What I'm learning about church planting: Optimism

A lot of church planting is building culture. It really is one of the cool opportunities that church planters get that others don't or struggle with.

The Value of the Optimist

In church planting it is important to gather or disciple the right attitude. There are some people who see a cloud over the greatest event. They point out how this could go wrong or that could happen there. They highlight how you are in over your head. They walk with skepticism.

And then there are those who say "anything is possible". The most outlandish idea is answered with a "when" not a "how". And it is this attitude that every pastor loves and wants to groom. You love to throw success to the neighsayer.

Every church has these two men, but I'm learning in church planting that grooming the right attitude is so important. When your volunteer force is small it is important to have people rally your cause rather than inflict doubt. Doubt can be an infections disease. Whereas on the flip side, optimism can spread with excitement and anticipation. When you have a small team it is vitally important to have people believe the impossible rather than people say "It can't be done".

At Crossings we are blessed to have some of each. My word of advise would be, "Don't give your neighsayer a platform to speak from."

Previous post in this series: managing emotions, volunteer placement