Back in the early 2000s, I was introduced to the transformative concept of a church planter assessment. Under the guidance of Professor Dan Morgan at Southwestern Seminary, I learned that this assessment was not just a tactic, but a powerful tool that could significantly increase the success of a church plant. It was like a ‘silver bullet’ that could empower me as a church planter.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to undergo assessments with various organizations, including the Texas Baptists, the Southern Baptists of Texas, the North American Mission Board, the Acts 29 Network, and the Association of Related Churches. However, I find the Send Network’s approach to be the most comprehensive and effective. This month, I was fortunate to participate in another one of their assessments.
The Send Network’s approach is to clarify the planters’ calling and determine if they possess the critical competencies needed to plant a church. I’ve seen some networks take the approach of beating up the planter to see if they have the humility and stamina to plant. However, consistent feedback from our planters is that the Send Network’s assessment is encouraging. I also love that it provides tangible growth steps for the planters to ensure they, their family, and their church are healthier.
In the past, I’ve assessed the planter’s preaching. Communication is a crucial competency. If a man cannot stand before people and clearly engage them with the Word of God, then he is not called to plant. This year, I assessed them on their missional engagement. We want to determine if they have a history of effective personal evangelism and discipleship. We also tried to determine if they had a vision for leading their church to share the gospel and make disciples. If a man cannot lead people to saving faith in Christ and making disciples, he is not called to plant.
The Send Network’s assessment is unique in that it requires a planter to secure a sponsoring church. This church, your church, plays a crucial role in the process. As Baptists, we believe in the power of the local church. Therefore, the assessment team not only gives their assessment to the planter but also to the sponsoring church. Your church then commits to helping the planter through any recommended steps, making you an integral part of the process.
I love that the Send Network assessment is so encouraging, focuses on critical competencies, and is not divorced from the local church’s primary. My favorite part of the two-day event is praying over the couples as we commission them out. As I prayed over those planters, I had a deep sense that I was getting to participate in the front lines of what God was doing in our world. The Kingdom spreads through church planting. I was able to play a small role in how God is moving
in our generation. Those couples are my heroes.
Be encouraged. The church planting process is always improving. Together, our denomination continues to plant more and healthier churches. Since 2010, Southern Baptists have planted more than 10,000 new churches!