Scott Thomas is an Elder at Mars Hill Church, Seattle and is the director of the Acts 29 church planting network. At the Dwell London conference he addressed the question – Am I a Church Planter? Scott introduced the session with two lists, and then 20 questions:
Top 5 issues faced at Acts 29 – Theology, Vision, Family, Calling, Character
Top 5 church-planter qualities (survey of NF leaders) – Leader/visionary, Missionary heart, Preacher, Generalist, Family man
20 Questions for a potential church planter
- Am I a Christian?
- Am I passionately in love with Jesus and is He the Lord of every area of my life?
- Do I believe his word and does is affect my life deeply?
- Am I Spirit-filled, Spirit-directed, Spirit-led, and Spirit-controlled?
- Am I qualified as an elder? (above reproach – see Titus/Timothy)
- Do I love the local church as the expression of a gospel community on mission?
- Am I a missionary to the city? Am I sent for the advancement of the gospel in the city?
- Do I have a clear vision for this new work?
- Am I willing to pour myself out in obedience to the vision?
- Am I healthy – physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, relationally, maritally and mentally?
- Am I the kind of leader many people will follow? Have I served as a church leader successfully?
- Can I preach effectively?
- Can I guard the doctrinal door with Biblical clarity and tenacious confidence?
- Can I architect a new work with entrepreneurial skill?
- Am I called to plant a church at this time and in this place?
- Have my church leaders commended me for this calling?
- Am I a hard worker? Am I persevering?
- Am I adaptable to new people, places and concepts?
- Can I raise the funds required for my family’s needs?
- Am I humble enough to learn from other – particularly from those who have gone ahead of me in different areas?
