Twenty years ago, Todd Hunter wrote an autopsy report on the Vineyard church plants that did not survive. Here’s some his findings:
- The planter could not identify, recruit, train, deploy, monitor and nurture workers and leaders.
- The planter had no clear plan from which he was working.
- The planter used ineffective gathering and/or evangelistic methods.
- The planter did not have a proven track record under supervision with the Vineyard.
- The planter was a nurturing enabler/facilitator rather than an assertive leader/equipper.
- The planter had an inadequate local support system and no lifeline to a parent church.
- The planter did no discerning research.
- The church attracted too many nominal/hurt Christians who were unwilling or unable to change and grow.
- The planter was not a good leader.
- The planter had ego strength problems. Success or failure was tied to self image.
- The planter did not take responsibility for the church to grow and was “waiting” for it to happen.
- The planter did not read Steve Addison’s blog.
Stay tuned for, Why church plants succeed by Todd Hunter.
5 Comments
I knew it………..it is the Church planters fault. That’s an easy out. Just blame it on the Church planter. While he may often be at fault……..it seems this list puts all the blame on the planter.
Something I vaguely remember in the Bible about GOD giving the increase. Work as we may it is God that must be in the midst of the work………..and even then it is no guarantee of success.
We give preachers far too much credit for success and failure.
Is this book out yet Steve? I couldn’t find it in amazon…
Scott. Todd hasn’t put it in book form. Just a shorter study. I’ll have it as a download in the next post. I think Ed Stetzer has done some work in this area. I’ll see what else I can find.
Bruce, thanks for your insights. I’m going to think about them for a while.
thanks for that information steve
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[...] Steve Addison has just began a post, on Tod Hunter’s book, ‘Why church plants succeed.’. Based on the findings from Vineyard church plants. I’m looking forward to reading the more positive reasons why church plants succeed from Steves posts! [...]
[...] Previously we gave you the bad news on why Vineyard church plants failed according to Todd Hunter. Now here’s the good news. [...]
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