside people.

Many of us were brought up in the school of autonomy. We were taught from a very early age that we must learn to be independent.

We were taught that we should depend on no one. We learned to strive for self-sufficiency and exercise the “freedom” to govern ourselves. Interestingly, if we stop and look around, we quickly realize that a vast number of independent folks are devastatingly isolated.

There is something special about unity.

Something powerful happens when we lay aside our quest for independence and begin to engage with a kingdom outlook.

In Proverbs 18:1 we read that isolation rages against all wisdom. This passage has haunted me. I have seen the devastating effects of isolation. I have seen people lose their passion, their faith, and even their lives in the wake of loneliness. In theory community sounds

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“ Something powerful happens when we lay aside our quest for independence and begin to engage with a kingdom outlook.”

good, but in practice it is terrifying work— especially if you are a pastor or leader in some capacity within a church environment.

Creating community involves becoming vulnerable, and vulnerability can lead to judgment, rejection, and condemnation.

Still, we know there is no love, acceptance, restoration, or redemption without open and honest conversation. Vulnerability is the birthplace of genuine and authentic relationships. Nothing is as powerful as being loved and finding that we belong. Jesus knew this. In John 17 we find Him praying that we [believers] would take the risk and become “perfectly one” (John 17:23 ESV).

It is worth noting that God Himself chooses to work in relationship. Throughout Scripture we find a God who is unequivocally relational. This is why, if we are going to call ourselves disciples of Jesus, we must understand the call to dependence. We were not made to make it on our own. We need

His Spirit guiding us daily and leading us to repentance—and we need one another. In John 17, three times Jesus says, “I pray that they would be one, even as you and I are one.”

Our unity is evidence to the world that Jesus was sent of God. Nowhere in Scripture do we find any inclination towards autonomy.

As you journey this beautiful pilgrimage of faith, I encourage you to lean on your fellow believers and co-laborers in Christ. Take the risk of being vulnerable with one another.

Leave behind the burden of independence.

Learn to be a little more dependent; after all, this is the way of our Savior.

JD and Alini Muller are the founding and lead pastors of ConnectCommunity Church in Stamford, CT (ARC church plant No. 471). They planted their church in 2015 with a simple goal: helping people connect to God, connect to others, and connect to purpose.

They have more than 22 years of combined ministry experience. They have been married for 16 years and are the proud parents of three little girls. Learn more at connectcommunity.tv.

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City Momentum T HE BE S T K EP T S ECR E T FOR BUIL DING CHURCH P L A N T T E A M S

by Josh Roberie @joshroberie

DO YOU HAVE a talent for getting peo-

ple to quit their jobs and sell their homes at the same time? Neither do I. Asking people to leave their family and friends to start a new church is a big request. Don’t get discouraged if everyone you know isn’t ready to jump on the church plant train and travel across the country with you on the railroad tracks of faith. When it comes to your future church, the team you build is more important than the team you bring.

Parachuting into a city where you have no relationships to start a church can be one of the scariest things you do in ministry.

(There’s no “but” followed by a comforting remark here.) Trying to connect with people in a place you have never lived to start a church with a limited budget and fixed timeline takes nerves of steel.

You may be tempted to recruit as many people as possible to move with you from other places. While such willing recruits are helpful, “city momentum” is an idea that you must consider.

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City momentum is when people in your new community bring awareness and individuals to your launch through their relationship networks that existed in the area before you moved there. Simply put, it’s the buzz created by the locals.

All individuals who join your team add new momentum, regardless of whether they moved with you. When someone from your new city joins your team, they bring “city momentum” too. Launch team members who already live in the community have built-in equity with existing relationships. They don’t have to earn people’s trust to invite them to your interest meeting or church launch like your other team members will.

We see a similar promise of influence for the Gospel in John 4:37-38. Here Jesus says, “Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” City momentum is one

Below are five practices to ensure you create, not squash, city momentum.

Leave some key roles open. You may not yet know the highest contributors on your launch team. When you assign your top leadership roles before you move, you lose the chance to connect with influential people in your new city who may be better fit for these positions. Recruit gatherers who can multiply your city momentum.

Give responsibilities instead of titles. Asking people to commit to specific duties during an established timeframe gives everyone more freedom. This creates a natural exit ramp for a volunteer to move on to something else if she decides she is not a good fit. It also allows you to put someone you already trust into a much-needed position while you figure out who may be the best person to carry the title long term.

Know the difference between pioneers and pilgrims. Pioneers get excited to start new things. They are not intimidated by the hard work and sacrifice required by church planting. Others are pilgrims who come along once there is momentum but end up staying longer. Therefore ARC church planters start with a “launch team” and don’t transition to a “core team” until after launch. Forcing everyone to be a pilgrim means not appreciating how God has wired people and may lead to burnout for some on your team.

Get out of your relational comfort zone.

Familiar relationships can be a crutch for church planters when everything else seems chaotic. Understanding city momentum is a way to grow friendships outside of existing circles even when it is uncomfortable. People

in your city are not merely looking to be the plug that fills a hole in your team—they want a genuine relationship with you. This means you will need not only new team members to launch your church, but also new friends whom you have allowed into your life.

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practical way we can see this promise realized in church planting.

Prepare for the unexpected. What if God has something better for you than you planned for yourself? That fantastic worship leader whom you wanted to move with you but ends up taking a full-time job at a mega-church may be making room for someone better.

Maybe the person you meet in your city who becomes your worship leader will eventually become an executive pastor whose spouse also is incredibly creative and has a friend who is an amazing photographer whose parents own Pepsi and will start tithing before you even launch! I may have taken that one a little too far, but you get my point—God can do much more than we expect. This includes providing a team that is much better and bigger than we ever imagined.

A strong team equals a strong launch. We need people we trust helping us on the church planting journey. Your network is your net-worth in more ways than one.

While bringing team members with you provides a strong foundation, continuing to build that team through city momentum leads to a strong launch.

Josh and Amy Roberie are a part of the ARC Launch Team. They have helped hundreds of couples through the ARC launch training process and onto successfully launching their churches. They love to help couples take a dream and turn it into a reality. To learn more about starting a church with ARC, please go to arcchurches.com and click, “I Want to Start a Church.”

We will provide free resources to you simply for contacting us.

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Who Truly Cares About Your Church Launch?

by Kevin Daughtry @helloyellowbox

IF YOU’RE LAUNCHING a church, you’re very likely a healthy mix of called…and crazy. Church planting is hard work. It takes courage, leadership, vision, and resources.

And that will only get you to day one.

For those on a launch team, drive and passion can catch like wildfire. The church launch is the most exciting experience for a church planter and his team. However, the church launch often is the least exciting experience for the community in which you’re planting.

Think about it: What differentiates your church from the sometimes hundreds of other churches already in the community?

Why should another school, theater, or community center be taken over on a Sunday by 28

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a group of hyped-up believers wielding parking lot signs?

We believe that the local church is the hope of the world, but this belief doesn’t always translate for those who might not believe at all.

If the community doesn’t care about your church launch, what does it care about?

We at Yellowbox have worked with hundreds of church planters. We have observed that the following best practices make the most impact during a launch season.

Start with raising awareness. Awareness campaigns begin long before your launch

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date and are built around your story as a church planter and your church’s mission.

Here are a few ideas we’ve seen work well: • Get involved in community events such as fairs and festivals.

• Rent theaters for big movie releases and give away free tickets for a chance to promote the church.

• Create content such as story videos to promote on social media and online.

• Transform your standard interest meetings into themed dinner parties.

Take the contact information you gather through these activities and build an active email list. Share weekly devotionals and other upcoming activities with this list as you approach the launch.

Launch big with a concept built around a felt need. Every church planter has preferences. God has uniquely called you to reach an even more unique audience in a location that is equally unique. Preference matters.

However, without the proper data about your community, you may find that your preference for something as simple as a series direction or design doesn’t align with the audience you are called to reach.

Enter the discovery process. Demographic studies not only can shed light on who is in your backyard, but also what keeps them up at night. Discover the pain points of your community and create a concept that addresses those issues, and you may very well develop a winning launch campaign.

Launch with a series versus a one-off event.

In most communities, you could take two steps in any direction and find someone who has been burned by a church for myriad reasons. Fear of judgment, poor past

“What differentiates your church from the sometimes hundreds of other churches already in the community? experiences, and crowds of strangers are often more than enough to keep people from visiting.

We’ve found that the more a church can alleviate such fears through communication and relevance, the more impact it can make in a community. A series built around a felt need (identified in the discovery process) not only builds relevance, but also paints a clear picture of what visitors can expect during the launch season.

Yellowbox is a team of strategists, designers, developers, writers, directors, and producers united by a love of Christ. They believe that with the right creative coaching and tools, churches can be more effective in sharing the Gospel. They are passionate about sharing ideas, processes, planning, and best practices with others. To learn more, visit yellowbox.co.

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ON PURPOSE: From Chicken Farmers to Church Planters

By Emily Chenevert

Dustin

and

Allie

McClain

have chickens. Lots of chickens! As owners of McClain Family

Farms,

a

contract

chicken growing operation, they

raise

almost

60,000

chickens at any one time.

McClain Family Farms is one of the largest chicken providers to Pilgrim’s Pride, supplier to Chick-fil-A.

“We pray over them from the day they are born to the time we eat them at Chick-fil-A,” Dustin says.

Even more impressive than the scope of their chicken farm is the scope of Dustin’s and Allie’s other vocations. Dustin, who graduated with a mechanical engineering degree, is the founding pastor of Purpose Church in Murray, KY. Allie grew up in Murray, an agricultural town of 50,000 located 225 miles southeast of Louisville, and home to Murray State University. Dustin grew up nearby but spent a lot of time in Murray. After serving together in student ministry for eight years, Dustin and Allie launched Purpose Church in January 2019. The church meets in Calloway County Middle School.

“Statistics show that about 34,000 people in Murray County do not have a church home, and that doesn’t include college students, so ARCCHURCHES.COM

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we knew this was a chance to partner with other churches, but we also saw a need for Purpose Church,” Dustin says. “A lot of people are searching for their purpose. College kids too. I was one of those college guys. We know that God has put a purpose inside of people, and we want to help them discover it.

We believe that includes a life with Jesus and doing life with other people.”

Dustin speaks of how owning a business, especially as a farmer, and member of the local farming community, presents unique opportunities by giving him personal credibility in the community at large.

“The opportunity for us to be chicken farmers, in addition to being pastors, gives not only ‘street cred’ but ‘dirt road cred,’” he says. “We know what it’s like to get up at 4 am and go to work. It gives some credibility with the people. I work hard every day. I like to sweat and work with my hands. It builds camaraderie. Jesus talked in parables, and I feel like what we do is a modern-day parable: ‘I am a farmer and you are a farmer.’ I know it doesn’t work for all cities, but here in Murray it’s a great connection…chicken farming church planters!”

The name of the church came out of a tough season in Dustin’s life. He was diagnosed with Leukemia over 20 years ago, at the age of five. He spent two and half years at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, where he received chemo treatments, at times for 12 hours a day. He remembers seeing his parents pray when he was very sick and it stuck with him.

“I was diagnosed on December 21, 1994, and had my first chemo treatment on Christmas Day,” Dustin recalls. “I was in an isolation room, a glass room … nobody could come in. I remember trying to talk to my parents 32

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“We know what it’s like to get up at 4am and go to work. It gives some credibility with the people.”

through the glass. I asked them what they were praying for, and they said they asked God to spare my life and use it for an incredible purpose. That’s why we named our church Purpose Church.”

As Dustin and Allie were in the process of preparing to launch Purpose Church, their chicken farm suffered an unexpected setback when they were forced to either remodel or completely rebuild their 30-year-old barns.

Worse, they were required to shut down the farming operation until the barns were rebuilt. In retrospect, Dustin says it was all part of the process of trusting God. “We had closed all the barns by the middle of 2018,” he says. “I felt as though the Lord was saying, ‘I am going to take it all from you so you can find your true identity in me, and I will give it back to you even better, but you will have to trust me.’”

God remained faithful to the McClains during the problems with their farm, which would otherwise have threatened their financial survival.

