No Church Planter Sent Alone

In 1862, after the signing of the Homestead Act, settlers moved to the desolate Great Plains to receive 160 acres of land per family. Initially, families built their homes right in the middle of the land, but this put them at risk of suffering from prairie madness, which included depression, withdrawal, changes in character and violence. Isolation from local communities also prohibited them from accessing medical care. It took a long time for physicians to travel to the farms, putting the settlers’ lives at significant risk.  

Before long, families learned to move their houses to one corner of their property to live in proximity with three other families who also lived on the corners of their property. Four families living together––sharing life and death, joy and sorrow, abundance and want––had a good chance of making it. 

In many ways, church planting in the 80s and 90s was like the pioneer experience of the mid-19th century. In fact, a popular term for church planters in that era was “pioneers" because some planted with no support system. 

While a few of them succeeded, most failed. Why? Because only a small percentage of church planters can plant on their own. Launching a new church alone is difficult and also lacks biblical precedent. The Apostle Paul never planted alone; he always had a team. At ReachNetwork, our goal is simple: no church planter plants alone. This is why we provide assessments, training, coaching and care for our church planters and spouses. 

So, how does coaching fit into this overall support system? In his book, TransforMissional Coaching, Steve Ogne says, “Coaches help people develop their God-given potential so that they grow personally and make a valuable contribution to the kingdom of God.” A church planting coach’s job is not to give the church planter the answers but to help them discover the answers through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

How does a coach do this? Three things stand out: listening attentively, asking good questions and depending on the Holy Spirit. Church plant coaching candidates learn these skills and more during a three-session virtual training called The Coaching Map: 

1. Listening attentively: A great coach spends 80 percent of his/her time listening to the planter and/or planter spouse. In his book, Leadership Coaching, Tony Stoltzfus says, “Becoming a great coach requires developing an extraordinary ability to listen.” 
2. Asking good questions: A good question is open-ended and taps into the heart and emotions of the church planter/spouse. We call this approach “drawing out” based on Proverbs 20:5, “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out” (ESV). 
3. Depending on the Holy Spirit: We encourage our coaches to pray before, during and after a coaching session. Great coaches keep track of prayer requests, as well as praises and answers to prayer for their planter or planter spouse. Great coaches come to the coaching session prepared but also open to changing direction as the Holy Spirit leads the conversation.  

Lastly, in our training, we tell our coaches to “coach the planter, not the plant.” Our goal is to transform leaders into all God created them to be. We believe this transformation will ultimately impact the lives of others in their church and community. Our approach allows us to reach from our proverbial plot of land over to another’s––to practically and powerfully remind them they are not alone. 

To get a better sense of what this looks like, we asked both a ReachNetwork coach and EFCA church planter on how coaching has impacted their ministry: 

Mark Farran, ReachNetwork coach 

“Coaching has been an immense blessing for me. I have always enjoyed developing leaders. Every ministry stop along my journey has been full of people to invest in. Coaching, however, gave me new tools and developed my skills.   

Being a coach taught me how to ask better questions, refined the goal of coaching the person not the problem and forced me to grow in a further dependence on the Holy Spirit. Coaching isn’t about being an expert and having all the answers (praise God, because I don’t!). Coaching helps teach people how to think through their own problems and come to a solution themselves. This process constantly pulls people back to what God is seeking to do in their lives.  

Over the years, I have seen that coaching tools and skills are immensely beneficial in all relational spheres. Coaching skills have helped me walk with my kids through inner turmoil, helped me continue to grow as a better listener with my wife, taught me to ask better questions to my neighbors who are far from Christ and reminded me to focus on what Christ is desiring to accomplish in others’ lives. 

Ultimately, the skills I have developed through coaching have helped me grow as a disciple and one who is called to disciple others. In addition to my own growth, coaching opened a door to be involved in the lives of more pastors and leaders. It is an immense privilege and joy to walk alongside others on their personal and ministry journeys. It is always exciting to be part of how God is working in the lives of others.” 

Ryan Wilson, EFCA church planter  

“Having a coach walk alongside me has been absolutely vital to my personal and spiritual well-being. He consistently keeps a pulse on how I’m doing, helping me process my relationship with Jesus, navigate the complexities of family life and lead a small, growing church. 

Our coaching relationship has helped me redefine success, not by metrics but by faithfulness and love. He regularly challenges me to reflect: Have I been loving? Have I been faithful? That simple but profound lens has shaped every area of my life. 

He’s also encouraged me to lead with courage, pursue God’s calling for our church and make bold, faithful decisions that move us forward. I’m deeply grateful to have not just a coach but a trusted friend on this journey.” 

Multiplying transformational leaders

As Mark and Ryan shared, coaching leads to spiritual growth for both the planter and the coach. In other words, the coaching relationship is transformational, meaning it contributes to the ongoing change the Holy Spirit creates in our lives. In the EFCA, our stated mission is to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people. Achieving that mission requires personal transformation, which must begin with our planters and leaders. 

 Feel called to plant a church? Take the assessment and learn more about ReachNetwork here.