Ok…so tomorrow came a little bit late..I had a great trip last week to South Carolina for a friend’s wedding and got to catch up with some old friends. More to come on that trip a little later in the week hopefully…

To catch up with where are read parts one, two, and three. These insights have been really helpful for me and I think today’s are especially so:

#5 - Problem: We allowed the church to consume our lives. It took the place of God and family many times. Being out of place created a resentment in us.

Reason: A baby church needs so much and we were willing to give it without boundaries.

Solution: Re-establish our priorities.

First:God. We must have devotional lives that are not wrapped up in praying for, planning for and preparing for church.

Second: Family. In our marriage, we need to take time away from the kids and talk about whatever we want to talk about. With our kids, we need to be present with them without being consumed by issues of the church. We must be committed to their lives and growth academically, athletically, spiritually and relationally.

Third:Church. Having rested and given our heart to God and family, we will be better equipped to serve the church in planning, preaching, equipping, training and leading others.

This hits home for me very deeply. One of my greatest weaknesses is to allow life to get radically out of balance. I have, at times, put my “ministry” far ahead of both God and my family and have experienced first hand exactly what this church planter has experienced. It’s easy to say you won’t ever let it happen again but there have to be built in checks and balances that ensure it.

#6 - Problem: Not sharing the load with others around us.

Reason: We started feeling like no one else was as committed as we are, so we’ll just do it, whatever “it” is. It is sometimes easier to do it yourself than to take time to train others. I like things done a certain way and I find it difficult to let someone else do it “wrong.”

Solution: Recognize that God has put gifted, committed people in my life. Other’s gifts can compliment my weaknesses. Equip, raise and release others. Celebrate the victories and console the failures.

One of the things that I believe would make a church planter great could also destroy them as well. I’ve heard it said many times by a mentor of mine that your greatest strength is often your biggest weakness as well. How true! Church planters by nature have to be self-starters, initiators, finishers, and able to take control and lead a variety of tasks.

The danger lies in continuing to do that once God has put people around you and not allowing them the opportunity to use their gifts, talents, and minds. We get locked in sometimes that it is “our” vision and that they might spoil it and we don’t realize that it is not “our” vision. It is God’s vision and he doesn’t want, nor expect, me to carry it out fully.

So what are your thoughts? Do you struggle with this in your life? In your job? In your leadership? In your home?