“It’s interesting because when we were trying to launch, we didn’t have income for a while because we lost our chicken barns,” says Allie. “A few months before our farm problems hit, the Lord stirred my heart to start a business. The idea was overwhelming. To make a long story short, I chose to listen to God, and that decision carried us through a really hard season that was around the corner. When I decided to open my shop, I never thought we would be fully reliant on the business for our income. The store sustained us.”

2 Chicks and A Farmer is a unique home décor and gift shop in the historic downtown area of Mayfield, KY, a neighboring town.

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Allie was named Businesswoman of the Year for 2019 by the Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce.

committed to building a church on strong relationships and breaking the stereotypical view of the church.

“I love being able to open my doors every day and use my shop as a platform to share the love of Jesus with every person who comes through the doors,” Allie says. “I have been able to pray over people who are walking through chemotherapy and stop by to buy a journal. Every day is a mission field. That has been my personal side of ministry.”

“We live in the Bible belt,” says Allie. “It’s that stereotypical view of church. People go to church in their new outfits and go to Sunday dinner, checking it off the list. We had a sense that so many people were longing for much more than that. When we began having start-up parties, everyone was full of energy and life. It was really cool to get to know people and just love them.”

Although the McClains knew a lot of people from Murray, they found that pastoring was different as they got to know the hearts of people prior to their launch. They were 34

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Dustin adds, “We would take people out for dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while Allie's grandma would watch the kids. We

would be intentional about who we invited each week. The relationship equity we established took us a lot further than we ever imagined.”

Laying a foundation by building strong relationships resulted in over 700 people attending Launch Day. The church continues to thrive, and when asked what they love most about their church, the McClains’ joy is contagious as they talk about the life change they experience each day.

“Murray is traditional and people have traditional ideas about what church looks like,” Allie explains. I want it to be ‘Hey, you can come as you are!’ I hope Purpose Church represents that, whether people know Jesus or not. At our church we always try to say, ‘if this church isn’t for you, there are other great ones to connect to.’ We want to break the view that we are against each other and support the view that we are on the same team.”

She adds, “People are going out of their way to share the good things coming out of Purpose Church. People are being baptized and marriages are being restored.

It’s incredible.”

As for ARC and its support, the McClains are thankful. They say they can’t imagine launching alone, and they are grateful for coaches and other ARC pastors who helped, and for the overall support system which has helped carry them through the tough days.

“Being lead pastors for the first time, feeling that weight is different,” says Dustin. “Being part of ARC, even on days you feel like a failure, there are pastors and friends you can call. Having that family, that’s what I love about ARC. It’s not that you are like family; you are family. I feel like that alignment

“People are being baptized and marriages are being restored. It’s incredible.”

we have with ARC has trickled down to our church as well.”

Dustin is hopeful about the future because he believes God had Purpose Church in mind when he was just five-years-old.

“God is working all of this for the good of those who love Him,” he says. “I believe He was working on Purpose Church 25 years ago, when the doctors gave me only a 35 percent chance to live. I felt like I was called to something for Him. I felt like he spared my life for an incredible purpose.”

Dustin and Allie McClain launched Purpose Church in Murray, Kentucky, on January 27, 2019. Their heart is that every person knows their God-given purpose. They are also owners of McClain Family Farms LLC and 2 Chicks & A Farmer, a local boutique in neighboring Mayfield, Kentucky. To learn more visit, ourpurpose.church or 2chicksandafarmer.com.

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an interview with Sarah Blount and Sharon Hodde Miller

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Pastor, spouse, parent—most church planters fill all three roles. You may be thinking, “I want to plant a church, but what effects will church planting have on my kids?”

Stepping into the unknown can be scary for adults and children alike. But kids are fearless, flexible, and make friends easily. We all should be more like that!

Your children may not be the ones planting the church, but certainly they are watching. They are watching what you say, how you act, how you handle disappointment, and how you persevere. It’s important to establish your vision and purpose for the journey you are beginning as a family. How your children are involved now will make a big difference in how they view the church later. You preach your most important sermon at home.

We interviewed two church-planting mothers to hear their perspectives on launching a church with the entire family.

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Josh and Sarah Blount are pastors of New Song Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (ARC church plant number 508). They started their church with a desire to see people come to know God. Sarah also is the founder of HIS, the women’s ministry of New Song, and is passionate about helping women discover their God-given purpose.

Sarah's first book, Fearless Parenting: Raising Godly Kids in an Ungodly World, will be published in the fall of 2019.

Ike and Sharon Miller are the pastors of Bright City Church in Durham, North Carolina (ARC Church plant number 807).

Sharon is the teaching pastor at Bright City Church. She recently completed her doctorate at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School on the topic of women and calling and is passionate about cultivating the gifts of women.

Sharon also is an author. Her next book, Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us to More, releases during the fall of 2019.

T E LL U S HOW YOUR H U S BAN D AN D YOU K N E W YOU W ER E CALLE D TO S TART A CH URCH .

Sarah: About sixteen years ago, my husband told me he was called to pastor a church. At the time he was working for Church On The Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a graphic designer. Fast-forward 11 years, and he was on staff as a children's pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

We spent five wonderful years at Gateway soaking up everything we could from their incredible leadership team, and then we started to feel the tug. It was time to take all that we loved about Gateway and bring it back to our home state of Oklahoma.

We told our pastors, and they encouraged 38

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“We have three children and at the time they were 6, 4, and 11 months old when we began the planting process.”

- Sarah Blount

us to attend an ARC training. We left that training with a solid plan to follow as we ventured into unknown territory. We moved to Oklahoma City three months later and launched New Song Church in September of 2015.

Sharon: We never wanted to plant; we swore we never would. But one night, around 2 am, my husband sensed God speaking to him.

He wanted us to plant a church in Durham, near the Southpoint Mall. It was very clear.

We fought the call for months, but the confirmations continued coming. We planted about one year ago in September 2018. It has been a wild and fun adventure.

HOW DI D YOU T E LL YOUR CHI LDR EN YOU W ER E G OI NG TO S TART A CH URCH? W HAT DI D T H E Y T HI N K? Sarah: We have three children and at the time they were 6, 4, and 11 months old when we began the planting process. When we

put our house in Texas on the market, we told our older kids that we were moving to Oklahoma to start a brand-new church. I don't think it sank in until we started hosting interest meetings. They were excited because we were excited. They were all in because we were all in!

They have loved the local church since they were tiny, so I think it made sense to them. It felt natural and organic.

Sharon: My boys were in preschool, and I was pregnant with our little girl when we first discovered we were called to plant a church.

I don't think they really understood. I still don't think they do. A part of me wants to sit down and explain to them that not everyone's parents start a church.

They love it. They have always been pastor’s kids so it’s normal to them. They are very extroverted and love people. It’s the perfect combination for them to make friends.

W HAT DI D YOU DO TO BUI LD A N E W COMM UNI T Y FOR YOUR K I DS AN D YOU? Sarah: Our kindergartener had to change schools in the middle of the year, but he didn't skip a beat. We prayed that God's grace would be enough for all our kids as we transitioned, and it was. We started our interest meetings two months after moving.

We attracted several families with kids the same ages as ours, so we went on lots of play dates. I became friends with moms who then became vital part of what we were building, and our kids made new friends. I was very intentional about being at my children's elementary school. Every year I sign up to be classroom mom so I can get to know the families and teachers.

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“We carve out a family day every week when we spend time together, and we do not talk about the church.”

- sharon hodde miller

HOW DI D YOUR K I DS G E T I N VOLV E D I N T H E CH URCH PL AN T I NG PROCE S S ?

Sarah: They were at every interest meeting.

They tagged along every time we took a new launch team recruit to coffee or dinner. They shared their toys with the launch team kids when we had meetings at our house. They helped canvas neighborhoods with door hangers. My oldest son invited his whole class to our first service. His teacher came and has been coming ever since. Another family in his class attended that first week, and now they are some of our key leaders and closest friends. The kids love inviting friends!

Sharon: Leading up to the launch we stood outside the local movie theater and gave away sunglasses. Our boys had so much fun doing this. It also worked well with the community because kids are a natural ice breaker. Our kids are a bridge connecting us to other people.

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HOW DI D YOU PR A CT I CALLY MAK E T I M E FOR YOUR S POU S E , K I DS , AN D FAMI LY ?

Sarah: We determined that Fridays are family days. Josh and I go on a date every Friday while the kids are in school. After school we have “Friday family fun night.” We don't check e-mails on Fridays, and our team knows not to text us. We disconnect from all-things church related.

We also budget for vacations, and even in the first years of church planting, we would go on an annual family trip. We never let the church take precedence over our family. We never miss a Sabbath.

Sharon: We have become ruthless about Sabbath. We carve out a family day every week when we spend time together, and we do not talk about the church. We also create boundaries during the evenings. Unless one of us has a meeting, we are off our phones.

Once work hours come to an end, we don't respond to e-mails or talk about what's going on with the church. It helps us to be present with our kids, but it also ensures that our hearts and minds have space to rest.

We also have a marriage counselor with whom we have been meeting for nearly ten years. This is one of the best things we have ever done for our marriage. It has helped us to navigate planting a church together.

W HAT DOE S CH URCH L I F E LOOK L I K E FOR YOUR FAMI LY NOW? Sarah: Although we have doubled church attendance each year and are running three services, the pace is slower for us now than it was in the early years. We have a fantastic

staff and the best volunteers! Ministry takes place throughout the week, but we can be at our daughter's softball game, even when a discipleship class is happening, because we have the right leaders in place. The kids usually attend two services on Sunday, and then the older two serve in the nursery during the third service. They love it! Their closest friends are at the church.

W HAT ADVI CE WOU LD YOU G I V E A SOON -TO -B E CH URCH PL AN T ER OR A YOUNG CH URCH PL AN T ER ABOU T PR EPAR I NG T H E I R FAMI LY FOR T H E PL AN T I NG PROCE S S AN D CH URCH L I F E? Sarah: Raise leaders and delegate ministry responsibility to those you trust, so that the life of your church doesn't rest solely on your shoulders. If it's all on you, your children are going to see you struggle to carry that burden, and they'll resent the church. Don't believe the lie that church planters can't take a day off or enjoy a vacation. Trust that while you are investing in what matters most— your family—God is building the church.

Sharon: Ike and I do not believe we have to sacrifice our family for church planting. We serve a God of abundance who took a fish and some bread and multiplied it to feed five thousand. That gives us a lot of freedom to ask, "What does my family need to thrive?

And what boundaries and rhythms do these needs require?" We can ask those questions confidently, without fear that we are giving God too little for the task before us. With that freedom, create your boundaries, determine what Sabbath will look like for your family, and structure the rest of your week around those margins as best you can. Then surrender it all to God.

To learn more about Sarah Blount, and for information about her upcoming book, visit sarahblount.com.

To learn more about Sharon Hodde Miller and her new book, visit sheworships.com.

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Connect T HE REL ATIONSHIP S

R E L AT ION S HIP I S T RU LY T HE S T R E NG T H OF T H E C H U R C H A N D O F A N Y M I N I S T R Y. W E E N COUR AGE PASTORS AND CHURCH LE ADERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO JOIN E ACH OTHER AT ARC EVENTS, TR AININGS, AND GATHE RING S A S A WAY T O IN T E N T ION A L LY B UIL D REL ATIONSHIPS. OUR HOPE IS THAT YOU WILL DR AW STRENGTH AND WISDOM FROM OTHERS, AND PROVIDE IT AS WELL. THAT IS THE JOY OF NOT DOING MINISTRY ALONE. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE A PART OF ALL YOU CAN AND ADD YOUR UNIQUE S TRENGTHS AND GIF TINGS T O T H I S B I G F A M I L Y.

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IN T HIS SEC TION

p50

Many Faces of ARC

The ARC Family consists of a growing network of leaders from all around the globe.

p60

The Art of Responding to Betrayal At one time or another, all of us will experience the disappointment of betrayal.

by Peter Haas

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Spiritual Mothers and Daughters

It’s about being available to offer encouragement in good seasons, give support during the hard ones, and offer wisdom along the way. an interview with Holly Wagner and Meghan Robinson

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Ending Bible Poverty

According to the most recent data from SIL International, more than 2100 languages to-date do not have Bible translations. an interview with Kraig Thompson of Seed Company

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CONNECT

Your Role in Unifying the Church

by Life.Church open.life.church

Pastors and leaders are called to model unity as one Church. Inspire others today, starting with a few simple steps: SEEK NE W WAYS T O SERV E YOUR COMMUNIT Y. There are more local people, spaces, and places that need the light of Jesus and practical help than your church alone can tackle. Seek new opportunities and invite other churches to serve with you.

