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At the recent Acts 29 AMBITION conference at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, KY, I had the opportunity to sit down with Matt Chandler and talk about a number of topics.

In part two of our conversation, we discuss celebrity, diversity, burnout and the “one thing” he would tell church planters. As you would expect, Chandler does not disappoint.

Listen, learn, and link, tweet, facebook, blog…whatever. Help us get this great content out there to as many folks as we can. Don’t forget, there are 15+ more great interviews with church planters and movement leaders coming soon, including Dave Harvey, Ed Stetzer, and Darrin Patrick. I am humbled to have been entrusted with this amazing content.

Click here to watch Part 1 of this interview.

For more from Dustin Neeley, check out his ministry Church Planting for the Rest of Us.

Re:Train

We are launching The Resurgence Training Center (Re:Train) to prepare leaders for ministry locally and around the world. Additional details and downloadable application form here.

5 Hard Truths for Planters series: Click | View Series

Emergency Room

Christmas Day of 2006 I received an odd present—I went to the emergency room.

My sweet wife sat quietly and pensively in the corner, while my two kids crawled around on the ER floor. Doctors and nurses poked me like a pin-cushion while they performed a battery of bloodwork and tests. They thought it was my gall bladder in revolt. The pain continued for days.

A week later I was sent to get an ultrasound. This made me feel more like a pregnant woman than the bullet-proof church planter I thought I was.

When the dust settled, the ailment was not my gall bladder. It was stress.

Stress Kills

Stress kills many marriages, ministries, and the men who lead them; and it was on its way to killing me. And if you don't kill it, it will eventually kill you. WebMD says that 75–90 percent of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints. Deadly stress is an all-too-real reality for the typical church planter.

4 Steps to Kill Your Stress

Kill your stress before it kills you. Here are four ways:

1. Live your Bible.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:33-34).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

"Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases" (Psalm 115:3).

We believe these Scriptures. We teach these Scriptures. But do we live these Scriptures? The reality is that most of us don't.

In seasons of stress, meditate specifically on passages that remind you of the truth and not your perceived reality. Look for the sins behind the sin for why you can't relax—sins like control, unbelief, or your worth rooted in your identity as a church planter. As you see the discrepancy between what you believe and how you live, confess, repent and pray for God's help.

Make it your goal to live the goodness of the gospel and not just believe it.

2. Listen to your body.

You know that burning in your chest at the top of your stomach? That's not supposed to be there! That, and other symptoms, are the “God-installed” ways your body has of telling you to slow down and trust him. Listen to your body’s signs, and let them be a reminder to trust him with your life, family, and church. You don't want somebody else raising your kids. If your body is telling you to slow down, do it.

3. Listen to your wife and kids.

If you are married, your spouse is likely your best ally in your ongoing battle with stress. Chances are, she and the kids (if you have them), are going to be who God uses to make you laugh, go to bed, and take a day off. Don't ignore them! If she thinks you are stressed, you probably are, even if you don't. If your kids make comments about why daddy is so tired or mad, listen to them and make changes.

4. Learn your limits.

Pastor Wayne Cordeiro has a great principle called "The Plate." Every leader has a certain-sized plate based on their skills, gifts, life season, health, etc. Not all our plates are the same size, and that is the way God designed it. Trust that God made you who you are to do what you can do and leave it at that. Realize that a lot of your stress comes from the fact that you have a salad plate stacked with a buffet plate's amount of food. Repent. Resize. Repeat.

To be continued.

Re:Sound

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In case you missed it, here's all the audio from the 2009 London Boot Camp. Speakers included Steve Timmis, Scott Thomas, Jeff Vanderstelt, and David Fairchild.

