Church Planter Interview - Pastor Mikey Lynch

I recently got the chance to ask Pastor Mikey Lynch a few questions about his experience as a planter in Australia. Check out his Blog here.

1. What compels you to live in Tasmania :)?

I was born here and my family moved back here when I was in late high school. I would kind of like to live in Melbourne... or New York... one day, but for now it seems right to be here. For quite a while Nikki and I were thinking about working as missios in France, but as the church planting ministry developed here, it seemed this is where we should be.

2. What is the top three pieces of advice you would share with an Aussie Planter?

i. Take a lot of time to get to know your context. Don't be presumptuous.
ii. Be patient and look to God for approval. It'll possibly take 3 years to get anywhere.
iii. We don't just pray for the work; prayer is the work.

3. What is the top three pieces of advice you would share with young bible teachers?

i. Spend time in the text. The best illustrations and application will come from there.
ii. Learn the art of public speaking: practise gestures, tounge twisters, pitch and pace; imitate lots of other preachers; get interested in language.
iii. Become a people watcher: get fascinated with what makes them tick.

4. What five books would you recommend that you have read over the last few years.

i. Resurrection and Moral Order by Oliver O'Donnovan - we gotta have good ethical thinking to reach Australians I reckon.
ii. Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer - lots of good stuff here, as well as some weird American bits.
iii. Promoting the Gospel by John Dickson - a compelling, Australian vision for biblical, holistic, church evangelism.
iv. Manhood by Steve Biddulph - not a Christian book, but plenty of goodies there for thinking about Australian masculinity to help you understand yourself.
v. The Holy Trinity by Robert Letham - a broad, deep, gentle textbook on trinitarian theology.

5. What do you see as the greatest challenges facing Australian Reformed Evangelical Church Planters?

i. Evangelism is slow and hard but central to our task. We must not devolve into chasing after Christians, or only reaching the de-churched.
ii. We must not only have biblical doctrine, but thoroughly biblical models of ministry.
iii. There is great theological and moral value in maintaining those frustrating relationships with Christians outside our circles. That's why denominations can be so good for us.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Phil Campbell

Today I had the privilege of sitting and learning from Phil Campbell Aussie Planter and Minister at Mitchelton Presbyterian Church.

Here are his top three pieces of advice :
1. Work really, really hard at clear bible teaching. This is the foundation. As a planter you will be tempted to take shortcuts in this area, my advice is to do the opposite. Spend up to three days a week focusing on your teaching and do it really well.
2. Do everything else as well as you can. Doing this affirms your commitment to number one.
3. Love people, but be firm and appologise freely.

Thanks Phil.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Jeff Vanderstelt - Part Two

Pastor Jeff Vanderstelt, (Soma Communities) breaks down further 'objective' and 'subjective' Biblical measurements.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Jeff Vanderstelt - Part One

Last week I had the privilege of meeting and learning from Pastor Jeff Vanderstelt of Soma Communities, Tacoma WA. Jeff shared some great things with me and I wanted to share the core with you. I will share Part Two later this week.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Brian Bloye

Hey some great advice from a giant in the church planter world, Pastor Brian Bloye, Planter and Pastor of West Ridge Church and co-founder of Westridge School of Planting.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Steve Dusek

This past weekend I visited the brand new church plant The Orchard Church. Planted in Ellijay Georgia and only six weeks old The Orchard is a warm, vibrant and growing community which meets effectively in the Ellijay Cinema. After the service I had the opportunity to connect again with Planter/Pastor Steve Dusek. I've only had a few opportunities to talk with Steve but from the talks that I've had with him and his daughter Lauren and sitting in on his sermon he is a great Dad, pastor and leader. Below is one piece of advice for planters from Pastor Steve (sorry it is so dark but the audio is great), also check out his blog by clicking here.

Steven Furtick - Advice on Going Multi-site

Here is Pastor Steven Furtick's advice regarding going 'multi-site.' The THR3E Event was excellent. Check out Elevation's Access Elevation Archive for some further great advice and guidance for new church plants.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Michael Lukaszewski

Hey some really important advice from Pastor Michael Lukaszewski of Oak Leaf Church. I highly recommend also checking out his blog for helping church planters - Behind the Leaf - it's full of stuff.

