Best Practices for Discovering and Recruiting Church Planters (Part 2 of 3)

Church planting is still one of the most effective ways to expand the gospel's reach in today's world. However, finding the right leaders to launch and sustain church plants is often a significant challenge. Successful church planting networks and denominational leaders understand that discovering and recruiting church planters requires intentional prayer, consistent strategy, and spiritual discernment. Join us as we continue looking at some of the best practices for identifying, attracting, and equipping potential church planters.

3. Identify Potential Church Planters Early

Many of the best church planters are already serving in some capacity within existing churches. Look for individuals who demonstrate leadership in small groups, discipleship ministries, and local outreach efforts. Pay attention to those who:

• Naturally, gather and lead people

• Take initiative in ministry settings

• Demonstrate a heart for reaching the lost

• Exhibit resilience in difficult situations

Early identification allows more time to develop and assess potential planters before sending them out.  Remember, friends, 15% of the pastoral pool has the skills and abilities to plant a life-giving church. So, identify them early and cast a vision for church planting in their lives.

4. Develop a Pipeline for Church Planters

A structured process for developing church planters ensures a steady flow of qualified leaders. A church planting pipeline may include:

• Exploration Stage: Hosting informational sessions for those interested in church planting.

• Apprenticeship Stage: Allowing emerging leaders to serve alongside seasoned church planters.

• Residency Stage: Providing a one- to two-year residency where potential planters gain hands-on experience in launching a church.

• Assessment Stage: Evaluating candidates through a rigorous assessment process to ensure they have the necessary skills and calling.

One of the best opportunities for learning how to plant a church is when an intern or resident can join the launch time of a new church to see what it really takes to go from zero finances, zero leaders, zero people and to shape a launch team into a family that becomes a living community of faith, bringing the hope of Jesus to their communities. This is an invaluable opportunity that is often missed by church planters and church planting leaders.

5. Host Church Planting Vision Events

One way to inspire and recruit new planters is by organizing church planting vision events. These gatherings can:

• Cast an urgent vision for church planting

• Share testimonies of successful church planters

• Provide opportunities for potential planters to ask questions and explore their calling

• Connect interested individuals with training and resources

Regularly hosting these events keeps church planting at the forefront and provides a space for potential planters to step forward and respond to God's call.

I am writing this post as I attend Exponential, one of North America's largest church-planting gatherings. Inviting potential church planters to significant events like this can be inspiring and life-changing. Wise leaders use events like Exponential to raise church-planting temperature throughout their network or denomination. One of the leaders we had the privilege of coaching had nearly 600 leaders from his tribe attend Exponential this year. How can you virus an organization with the spirit of church planting? Yet even smaller events hosted by your tribe can have the same impact. As a local, regional, or national leader, how are you intentionally raising the temperature of Jesus' mission through church planting? 

6. Be Relational in Your Recruiting

The most successful church planters often emerge through the strength of personal relationships. Denominational leaders and church planting networks play a crucial role in this discovery process and should actively seek to engage with pastors, ministry leaders, and experienced church planters. These leaders can identify the strongest candidates for planting new churches by fostering genuine connections and building mentoring relationships.

Reflecting on my own journey, I recall a pivotal moment when the church I was involved with communicated that it was not ready to launch a new church. Faced with this reality, I had to make a critical decision: Should I remain patient and wait for opportunities to arise or seek out new possibilities? Choosing the latter, I took the initiative to cold-call various denominational offices to explore whether I might fit within their church planting programs.

The experience was daunting. Many of the reactions I received were discouraging; at times, I felt my resolve being tested. However, those challenging conversations ultimately equipped me with the resilience necessary to navigate the complexities of church planting. After several complex exchanges, I made another call that changed everything. On the line was a gentleman who, upon learning that I lived within driving distance of his office, expressed interest in my journey. He invited me to lunch, telling me he would love to "hear my story." 

That simple act of relational connection was transformative. Our conversation provided me with insight and encouragement and paved the way for what would become a thriving new church. Ultimately, that initial meeting led to my involvement in deploying over 200 church planters as I ascended within the church planting leadership of our tribe. This experience underscored a vital truth: the process of discovering and recruiting church planters must be rooted in relational engagement, driven by a genuine interest in the lives and stories of those we seek to empower in the mission of expanding the church.

For more on discovering and recruiting church planters, see Part 1 and Part 3 of this article.