Q&A with Steve Timmis – Steve Timmis

Acts 29 Church Planting – Scott Thomas

Being a Church That Plants Churches – Jeff Vanderstelt

How To Plant a Church (Part 1) – Steve Timmis

How To Plant a Church (Part 2) – Steve Timmis

Keeping a Gospel Heart – David Fairchild

Being a Leader Who Grows Leaders – Jeff Vanderstelt

Keeping a Gospel Church – David Fairchild

The Acts 29 Network exists to start churches that plant churches. Listen to the Mission & Vision of Acts 29 by co-founder and president Mark Driscoll.

Death By Love

Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears tackle some of the most serious redemptive aspects of Jesus' work in these twelve letters of counsel to individuals. Find out more.

5 Hard Truths for Planters series: Click | View Series

Good Guys, Bad Guys

Yes or no? Black or white? Football or Polo?

Most of us prefer a world in which the good guys wear white hats and the bad guys wear black hats, but that's usually not the case. The truth usually lies somewhere in between.

I believe the same is true when it comes to church planting.

In today's world where interest in church planting has exploded, many movements and denominations market their brands as "the way" to get the job done. However, because of our fallen world, none of us are entirely right about anything.

Additionally, church planters are notorious for sizing each other up. At any given gathering, it is not unusual to hear guys ask one another, "So are you a Piper guy or an Andy Stanley guy?" or "Are you a house church guy or a big church guy?" Once these types of questions are answered, we immediately form an opinion of our brother and the "legitimacy" of his ministry in light of our own presuppositions, and consequently cast doubt on anything else he might have to say.

I believe the Scriptures set appropriate boundaries for what is and isn't acceptable in the name of gospel ministry. And we could all debate the legitimacy of pulling a tank out on stage to illustrate one’s point. But my fear is that we spend so much time figuring out which "tribe" we belong to that we fail to listen and learn from tribes other than our own. Sure, you may be against certain elements of another pastor's ministry, but does that mean that anything that comes from his ministry is automatically discounted because of its point of origin?

Think Hybrid

I would encourage taking a different path: THINK HYBRID.

Dictionary.com defines a "hybrid" as "anything derived from heterogeneous sources, or composed of elements of different or incongruous kinds. For example, a hybrid of the academic and business worlds."

I believe we can effectively employ this kind of thinking in nearly every area of life and ministry—from contextualization, methodology, and philosophy of ministry to preaching and small groups. “Thinking hybrid” is about drawing from a number of wells instead of just one. In doing so, we are able to maximize the strengths of our heroes while minimizing their weaknesses, instead of reproducing them in our own ministries.

For example, my own church planting method has been influenced by everyone from Mark Driscoll to John MacArthur to Andy Stanley to Mark Dever to Neil Cole. These are names that you typically do not hear in the same sentence, unless it includes "in a steel-cage death match," but all of these brothers have something to teach us and we would be wise to consider and heed their counsel.

Be Humble and Learn from Others

To move in the direction of "thinking hybrid," I would encourage the following disciplines:

1. Read and listen widely.

Church planters and pastors tend to only listen to those they agree with. While this may seem initially gratifying, it can stifle creativity and reproduce the same kind of "blind spots" in ministry that are held by our heroes. Be bold. Read a book or subscribe to a podcast by someone outside your tribe to see what God might teach you. Draw what you can and leave the rest. As you do, allow the process to sharpen your own convictions and thinking.

2. Befriend someone from another "tribe."

It's one thing to disagree with a book written by someone you will not meet until heaven; it is another thing to have breakfast with a guy like him. Schedule breakfast with a guy in your city who you know is not like you, and see what God might teach you through that encounter.

3. Be humble.

The men I respect most are those who have great conviction, but who are also open to correction. Could that be said of you? Or is your own insecurity so strong that you couldn't be questioned? If so, read Philippians 2 and pray for humility in your life and root yourself in gospel reality.

As you do, I believe you will be more able to “think hybrid” for the glory of God and the good of the world.

To be continued.

Mars Hill Global

Serving the church and spreading the gospel. Help support this effort by giving to the Global Fund. More info at MarsHillGlobal.com.

