Many people with a pastor's heart have tried planting churches and.... unfortunately failed. I have always felt that planting a church requires a different skill set. Some people are managers. They can take something that exists and make it better or at the very least manage it at the same level. I call this type of person a settler. I use this term in comparison to a pioneer. A pioneer has a very different skill set then a settler. A pioneer doesn't mind venturing into new areas and trying new things. So.... if you your hearts cry is to pastor an existing church, then you may fall into the manager/ settler mold.
If you, on the other hand have a desire to start from nothing and build from the ground up... and this excites you, maybe you fall into the other classification - visionary leader / pioneer. I have always felt that the church planter and the entrepreneurial gift parallel each other.
Check out this list I found on the Acts 29 blog:
Entrepreneurial Aptitude Micro-Skills:
1. Has demonstrated past successes in starting new ventures.
2. Is an innovative and strategic visionary.
3. Is highly energetic and enthused about starting a new work.
4. Shows ability to enlist others in new ventures.
5. Evidences being a self-starter.
6. Has a willingness to work intensely for an extended period of time.
Take a moment and ask yourself - what am I called to do - pioneer or settle / manage or lead? Note: One is not better than the other...they are just different. The sooner we realize which one we are, the better off we will be in the long run. It will save time, money and heartache.
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