What does a Regional Church Planting Leader Look Like?

By: Gary Rohrmayer, President of Axelerate

When hiring a regional church-planting leader for a denominational or network office, it's essential to look for individuals who possess a combination of qualities that align with the unique challenges and opportunities of leading church planting efforts within a specific geographic region. Here are some of the best qualities to consider:

1. Visionary Leadership:

A strong regional church-planting leader should have a clear and compelling vision for church planting in their area. They should be able to articulate a strategic plan for expanding their organization's presence, mobilizing resources and multiplying new churches to reach unreached and under-reached communities effectively through the Great Commission. Joshua led God's people forward based on a promise from God (Joshua 1:3-9). Jesus sent his disciples out into the world based on a promise (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8). Jesus sent Paul, and Paul sent Timothy out with the same promise (II Timothy 1:8-14). If the leader can't see God's promise unfolding through their organization, then no one else will see it either. As the late Henry Blackaby wrote, "The leader's job is to communicate God's promise to the people, not create the vision and then to enlist people to buy into it." Blackaby's definition of visionary leadership was straightforward yet profound, "Spiritual leadership is moving people on to God's agenda."

2. Strategic Thinking:

The ability to think strategically and develop actionable plans is crucial for success in church-planting leadership. The regional leader should be able to assess the needs and opportunities within their region, identify strategic priorities and allocate resources effectively to achieve desired outcomes and build spiritual momentum through strategic victories. Nothing takes the wind out of the sails of a movement more than those painful defeats and early losses. Joshua had his defeat at Ai (Joshua 7). The early church experienced the loss of Ananias & Sapphira, its loss of unity through internal strife and the loss of Stephen, their first martyr (Acts 5, 6, 7). In many cases, God can turn these losses into life-transforming lessons (Romans 8:28).

3. Collaborative Spirit:

Church planting is a collaborative endeavor often involving working with various stakeholders, including pastors, church leaders, leaders with the organizations you serve and other partners. A regional leader should be able to build and nurture relationships, foster collaboration and work effectively with diverse groups toward common goals. Like the Apostle Paul, regional leaders know how to call leaders to work together. Read carefully his call to the believers in the city of Philippi, "Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you" (Philippians 1:27-28).

4. Empowering Leadership Style:

Effective leaders empower others to succeed by equipping, encouraging and empowering them to use their gifts and talents for the Kingdom. A regional church planting leader should be a mentor and coach who invests in developing church planters and leaders, providing them with the support, guidance and resources they need to thrive. As Paul and his companions invested their lives into their converts, regional leaders need to invest their lives into their leaders. "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory" (I Thessalonians 2:11-12).

5. Adaptability and Resilience:

The landscape of church planting is constantly evolving, with new challenges and opportunities emerging regularly. A regional leader should be adaptable and resilient, able to navigate change, overcome obstacles and learn from setbacks without losing sight of the overall vision and mission. The physical challenges alone can be exhausting, depending on the geographical nature of your region. Little is said about the emotional toll and the spiritual weight one carries in leading a new movement of churches. Paul in II Corinthians 11:23-27 lists the horrific battle scars he endured while serving Christ's mission. In the end, Paul adds, "Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches" (II Corinthians 11:28).

6. Cultural Competence:

Understanding and respecting the cultural context of the region is essential for effective church-planting leadership. The regional leader should be culturally competent, sensitive to the diversity of communities within their area and able to adapt ministry approaches to meet different cultural groups' unique needs and preferences.

7. Passion for Multiplication:

A passion for multiplication and reproduction should drive the regional church-planting leader's efforts. They should be sold out to evangelism, discipleship and seeing leaders raised up out of the harvest to plant churches. Replicating this process in new contexts is the key to leading to a multiplication movement within the region (Matthew 28:19-20; II Timothy 2:2).

8. Spiritual Maturity:

Above all, a regional church-planting leader should exhibit spiritual maturity (I Timothy 3:1-13), characterized by a driving passion for God and deep love for others (Luke 10:27). They must be possessed by humility, integrity and a servant's heart (I Peter 5:1-4, 6). They must understand the nature and impact of true spiritual authority in their lives (I Peter 5:5-7). Their leadership should be rooted in prayer, dependence on the leadership of the Holy Spirit and a desire to see God's kingdom advance through God's tool of church-planting evangelism.

By prioritizing these qualities in the hiring process, church planting organizations can select regional church planting leaders who are well-equipped to lead effectively, mobilize resources and catalyze multiplying church planting movements that impact their regions for the glory of God.