In August, we will focus many of our blogs on the church planter characteristic of Entrepreneurial Aptitude. Here, Scott introduces this characteristic and its micro-skills.

What have you started successfully? Some men can’t see the vision of what is to come, and some –  even if they see the vision – can’t find the steps toward accomplishing their vision. If you can’t be the architect, then you are in trouble.

As an example, some very pastoral people are NOT the best people to start a church, or at least not as the main team leader. Be clear about who you are. If you’re a shepherd, counselor, caregiver, and you could be a success doing those things in an established church or as part of a team, then that is where you should be.

Someone who is called to plant a church is frustrated if they don’t do it. Number two leaders rarely make good number one leaders. While the micro-skills below should aid to confirm a calling to plant a church, they do not constitute one.

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.

While God does not need our skills and talents to accomplish His mission, he does equip those he calls – so we do look at his entrepreneurial aptitude as an indicator. When we see men applying to plant a church who have never preached, never led even a small group, have no record of serving in a church or are lethargic, we see these as warning signs. Either the man is a long way off from planting a church and needs to demonstrate faithfulness with a little, or he is not truly called to plant a church.

We are not looking for polished, highly-educated, articulate men to call into church planting. We are looking for men who are called by God, and then looking at how their God-given skills, passions and desires align with that call.

Our primary hope for those who apply with us is not that they’ll necessarily become a church planter. We want to help each man judge himself soberly, and fan into flame his calling.

Romans 12:3 – For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

1 Corinthians 11:28-30 – And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

1 Timothy 1:6 – Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands…

Written by: on août 3, 2010
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