PLANTING A CHURCH

(Here is good advice from an experienced Church Planter. He is starting another church now at 81 years of age in Glenns Ferry, Idaho)

In the Northwest I hear this statement often, "The Northwest is a hard place." So is every other place where there are lost hell bound sinners. Perhaps some places in the south where there are 20 Baptist churches around where a planter can steal or gather church jumpers it would be easier. The Northwest is filled with areas with no other Baptist churches. No stealing. You have to get out and win them.

I know that some who read this paper are interested in church planting. If you go to plant a church by winning lost people, here are a few helps given by a veteran of 34 years of planting and 81 years of living.

1. STAY WITH THE STUFF. In the Northwest it takes from five to ten years to build a church to self supporting. I suspect that it will take that anywhere to build a viable church.

2. GIVE YOUR LIFE. First to the Lord and then to your task. Last week I read a message on a tee shirt. "Baseball is my life. Ty Cobb." That church must become your life.

3. BE A SOUL WINNER. The people you win to the Lord will support you. Church jumpers will soon jump again.

4. KEEP A GOOD ACCOUNT OF MONEY. It is the Lord’s money and not yours. Keep good records.

5. BUILD YOUR LIFE. Build your life spiritually. Stay in your Bible. Build likewise the lives of your family. Your people will look to you as their example.

6. GIVE THE LORD CREDIT. Whatever success you have is not your doing as you are just a saved sinner. Check Psalm 127:1. If pride is a problem read that Psalm every day.

The Lord’s best to all you church planters. We need you!!

TORCH EDITOR: Pastor Clinton Keaton’s wife Dorothy has had many serious physical problems. She is now at the Snake River Rehabilitation Center trying to get back some of her strength. She has been at deaths door several times. Pastor Keaton has also had some health problems but is moving ahead to get this new church started. Everyone reading this can pray for this dedicated couple and many of us can send a financial gift to help them in their work. We have already sent a check. "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." (I Cor. 9:14) You can send your gift to: Pastor Clinton R. Keaton, 816 8^th Avenue N., Buhl, Idaho 83316. Everyone could send something. Think what a blessing and encouragment you would be to this servant of the Lord.