Are you a church planter?

Redeemer City to City aims to equip existing leaders and networks within the global church with what we call our "gospel DNA." This mixture of theology and strategy has been designed to contextualize the gospel to any community, but particularly to metropolitan postmodern contexts.

Our church planting staff have over 100 years combined experience on the field, planting churches and ministering on four different continents. No single mold or model of church planting fits every context, so we work closely with pastors and church planters to identify what is needed in their cities, whether it is training, resources, or consulting.

We also hope to provide training for any pastor, lay leader, or urban dweller who is investigating and applying the gospel in their own community. Stay tuned for more information. For now you can find some helpful materials in our Resources.

• How do I know if I am called to plant a church?

  In the New Testament, the life of Timothy (to whom Paul wrote two New Testament letters) provides the best example of a unique ministry call.  These characteristics are explained further in the Redeemer Church Planter Manual and are summarized below.
  
  One called to church planting ministry will:
  
  *  Be an experienced, seasoned Christian - spiritually mature and not new to the faith.
  
  *  Have a growing conviction that God would have him proclaim the Gospel.  Personal events should surround the appearance and growth of this conviction - and include a fascination with the Bible and a deep desire to know Christ.
  
  *  Be endowed with abilities necessary to leading and preaching - such as intellectual capacity, self-discipline, skill to communicate Biblical principles clearly and the spiritual gift of discernment.
  
  *  Demonstrate a special level of voluntary Christian obedience and live a life marked by self-sacrifice, self-giving and self-control.
  
  *  Experience an internal shift that seems to press or burden the heart for church planting.  This call may take many years to develop fully and should remain for an entire lifetime.

• How do I know if I am called to plant a church in New York City?

  While certain characteristics will appear during a general ministry call, there is an added layer of uniqueness when God leads one to a specific city for ministry.  Church planters who have been called to New York City say that they felt a peculiar burden for NYC, and that circumstances kept leading them here. 
  
  Ultimately, however, there is no formula - only trust in your relationship with God and the way he tends to address you personally.

• Can I receive one-on-one coaching with a member of the Redeemer staff?

  That is not always possible, but you can contact Melanie Penn at admin@rcpc.com to find out.  We devote most of our time to pastors in New York City and other global cities.
  
  Our staffers also regularly read the community blog, as do other church planters & ministry leaders.  If you write a post about a current concern or situation, chances are good you will receive feedback there.