CA L L O T HER PA S T ORS IN YOUR A RE A A ND IN V IT E T HEM T O COFFEE OR L UNCH. Crossing boundaries and building relationships with those in similar positions can spark conversation and illuminate new ideas.

Rather than viewing other churches as competition, see them as fellow kingdom-builders who can multiply your efforts, and vice versa.

Listening—really listening—can provide enlightening perspectives that you otherwise wouldn’t see or understand.

A S A S TA FF, PR AY FOR O T HER CHURCHE S IN YOUR T O W N. Gathering to pray helps your church build unity with local churches. While your whole church body should be part of unification efforts, start by getting your staff on board. Another idea is to pray for other churches as you pass by them on your daily commute.

W HEN DISCUS SING O T HER CHURCHE S, USE L A NGUAGE T H AT PROMO T E S UNIT Y. We’re not rivals; instead, we can start to build bridges that honor Christ and His Church. Rather than tearing down, seek to promote partnerships that advance the cause of Christ, not personal agendas.

CHEER FOR ONE A NO T HER. People benefit from encouragement, and churches are no different. When we champion each other, we inspire and encourage even more of Christ to be known in our communities.

And that’s never a bad thing.

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Resources

RELATE ONE DAY Oct. 8

31 Virtues to Pray Over Your Children

CHURCH GROWTH NATION churchgrowthnation.com

by Rob Ketterling River Valley Church

S A LVATION GR ACE L OV E FOR O T HERS HONE S T Y SEL F-CON T ROL L OV E FOR GOD JUS TICE MERCY RE SPEC T SEL F-E S T EEM FAIT HFUL NE S S COUR AGE PURIT Y K INDNE S S GENEROSIT Y PE ACE-L OV ING

JOY PERSE V ER A NCE HUMILIT Y COMPA S SION RE SPONSIBILIT Y CON T EN T MEN T FAIT H SERVA N T ’S HE A R T HOPE WIL LINGNE S S T O WORK PR AY ERFUL NE S S SEL F-DISCIPLINE PA S SION FOR GOD HE A R T FOR MIS SIONS GR ATIT UDE

HOW TO HAVE YOUR LIFE NOT SUCK

by Bianca Olthoff

PASTORS COLLECTIVE pastorscollective.com

ARCCHURCHES.COM

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Conquering Conflict

by Christina Gard propelwomen.org

Conflict itself is not inherently good or bad, but how we handle conflict is. It is impossible to be alive and not have conflict. Conflict comes in varieties of form from workplace, romantic, roommate, friend, to family conflicts. It could be the person that cut you off on the road this morning or the barista who got your coffee order wrong. Every human relationship will inevitably involve some measure of conflict, thus making it necessary to develop the skills for conflict resolution.

Conquering conflict begins with how we view it. Our perception of conflict will inevitably dictate our response. If we view it as something negative to be avoided, we have set ourselves up to fail.

If we can shift our mindset to viewing conflict as an opportunity for growth and motivation for change, we can alter the entire nature and possible outcome of the conflict merely by changing how we view it. I have found some guidelines helpful for addressing both the tip of the iceberg and what is beneath the surface: LIS T EN. Human nature desires to immediately launch a personal defense. This helps no one.

A SK QUE S TIONS FOR CL A RIFICATION. Misunderstanding only increases conflict. Check in with the other party to make sure you are hearing them correctly.

USE “I FEEL” NO T “ YOU DID” L A NGUAGE. Rather than saying, “You made this decision without me,” try saying, “I feel devalued when my opinion doesn’t seem to be taken into consideration.” It changes the language from making an accusation to owning how you feel.

24 / 7 RUL E. This is my personal rule for any heated conflict. I give myself 24 hours to cool down before addressing it, but always deal with it within 7 days.

A PPLICATION. There is something to be learned from every conflict. Even when a seemingly unreasonable conflict is brought to my attention, I always remind myself to first look in the mirror, learn, and grow from it.

Conflict is inevitable and it is loveless to not have difficult conversations. When someone tells me they love the person too much to have the hard conversation, I always respond by saying you mean you love yourself too much. I take this stance because what I hear them saying is, they value their personal measure of comfort more than having a difficult conversation.

In the end, how we navigate conflict places value on the other person. Whether we enjoy it or not, we place value on others, and the relationship we share with them, by hearing their concerns and addressing our own in a healthy productive way.

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Bridging the Gap Between Parents and Teens

by Sam McDowell

Youth and Young Adult Pastor, HighPointe Church

I believe that parents and teenagers are more divided today than ever before. Throughout my years as a youth pastor, I have seen a concerning decline in the parent-teenager relationship. I was taught years ago that I am not the primary spiritual developer of my students—their parents are. If we, as youth and young adult leaders, can connect a student with his parent, we have made the greatest impact possible in the four-to-six years we minister to that student.

There is a process to connecting teenagers with their parents that begins first with engaging the parents. Parents respect communication. They are naturally more trusting and become more engaged over time when we do our part to engage with them.

Below are three practical ways we can engage parents that will help them to bridge the gap that may exist between their teenagers and them.

01.

02.

03.

FACEBOOK GROUP. This group serves three purposes: It is a place for parents to connect, ask questions, and find community with one another; it allows leaders to encourage parents and communicate with them; and it is a channel where parents can invite other parents who may be looking for a new church or youth ministry for their teenagers. I post at least once a week on our Facebook group to update parents and keep them engaged.

T E X TING SYS T EM. Recently we incorporated a texting system that allows parents to receive updates on their mobile devices. We use EZTexting.com for a small fee and an app called Remind for free. We use this service when, for example, we are providing food for students at our youth service, there is a meeting cancelation due to bad weather, or anything else that requires quick communication. Texting is an effective way to continue to build trust with our parents and show we are thinking of them and their busy schedules.

QUA R T ERLY PA REN T NIGH T S. Once every three months, we invite parents to join us for a youth service so they can get a glimpse of what their teenagers experience each week. These nights serve three purposes: They provide parents an inside look at the passion we leaders have for investing in their teenagers; they give parents an opportunity to hear what we teach their teenagers; and they allow our leaders the chance to connect with parents. Through these nights, we see parents begin to better engage in the lives of their teenagers. They ask questions, grow curious, and feel more comfortable reaching out to us for help when needed.

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5 Surprising Truths About the Enneagram and Your Leadership Potential

by Carey Nieuwhof careynieuwhof.com

01.

02.

03.

0 4.

05.

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YOUR EMO TION A L / SPIRIT UA L HE A LT H IS T HE DIFFERENCE BE T W EEN AW E SOME A ND AW FUL .

Each Enneagram Type (including yours) can manifest itself in three principal ways: healthy, average, or unhealthy. The true potential you have as a leader is not determined by your gifting; it’s determined by your health. So, get healthy.

UNDERNE AT H YOUR WIRING IS A WOUND. There is no perfect personality type. The point is that while we all have wounds, we all have the potential for healing as well. And those wounds, the Enneagram suggests, drive our behavior out of fear, anger or shame. Here’s what I’ve learned: If you don’t know the source of your unhealthy behavior, you can’t correct your course. So, get to the source.

YOU WON’ T GE T HE A LT H Y BY ACCIDEN T. Healthy leadership doesn’t happen by accident; unhealthy leadership does.

Understanding how you negatively impact others, confessing your sin, addressing it, and taking steps to get healthier will begin to unlock your potential in life and leadership.

HE A LT H Y L E A DERS CRE AT E HE A LT H Y ORG A NIZ ATIONS. UNHE A LT H Y L E A DERS CRE AT E UNHE A LT H Y ONE S. If an organization’s leadership is healthy at the top, that health will most often spread through the entire organization. The health of an organization’s leader determines the health of the organization. Whether you lead a tiny startup or a massive movement, here’s what I’ve discovered: healthy at the top, healthy at the bottom. Unhealthy at the top, unhealthy at the bottom.

SEL F-AWA RENE S S IS SPIRIT UA L AWA RENE S S. There’s a remarkably close link between self-awareness and awareness of God. Selfaware people have a conscious knowledge of their motives, desires, feelings, and character. They are also in tune with how their actions affect others. To that end, smart leaders are in touch with their emotions because everyone else is whether you are or not.

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MANY FACES OF ARC

GET TO KNOW THE ARC FAMILY

The ARC Family consists of a growing network of leaders from all around the globe.

Each person brings significant value and something unique to the ARC Family and the body of Christ.

We believe in the strength of relationships, and value each person’s wisdom and experience, and we want to share that with you.

LEAD PASTOR

Kalos Church BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON DE S CRIBE YOUR S E L F IN 3 WOR D S

INSPIRED BRAVE COMMITTED

Jeeva AMREITHA

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W H AT A DV ICE WOUL D YOU GO BACK A ND GIV E YOURSEL F 15 Y E A RS AGO ? W H Y ?

I would tell myself that being a leader with my husband is a powerful gift; that hiding in the shadow of someone else isn’t God’s desire but running after the unique dreams in my heart is paramount to serving Jesus wholeheartedly and serving together. I would tell myself that two are better than one and to hold on tight because a husband wife team co-pastoring a local church is a force to be reckoned with!

MANY FACES OF ARC

LEAD PASTOR

The Journey NEWARK, DELAWARE DE S CRIBE YOUR S E L F IN 3 WOR D S

INTENSE HONEST PASSIONATE

Johnston HO W WOUL D YOU DE SCRIBE YOUR HOPE S A ND DE SIRE S FOR YOUR LIFE ?

More than anything else in life, I want to know Jesus and reveal what I’ve discovered of Him to others. There are eight statements I declare over my life regularly in faith: I am fully devoted, relationally warm, physically healthy, emotionally whole, mentally sharp, relentlessly empowering, personally missional, and financially successful.

These are aspirations that have nothing to do with my circumstances and everything to do with my character.

And when the dust settles, healthy character trumps happy circumstances all day long.

MARK

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MANY FACES OF ARC

LEAD PASTOR

Adventure Church FRESNO, CALIFORNIA DE S CRIBE YOUR S E L F IN 3 WOR D S

PASSIONATE CHARISMATIC HARD-WORKING

Flores ANTHONY

W H AT A DV ICE WOUL D YOU GO BACK A ND GIV E YOURSEL F 15 Y E A RS AGO ? W H Y ?

I would go back and give myself a pep talk.

Then, I would start preparing to church plant and pioneer with these five essentials: First, you can do it! You have what it takes to plant a church. Second, find a tribe that believes in church planting and lives the values of coaching, financial support, and peer-to-peer partnering. Third, love your wife and family; this is the most important key to church planting and life. Fourth, get to know yourself—know your Enneagram type, Strengths Finders results, and preaching and leadership styles. Fifth and most importantly, prayer is your first resource, not your last resort.

I would give myself this advice because although 15 years ago I knew I wanted to plant a church, I didn’t have any idea how to start or who should groom me, and I struggled to find opportunities to learn.

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MANY FACES OF ARC

LEAD PASTOR

Experience Church CA L G A RY, A L BER TA , CA N A DA

Lambert DE S CRIBE YOUR S E L F IN 3 WOR D S

COMPASSIONATE HOPEFUL VISIONARY

HO W DO YOU H A NDL E CRITICISM ?

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but in high school my friends called me HOD, which stood for Heart of Darkness. Before you judge me, let me unpack it for you. Even at a young age I started to develop an ability to not let what others thought or said about me dictate the vision I had for my life.

Things didn’t bother me like they did others. I was blessed to grow up in a home where I always felt empowered and loved. I was encouraged to try new things and step out bravely even when I was afraid.

NATASHA

To combat criticism when it comes— because it will and has—I’m forced to go inward. Who am I? Who am I supposed to be? What has God called me to do? I’m only accountable to those things at the end of the day. If I don’t show up for myself, nobody will for me. If I don’t show up for my husband, for my kids, for our church family, or for ARC Canada, then the job that God has entrusted to me won’t happen. The plans He has for my life won’t come to pass. To me, the thought of my destiny not being fulfilled far outweighs any critical comment, negative email, or discouraging piece of gossip that could ever be said about me.