5 Hard Truths for Planters series: Click | View Series

I can't tell you how much time I’ve wasted in the first five years of our church plant comparing myself to others. If I could have preached like Driscoll or Chandler or led like Darrin Patrick…The comparisons were endless—and deadly.

This kind of un-redemptive comparison is dangerous on several levels:

• First, it causes us to undervalue what God is doing in our midst and not rightly praise him for his sovereign work.
• Second, it opens the door for greater discouragement (as if there isn't enough in planting already), which is a serious hazard for all parties involved.
• Third, comparison can lead us to have unrealistic expectations, which can lead to additional stress and toxicity in our relationships. Having served as an elder at another successful church in our city, I naturally assumed that I would simply do what I knew worked there and see similar results in my context. This was not the case. This kind of false thinking neglects the obvious truths that I am not that church's leader, we don't have that church's resources and that our context is different. To expect two churches to see the same results is like expecting one of your boys to be exactly like his brother. None of us would counsel that kind of parenting, because we know the kind of dysfunction it produces. The same is true in church planting.
• Fourth, and perhaps the most dangerous, comparison reveals our deeper idolatry. When we are comparing ourselves to others, we are looking for something other than Jesus to satisfy our souls, namely our own success. If outreach goes well, we feel good. If giving goes down...massive crisis. If our spiritual and emotional health fluctuates based on "how things went on Sunday," then our ups and downs likely indicate that we are searching for our identity in our role as a church planter and not in the cross.

So you may be saying, "I get it, comparison is bad. In fact, it is a sin. But it seems almost innately human. How can I prevent it?" Consider the following alternatives.

When you are tempted to compare yourself to someone else or their ministry:

• Praise God for what he is doing there. Pray for that leader, church or ministry. Pray that God would continue to bless them and purify your heart for your own jealousy towards them.
• Allow it to expose your idolatry for what it is. We all too often try to rationalize away the gravity of our sin in the name of leadership development. But the fact is, if we are coveting the gifting and success of another, we are in sin and must repent.
• Preach the gospel to yourself. This is not just a pithy saying people use since Keller became a household name—it is a matter of life and death for a church planter. Get Growing Your Faith by Jerry Bridges. Study gospel-centered discipleship. Memorize gospel-identity Scriptures. Do whatever it takes to replace the enemy's lies with the truth.

If we stop trying to be someone else and simply be who God has made us to be, it will bring him more glory and help us be more effective in serving our cities.

To be continued.

Vintage Jesus

A theological journey chasing Jesus through Scripture and pop culture. Timeless answers to timely questions about the most important man who has ever lived. Find out more.

5 Hard Truths for Planters series: Click | View Series

Church planting is harder than you think. Church planters don't just say that—it actually is.

Over the past five years, I have been disappointed, disillusioned and just plain dissed by various people and problems. However, by God's grace, here we stand as a church that is not just surviving, but thriving, and planting new churches.

One of the keys? Resilience.

Good, old fashioned, gospel-driven "sticktoitiveness."

A quality that, in my experience, I have seen lacking in far too many church planters. Many men are interested in having a cool website, a Mac, and the latest Driscoll book in their messenger bag, but how many are willing to stay the course even when the going gets tough? Far fewer. In fact, I believe the absence of resilience is why so many church planters flame out, shame out, or tap out in the first five years and close down their churches.

Acknowledging that resilience is a necessity for missional success, what can we do to grow it within us?

• Recognize that God commands it.
  In Paul's first letter to his apprentice Timothy, he writes "As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Tim. 4:5). He says the same to us today. Be disciplined. Stay the course. Fulfill your ministry through the power of God at work within you.
• Learn to take a punch.
  It has been well said that wise men turn their critics into coaches. As we grow in the gospel as leaders, we are wise to look for the "diamonds in the rough," even among the most stinging criticism, and seek to learn from (and not repeat) our mistakes.
• Consider the examples of those who have gone before.
  The "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11 is such a great encouragement for church planters. To see that we share the same mission as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and all of the other heroes is a great encouragement in times of trial. Suddenly, in the light of a man being asked to sacrifice his own son, being kicked out of your building doesn't seem so bad.

