Pastor's Circle - Sam Shaw

Sam Shaw has been a pastor for years. Nine months ago he planted the Orchard Fellowship, a church in Memphis, TN. Since he's still in the throes of the church planting process, he answered questions about his experience.

 

What are the keys to making a church plant work? 

One is that you work as a part of a team.

 

If you plant a church, you form a team.

 

I think also maintaining your walk with Christ, the spiritual disciplines.

 

That seems to be the first thing that goes by the wayside.

 

Another thing that comes to mind is that there will be a constant parade coming through...so it's critical to define the church.

As a church planter you have to be buoyant and resilient. This whole self encouragement thing is tough, isn't it?

I was pastor at another church where we planted 106 churches.

 

We looked for people who are self-starters...they had something from the inside that was drawing them up and out.

 

Also, you have to like people and believe what God is doing in people.

What's the philsoophy of The Orchard about membership? 

We ask people who are going to be a part of the church...you have to make certain commitments.

 

To be a giver.

 

To be involved

 

To be a server.

 

We don't ask people to agree to tithe...but we do ask people to be generous and faithful givers.

 

Membership...means actually I'm going to be involved.

Does having high expectations help a church? 

Studies show that churches with high demands...people rise to those expectations.

 

There is something about a high demand church that shows seriousness.

Do we need more than just regular church plants?

We have to have missional church plants.

 

We're involved with a failing Memphis school.

 

We've been able to do such things as renovate teacherrs' lounges, bought a new copier...redone the flower beds.

 

We're seeing some people from that school actually joining the church.

What kind of damage do you do to people's souls when you have a church that doesn't have a heart for the hurting? 

I think you reduce the glory of God.

 

I think you give a reduced image of the Gospel.

 

At many churches it seems the expectations are so very low.

As a church planter, what are the biggest problems you're facing? 

My wife broke her leg. I've been caring for her for the past three months.

 

So my time, in terms of serving in the church, has been greatly impacted.

 

We've had problems with leadership.

 

All of those firsts that take place...those are all exciting, but require a tremendous amount of work and thought.

 

And also putting in place the structure of the church, the polity of the church