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MANY FACES OF ARC

Schulz LEAD PASTOR

Sun City Church

SPOK A NE VA L L E Y, WA SHINGT ON DE S CRIBE YOUR S E L F IN 3 WOR D S

DOWN TO EARTH

W H AT A DV ICE WOUL D YOU GO BACK A ND GIV E YOURSEL F 15 Y E A RS AGO, A ND W H Y ?

I’d tell a younger version of myself: Be more confident that God has called you to ministry and leadership. He isn’t unaware of the challenges you’ll face in juggling your roles as a mother, wife, and pastor, or how insecure you’ll feel about whether you’re qualified for the role. God knows who He is calling and what He is calling you to be. In learning to trust Him, you’ll discover strength that will make you braver than you’ve ever imagined possible. It also will lead you into a sense of fulfillment and deep wonder about making a difference that will stretch into eternity.

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JAMIE

HO W WOUL D YOU DE SCRIBE YOUR HOPE S A ND DE SIRE S FOR YOUR LIFE ?

I love what I’m doing now in life. Our church has a great team, and we’re seeing God do amazing things all around us. It doesn’t get much better than this.

My biggest hopes are to help other leaders recognize the call of God in their lives and confidently follow Him on the journey of a lifetime. Being a female pastor, I’m increasingly passionate about empowering women in ministry and moving the Body of Christ forward so we see more women at the leadership table alongside men.

MANY FACES OF ARC

LEAD PASTOR

Canvas Church ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA

DE S CRIBE YOUR S E L F IN 3 WOR D S

PASSIONATE FUN CARING

Brinkman BEN

W H AT DOE S SUCCE S S L OOK LIK E T O YOU ?

I experience success when I help others succeed at their pursuits. For me, this starts when I introduce them to Jesus. After introducing people to Jesus, I like to find out what their dreams are so I can help them reach those too. My whole life’s aim has been to expose people to Jesus so that they might know His love and follow the incredible plan He has for their lives.

ARCCHURCHES.COM

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Change Is a Necessary Part of Leadership

by Jonathan Wiggins @jonathanericwiggins

CHANGE IS a necessary part of leadership…

change while changing very little. The result was church-wide frustration.

Whether you are a church planter, entrepreneur, or leader of an existing church or organization, you eventually will be called to assess current strategies, methods, and cultures that will all but cry out for change. You will feel the pain of the status quo in a way few within your organization ever will. You will feel compelled to change something at some time, and then you will be tempted to make a major leadership mistake.

Those people who wanted change were frustrated by the slow pace of it. The people in my church who resisted change were frustrated by my frequent use of the word “change.” I knew my approach to change wasn’t working. I started looking at best practices and learned something very important.

but never admit it.

This temptation leaders often face is the desire to unapologetically sell the need for change; the insufficiency of the status quo; and the potential superiority of a new method, structure, or system. Do not fall into this trap.

I must confess, I wasted a few years of my leadership journey trying to talk people into 56

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I learned to effectively and relentlessly change everything that requires change as soon as possible, without ever calling it “change.”

Never publicly admit you are changing anything. Just change it.

Adopt new strategies, but never call them new. Make your organization better while never admitting publicly it was in need of improvement. When people notice change

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“Never publicly admit you are changing anything. Just change it.”

is occurring, downplay it. Act surprised. Tell them that very little is changing, and they have nothing to worry about. After all, that is the truth.

Here is my point: Most people love progress. Many prefer subtle changes that lead to greater excellence. They often admire innovation. But people hate the idea of losing something they appreciate—something precious to them—in the grind of the change process.

Perhaps the most public example of change resistance happened in the summer of 1985 when Coca-Cola introduced the now infamous “New Coke.” Their new formula consistently won taste tests against the original formula. When blindfolded, virtually everyone loved the innovation better than the original. This new formula was measurably, objectively better. Still, New Coke failed…hugely!

The problem with this colossal failure called New Coke was not the formula but the branding. Coke announced it was suddenly depriving people of the original formula by branding the better formula as new. Even

though it had won virtually all the blind taste tests, New Coke was rejected en masse.

Coca-Cola pulled New Coke off the shelves and promptly returned Coke Classic to the world. This multi-billion-dollar disaster is widely known as one of the greatest corporate public relations failures in modern history.

Don’t become the New Coke of leadership.

Welcome and facilitate needed changes.

Move toward excellence and away from disfunction. Innovate, adapt, emulate, and adopt what works while discarding what does not. This is what effective leaders are called to do.

Leaders, never ever call change “change.”

Jonathan and Amy Wiggins have served as the lead pastors of Rez.Church since June 2010. The Wiggins have a tremendous vision to see the work of the Kingdom of God advance, not only at Rez.Church, but also in the community, the nation, and the world.

Jonathan has a strong anointing to preach the Word of God. He brings a Rez look and revelation to God’s Word and challenges people with biblical truths and principles. Learn more at rez.church.

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The New Rules for Churches on Social Media

by Brady Shearer @bradyshearer

IF YOUR CHURCH is struggling with its social media presence, most likely it is not using the platforms as they are designed to be used. In my experience, most churches see social as a tactic to promote their in-person services and events—much like a digital bulletin board.

For 21 days, my team and I closely followed six churches that we admired on social media. We documented each post they published online and were surprised at what we found. Of the hundreds of posts we tracked, only 13 percent of them were promotional.

Even more encouraging, of the churches we followed during those three weeks, one of them celebrated a book launch, another hosted a conference, and another released a 58

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worship album. Certainly such public events justified promotional social media coverage.

But these churches weren’t using social as a marketing tool.

I call this best practice the “one-in-five rule.”

At the very most, only one out of every five posts your church publishes on social media should be promotional.

You may be wondering: If my church isn’t using social media to promote our events and services, what should we be posting?

Simply put, every post on social media should have one of two goals: • Start meaningful conversations.

• Provoke spiritual practice.

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Every Sunday your church meets to hear about God, enjoy community, and participate in spiritual practices. But that’s only one hour each week. What about the other 167 hours?

You don’t need people to always come to you and gather in your building. You can go to them where they are already gathered— on social media. Seize the 167 hours beyond your Sunday service.

How do you do this?

Thankfully, there’s no convoluted list of secrets for mastering social. It can be understood with one word: attention.

You are sharing the greatest story of all time—the message of Jesus. But it doesn’t matter how life-changing your message is if no one is listening. This is why every smart social media strategy begins with just three words: Stop the scroll.

Stop the scroll is important because it’s how you and I use social media. We open our phones; take our thumbs; and flick, flick, flick. We scroll, scroll, scroll. If you want to grab people’s attention, first you must stop their scrolling.

Here’s a helpful exercise: As you scroll through your social feeds over the next few days, take note of what posts cause you to stop scrolling. Snap a quick screenshot of each. Then ask yourself: What is it about these specific posts that stopped my scroll?

What visual qualities captured my attention, and how can I replicate them?

If you’re looking for the ultimate cheat code for stopping the scroll on social, here it is:

“ If my church isn’t using social media to promote our events and services, what should we be posting?

Georgia Institute of Technology researchers looked at 1.1 million photos on Instagram and found that pictures with human faces are 38 percent more likely to receive likes than images with no faces and 32 percent more likely to attract comments.

Remember, social media isn’t a bulletin board. You can’t simply post upcoming events and call it a day. Still uncertain of what to post? Ask yourself: What would my church post online if our Sunday service didn’t exist? The answer to that question is the starting point for a better social strategy.

Brady Shearer is the CEO of Pro Church Tools. His work centers on helping churches seize the 167 hours beyond their Sunday services and navigate churches through the biggest communication shift in 500 years.

To learn more, visit prochurchtools.com.

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The Art of Responding to Betrayal

by Peter Haas @peterhaas1

AT ONE TIME or another, all of us will expe-

rience the disappointment of betrayal. We will have a leader who will walk away from the investments we have made in him and abandon us, even though we would have given everything to him.

There was a time I thought I could avoid this by being the world’s best boss, but I later realized even Jesus, the perfect leader, experienced abandonment (see John 6:66). In modern terms, his Treasurer betrayed him and his Executive Pastor denied him. I’ve come to believe it’s naïve to think that great leadership will make us immune to betrayals and splits. Perhaps a better question is, “How do we bounce back after church leaders wound us?”

Years ago, I experienced a sequence of difficult staff departures. Some were Godordained, but most were awkward and filled

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with misunderstandings. The chaos of these transitions resulted in our losing almost a thousand people, one-third of our congregation, in a short period of time.

As I worked through this experience, I pictured my church as a beautiful sweater that had unraveled to an awkward sweater-vest and was quickly turning into a crop-top belly sweater! I slowly found myself completely overwhelmed by anger. I questioned myself and God: How could I have trusted these leaders, even dreamed with them of our future? Why would God let this happen? Why does it feel like they are favored while I’m wearing this shrinking sweater and watching my church slip away from me?

After several wearisome years, God supernaturally blessed our church with two huge miracle buildings and soon our income and our staff talent exploded. In no time at all

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“Ultimately the only thing that can stop God’s promotion is our whining and self-pity.” our church was booming again. It wasn’t long before all the people who left us five years earlier returned!

I learned three valuable lessons from this experience: Be loving and life-giving when people leave.

Many of them will return some day and apologize. Forgiving people and treating them generously doesn’t negate God’s justice but activates it by letting them off our hook and putting them on God’s hook.

We’re simply removing ourselves as the conduit of justice. Surely no one gets away with sin. Everyone’s character will be tested and revealed (see Revelation 3:9).

Remember that no human can stand in the way of God’s promotion (Psalm 75:6-7).

People may hurt us for a season but “God will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22). In His time He can restore everything and more (1 Samuel 2:1-10). God took my embarrassing midriff sweater and turned it into a designer masterpiece.

Always have financial margin and back-up quarterbacks. Many betrayals are created or compounded when we lead with very little

financial margin or our leadership team is not deep and healthy. I’m always mentoring three or more leaders at a time. I am very careful about hiring staff from outside the church who may be more interested in financial gain or personal glory. I build reserves into my budget so the church can endure the loss of people, including leaders, without interrupting our ministries.

Ultimately the only thing that can stop God’s promotion is our whining and self-pity.

A quick path to spiritual death is rehearsing our hurts and elevating others’ sin above God’s power over sin. Allow God to be your justice and stay focused on your ministry.

Peter and Carolyn Haas are the lead pastors of Substance Church in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota (ARC church plant number 15), and members of the ARC Lead Team. Since planting their church in 2004, they have grown to multiple campuses. They are not afraid to approach church differently and believe that the greatest miracles are yet to come. Peter is the author of Broken Escalators and a DJ and Producer for Substance Variant, an electronic dance music project out of Substance Church. To learn more about what’s going on in the Twin Cities and beyond, visit substancechurch.com.

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an interview with Holly Wagner and Meghan Robinson 62

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ou have probably heard us talk before about spiritual fathers and sons - about one generation setting the example for the next. This concept is also true for women.

Women are leading their churches, alongside their husbands, now more than ever before. But where’s the playbook on how to co-pastor your church? (We’re working on that!) All women need spiritual mothers in their life - someone to lean on for wisdom and who has been through what you’re going through. Sometimes that’s hard to find.

We talked with Holly Wagner and Meghan Robinson about this topic, and they gave us great insight into how to be a good spiritual mother to those ahead and behind you.

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A SPIR I T UA L MOT HER CONSTA N T LY IS LOOK ING FOR WAYS TO HELP HER [SPIR I T UA L DAUGH T ER] FLOUR ISH.

W H AT DOE S IT ME A N T O BE A SPIRIT UA L MO T HER OR DAUGH T ER? Holly: In many ways a spiritual mother is like a natural mother. When my children were little and got hurt, they needed their mom. When they were competing in sports or receiving an award at school, they wanted me there cheering for them. To this day, when I am going through something difficult, or when I have reached a goal, I want to talk to my mom. Being a spiritual mom is similar. It’s about being available to offer encouragement in good seasons, give support during the hard ones, and offer wisdom along the way.

Meghan: A spiritual mother is invested in her spiritual daughter and constantly is looking for ways to help her flourish. She believes in the unique calling and destiny of her spiritual daughter and creates opportunities for her to soar. A spiritual mother asks the hard questions and digs into the intricate details of her daughter’s life such as her 64

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marriage, family, and personal relationship with Jesus. She is not afraid to correct or challenge behaviors or thoughts that are out of line. She champions the dreams of her spiritual daughter and calls forth purpose!

