Church Planting Landmines

by Tom Nebel, Gary Rohrmayer

We don't like to talk about failure. Church planters who fail do not speak at our conferences or write books. We hold up the successes and then wonder why so many church planters are surprised by hardships and overwhelmed by failure.

Learning from failure is a key concept in life and successful church planting. When asked about his hundreds of failed attempts to invent the lightbulb before experiencing success, Thomas Edison simply said that he had discovered all the ways not to produce the lightbulb. Church planting is no different. It needs to be seen as a process of 'failing forward.'

Church Planting Landmines looks at many of the issues that can bring failure and gives practical advice on how to avoid these mistakes. Topics include:

Ignoring personal health and growth
Lack of leadership development
Leadership backlash
Evangelism entropy
Fear of money
Underestimating spiritual warfare
Misfiring on hiring
Delaying missions engagement
Listen and learn from those who have stepped on some of these landmines. Keep failing forward!

140 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Tom is a Cheesehead and a graduate of Denver seminary. He has over 20 years of church planting experience at the local, regional and national levels. He is currently a Senior Associate with GiANT Worldwide.

Reviews

[Matthew Henry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair. First off the font is terrible for reading. But such is life. There are helpful points in the book but none that were really much different than many other books on planting. His use of such a wide range of people in working out his points doesn’t really help me. In other words, I don’t want to know what Rick Warren thinks and I don’t want to have a business consultant tell me how to grow a church. These are bound up in a theological conviction that drives our methodology or the other way around. One helpful point was page 77. It was a clean presentation even though it did not clarify sufficiently the main point being “make disciples.”

This is fine to read but only as a supplement rather than a primary hep.

[Joshua Reitano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did a presentation on this book for my Church Planter's Forum, so after teaching on the principles from the book for an hour, I'm not too interested in typing a lengthy review. However, I will say this: very helpful book, especially as our church turns 2 years old (the subtitle is "Mistakes to Avoid in Years 2-10). Extremely practical, but a little light theologically. However, given the tradition I come from, we could use the help on the practical side. Well worth your time if you are a church planter. Also useful to read together as a leadership team.

[Terry Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

I am currently starting a new church. We are about six months in at the writing of this book. Although it is designed for churches that are 2 to 10 years old, I found it very helpful to avoid "landmines" long before they will be an issue.

It was a pretty easy read, and I marked several sections to re-read and implement into our current plan.

I would recommend the book to anyone who is thinking about, or who has begun the process of church planting.

[Jeremy Copeland · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book overall. I don't know if there's anything here that isn't being said in other books, but it's nice to have one book that really focuses on mistakes people make all in one place. If you're planting a church you should read it.

[Matt Moran · Rating 3 out of 5]

The chapters on missional engagement, leadership development, and personal evangelism are the strongest.

Definitely a midwestern framework, not all ideas are applicable in a post church setting.

Helpful and at 140 pgs worth the time investment.

[Daniel McNaughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what the doctor ordered. We are two years into our church plant and this book is right on the money.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical, realistic, sound wisdom from seasoned planters.

[Kevin Van Wyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

2