There are many, many things that I would change about the last five years of planting.

But one thing that I would not change is how God has grown resilience in me through the hard times. May he do the same in you.

To be continued.

Pastor Mark

Get the latest content from Mark Driscoll, the preaching pastor at Mars Hill Church. See More.

Jesus used practical object lessons

Jesus didn't pick the smartest, the coolest, or the most likely to succeed to be his disciples--he went straight to the bottom of the barrel and picked the fisherman, and he taught them in very practical ways. He brought them almost everywhere he went and taught them along the way.

Jesus would pick up a loaf of bread and use it as an example of our dependance on God. He would use his signs and miracles as a way of showing that he has power over death and the effects of sin by raising Lazarus and giving sight to the blind man. He uses his own service of washing their feet as a way to show that they must serve, and even feeds five thousand people to show that even though he is one man, his work can feed the many.

We can't use the same type of object lessons that Jesus did because we aren't the Messiah, but we can follow Jesus' example by using metaphor, speaking in plain English, and creating circumstances that allow us to teach our disciples.

This is a series of reflections on how Jesus made disciples, based on the book of John.

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In his stirring book David: Man of Prayer, Man of War, Walter Chantry contrasts the life and leadership of David and Saul. Chantry’s little book is packed with practical and gospel insights for leaders. I love his emphasis on the Spirit.

3 Differences in Leadership between David and Saul:

1. God’s Spirit Incites Zeal. In the face of Philistine blasphemies, David was incited with zeal for the Lord: “He was stirred to the depths with concern for the glory of God.” What is stirring you? Are you stirred to the depths for the glory of God? Do you hide out in your tent, your library, your office, or are you incited with zeal for the Lord to pursue his glory through counseling, discipleship, mission, and preaching? Are you passionately pursuing God’s glory or your own glory?

2. God’s Spirit Incites Faith. Saul relied on bribes to get others to fight Goliath (1 Sam. 17:25). Saul discouraged young leaders like David (to not fight Goliath) because he was motivated by fear, not faith. Remember, God doesn’t look at appearances, but at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Samuel would never choose David, but God did. Are you leading your church or leaders based on fear or faith? Do you insist on control or relinquish it to let others rise up in faith? Are you judging by appearances or looking at the heart? Often we are too doubtful about some and too confident about others. Judge by the Spirit, not the flesh; by faith, not fear.

3. God’s Spirit Incites Wisdom. David’s zealous faith was marked by self-control and tempered by wisdom. When mocked by his brothers, he didn’t pick a fight or defend his abilities, but channeled indignation towards his enemies (1 Sam. 17:28-29). The Spirit produces leaders that are balanced and discerning, not merely zealous and faith-filled. Instead of getting side-tracked by petty issues, Spirit-led leaders learn to lead with, as Spurgeon put it, “one blind eye and one deaf ear.” We need wisdom to discern what voices to listen to and which ones to shut out. We don’t entertain every idea. We follow the Spirit through wisdom, not ambition.

May God make us zealous, faith-filled, and wise. May he never take his Holy Spirit from us. May we lead well and finish strong, ever dependent upon the Spirit, glorifying our great Redeemer and King Jesus!

Re:Train

We are launching The Resurgence Training Center (Re:Train) to prepare leaders for ministry locally and around the world. Additional details and downloadable application form here.

Spirit-Led Leadership: Click | View Series

In his stirring book David: Man of Prayer, Man of War, Walter Chantry contrasts the life and leadership of David and Saul. I’m not a big fan of moralistic character studies in the Bible. All too often, they are poor interpretations of Scripture. However, Chantry’s little book is an exception, packed with practical and gospel insights for leaders. I love his emphasis on the Spirit.