A spiritual daughter looks to a mother for insight on decisions, both big and small.

She demonstrates honor in all environments and guards her heart from familiarity. She is honest with her spiritual mother, always looking to learn and grow. A spiritual daughter will resemble her mother like a natural daughter does. The relationship will demonstrate “like mother, like daughter” because the spiritual daughter is influenced by her spiritual mom.

HO W DO YOU BECOME A SPIRIT UA L MO T HER OR G AIN A SPIRIT UA L MO T HER? Meghan: So many women I know are looking for a spiritual mother. The challenge is that this must be a divine connection; you can’t force the relationship. If you are looking

for a spiritual mom, first make sure you are being one to someone else.

Second, identify a woman who is doing the things you would love to be doing. Start learning from her at a distance. Read her books, connect with her on social media, and listen to her podcasts. If you contact her and she doesn’t respond, there may not be a divine connection. If this is the case, don’t get discouraged. Keep learning, praying, and looking.

Don’t take for granted the women already in your world. Your spiritual mom does not have to be someone with a big name or big reputation. Once you make a connection, do whatever it takes to be involved in her everyday life.

Honor her, serve her, and be a support to the dreams that are in her heart. As you are serving and spending time with her, you will begin to learn lessons in the unspoken moments you observe.

Don’t be needy. God is your source; a spiritual mother is not. Don’t be prideful but be willing to share what you are struggling with and listen to advice. Don’t grow familiar. She has brought you into her world, so honor her and her life like it is a precious gift.

Holly: A spiritual mother is someone willing to open her life and heart to a younger woman. Almost 30 years ago I had one of those “aha moments” when I read Titus chapter 2, which essentially says, “Older woman, your job is the younger woman.”

Regardless of how young you are, someone is always younger. It is that younger woman

for whom I am to be an example, make time, and offer wisdom and encouragement. Being a spiritual mother is not that complicated! It means living a life that someone else wants to follow. It means being honest about successes and challenges.

DO YOU H AV E A SPIRIT UA L MO T HER IN YOUR LIFE ?

Meghan: I have an amazing biological mom who initially championed me, pointed me towards Jesus, and supported every dream in my heart. I have had several spiritual moms during the course of my ministry: Connie Lelacheur, my youth pastor; Cheree Wright, one of my pastors; and Holly Wagner, who currently is probably the biggest influence in my life.

I have pursued a relationship with every one of these women, and the connections were divine. When Holly and I met years ago I knew I needed her voice in my life. I was determined to do whatever I could to serve her and learn from her, and over time we have developed a friendship for which I will be forever grateful!

Holly: Most of the spiritual moms in my life have mothered me from afar by their lives, their words, and their books.

DO YOU T HINK IT ’S MORE DIFFICULT FOR WOMEN T O FIND SPIRIT UA L MO T HERS IN T HEIR LIFE ?

Meghan: I do think it’s challenging for women to develop relationships with spiritual mothers. I think many women are waiting for someone to see and reach ARCCHURCHES.COM

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out to them, but this responsibility is on the daughters. It takes courage to pursue a relationship with someone because you risk rejection. I challenge you to trust Jesus with your heart and not allow fear to hold you back from pursuing a relationship with a spiritual mom. Because I have learned this lesson, I now challenge myself to take the initiative as a mother and pursue daughters.

There are young women who need to know someone believes in them. I can be that person and so can you!

HO W WOUL D YOU ENCOUR AGE A YOUNG PA S T OR L OOK ING FOR A SPIRIT UA L MO T HER? W H AT WOUL D YOU T EL L HER T O DO? Holly: Consider whose life inspires you and if you are willing to learn from her. Find someone who is living a life you admire and put yourself in her world. Proximity makes it easier, but regardless, it will take time and effort on your part.

challenge her to be brave and pursue the relationship. Most of us as leaders love investing in people who are willing to ask.

Here are a few ideas to help you find and connect with a spiritual mother. First, identify a few women who inspire you. Look for a pastor in your area or ARC with whom you identify and in whom you see something you like. Contact her and ask to buy her coffee, or call her if she is in another state.

Honor her time as best you can. Send a thank you card or take her out to lunch.

Then, prepare some questions before you meet for the first time. At the end of this initial conversation, ask her if she is interested in additional conversations and if she says yes, take her up on it. Call her for advice, stay connected, and discover how you can be more involved in her world. For example, attend her conference, offer to help her at work, or do something for her kids.

DO W H AT YOU C A N DO TO SUPPORT HER A N D A LLOW GOD TO TA K E C A R E OF YOU IN T HE PROCESS .

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Has she written any books? Read them.

Does she teach? Listen to her sermons. Does she travel? Offer to be her companion. If possible, spend time with her family and her. Ask questions. Don’t put on a mask. Be honest about where you are in your marriage and your relationship with Jesus, and share challenges you experience with your team.

Don’t leverage her relationship for your personal gain but do what you can do to support her and allow God to take care of you in the process.

Meghan: If I could encourage a young pastor looking for a spiritual mother, I would

Meghan: The best thing any of us can do is be the woman we seek as a mentor. We

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WHAT EL SE DO YOU WANT TO TELL FEM A LE PAS TORS ABOUT THE ROLE OF SPIRITUA L MENTORS FOR THE NE X T GENER ATION?

a deeper level of commitment to the development and well-being of the younger woman. A spiritual mother is available in all seasons, honest with challenge, and generous with encouragement.

I am a spiritual mom to a few younger women. One is my natural daughter, but others are daughters either I have chosen or who have put themselves in my world to be mentored. In this season of my life, I am increasing my involvement in the lives of younger female pastors. I think the health of the future church depends on people like me who are willing to invest in, develop, and cheer on a younger generation carrying the baton of faith into a new era.

all want someone to see us, care enough to know us, champion our dreams, and tell us that we can succeed. Don’t wallow in pity, wondering why no one has noticed you yet.

Instead, be the one to pick up the phone or send the email, and let God do the rest. Be brave! And while you are looking for that mom in your life, go be the best mom you can to the young woman who is running her race a little behind you.

Philip and Holly Wagner are the founding and senior pastors of Oasis Church in Los Angeles, CA, and members of the ARC Lead Team. They started in 1984 with a vision to see the people of Los Angeles encounter the love and grace of God. Holly is passionate about seeing women become all that God has designed them to be, which inspired her to start GodChicks and She Rises Conference, an annual gathering of thousands of women held in Los Angeles. To learn more, visit oasisla.com.

Carey and Meghan Robinson are the pastors of Movement Church in Laguna Niguel, CA (ARC church plant number 273). They are passionate about awakening people to their God-given destiny and building the local Church. Meghan’s greatest passion is helping women identify the God dream inside of them and awaken to their greater purpose! To learn more, visit theocmovement.com.

Holly: Being someone’s boss does not necessarily equal being her spiritual mother.

It can, but a spiritual mentor provides ARCCHURCHES.COM

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Bible Ending

Poverty

An Interview With Kraig Thompson of Seed Company Photography by Esther Havens

Seed Company is on a mission. According to the most recent data from SIL International*, more than 2100 languages to-date do not have Bible translations. Seed Company hopes to end this statistic. It has found a way to expedite Bible translation that includes breaking up the overwhelming task into smaller projects and connecting translators directly with investors and partners.

ARC talked to Kraig Thompson, Manager of Mobilization for Seed Company.

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W H AT IS T HE MIS SION OF SEED COMPA N Y ?

“There are more than 2,100 languages without a single verse of Scripture.”

Our mission is to accelerate Bible translation, resulting in life change and widespread impact. We do this through partnerships.

We break down Bible translation into projects through a network of partners around the world, which accelerates the process.

Through our evolvement over the past 25 years we realized a major paradigm shift: Empowering the local language speaker to be the translator is the fastest way to an accurate translation. Surrounding these locals with a global network of translators, consultants, workshops, training, education, and technology accomplishes this goal. Combined, these factors play a major role in mobilizing someone who has never done anything academic in her life to suddenly become an authorized translator of Scripture.

W H Y DO YOU USE T HE T ERM “BIBL E POVER T Y ” W HEN DE SCRIBING YOUR MIS SION ?

There are more than 2100 languages without a single verse of Scripture, impacting hundreds of millions of people. The term “Bible poverty” describes this reality for a Western audience, serving as a wake-up call.

Poverty is such a negative term, and it shows that there is a drastic need for Bible translation in this day and age. Our goal by 2025 is to at least begin the process of translation in those remaining languages that don’t have a verse today. That’s our God-sized goal. It’s not even a Seed Company goal, but we are trying to keep up with what God is doing.

This goal is connected to the Great Commission, taking His Word to the uttermost ends of the earth—to every nation, tongue, and tribe. Everyone at Seed

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Company feels that call and passion for what we are doing. It is amazing to watch the Bride emerge globally through this effort; unfortunately the American church doesn’t see it as easily.

HO W DID SEED COMPA N Y GE T S TA R T ED? Seed Company was born from Wycliffe Bible translation; our founder Bernie May served with Wycliffe.

In the late 1980s, May was concerned that the current process for translation wasn’t fast enough and would take hundreds more years to reach all languages.

Convicted by this reality, May prayed for a year about how to accelerate Bible translation. After this time, he had a seed of an idea that he thought might work.

His idea was to connect investment partners directly with translation projects to provide funding faster and more directly. With this original goal, May started with 10 projects and 10 investors in 1993 and began matching them. From there, Seed Company’s story is one of innovation and discovery.

As Seed Company grew and became part of the Bible

The Zambia Project Paul Van Coller is Lead Pastor of Hope Church in George, South Africa, member of the ARC Southern Africa Lead Team, and leader of The Zambia Project. One of the initiatives of The Zambia Project is providing Bible translation for an unreached people group in Western Zambia. With the help of other ARC pastors and leaders, Paul’s project team is translating the Bible into five languages that have yet to be written.

“It’s exciting going into communities that have never heard the Gospel. Sometimes we ask the villagers if they know Jesus, and they say, “We don’t know anybody by that name; nobody by that name has visited our village.”

One of our goals for Western Zambia is to establish a life-giving church within walking distance of every person.

That would equate to 6000 churches, a massive undertaking.

Translating the Bible is a 20-year project. We currently have 36 translators working on five translations. The translators are village people who stay with us for a month, two or three times a year. Language consultants work with each group. The cost of transportation, housing, training, and supervision is significant, but it is incredibly humbling to be a part of this mission.

Through ARC, we develop beautiful relationships as we work together. We see the kingdom of God spreading in unreached areas as we build relationships with local translators and villagers.

As ARC Southern Africa continues to grow, so does the number of churches wanting to be part of The Zambia Project. Our mission would be much more difficult without ARC and the resources it brings to our endeavor.

It’s exciting when everyone comes together to see his kingdom advance!”

To learn more, visit thezambiaproject.org.

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translation movement, the organization recognized the need to modernize its projects and translation processes. We planted the notion that we could empower locals by surrounding them with a network of knowledgeable support, and from there this idea blossomed. Today we are constantly changing, growing, and trying to make the process faster, more affordable, and more accurate.

W H AT COS T IS A S SOCIAT ED WIT H T R A NS L ATING T HE BIBL E ?

On average, it costs about $35 per verse for translation and about $1.2 million for a full Bible translation, from Genesis to Revelation. This is how we are expediting the process: We attack the point of need.

The people—the local voice, the pastors on the ground who have planted churches with no Scripture—know exactly what they need.

They realize there are Scriptures in another language. For example, if we are in a Muslim part of the world, locals will want to start with the Abrahamic stories and see the connection to Abraham to make the necessary impact. In other parts of the world, we may need to convey Jesus first, so we start with the gospels. We begin these projects by allowing each region to be the authority.

HO W CA N L OCA L CHURCHE S GE T IN VOLV ED IN T HIS PRO JEC T ?

We help churches identify areas of the world close to their heart; then they invest in those projects. This is a hand-in-hand Kingdom connection. We will go into churches and small groups to adopt a verse such as the Sermon on the Mount. As people study the Word, they are receiving God’s light while shining it into the world.

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Most Americans don’t know how many languages are in the world, let alone how many people are in desperate need of God’s Word.

