OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Seven Indispensable Areas of Leadership

There are seven indispensable areas of leadership that must be developed prior to the official launch (adapted from Ed Stetzer 2003, Planting New Churches in the Postmodern Age, 96-101).  With each in place the work is divided to avoid burn-out (Exodus 18:14-26).  The leadership areas have been defined below:

1.     Pastor/Planter:  Pastor Rod Anderson

• Entrepreneurial in nature, the planter must be able to cast a vision and gather people around that vision.
• He must lead the group, being a person of faith.
• A strong commitment of both husband and wife provide a mutually supportive framework for the challenges of the church plant. 
• Serving as a player/coach, the planter must have a strong desire to see others grow in Christ and be used by Christ.
• Assessment and acceptance by the supporting groups is required.  The planter must be approved via a Church Planting Assessment Center.

2.     Worship Leader:  Paul Rowenhorst

• Worship draws people into the presence of God.  The leader has been given a special gift and ability to lead people to an encounter with God.
• As a servant leader, the person will direct the attention to God and not seek to gain personal acclaim due to their talents.
• The worship music will be a blend of current, contemporary and even some traditional (with a more modern beat).  The leader must have a knowledge and understanding of music and its role in enabling worship to occur.

3.     Preschool Children’s Minister: 

• Nursery and children’s church are components that help draw younger couples to the church.   Provision for those who cannot understand is a biblical approach (Nehemiah 8:2-3).
• Quality and safety are the hallmarks of a solid preschool ministry.  Quality in programming and safety in recruiting of those to serve.  Background checks will be required for all children’s workers. 
• Love and concern for children define the best children’s worker and a willingness to sacrifice so others can learn and grow in Christ.

4.     Assimilation Coordinator:

• Incorporating people into the church is a demanding task that requires one with a gift of discernment.
• People desire to feel needed and wanted; an assimilation coordinator will seek to plug those people into areas suitable to their gifting, talents, burdens, and abilities.
• The coordinator will employ tools to discover the spiritual gifts, talents, burdens and abilities of those attending and to involve those people more deeply into the life of the church (such a tool has already been designed by the Planting Pastor).
• A desire to see others used by God is foundational to the position.

5.     Evangelism Networker:

• Constant emphasis on reaching the unsaved keeps a church on target.  The evangelism networker has a heart for lost people and a deep desire to see them come to faith in Christ.
• The networker must be creative and willing to associate with people of all ranks. 
• The evangelism networker has the gift of evangelism and is using it as a regular part of his or her life.

6.     Welcome Coordinator: Donna Anderson

• There is only one opportunity to make a good first impression.  A welcome coordinator makes certain that guests are greeted and welcomed into the fellowship.
• A non-judgmental attitude and an aura of friendliness surounds the welcome coordinator.
• Entering a new church can be frightening.  The coordinator seeks to bring a sense of comfort and encouragement to a visitor.
• The welcome coordinator is a recruiter who identifies others who have their gift and passion and who incorporates those into the process.
• While an unusual mix, the coordinator couples friendliness with a desire for perfection, making sure all the details that are needed have been supplied.

7.     Financial Organizer:  LeRoy Hofer, Treasurer

• The appropriate and accurate handling of funds demonstrates competence and trustworthiness.
• The financial organizer oversees the process of collecting, recording, and dispersing of funds so that it is above reproach.
• Several are involved along the way to insure honesty.  The organizer is a detailed person with high integrity of character, recruiting others of similar ilk to help with the various areas.

A committed core enables the church to function as well-oiled machine.   Prayer is demanded for God to raise up these people to serve . . .  they are foundational to an effective ministry.   A primary role of the planting pastor will be to recruit people to serve in these areas over the upcoming months.  Much wisdom and discernment will be needed (James 1:5).