David vs. Saul: What’s the Difference?

Consider the following differences between two kings of Israel, David and Saul, taken largely from 1 Samuel 16-17:

David

• Unimpressive stature
• Inexperienced
• Heart after God
• Repentant
• God-reliant
• Spirit-filled

Saul

• Impressive stature
• Experienced
• Hardened heart
• Resistant
• Self-reliant
• Spirit-possessed

God uses the unexpected, unimpressive, and inexperienced to accomplish remarkable things. Saul was a head above most men. David was ruddy and smaller in stature. Saul was driven by an evil spirit and died a crazed, God-forsaken man. David drove an evil spirit from Saul with the sound of his lyre. Saul hid out in his tent when Goliath taunted the Israelites. David stood up for his people and God and defeated Goliath. What made the difference between these two leaders?

The Spirit of the Lord

The Holy Spirit made all the difference between these two men. The chronicler of Israel’s history reveals the primary difference between these two kings. He writes: “And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul…” (1 Sam. 16:13-14).

The ultimate contrast between these men was not their appearance or experience; it was their spirit. We’re told that the Spirit rushed upon David, while the Spirit departed from Saul. One man was Spirit-filled and led. The other was Spirit-devoid and distrusting. David would plead with God not to take his Spirit (Ps 51:11). God, on the other hand, would take his Spirit from Saul.

To be continued.

Resurgence Literature

Re:Lit is a ministry of Resurgence. There you will find a growing line of books to help guide the resurgence of the new reformed. Find out more.

Change. Every leader wants it. And some are more effective at making it happen. In addition to God's grace, the following process has proven invaluable to me, as I have consciously used it for over a decade. I offer it in hopes of serving those who serve others.

Vision

At this phase, an idea emerges that seems worthwhile but the following questions need to be answered in order to determine its viability. In answering these questions, the input of the staff and deacons, as well as other selected people, will be very helpful to you.

1. What are the measurable outcome goals and do they correlate with the mission objective you are seeking to accomplish?
2. Is this idea best suited for your area of responsibility or should someone else be appointed to lead it since it best fits his or her ministry area?

Plan

At this phase, the idea and its goals are clarified in a detailed written proposal. The proposal could be presented to the staff and elders for approval. Answers to the following questions can provide details for the proposal, specifically details about what implementing the idea would require.

1. What is your biblical/theological justification for this ministry?
2. How long will this take to implement and what is the timeline for the phases necessary to implement it?
3. Who will be responsible for it and how many hours will it require of them to launch and also oversee the ministry?
4. How much will it cost, both to launch and maintain?
5. How many volunteers will be needed and whom do you have in mind?
6. What facilities will it require?
7. What promotions will it require?
8. What type of people are you anticipating will attend and/or participate?
9. How will this require time and energy of the elders and deacons?
10. How might this compete with and/or negatively impact other ministries?
11. How can people pray for this ministry?

Implement

The idea has been justified, planned, and approved; it now needs to be launched as a reality. The plan needs to be executed and at this phase, the hard work begins in an effort to build momentum and make the idea a reality.

Manage

At this phase, the idea has become a new reality but shortly thereafter the ministry will likely lose momentum as the work becomes routine, the systems that were planned need to be upgraded for efficiency, and faithful people need to ensure the ministry continues forward and that the devoted people serving do not grow weary or lose heart.

Review

At the six-month and one-year marks of each ministry (as well as other designated times), the leader of that ministry must ensure that accurate and meaningful reviews are conducted to answer the following questions and determine if the ministry should continue, be changed, or cease.

1. Have you met your objectives?
2. Why or why not?
3. Should this ministry continue?
4. How can you improve?
5. What changes must be made?

Resurgence Literature

Re:Lit is a ministry of Resurgence. There you will find a growing line of books to help guide the resurgence of the new reformed. Find out more.