Take Care of Your Family

In the last several weeks I've spoken with what seems to me to be a large number of church planting leaders who are facing a crisis in their marriage. Upon diagnosis, most of them can point to some degree of "self-inflicted" pain due to poor time management. But I think it goes deeper than that. I think that planting new, missionally focused churches constitutes a direct attack on "hell" and does not go unnoticed by the "Enemy of our souls." The playing field for church planting seems to include a level of spiritual warfare that is higher than normal. After all, I don't think Satan really worries much about churches that are treading water by simply playing the church game week after week. But when a new church that is laser focused on the Harvest gets going in a community, "hell" takes notice and goes on the offensive. (This is also the case with existing churches that move from a stance of "maintaining status quo" to mission.) Here are a couple of ideas for staying strong when faced with opposition in the spirit realm.

1. Do schedule time with your wife and family and keep your "appointments" with them like you keep any other appointments.
2. Do make prayer a regular part of your day. Seriously. Pray.
3. Do your best to create a real Sabbath in your life. It should not be the day of your primary church gathering (typically Sunday).
4. Do make it a priority to connect with other leaders who are doing the same thing you are. If a fellowship of church planters doesn't already exist in your area, start one.

Those are just a few of my ideas. Please add to this list by posting a comment.