What Animal Planet Can Teach Us About Church Planting

Enjoy these notes from Joe Champion and the first session at ARC.

Prov. 30:24-28
There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise:
Ants – they aren’t strong, but they store up food for the winter. Rock badgers – they aren’t powerful, but they make their homes among the rocky cliffs.  Locusts – they have no king, but they march like an army in ranks. Lizards – they are easy to catch, but they are found even in kings’  palaces.

1.  ANT
2.  BADGER
3.  LOCUST
4.  LIZARD

To grow a church you must be a different creature.  You have to have a little animal in you to start a church.

These 4 things are small but powerful.
Nothing will make you feel smaller than planting a church.

Don’t despise the day of small beginnings.
It’s not about the size but the wisdom.

We need to ask, God, what is the wisdom?
1.  Purpose.  Are functioning according to their purpose.
-  You will live or die according to your sense of purpose.
-  A sense of purpose will keep you going.
-  A sense of purpose produces confidence, energy, urgency, and hunger.
-  It’s not about you it’s about your PURPOSE!
-  Purpose produces a joy.
-  When it is the will of God there will always be a joy in it. -David.
-  Purpose is the platform for Growth.
-  ”God I want everything that nobody else wants.”
-  Before you can reach your city you have to reach one company at a time.
-  Are you seeking the purpose?

2.  Preparation.–Ant
-  Gather-ideas/concepts/truths
-  Prepare to be offended/hurt/endure/laughter.
-  Do your homework.
-  Have a plan.
-  Learn-you can’t stop growing.
-  Be prepared to do battle.

3.  Provision.–Badger
-  Get it done.
-  Every city is the hardest city.
-  A badger can build a house anywhere.
-  If you’re on purpose and making preparations then God will release the provision.

4.  Priorities.–Locust
-  You will have ample people come along and tell you what kind of church you “should” be.
-  You need to know what kind of church you are supposed to build.
-  Don’t let people take you off the purpose that God has called you to.
-  Don’t play someone else’s game.
-  No King, No commander – learn how to govern yourself.
-  Learn how to say “NO!”

5.  Promotion.–Lizard
-  The lizard is not promoted because of people but because of God.
-  Don’t focus on results focus on your purpose and priorities.  God will release the provision and the promotion.
- God wants to bring you up so that you are close to the king.