BTW this Sunday Oak Leaf Church begins meeting at the House of Rock! They're having a service on Saturday night at 6 p.m. and two services on Sunday morning at 9:30 and 11:15. The House of Rock is located at 245 S. Tennessee Street, Cartersville GEORGIA.

Rock on Oakleafers!!

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Larry Osborne

Pastor Larry Osborne is an amazing leader and disciple maker. I have loved reading his books and always go away encouraged, strengthened and challenged to grow in following Jesus and in my leadership. Here is one piece of advice Pastor Larry had for church planters. BTW Pastor Larry will be joining Pastors Shawn Lovejoy and Greg Surratt at the next Mondays "Sticky Church Conference." A day of training on what it means to not just reach those who don't know Jesus but to nurture and pastor them well.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Bob Franquiz

Pastor Bob Franquiz shares with us one piece of advice for Church Planters. Pastor Bob has been one of my coaches over the past few months as I've been working through the pre-launch preparation stage of a new church start. I highly respect and honor this man, he is the real deal and has helped me to grow as a follower, husband, Dad and to prepare to lead a new church. Check out his blog here and his resource website here.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Eric Metcalf

Hey I had the opportunity to sit and learn a bunch of stuff at the Exponential Conference 2009 from Pastor Eric Metcalf. Pastor Eric is the champion of Small Groups at Community Christian Church and oversees church planter recruitment with The Newthing Network. He's got some important advice for men considering starting a new church, listen in.

Church Planter Advice - Andrew Smith & Derwin Gray

Hey it was great to meet Pastors Andrew Smith and D-Gray from The Gathering Church, Charlotte, North Carolina at Exponential last week. D-Gray was actually a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers and just talking to these guys on the flight and at the conference made me sure that The Gathering would be a church I'd be keen to check out if I moved to Charlotte. Great to see men like Andrew and Derwin leading the charge forward for Jesus.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Scott Hodge

Great to meet Pastor Scott Hodge at Exponential last week. Scott has in effect taken over his fathers established church and transitioned it into The Orchard, a healthy, growing 21C Christian community. I have learnt alot from Scott by just reading his blog over the last couple of years, check it out here. I also appreciated his advice for pastors considering a revitalisation work in existing 'flatlined' or declining church.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Matt Chandler

Pastor Matt Chandler from The Village Church gave some great advice for church planters. I really appreciate the way God is using Matt to encourage and equip planters and pastors. He is by far my favorite communicator at this season of my life. Check out his blog here.

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Efrem Smith

Great to meet Pastor Efrem Smith at Exponential's Post Launch Track that Churchplanters.com ran this past week.

Church Planter Advice - Jan Greigo

Exponential - Monday April 20, 2009.

Advice for Planters - God

" ...your fruitfulness comes from Me."

Church Planter Advice - Pastor David Putman

This past year I have had the once in a lifetime opportunity to be coached by one of the best church planting coaches around - David Putman. I love David's heart for gathering and developing men. The result - a growing movement of leaders who love and follow Jesus and are planting churches around the world.
David's books - click and try a sample chapter, you might get hooked.
Breaking the Discipleship Code
Breaking the Misssional Code

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Rory Dyer

Pastor Rory leads Glenridge Church International, Durban, South Africa.

"Rory’s philosophy of ministry is “keep it simple.” In fact, it is so simple they don’t even have a church website, yet the church gathers nearly 3,000 people! Glenridge focuses on three things: Inclusion, Intercession, and Increase. They do Sunday meetings and small groups, and that is about it." The Leaders Poole

Church Planter Advice - Pastor Andrew Heard -

Hey some great foundational advice from Andrew Heard, Pastor of Central Coast Evangelical Church on the North side of Sydney, Australia. I really appreciate Andrew and his heart for Jesus, the gospel and reaching Aussies who're far from God.