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The Church Planter’s Heart: Essential Habits for Lifelong Ministry
As church planters, we are called to lead out of the overflow of a Christ-adoring heart. But what does that look like in practice?
Church planting is demanding, exhilarating, and at times, overwhelming. It is a calling that requires more than just strategic planning or leadership skills—it requires a deeply rooted relationship with God. As church planters, we are called to lead out of the overflow of a Christ-adoring heart. But what does that look like in practice? How do we maintain spiritual vitality while pouring ourselves into the work of ministry?
Seeking First the Kingdom: The Church Planter’s Priority
The foundation of a faithful and effective ministry is an unwavering devotion to God. George Mueller, a 19th-century pastor known for his work with orphans, once said, “The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord.” This perspective shifts everything. Before we plant churches, preach sermons, or shepherd people, we must tend to our own hearts.
A thriving ministry flows from a thriving relationship with God. When our hearts are anchored in Christ, our leadership is marked by joy, perseverance, and clarity. If we neglect this, we risk leading from emptiness, which leads to burnout, discouragement, and even moral failure.
How Do We Cultivate a Christ-Adoring Heart?
- Prioritize personal devotion – Unhurried and unhindered time in God’s Word and prayer is non-negotiable.
- Live in Christian community – Isolation is dangerous. Surround yourself with people who encourage and challenge you.
- Pursue holiness and humility – The greatest need of your people is your personal holiness.
- Establish rhythms of work and rest – Overworking does not equate to faithfulness.
- Demonstrate desperation for God – Recognize your absolute dependence on Him through prayer.
These principles are not merely good advice; they are essentials for church planters who desire to finish the race well.
The Power of Prayer in Church Planting
It’s easy to get caught up in the work of ministry—planning services, meeting with people, developing leaders—while neglecting the work of prayer. But prayer is not just part of our ministry; it is the ministry.
Paul Miller, in A Praying Life, writes, “Learning to pray doesn’t offer us a less busy life; it offers us a less busy heart.” A heart at rest in God is a heart that leads well.
Why Prayer Must Be a Priority
- Only God can bring true growth – We can plant and water, but God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6).
- Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will – Before we act, we must seek His direction.
- It fuels endurance – Ministry is long and difficult; prayer is the lifeline that sustains us.
- It leads to peace – The anxieties of church planting can be overwhelming, but prayer guards our hearts (Philippians 4:6-7).
Practical Ways to Build a Life of Prayer
- Begin each day in communion with God before engaging in ministry tasks.
- Incorporate prayer into leadership meetings, not just as a formality but as a necessity.
- Engage in corporate prayer, leading your church to seek God fervently.
- Keep a prayer journal to track God’s faithfulness.
As church planters, we must learn to labor in prayer. Our ministries will only be as strong as our dependence on God.
Pursuing Holiness and Humility in Leadership
Robert Murray M’Cheyne once said, “The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness.” It’s easy to rise in leadership based on charisma and gifting, but if our character does not match our calling, disaster follows.
We’ve seen too many leaders fall—not because they weren’t talented, but because they neglected holiness. The church needs leaders who are not just skilled, but sanctified.
Three Reasons Why Personal Holiness Matters
- Godliness pleases God – Before we lead people, we must be devoted to Him.
- Ministry qualifications are primarily about character – 1 Timothy 3 focuses more on a leader’s integrity than their skill set.
- Godliness makes up for deficiencies – People will follow a leader who is genuine, humble, and Christlike, even if they aren’t the most dynamic speaker.
Practical Steps Toward Holiness
- Regularly examine your heart through Scripture and accountability.
- Confess sin and pursue repentance consistently.
- Guard against pride by remembering that ministry is not about you.
- Seek to be the same person in private as you are in public.
Humility is not weakness—it is the path to lasting influence. John Stott was known as an extraordinary leader, but those who knew him personally said, “Some people are impressive in public but disappointing in private. John was the opposite.” May we be leaders whose private lives reflect the holiness we proclaim.
The Rhythm of Work and Rest
Church planters are some of the hardest-working people in ministry. The demands never end. But here’s the truth: you are not a machine. You are an image-bearer of God, and part of bearing His image is learning to rest as He did.
The Dangers of Overworking
- Burnout leads to ineffective ministry.
- Ministry can become an idol.
- Workaholism often stems from a lack of trust in God.
Establishing Healthy Rhythms
- Work diligently – Be faithful, but don’t let work define you.
- Rest intentionally – Schedule Sabbath rest just as you schedule meetings.
- Find life-giving activities – Enjoy hobbies, family time, and moments of recreation.
If we fail to rest, we fail to trust God. True rest is an act of faith, acknowledging that the growth of the church is in His hands, not ours.
The Necessity of Christian Community
Ministry is not meant to be done alone. Church planting is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be lonely. Isolation is dangerous. We need brothers and sisters to spur us on in faithfulness.
Why Community Matters for Church Planters
- Encouragement in difficult seasons – Ministry is full of challenges, and we need people to remind us of God’s faithfulness.
- Accountability for holiness – We are more likely to drift when no one is watching.
- Shared wisdom – Learning from others prevents avoidable mistakes.
Practical Ways to Stay Connected
- Be intentional about friendships with other pastors and church leaders.
- Engage in a local network or association of church planters.
- Prioritize personal discipleship—don’t just disciple others, be discipled yourself.
Christian community is not just for the people in our churches—it’s for us as leaders, too. Don’t neglect it.
Conclusion: Lead from Overflow
Everything we do in ministry flows from the heart. If we want to be faithful, effective church planters, we must prioritize:
- Deep communion with God through prayer and the Word.
- A relentless pursuit of holiness and humility.
- A balanced rhythm of work and rest.
- A commitment to life-giving Christian community.
This is what we want church planters to be known for. If you’re ready to take the next step in cultivating a Christ-centered heart for ministry, check out our Nine Essentials for Church Planters course. Let’s build churches that are not only strong in structure but deeply rooted in the gospel.
