Most Critical Issue in Church Planting

Reality #1Hello.  I'm J. D., and I'm a pastor in your community.Really? Where is your church? Oh? Um. Our church has not started yet... Reality #2Hello. I'm J. D., and this is my family.  We're with a new church in town.Really? Where is your church?Oh? Um. Our church has not started yet, but we will soon...I thought you said you were with a new church.  Reality #3Hey J. D.! I loved your web site, announcing the new church in our city, and your Grand Opening!Yeah! I'm excited. The church is going to start on February 29!And what will you be selling at your Grand Opening? The new Target store just had a Grand Opening last week.  Biblical RealityIn the New Testament...we don't read about wandering pastors without a flock to shepherd.we don't read about apostolic teams announcing they are with a new church.we don't read about anyone declaring a local church's existence before she is birthed from the harvest fields. The most critical issue facing North American church planters is an ecclesiological identity crisis.What is the local church?  Where does she come from?Who is a church planter?  Who is a pastor?  What do they do?The way to overcome the identity crisis is to return to the Book that provides our definitions.  But, be warned.  Once you start down that path, culturally preferred definitions, tribal expectations, personal comforts, and organizational infrastructure will push back with a great force.