Running alone is good! Running with others is better!
A few months ago I decided to enter my first 5K race. I finished the course in 32:42--not too bad for a 43 year old who has made fun of running for the past 20+ years. At first I was nervous as I lined up with everyone else at the starting line. Yet when the race started, there was an incredible thrill as we started out. And even though a lot of people passed me, I finished the race and didn't stop once to walk. That was a great accomplishment for me.
As I've become more intentional about running, I'm grateful for contact and conversations with other runners. We can share challenges, stories, and best practices. I'm not ready to be called a "runner" - but I'm running. I mentioned yesterday that I am looking for ways to join others as I run. I know there are a lot of benefits to not running alone.
And of course, I also know that there are a lot of benefits to not planting a church alone. You are more effective with a team. However, not only do you need team members who are working together with you to start a new church--you also need to connect yourself with other church planters who, like other runners, will inspire, motivate and encourage you to be your best!
Again, I want to highlight some practical suggestions from the Runner's World article by John Hanc, "Team in Training" (June 2008, pp 39-40). Here are five proactive steps from this article on running applied to church planting:
- Pick the Right Group - "You'll have a more positive experience-and likely see better results-if you join a group that meets your training needs and personality." Find other church planters near you that will help you develop as a church planter. Go out to lunch together. Pray together. Share stories, struggles, challenges, and best practices. Make sure you connect with those who share a similar approach or strategy (you don't have time to battle about your ministry philosophy). If you can't find a group that already meets, start a group or network.
- Train with Faster Runners - Find church planters who are already effectively engaged in "missional practices" and "let them push you to a new level." Be a learner. Learn from those who demonstrate spiritual maturity and have a track record of making disciples. It might be helpful to connect with those who are a few months or a few years ahead of you in the church planting experience. (When I was starting Lake Hills Church in Castaic, CA, I drove 60 miles one way to meet with a group of church planters at In-N-Out once a month to find encouragement and support. This was incredibly valuable and I highly recommend connecting with "faster runners.")
- Recover with Slower Runners - "It's a fine line between improving by running with better people and breaking down by running too often with faster runners." If you are hanging out with church planters who are so far ahead of you in the process, you may find yourself discouraged at times. Although we know "it's not about numbers" - it's hard not to focus on how many people are...showing up to worship, or becoming Christians, or being baptized, or joining small groups, or.... There are times when you may need to "recover" with others who are just starting the race--or even choose to invest in their development.
- Know When to Go Solo - "If you find yourself annoyed or discouraged, skip the group runs for a week. It's normal to need a break." There are definitely times when the support you need will not come from other church planters, but from getting some time alone with God. When I would get away for a day alone with God - or take a personal retreat, it would often refresh and restore me in ways that being with other church planters never could. I strongly encourage church planters to take a day or half-day away monthly. I have really enjoyed just driving out to the beach and sitting and reflecting on this question: "God, what do you want me to do?"
- Share Advice - "Information exchange is an important part of what makes running groups valuable." Keep learning. Ask questions. Discover from other church planters what is working and what is not working. Share what God is teaching you. Be available to help others. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
2 Comments:
Dave,
Do you have a mountain bike? How about spicing up your running with some cross-training! You live near some sensational mountain bike country and a national forest is right outside your back door.
I used to ride up to the top of Copper Hill and turn left at the main gate to the Valuzat movie ranch. (I also used to pretend to get lost and give myself a tour of the ranch, but they don't like that. ;-) ) You can follow the dirt roads under the big steel power lines for ever without seeing a soul. The roads lead to Drink Water Flats, a popular four-wheeler spot and go on to the Angeles Crest Trail. You will see deer for sure and maybe even the occasional bobcat. This is the wilderness where the second-to-last Grizzly was shot! Take a pack of water on your back.
If you have a road bike and are very brave, ride up Bouquet all the way to Lake Hughes. There used to be a pizza shop right on the highway in Green Valley that makes a good half-way stop.
If you have already done these things, just think how lucky you are to live in a place with all the cush things of a big city but with the wilderness just a couple miles away!
I don't know if you saw my earlier comment, but in case you are, the pizza shop in Green Valley is off San Francisquito, not Bouquet. Also, good trails for mountain biking were off the top of Seco, not just Copper Hill, but looking at Google, that way may be blocked now. I am sure there are other easy ways in. Anyway, mountain biking could be a good way to take a break from running, while still getting some cardio in.
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