We are on the horizon of a church history movement where we will successfully translate the Word into every known language; yet can we call it history if the Western church doesn’t know about it?

Whether through praying, giving financially, being an advocate, becoming a translator, or going to one of our projects—however you might dream of getting involved—Seed Company provides a platform for you.

We sought an organization of church planters with a large presence nationally, while also relational and driven by a global mission, and we found ARC. I believe that one day an ARC church is going to write the last check to complete the Great Commission movement of getting God’s Word into every nation, tribe, and tongue.

*SIL International is a faith-based nonprofit organization. Founded in 1934, SIL has grown from a small summer linguistics training program with two students to a staff of over 5,000 people from 89 countries of origin. SIL is currently involved in over 1,660 active language projects, representing 1.07 billion people in 162 countries. SIL advocates, builds capacity, and works with local communities to apply language expertise that advances meaningful development, education, and engagement with Scripture.

“We help churches identify areas of the world close to their heart; then they invest in those projects.”

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Equip T HE RE SOURCE S

T HE A RC FA MILY IS F UL L OF T R E ME NDOU S WISDOM AND RESOURCES TO DR AW FROM. WE AIM TO GATHER A WE A LTH OF GRE AT TE ACHING AND TR AINING ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS AROUND MINISTRY AND LIFE. WE HOPE YOU WILL READ AND SHARE! WE LOVE TO SEE PAS TORS GROW HE A LTHIER AS LE ADERS, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IS WHAT MAKES CHURCHES THRIVE.

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IN T HIS SEC TION

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Encouragement to Pastors

I’ve always found it interesting that the place and time when we usually say the kindest things about people is … their funeral.

by Cody Abercrombie

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What legacy will you leave behind?

I knew we needed to create a strategy to transition Seacoast to competent, godly leaders for the next generation.

by Greg Surratt

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Testing Precedes Promotion

Most people want more. But if you’re struggling to manage a small team, what would you do with a bigger one?

by Kevin Gerald

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Psychological Health and Christian Leadership

Leadership is a privilege. Those of us who have been in positions of leadership within the church know the joys of seeing people learn to follow Christ in ways that advance God’s kingdom.

by Dr. Andrew Yarborough

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Resources

5 Ways To Host Better Meetings

UPN CONFERENCE May 18-20, 2020

prochurchtools.com

01.

02.

03.

0 4.

05.

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Before a meeting ever begins, be ruthless with determining whether or not something deserves a meeting and be ruthless with who you invite.

Set the meeting’s agenda and send it to everyone ahead of time. This is helpful because everyone likes to know what they’re getting into before they get into it. At the very least, when the meeting is beginning, hand out a little bit of itinerary, a little bit of agenda. That can be helpful when it comes to earning engagement, generating some conversational back and forth, and getting feedback.

Deal with the devices. Distraction can be a huge issue within meetings, whether they’re creative meetings, strategic meetings, prep meetings. One thing you could try is no devices for the first 10 minutes. Tackle the most important things up front when you know that that attention is not going to be distracted away from or sucked away by devices.

NEXT LEVEL THINKING

by Joel Osteen

SUBSTANCE I.O.

by Substance Church

Set a start time and end time (regular team meeting? 15 to 30 minutes according to Slack). No one likes to go into a meeting knowing or unknowing really, “Is this meeting going to be 10 minutes, 30 minutes? Is this going to be one of those two-hour meetings?”

Be inclusive and fun (rank the Marvel movies, elimination game, etc.) - it’s just a fun way of engaging people in meetings so it’s not just the mundane.

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TEAM CHURCH Aug 3-5, 2020

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Tips on Building a Healthy Worship Culture

by Jonathon Douglass hillsong.com/collected

IT ’S A L L A BOU T E X A MPL E. People will follow what you do more than what you say. While it is possible at times to get people to follow what you say, they will more naturally do what they see you doing.

DON’ T L OSE SIGH T OF T HE “ W H Y.” It’s easy to get caught up in the doing and lose sight of why and for whom we are doing it. Everything we do should be traced back to glorifying Jesus and helping people see Him in all things.

BE GR AT EFUL FOR T HE HONOR. Let the fact that we have breath—and that God is Emmanuel and always with us—fill you with gratitude. What an honor that Jesus graces us with His presence!

S TAY IN T HE WORD. This could not be more basic, but it is important. The Word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It’s the truth! Speaking the Word into the culture of a team will help it move in the right direction.

PR AY. In my journey of leading teams and building healthy cultures, it’s rare that a day goes by when I don’t pray a very simple prayer that usually goes something like this: “Help!! … Amen.”

DON’ T DO IT A L ONE. To build a team, you need a team. Rather than trying to spell out your culture to a large group of people, gather a small team of key people and establish the culture you want to build and why you want to build it.

EMPO W ER O T HERS T O CA RRY T HE CULT URE. It’s necessary to pray and believe for people to start following the culture you are creating. It’s also quite useful to sit down with people and ask them to embrace, carry, and lead the culture themselves.

T RUS T IN GOD, NO T YOURSEL F. There is a lot we can’t do, but there is nothing God can’t do.

It’s easy to be discouraged by our own ability (or lack thereof), but it’s not necessarily a bad place to be; it allows us to trust and acknowledge what we can’t be, but He can.

ENCOUR AGE. People don’t always see the incredible potential that is in them. Encouragement is the simplest and most important deposit we can make to water the gifts within our team.

REMEMBER T H AT W E NE V ER A RRIV E. There isn’t a set timeframe to build a culture. It’s easy to see where we are not and be discouraged, but if you can look back and see progress, then be encouraged. And keep going. We don’t ever arrive, so don’t lose heart!

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4 Keys to Equipping Your Church to Make Disciples

by Samuel Deuth

followingjesusbook.com

A key challenge we face as church leaders is shifting the culture in our churches from people seeing church and Christianity as a spectator sport to a full contact experience. We must help people move from going to church to being the Church! Below are four keys to effecting this change in your church.

01.

02.

03.

0 4.

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M AIN TAIN A FOCUS ON RE ACHING YOUR CIT Y. This may seem obvious, but it’s all too easy for leaders to get caught up in running programs and babysitting Christians, and lose focus on our primary mission of reaching lost people.

DISCIPL E YOUR PEOPL E. We must disciple our people before we can expect them to disciple others. We can do this through a variety of settings including small groups, classes, courses, and weekend service series, but the key is creating an intentional environment. A relationally rich environment is the best place for discipleship to thrive. A resource like Following Jesus can be very useful to ensuring our people understand and practice the basics of discipleship.

IN VOLV E YOUR PEOPL E IN T HE MIS SION. We reinforce the spectator sport attitude among our people when the pastoral staff does most of the teaching and training in our churches. Part of becoming a disciple is teaching and training others how to follow Jesus, and part of our responsibility as leaders is to create those opportunities for our people. All of us should periodically ask ourselves, "Who am I discipling?".

H AV E A CL E A R PAT H WAY OF DISCIPL E SHIP. It’s very important for leaders to create simple and practical ways for people to readily become connected to the life of the church and begin the discipleship journey. Our e-course, Discipleship & Assimilation, is C3 San Diego’s step-by-step pathway for new believers and new guests.

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Serve Your City: IDEAS TO HELP GET YOU STARTED NICU CA RE PACK AGE S FOR MOM S

Contributor: Itown Church, Fishers, IN

Assemble gift bags for moms with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A new mom with a child in the NICU can feel very afraid, alone, and unsure about the future. Getting a gift from strangers who are praying for them can be very encouraging to these families. Have team members pray over each gift bag as they assemble it. Your team can coordinate with nurses to hand-deliver the gifts.

L AUNDROM AT SERV E PRO JEC T

Contributor: Free Church, Oak Park, IL

Some families may not have the funds to pay to clean their clothes because they have other pressing necessities around the house. A free laundry service is a way to say, ‘God loves you – no strings attached.’ This project shows how a simple act, like placing a few quarters in a washer or dryer, makes a huge difference.

POR T R AIT S FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Contributor: Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, AL

Many senior citizens living in nursing homes of assisted living centers rarely have an opportunity to have their picture taken. For some it may have been decades since their portrait was made. Take some time to pamper them, get them all dressed up, speak words of life over them, make them laugh, and capture a memory they can treasure.

CHIL DREN’S BACK PACK PROGR A M

Contributor: Memphis Dream Center, Memphis, TN

Many children who struggle with food insecurity are most vulnerable on the weekends, when they are out of school and don’t have access to the free meals provided during the week. Partner with local elementary and middle schools to provide backpacks filled with nourishing, kid-friendly snacks and meals.

For more serve project ideas and resources, check out the ARC How-To Series, Serve Your City, available now at arcchurches.com/equip.

Mark your calendar for Serve Day July 11, 2020. Register now at serveday.com.

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Three Common Traits of Elite Leaders

by Shawn Lovejoy couragetolead.com

Many leaders are great, but few are outstanding. Below are three traits that all elite leaders share, and you too can develop.

01.

ELIT E L E A DERS A RE FOCUSED. The most successful leaders I know are the most focused leaders I know. As one’s leadership skills grow, so must his focus. Many leaders are on the verge of breaking through to the next level, but doing so requires they break loose from being overextended, overexposed, and overutilized. As an organization grows, its leaders must move from generalists to specialists.

Your focus will determine your growth.

02.

ELIT E L E A DERS A RE AC TION ORIEN T ED. An organization cannot grow faster than the pace at which it makes decisions. Leaders fail to act when they are afraid—they have paralysis by analysis. Procrastination is a conditioned response to stress.

Mel Robbins in her book, The Five Second Rule, describes the biological need for action: If someone has an instinct to act on a goal, she must physically take some kind of action toward that goal within five seconds or her brain will kill the instinct.

If you are not acting, you cannot change. You must be decisive.

03.

ELIT E L E A DERS A RE BOL D. Elite leaders are not the most brilliant people, but they are the most passionate. They act boldly. They are confident and authoritative.

Leadership at the next level requires a certain amount of swagger.

When Brett Favre played for the Green Bay Packers, he didn’t have the best skills or mechanics. How did he become an NFL Hall of Fame quarterback? Favre had what we call “ice in his veins.” He had no fear. He didn’t play to lose. He often threw caution to the wind, and never focused on the possibility of a mistake or of losing the game. Instead, he would drop back and sling the ball with no fear.

Stop focusing on playing it safe, and stop making fear-based decisions. Drop back and sling it!

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Laughing More Has the Power to Change Your World

by Larry Stockstill @larry.stockstill

LET’S FACE IT: People are way too serious right now. Healthy, hilarious exchange seems to be going extinct. The weight of the world is dampening the bravest spirit.

Here’s my simple suggestion: Laugh a lot more.

Abraham and Sarah’s greatest trial was being barren for more than 90 years. Much past the age of childbearing, they had a baby, so they named him Laughter (Isaac).

Sometimes laughing is the last thing you think to do. Here are five reasons why laughter often is an afterthought, and suggestions for changing your perspective.

1. Quit taking yourself too seriously. Laughing during a problem always seems childish.

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After all, we usually think the only way to solve a big problem is to think harder. Yet most of our supposed calamity never happens; it works out. If the roller coaster ride eventually ends safely at the station, why not laugh while you’re on the ride?

2. Stop ignoring the perspective of others. Our friends usually have a different perspective from us. They try to encourage us, cheer us up, and even make us laugh with a funny one-liner or joke. But we don’t bite. “They’re not empathizing,” we think.

In truth, they are much more objective than you. They see your strong points. They’ve watched you overcome before, and they believe in you. Why not take their medicine by joining them in a good laugh?

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“If the roller coaster ride eventually ends safely at the station, why not laugh while you’re on the ride?”

3. Laugh back at the laughter of your enemies.

Satan knows if he can push your buttons and start to laugh at you, then you will blow a gasket. You must laugh back at him—louder.

Quit listening to the jeering going on behind your back. It’s not in Scripture, but it’s been said, “He who laughs … lasts.” Enjoy a good belly laugh at the ridiculous trash talk of your adversary, the devil. Drive him nuts for a change!

4. Regain the heavenly perspective. Paul was in prison when he wrote: “Rejoice evermore.”

He was in prison singing and praising at midnight when God provided the “jailhouse rock.” His body was in the lowest place, but his heart was in the highest place!

