You’ve looked upon the crowds and observed they are indeed harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. As you’ve grown in grace, you’ve increasingly felt our Lord’s compassion for the lost. You have obeyed his call to plead to the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers.
And you’ve answered the call to go. Your church has affirmed your character, gifting, and readiness. They have helped you identify a strategic location, develop a core team, and raise funds to plant a new church. You’ve moved to the area, started evangelistic Bible studies, and practiced hospitality. The day fast approaches when you will covenant together as a new church and launch public services.
You have preaching experience, but this will be the first time you’ve labored in the pulpit week in and week out.
As you step into this laborious, weighty, joyful, and glorious work, I offer you four simple encouragements.
1. PREACH THE WORD
That first Sunday in the pulpit will be exhilarating. Church members from your sending church, friends, family, and hopefully visitors from the community will gather to celebrate the birth of this new church. You will be overwhelmed and grateful.
However, it’s likely the
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