11 Urban Church Planter Killers
The Dreaded News
Every once in a while, I’ll get a text or call from one of my church planter brothers from across the country, and they will say, “Yo! Did you hear about…” fill in the blank with a black or brown church planter that we either know or has been making moves in their world.
Most times, but not all the time, I’ll respond by saying, “Naw! Why, what’s up?” There is typically a quick, excited response if it's good news. Yo! “Random church planter” just got a building. Then we celebrate and low-key hate on ‘em because that's what church planters do.
But if there is a long pause after I ask, what’s up? Then there’s a problem.
In a somber tone, “Man, he [urban church planter] got caught stealing money, extramarital affair, or any number of issues that would disqualify a pastor from the pulpit or from ministry. And typically, somewhere in the conversation, one of us will say, “Another one bites the dust.”
Sadly, in my many years of church planting, I have seen dozens of church planters take a moral spill and lose their ministry.
What’s crazy is that I would consider many of these leaders to be better, more skilled, and more qualified than myself. Yet! They are no longer in the game.
Statistically, In the U.S., 1,500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches. And 50% of pastors’ marriages will end in divorce.
So, after watching this time and time again, I wanted to share some of the most common killers of urban church planters that I have seen over the years.
1. Arrogance
Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
An arrogant church planter displays conceited self-sufficiency, rejecting input from others and dismissing the value of their contributions.
Planters who display conceited self-sufficiency believe they are better than others and that their ideas are always the best.
They may reject input from others, even when it is helpful or necessary. They may also dismiss the value of others' contributions, even when those contributions are valuable.
This can make it difficult for them to work effectively with others, as they may not be willing to listen to or consider other points of view.
2. Betrayal of Trust
Proverbs 25:19 - "Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble."
When a pastor breaks the confidence placed in them by others, it will cause much relational harm. It will undermine the integrity of the person's leadership, making it difficult for people in the community to trust them in the future. This can ripple throughout the community, damaging relationships and making it difficult to get things done. It is important to be honest and trustworthy and always to keep your word. If you break someone's confidence, repairing the damage will be difficult. Like Tony Montana said, “All I got in this world is my word and my balls. And I don’t break 'em for no one.”
Here are some examples of how breaking the confidence placed in you can cause relational harm:
If you are a planter and you break the confidence of your volunteers, they will doubt your leadership and become less productive.
If you are a planter and you break the confidence of your co-pastors, they will doubt your integrity and treat you like a boss rather than a co-laborer.
If you are a spouse and you break your partner's confidence, they will start to question your fidelity and become less likely to trust you.
It is essential to be aware of the potential consequences of breaking the confidence placed in you and always strive to be honest and trustworthy.
3. Unethical Lifestyle
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
Tap dancing on the margins of moral standards and values means living in a way that is not always consistent with what is considered right or wrong.
This can include obvious things like cheating, lying, or stealing. It can also include things that are not illegal but are still considered morally wrong, such as gossiping or being mean-spirited. When someone dances on the edge of moral standards, they are putting their own reputation and the reputation of the church at risk.
If people see that a church leader is not living a moral life, they may be less likely to trust the church or its teachings. This can damage the church's ability to reach out to the community and make a positive impact. Ultimately, people will question the gospel message's validity and power.
Church leaders must be aware of the consequences of not being consistent with what they have preached. You should strive to live above reproach to be a good witness to others and help the church be a positive force in the community. And that’s on life…
4. Lack of Empathy
Romans 12:15 - "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
He shows an inability to connect with his congregation's emotions, struggles, and experiences, leading to a disconnected ministry.
From the pastor's perspective, this can be tricky to understand, but those around you can pinpoint it easily. Let me say it like this: if you lack emotional intelligence and can’t read the emotional state of people, you will never be able to build the community you seek.
Lack of empathy makes the people under your care feel like you don’t care about them, only your agenda. If the people who call your church home don’t feel like you care for them, they will not care about your agenda.
5. Neglecting Personal Health
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
He fails to care for personal physical, mental, and spiritual health, undermining his capacity to lead effectively over the long term.
This is where I messed up in the worst way. As planters, we can be duty-bound and mission-driven. That is commendable, and it is the reason why you have engaged in the work of church planting in your context in the first place. But, without your health, you will not be able to do what you believe God has called you to do.