What does this mean for us? Perspective— it is heaven’s perspective. “He that sits in the heavens … laughs” (Psalm 2:4). A fistfight on the playground doesn’t seem so big from 40,000 feet up in an airplane. Laugh from heaven at earthly trials and watch as they lose their power over you.

5. Get filled with the Spirit of joy. God’s Holy Spirit is not down and defeated with His

hat pulled over His ears. Remember, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit.

I heard about a little mouse that lived down a drain in a dance hall floor. Someone spilled an entire bottle of wine down the drain. A few minutes later, the little mouse pushed back the drain, wobbled up on to the piano stool, threw his head back and laughed, asking, “Where is that cat?!”

Get your laugh back. Enjoy the ride.

Unfurrow your brow. Smile at every person you meet until they smile back.

If you can change that, you will change your world.

Larry Stockstill has been a pastor for more than 30 years. His church, Bethany Church in Baton Rouge, LA, has been pastored by his father, Roy, and now his son. He is focused on generational leadership, a philosophy of leading by example where proof of your leadership is in the success of those you mentor. To learn more, visit larrystockstill.com.

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Encouragement to Pastors

by Cody Abercrombie @codyabercrombie

I’VE ALWAYS FOUND it interesting that the

place and time when we usually say the kindest things about people is … their funeral. By definition, a eulogy is a message that praises someone or something highly, and typically someone who recently died.

Why do we wait? Why is there an encouragement deficiency in our lives and in the lives of those around us?

According to a Gottman Institute study, for every encouraging comment one receives, often six critical comments accompany it.

This is not the most encouraging ratio.

I would like to tip the scales back toward positivity (where are my fellow Enneagram 7s?) and spend some time encouraging you, faithful warrior-pastor.

Imagine sitting down for coffee (really great coffee of course; there is no time for anything 86

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else!) and replacing the six critical comments you recently heard — maybe even today — with the following encouraging ones.

1. You are doing better than you think you are.

2. It’s okay to choose your family first.

Everyone outside of your immediate family unit comes second; do not feel guilty for choosing this order of priorities.

3. You are only human. Be mindful of your self-talk. If you make a mistake, simply tell yourself, “I made a mistake.” Refuse to allow yourself (or anyone else, frankly) to call you names or degrade you.

4. Rest is spiritual. If you don’t take a sabbath, get one. If you are exhausted, go to bed. If you don’t think you need sleep, you’re lying to yourself! Find one or two spiritual practices that help you slow down and create quiet space in your life so you can rest

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in the love God has for you simply because He made you—not because of what you are doing for Him. 5. Find something outside of pastoring that delights you. This is not selfishness; this is soul-care. What makes your heart come alive? What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word “delight?” How long has it been since you have delighted in something?

6. You have what it takes, but you can’t do it by yourself. Find a few safe peers who are outside of your network and organization, and be real with them. If you don’t have such relationships, seek them. You may be thinking, “This is one more thing I have to do.”

But it is the thing that matters the most and will help you keep doing what you are doing.

And it’s not even about the doing—it’s about the being and the becoming. Do the work to like the person you are becoming.

May these words from John O’Donohue, in his book, To Bless the Space Between Us, travel with you as you continue to shepherd well: “May the blessing released through your hands Cause windows to open in darkened minds.

May the sufferings your calling brings Be but winter before the spring.

May the companionship of your doubt Restore what your beliefs leave out.

May the secret hungers of your heart Harvest from emptiness it’s sacred fruit.

May your solitude be a voyage Into the wilderness and wonder of God.

“Find a few safe peers who are outside of your network and organization, and be real with them.”

May your words have the prophetic edge To enable the heart to hear itself.

May the silence where your calling dwells Foster your freedom in all you do and feel.

May you find words full of divine warmth To clothe the dying in the language of dawn.

May the slow light of the Eucharist Be a sure shelter around your future.

Go well, and be well, fellow Pastor.”

Cody and Ashley Abercrombie serve as the Downtown Community Pastors for Liberty Church in New York City (ARC church plant No. 188). Liberty Church believes we were designed by God to thrive in every area of life through community. There are four Liberty communities across Manhattan and Brooklyn, and more globally. To learn more, visit libertychurch.com.

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What legacy will you leave behind?

A N E XCERP T FROM RE-V ISIONING

by Greg Surratt @gregsurratt

MY VISION and the vision of all of us at

Seacoast, is to be a prevailing church for many generations. I knew we needed to create a strategy to transition Seacoast to competent, godly leaders for the next generation. I’ve seen pastors hang on to their positions too long. There are many possible reasons, including a lack of financial resources after leaving the church, they don’t want to admit it’s time for someone else to lead, no one is bold and loving enough to speak the truth that it’s time to go, they’re comfortable in their role, or they’re afraid their lives will be empty if they don’t keep their role as the senior pastor.

A pastor who refuses to leave is one of the biggest causes of organizational decline. It seems that everyone but the pastor knows it’s time to go. I didn’t want to make this mistake and create this problem. I also saw many pastors who created a big hole when they left because they didn’t select, equip, and train 88

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leaders to replace them. Some of those senior pastors were wonderful on stage, and that’s what attracted a crowd, but they had no inclination or skill to train leaders.

The life of Caleb is a wonderful example of the impact of an older leader. He was one of the 12 spies who came back with a report of the Promised Land. He and Joshua were the only ones who believed God that they could conquer the land, so the people wandered in the desert for 40 long years until everyone in that generation was dead—everyone except Joshua and Caleb. As God’s people crossed the Jordan and began fighting to take the land, Caleb didn’t want to sit on the sidelines. He told Joshua, “So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were

EQUIP

there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (Joshua 14:10–12).

When Caleb was a younger, stronger man, he could have climbed that mountain and whipped every man on it. But when he was 85, he had more wisdom than strength. He gave the warriors an incentive to help him: “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher” (Joshua 15:16). He still got the job done, but in a different way than he would have before.

• The sage (60s +) uses all of his experiences and wisdom to help others become warriors, kings, and sages.

I realized I was in the middle of a transition from king to sage, and it was really hard to face. I wondered if there was anything for me on the other side of being “the guy” at Seacoast. Gradually, I believed God that my next season was as a sage, and it wasn’t going to be just okay; it was going to be really good! I needed to look for opportunities to live out that specific role instead of accepting every invitation to speak at events. Being a sage would involve some speaking, but even more, it would put me in small groups of pastors for days at a time where we could peel off the layers of self-protection and get to the heart of what God wants to do in each leader’s life.

Only a few years ago when I looked in the mirror, I saw a guy who had been full of vitality for a long time but whose energy had, shall we say, subsided a bit. When I looked at our leadership and our congregation, I could tell the church was graying with me. That’s not a good dominant color for a church! Like Caleb, I can still take mountains, but maybe not ones that are as tall as before, and certainly not in the same way as before. Through an enlightening but painful process, I got a clearer picture of how God might use me for the rest of my life. I met with a godly life coach for two days. He asked me to analyze how God usually spoke to me and how He tended to use me. In these conversations, he explained the seasons of a man’s life articulated by author and speaker John Eldredge:

In the last few years, Seacoast has been getting younger instead of older. I’ve changed roles, and we’ve trained and placed some wonderful young leaders who are doing a fantastic job. Today, you won’t find my fingerprints directly on the people, but they’re all over the young men and women who lead them. I may or may not be able to build the church of the future, but I can definitely build the young leaders who will lead them.

• The adolescent (teen years) is an explorer who learns how to develop genuine friendships.

• The warrior (20s and 30s) identifies enemies and the battles worthy of his zeal and skill.

• The lover (20s and 30s) finds affection and makes a commitment for a lifetime.

• The king (40s and 50s) shapes a vision and leads people to accomplish big goals.

Greg Surratt is the founding pastor of Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and the co-founder and president of ARC. His latest book, Re-Visioning, is designed to recharge our leadership batteries and equip us to inspire our teams with humility, boldness, and joy. To see more from the ARC How-To Series or to purchase a copy of Re-Visioning, go to arcchurches.com/equip.

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A PROVING GROUND IS WHERE NEW PRODUCTS, EQUIPMENT, TALENT, AND THEORIES ARE TESTED.

IN BUSINESS, PRODUCTS ARE TESTED TO PROVE

THEIR DURABILITY, RELIABILITY, AND MARKET

POTENTIAL. THE CAR YOU DRIVE, THE APPLI-

ANCES YOU USE, AND THE MEDICATIONS YOUR DOCTOR PRESCRIBES HAVE ALL UNDERGONE

RIGOROUS TESTS TO PROVE THEY ARE READY TO BE CONSUMED.

In the same way products are tested, you and I are tested to determine who we are and what kind of character we have. There is always a question that accompanies every test, which come to prove one or more of the following: 1. Are you mature?

2. Are you resilient?

3. Are you teachable?

4. How do you handle disappointment?

5. How do you handle seeing other people promoted?

6. Are you really a team player or just acting like a team player?

7. Are you sensitive?

8. Are you easily offended?

9. How much pressure can you handle?

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stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.”

Every time I see someone whom God has promoted, and their platform is enlarged, and their voice is amplified, I wonder what they had to go through to get there because nobody just gets there.

I recently watched a news report about the graduates of West Point who were celebrating their accomplishments. They were excited to be graduating from the best military academy in the world. As I watched the report I thought of the extreme pressure each of these graduates had overcome to reach this day. They had endured excruciating physical challenges. Their analytical and problem-solving skills had been thoroughly tested. I realized they were celebrating their accomplishments as well as their readiness for the challenges that awaited them. They were graduating from a proving ground where they had been rigorously tested and now they were being promoted. Testing always precedes promotion.

When a product is tested, it will either fail the test and remain an idea to be developed and tested further, or it will pass the test and be promoted into the marketplace.

James 1:2-4 (msg) says, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

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Don’t deceive yourself into thinking you can avoid testing by connecting with the right person, being noticed by someone, or dropping a name. There are no shortcuts in God’s proving ground. When you are tested, you must persevere. This is God’s way. When you stick it out and keep your heart right, you are … “mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.”

Your days are filled with tests that prove potential. These tests are opportunities to develop right attitudes, to refuse to be offended, to guard your heart, to maintain a sound mind, and to remain strong. James said to “consider it a sheer gift” when these tests and challenges come at you. Tough times and adversity are potential opportunities. Your team gets better when you get better. Your marriage gets better when you get better. Every form of resistance has within it an opportunity for progress and growth.

“These tests are opportunities to develop right attitudes...”

Here are tests that prove your personal potential: THE TES T OF SM A LL THINGS: CAN YOU HANDLE MORE? Most people want more. But if you're struggling to manage a small team, what would you do with a bigger one? In Luke 16:10 (niv), Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

It's not how heavy the load is, it’s how you carry it. You may be strong enough to carry more, but you may not know how to carry more. Testing comes to give you an opportunity to think it through and figure it out, or to seek a friend or leader for coaching.

T H E M O T I VA T I O N T E S T: A R E Y O U DOING THE RIGHT THINGS FOR THE RIGHT RE A SONS? Your motives constantly will be tested. You will have opportunities to abandon a task or project God wants you to complete. When all the perks and rewards for doing something are no longer visible, will you still do it?

Those feelings are a test. Decide to persevere because God called you to what you’re doing, and put your whole heart into it whether or not you’re appreciated, honored, or recognized. This is the pathway to promotion.

T H E C R E D I B I L I T Y T E S T: C A N O T H E R S R E LY O N Y O U A N D T R U S T YOU TO DELIVER ON YOUR PROMISES? Luke 2:52 (niv) says, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” As Jesus grew physically, he also gained credibility, or favor, with others. Your chance to gain credibility starts early in life and it continues throughout your life. Strive to develop and maintain credibility of confidence, credibility of personality, and credibility of character.

T H E W I L D E R N E S S T E S T: A R E Y O U RE ADY TO M A K E THE CHANGES THAT PROGRES S REQUIRES OF YOU? Change is the constant companion of progress. Ask yourself, “What progress is on hold in my life because I'm not willing to change my attitudes or ideas, or to expand my comfort zone?” Some people want to be healthy but aren’t willing to live a healthy lifestyle.

Others want a better job but aren’t willing to

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pay the price of education. Everyone wants their children to make wise choices but some aren’t willing to invest time in teaching them. Church leaders want their teams to grow, but some aren’t willing to read, study, and learn new methods. If you are stuck, ask God to show you the changes you need to make to bring progress in your life.

