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Confidence in the Calling to Church Planting
Church planting is not a casual endeavor. It demands more than ideas or inspiration—it requires conviction—a deep, settled confidence.
Church planting is not a casual endeavor. It demands more than ideas or inspiration—it requires conviction—a deep, settled confidence. As we consider the essential traits of a faithful and effective church planter, one rises to the surface: confidence in calling.
This isn’t confidence in personality or charisma. It’s not bravado or brand. It’s the kind of confidence that comes when there’s an inner fire, affirmed by the wise voices around you. That’s what gives a planter staying power. That’s what keeps him faithful when the work gets hard.
So, let’s reflect together: Is he confident in his calling?
What Is a Calling, Really?
Calling refers to the inner conviction—a Spirit-led ambition or aspiration for the work of ministry. Commendation complements that calling, pointing to the outward affirmation of a man’s gifts, maturity, and readiness for church planting.
Both are vital. And together, they provide a kind of holy confidence in the life of the planter.
Here’s what that looks like in real life. A church planter who is confident in his calling:
- Has a deep compulsion for the work
- Possesses a sure sense of God’s vocational leading and has that leading affirmed by his church’s elders and leaders
- Seeks the Lord in prayer with others, longing for affirmation
- Is passionate about serving God and deeply aspires to be both a planter and a minister
- Sets a godly example for others, living a life above reproach
- Demonstrates spiritual gifts necessary for the task
Let’s pause and focus on the “calling” side of that equation.
Called to More Than Ministry—Called to the Work
It’s true that every follower of Jesus is called in a general sense. We are a royal priesthood. Every Christian carries the privilege of taking God to people in witness, and people to God in prayer.
But some are called in a unique, specific sense—to equip the saints, to shepherd, to preach. Paul touches on this in Ephesians 4 when he urges believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” (v. 1). That chapter unfolds both the characteristics of a worthy lifestyle and the distinct roles God appoints for church leadership and equipping.
Calling matters because this work is too demanding to enter lightly. “To me,” said D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called.” Luther agreed. “If I could today become a king or an emperor,” he once wrote, “I would not give up my office as a preacher.”
This is not a career choice. It’s a sacred assignment.
Holy Ambition: The Heart of a Church Planter
In Romans 15, Paul offers a look into his calling—his travels, his plans, and his heart. He writes:
“I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named …” (Romans 15:20)
Here’s the apostle Paul, the greatest church planter who ever lived, laying his heart bare. His ambition was clear. He burned with desire to take the gospel to the unreached. The words of Romans 15:21—“those who have never been told of him will see”—weren’t just inspiration. They were fuel. Scripture-driven ambition.
That’s what should drive us, too. Like Paul, modern-day planters need:
- A gospel passion that consumes
- A vision for preaching Christ where He is not yet known
- A willingness to sacrifice, suffer, and persevere
People who make a tremendous gospel impact aren’t always the most gifted. But they are often the most devoted.
As Paul’s life reminds us, the secret to faithful church planting isn’t technique—it’s conviction. We don’t just need methods. We need to be mastered by biblical, spiritual, and missional passion.
Wrestling with the Call: It Takes Time
Often, the call to church planting doesn’t arrive fully formed. It unfolds. When I was in seminary, I knew I wanted to preach, but I wasn’t sure where that would lead. I loved student ministry and evangelistic preaching. But church planting? That wasn’t initially on my radar.
Then I took a class on church administration. We talked about things I’d never really considered: childcare check-in, deacon ministry, pastoral rhythms, hospital visitation, and parking lot teams. Suddenly, I started asking: What if I built a church on no one else’s foundation?
The desire didn’t go away. My wife and I kept talking about it and praying about it. Eventually, we planted Imago Dei Church in Raleigh in 2011.
Calling may start as a spark. But if it’s real, it won’t fade.
So, if you’re wrestling with whether or not to plant, ask yourself:
- Do I have an intense, all-absorbing desire for this work?
- Am I willing to make hard sacrifices for this mission?
These are not abstract questions. They’re essential.
Commendation: External Affirmation Matters
Now, let’s consider the other side of confidence: commendation. You might feel a strong inward pull toward planting, but others must see it too.
Church planting is never a solo sport.
“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,” Paul told Timothy (1 Timothy 5:22). That wisdom still holds. Ministry leadership requires discernment, observation, and patience—for your sake, and for the sake of those you’ll lead.
Before a planter is sent, others must be able to observe these four key things:
1. Maturity
This is essential. It can be hard to balance urgency for the mission with the time it takes to observe maturity. But the church must see that a man walks in godliness.
2. Desire
A genuine passion for kingdom work should be evident. And if the planter is married, his spouse must also share in this desire. Her affirmation and alignment is not secondary—it’s foundational.
3. Abilities
A planter must be able to faithfully and effectively minister the Word. He should engage unbelievers and use his gifts to make the most of gospel opportunities.
4. Fruitfulness
Have others been blessed by this person’s ministry? Have disciples been made? If there’s no visible fruit, we must ask: is he ready to lead a new gospel work?
We’re not looking for perfection, but evidence. Leaders must invest intentionally in assessing readiness—because planting healthy churches starts with sending prepared people.
Confidence That Leads to Action
When both calling and commendation are in place, a church planter can go forth with confidence—not in himself, but in the God who calls and sends.
Confidence doesn’t mean clarity on every detail. But it does mean certainty about the source of the calling.
And that confidence keeps you steady:
- When the fruit is slow
- When the challenges mount
- When you wonder if the work is worth it
A gospel passion rooted in conviction will sustain you. And the voice of the church affirming your readiness will strengthen you.
Take the Next Step Toward Clarity
If you’re in the early stages of discerning your calling—or if you just need some clarity on what faithful church planting really looks like—I want to encourage you to take a deeper dive.
The Nine Essentials for Church Planters course was created exactly for moments like this. It’s not just another training module. It’s a guide to help you:
- Confirm your calling with biblical clarity
- Understand the traits of a healthy planter
- Grow in conviction, not just information
