Why do some church plants fail? (13)

I don’t know. But I know that those who’re in it for the long run have a better chance.
While a student in California, I had the opportunity to learn Tennis at our college. The instructor taught us about “follow through” when hitting the ball. The idea was that if you retract the racquet soon after it engages the ball, you’ll have less power and control over the ball. But if you follow through, you’ll have better aim and the ball will move more powerfully.
Some church planters start with a time limit. “I’ll try this for five years.” Others take an extension. “Ok, I’ll do two more years.”
But “follow through” implies that you continue till the goal is reached, regardless of the cost. I know, it’s easy for me to say. Yet I realize this may not be the singular reason for failure.
People have taken various steps in the process of planting. They have moved into the town they’re reaching. Some purchased a home, got a job, put the kids in school there, and some even purchased a burial plot in that community (for themselves). So, the “investment” is not small. Let’s follow through to complete what we started.
Read the entire series: Why do some church plants fail?

1. Trail of failures
2. Persist in the process
3. Stick to your values
4. Continually share the Good News
5. Seek out training
6. Find fellowship
7. Become a voracious reader
8. Ask questions
9. Leave a trail of influences
10. Learn from criticism
11. Learn from your mistakes
12. Constantly raise up leaders
13. Be in it for the long run

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