Here you can find 20 questions that the Acts 29 Network recommend that each potential church planter ask themselves before pursuing the call to the plant a new church. Detailed explanations can be found on the original post, but the 20 characteristics abbreviated are:
- Am I a Christian? (John 3:16)
- Am I passionately in love with Jesus and is He the Lord of every area of my life?
- Do I believe His word and does it affect my life deeply?
- Am I Spirit-filled, Spirit-directed, Spirit-led and Spirit-controlled? (Acts 1:8)
- Am I qualified as an Elder? (1 Timothy, Titus)
- Do I love the local church as the expression of a gospel community on mission? (Matthew 28:18-20)
- Am I a missionary to the city? Am I sent for the advancement of the gospel in the city (John 20:21)?
- Do I have a clear vision for this new work? (Nehemiah 1:3, 4; 2:11-18)
- Am I willing to pour myself out in obedience to the vision? (Phil. 2; Romans 6)
- Am I healthy? Physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, relationally, maritally
- Am I the kind of leader many people will follow? Have I served as a church leader successfully? (1 Tim. 5:22; 3:6)
- Can I preach effectively?
- Can I guard the doctrinal door with Biblical clarity and tenacious confidence?
- Can I architect a new work with entrepreneurial skill?
- Am I called to plant a church at this time and in this place? (Acts 17:26; 1 Peter 5:2)
- Have my church leaders commended me for this calling? (Acts 11:22-26; 13:1-4; 16:1-2)
- Am I a hard worker? Am I persevering? (2 Thes. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 2 Tim. 2:3-4; 2:5; 2:6)
- Am I adaptable to new people, places and concepts?
- Can I raise the funds needed for my family’s needs? (1 Tim. 5:8)
- Am I humble enough to learn from others—particularly from those who have gone ahead of me in different areas?
Does anything on this list stand out to you? #19 is a major concern of mine, but something I am pursuing more training and knowledge about.
If you know me, speak into my life.
