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Not Everything That You Label as Bad Really Is

• SeaCoast spent a lot of money on land, and then the rules were changed so they couldn’t build on it. Though this seemed bad, it forced them to explore other options and has ultimately proved to be beneficial.
• We are not God and so do not see things from his perspective – we don’t know what good he will bring through seeming setbacks.
• “God was at work on a solution, before we even knew it was a problem.”
• In church planting emotions can swing wildly from week to week. We need to realise that it is a long game and have faith that God is at work.

You Are Capable of More Than You Think

• Church planters can often be held back by what they  think they lack (e.g. leaders, musicians, kids workers).
• “Everything you need, God has planted – either in the church or in the harvest.”
• This means looking at people differently, like Jesus did with Simon Peter.
• “Don’t look at people, look through them to what they can become.”
• Christ Church Manchester talks about a ‘Have a Go’ culture and makes a point of giving opportunities to a lot of people – there is a low bar for entry but a high bar in training and developing people.

High Impact, Low Regret

• They took an approach to financial commitment that could have a big impact if it worked but the cost would be quite low if it didn’t.
• This is a principle the can be applied to lots of areas of church life.

People Will Support a World That They Helped to Create

• It is important that key people in a church plant are involved in recruiting, and determining the vision and strategy.
• People don’t just want to follow a vision, they want to be involved in shaping something – and this will bring much greater levels of commitment.