T H E A U T H O R I T Y T E S T: D O Y O U R E S P E C T A N D A P P R E CI A T E T H E AUTHORIT Y GOD HAS PUT IN YOUR LIFE? This test will not correct your attitude, but it will reveal your attitude. Romans 13:1-3 (msg) says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.”

This test is a particular challenge for many people. Prove yourself when the opportunity arises with authority. Respond in a positive way to the people who have authority roles in your life. We want to make it about other people, but it’s actually about us. If you can see it that way, it changes everything.

T H E WA R FA R E T E S T: W H A T I S Y O U R ADVERSIT Y QUOTIENT ?

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to doubt or question God, or take matters into your own hands. Everyone goes through a personal wilderness and you shouldn’t feel shame for being there. Deuteronomy 8:15 (niv) says, “He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.” In the wilderness you have to rely on your knowledge of God. Use the Word of God to speak through the wilderness.

T H E O F F E N S E T E S T: A R E Y O U G O I N G T O L E T CI R C U M S T A N C E S A N D SITUATIONS IN LIFE OFFEND YOU? There’s an old saying: “Offense is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Don’t drink the poison. If you allow feelings of offense to root in your heart and mind, you will live offended, and living offended is exhausting, distracting, and contagious. Feelings of offense are a test. God wants you to pass up opportunities to be offended.

T H E L O R D S H I P T E S T: D O Y O U A C C E P T T H A T G O D ’ S WAY I S A L WAY S R I G H T ?

Every day presents opportunities to choose God’s way or our own way. Deuteronomy 28:1 (niv) says, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”

This passage goes on to list the extravagant blessings that follow obedience to God’s way. He promises to bless our journeys, our children, our possessions, our battles, and our finances. Whatever test you are facing today is not a problem; it’s an opportunity.

Remember, testing precedes promotion.

“ Every day presents opportunities to choose God’s way or our own way.”

Kevin and Sheila Gerald are the founders and lead pastors of Champions Centre in Tacoma, WA, one of the largest congregations in the Pacific Northwest. Whether speaking on a platform or writing his next book, Kevin encourages others using practical biblical principles for living a successful life. This article is from a series based on his book, The Proving Ground 2.0: Nine Tests That Prove Your Personal Potential.

To learn more, visit cc.church.

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PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH& CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

By Dr. Andrew Yarborough

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Leadership is a privilege. Those of us who have been in positions of leadership within the church know the joys of seeing people learn to follow Christ in ways that advance God’s kingdom.

Leadership is an honored place of service, but great leadership is difficult. Christian leaders shepherding people understand that leadership is trench work and there’s blood in the trenches. Samuel Chand, in his book Leadership Pain, shows how leadership and pain are interwoven.

Diane Langberg, in her book Suffering and the Heart of God, writes about the trauma of personal suffering and the church’s responsibility to be present with people in their suffering. The reality of suffering is evident throughout Scripture.

More than any other institution, the church must know how to suffer with people. Jesus suffered for people by emptying Himself and entering our brokenness so that we can overcome. We represent Him when we suffer with others in their pain.

As leaders we recognize that this ministry requires knowledge of the Scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit, but we can inadvertently be trapped into relying on our own strength and this only exacerbates our struggles. Physical illness, depression, anxiety, self-doubt, isolation, family strife, and spiritual dryness are common, interconnected struggles in the lives of Christian leaders.

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We must know how to take responsibility for our personal pain, but we are often hesitant to even acknowledge our struggles. If leaders are struggling, what does that communicate about the Gospel and the abundant life that Jesus provides? Does personal suffering impugn the legitimacy of our leadership? As leaders we need to model health and freedom for others.

If leaders do not honestly acknowledge and address their own struggles, they will ultimately be overwhelmed by burnout, moral failure and, in extreme cases, self-harm and suicide.

My focus in this article is on psychological health, or soul health, and Christian leadership. Our souls are comprised of the mind, will, and emotions, and psychological health pertains to the optimal functioning of all three components. Below are several principles I believe to be foundational in the life of every Christian leader who wants to be a healthy and effective servant. I have been learning, experiencing, and teaching these

“ We do not ignore our struggles but we do make it our priority to seek Him first.”

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principles in my years of guiding people as a clinical psychologist and pastor. I pray that they will bless you.

PRINCIPL E 1: What we seek first organizes the rest of our lives. Years ago, I learned this principle, based on Matthew 6:33, while attending Freedom Training at Gateway Church. We often seek solutions to our problems in the absence of routine time with God, but if we routinely seek Him first, He will reveal solutions to our problems and struggles through the light of His presence and the power of His voice. His peace guards our hearts from chaotic thoughts and emotions. We do not ignore our struggles but we do make it our priority to seek Him first.

A good next step is to build daily rhythms of Scripture reading, prayer, and worship in your life. A great resource is Adele Calhoun’s Spiritual Disciplines Handbook.

PRINCIPL E 2 : Know your “why”—your mission and values. Leaders often experience the chaos of psychological struggle like a ship caught in a storm. Mission serves as a compass. Our psychological health as leaders is intimately rooted in our understanding of mission.

When we lose sight of our why, we increase the likelihood of distraction, which leads to confusion and feeling lost. I have met with many leaders who feel they have lost purpose in ministry, and I’ve observed how these feelings often lead to frustration, depression, anxiety, and a sense of defeat. These attitudes and feelings eventually affect family life and ministry, sabotaging our relationships and our God-given purpose. Knowing our mission helps us weather the personal struggles and challenges related to ministerial leadership and serves as a firm anchor from which we can lead and model health. I

EMY + EMILY VAZQUEZ’ STORY In February 2014, Emy and Emily Vazquez launched ExcelChurch, outside of Boston, in Leominster, Massachusetts.

After a few years in the ministry, Emily started to notice her husband’s fast pace. “He would go straight from working, to studying, to meeting with people,” she says. “There never seemed to be down time for him.” She says when Emy finally would rest, he’d sleep for an entire day at a time.

Emy recalls, “Honestly, during that time, I didn’t notice. My unawareness of my mental health is what led to a slow deterioration of my spiritual health.”

Emily noticed more red flags and signs of depression. Eventually, Emy saw a doctor who diagnosed him with adrenal failure and identified chronic stress. He took a three-month sabbatical to rest.

Within a month of returning to the pulpit, there were concerns again. Emily got a notification from the security software on their computer that Emy was googling “pastors who commit suicide.”

Emily was scared. “I felt so strongly that the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, ‘Be bold Emily or you’re going to love him to death,’” she says.

During this time Emy remembers, “I was feeling hopelessness knowing I had a book of

answers but didn’t feel like I had the answer. I was feeling every painful emotion imaginable: sadness, anger, hurt, suicidal thoughts…” He didn’t get help because he didn’t know how.

Emily was concerned about her husband, her kids, and the church. She too was feeling signs of depression and exhaustion. She worked with their church’s overseers to get Emy help immediately. He spent time away from the church getting the treatment he needed. The two of them took time to heal.

Emy, Emily, and their church are doing well today. They maintain open communication and seek counseling when needed. They have established boundaries between work and home and schedule regular time for rest.

Emy’s advice for other pastors is to “be honest about how you are feeling, and push through the shame that would stop you from seeking help.”

Emily says, “We need to be intentional about seeking others who can heal with us. It takes time. You need to take risks and be vulnerable with others to get there.”

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.

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believe Christian leaders must know why we are, as much as whose and who we are!

A great next step is to read Simon Sinek’s Know Your Why. A more in-depth approach is finding a coach to help you critically think through mission, or becoming involved in Dr. Mark Rutland’s National Institute for Christian Leadership.

PRINCIPL E 3 : Psychological health in leadership is rooted in wholistic self-care.

Emotionally healthy leaders know that wholistic self-care is stewardship, not selfishness. Wholistic means that we proactively take care of our physical health, we practice soul care and emotional health, we develop authentic relationships with healthy boundaries, and we engage in personal spiritual formation.

Wholistic self-care is preventative and serves as a core strategy that supports our mission. It generates longevity in ministry and leadership. I have seen pastors, CEOs, and top Christian leaders cut short their lives, families, and ministries because they have neglected self-care. Insecurity or misguided values can drive ministerial progress for a season, but it only builds a house of cards.

To foster well-being in your life, family, and ministry, practice wholistic self-care.

First, leaders must create healthy rhythms of self-care that are sustainable and organized by values (rather than reactionary chaos).

Rhythms of self-care are like gardening: We must tend them daily, constantly weeding our souls of struggle and sin to prevent invasive shoots from destroying the garden of our souls.

Let me give you a few examples of healthy rhythms. Research indicates that healthy rhythms of eating, sleeping, and exercise 100

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“ Leaders must create healthy rhythms of self-care that are sustainable and organized by values.”

have profound, positive effects on our emotional health. Psychologically, positive emotions like gratitude can guard against depression and move us from a poverty mentality to a provision mentality. Gratitude journaling is a great way to nurture this positive emotion.

Fostering emotional health and maturity involves four key, interconnected components related to our experiences: awareness, regulation, understanding, and response.

Response is based on mission, identity, and values rather than impulsive reactions to suffering. Relationally, setting appropriate boundaries and building authentic,

trusting relationships with others can help foster hope and guard against depression, anxiety, isolation, and even pre-mature death. Spiritually, we must value and implement daily spiritual disciplines for the sake of our own souls, not just to be effective leaders and ministers.

A worthwhile next step is to explore our 16-module video series called Rhythms (mywellclinic.com/rhythms). We have developed this series to help leaders implement this principle.

PRINCIPL E 4 : Practice confession often.

The Greek word for confession is homologous, which means “to agree with.” Confession involves acknowledging to ourselves, Christ, and others when we miss the mark or are struggling. It involves agreeing with Christ about our sin and struggles, in faith that He will forgive us and strengthen us. Do not wait until sin and struggle have grown to destructive forces in the garden of your soul, but rather make frequent confession a life rhythm. Confession cultivates psychological health because it builds insight, fosters self-reflection, helps develop spiritual revelation, and leads to personal responsibility.

Confess often the hope we have in Christ.

A great step in the process is to find a trusted friend or mentor with whom you can talk on a regular basis. You both should understand that the role of the person receiving confession is to listen in confidence and pray. Advice and counsel are not expected of the listener.

PRINCIPL E 5 : Seek the type of help you need when you need help. Seeking help requires leaders to cultivate humility. Researchers define humility as having an appropriate view of self—not too high or too low, teachability, and consideration of others.

Authentic, healthy leadership is rooted in both victory (celebrating wins) and vulnerability (humility). As we build awareness, humbly admit our struggle, and then seek appropriate help, we experience God in the pain, grow through the experience (sanctification), and testify to the goodness of God. We model health for other leaders, thereby cultivating—and not just talking about—a culture of health in our lives, our families, and our ministries.

A great next step is to build a relationship with the right person before you need the person. Start doing research now. Interview the person. You’ll be glad you did.

Dr. Andy and Melody Yarborough founded The Well Clinic (Baton Rouge, LA) in 2015 with an emphasis on treating the whole person: body, soul, relationships, and spirit. Together, their team of clinicians and consultants guides people into hope, wellness, and life. Dr. Yarborough attended Regent University (Virginia Beach, VA) and moved to Baton Rouge in 2008 with his family to complete his doctoral training in psychology at LSU (Geaux Tigers!). He has been a licensed clinical psychologist since 2011 and served on staff as a pastor at Bethany Church for several years. Dr. Yarborough works often with pastors, church leaders, and missionaries to promote well-being and thriving. To learn more, visit www.mywellclinic.com.

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LAST WORD

A PARTING THOUGHT

Dear ARC Family,

THANK YOU for being so faithful! Thank you for your commitment to your church, your community, to The Church, and the ARC Family! We couldn’t do this without you.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this magazine! It is so important to use the wisdom we have gained and share our story with others. As we prepare to celebrate ARC’s 20th Anniversary in 2020, we know our story is just unfolding. You are our story, and we want to hear from you.

Please take a moment to share what God has done in you and your local church. We want to share your story, not only to show how God has been faithful but to inspire the next generation of church planters, because we’re not stopping here! We want to hear from every church planter and member of the ARC Family.

Please visit arcchurches.com/shareyourstory.

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