The mental toll of unhealthy will rob you of the creative and vision capacity you need to lead effectively in complex environments.
If you are serious about the call to plant in an urban environment, you better prioritize your health so that you can be there to see it through.
6. Poor Money Management
1 Timothy 6:10 - "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
Demonstrates poor financial stewardship or dishonest handling of church funds, eroding trust and potentially leading to financial instability.
Man, listen, just don’t play with the money. Be transparent about how money is spent and handled and who is responsible for the finances in your church.
Our society is so distrustful of pastors, churches, and nonprofits when it comes to money. We cannot live without transparency in this highly contentious area of ministry life.
Do not let personal insecurity or fear stop you from being upfront and honest about finances in your church.
7. Resistance to Accountability
Proverbs 27:17 - "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Rejecting the need for personal accountability can make someone susceptible to unchecked sin and error.
When someone does not believe they are accountable for their actions, they are more likely to engage in sinful or erroneous behavior without regard for the consequences. And boy are they wrong!
If you think you can carry the weight of planting a church in an urban community or city alone, you are sadly mistaken, and it will cost you dearly. I’ve written before that you better have someone or a group of folks around you that will call you on your B.S. so you don’t fold.
We all get tempted to go astray. That’s why we need accountability.
Additionally, when someone does not believe they are accountable for their actions, they are less likely to learn from their mistakes and grow. And like DJ Khaled said, “Congratulations, you played yourself.”
8. Neglecting Family Responsibilities
1 Timothy 3:4-5 - "He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?"
A pastor who places ministry over family can neglect his responsibilities as a spouse and parent.
This can lead to strained family relationships and a lack of credibility in leadership. When a pastor is not present for his family, it can send the message that his ministry is more important than his own flesh and blood.
This can create resentment and anger in his wife and children, making it difficult for them to support his ministry. Plus, a pastor who is not mentally, emotionally, or physically available for his family may not be able to provide them with the spiritual support they need when it's needed the most. This can lead to further problems in the family and make it difficult for the pastor to be an effective leader.
Be careful not to place your family on the altar of ministry.
9. Fear of Man
Galatians 1:10 - "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Prioritizes people's approval over Spirit-led leadership.
This tendency can compromise the church planter’s integrity and hinder the ministry's effectiveness. As planters, there is a deep desire to keep everyone that shows up, especially in the early stages of a church plant. But do not fall victim to pleasing the people over doing what is necessary to build a strong and healthy foundation for the church.
This can show up in several ways:
Adding programs too soon will stress volunteers and leaders, which can lead to teams falling apart
Preaching on topics irrelevant to the season you’re in to speak to specific groups in the church versus establishing the culture for this new expression
Not saying what needs to be said so that givers won’t leave. Which you will regret down the line.
Church planting is hard, but it is even harder when you act like a cruise director rather than a frontline pastor.
10. Lack of Focus (Shiny Object Syndrome)
1 Corinthians 14:33 - "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace."
Some people are easily distracted and often jump from one idea or project to the next without fully developing or implementing any of them.
This lack of focus can lead to ineffective ministry and confuse the congregation. For example, a pastor who is easily distracted may start a new sermon series but then get sidetracked by a new idea for a Bible study or a social media campaign. This can leave the congregation confused and frustrated, as they don't know what to expect from the pastor or the church.
Additionally, a pastor who is easily distracted may not be able to focus on the needs of the congregation.
They may be more interested in new ideas and projects than in meeting the needs of the people they are called to serve. This can lead to a disconnect between the pastor and the congregation, making it difficult for the church to be effective in its ministry.
There are a few things that pastors who are easily distracted can do to improve their focus and effectiveness.
1. List priorities and focus on the most critical tasks first.
2. Break down large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks.
3. Set deadlines for themselves and stick to them.
4. Find quiet places to work where they will not be interrupted.
5. Take breaks when needed to avoid getting overwhelmed.
6. Ask for help from others when needed.
By following these tips, easily distracted pastors can improve their focus and effectiveness in ministry.
11. Poor Location Selection
Proverbs 24:27 - "Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house."
Some of y’all ain’t gonna like this, but you can argue with ya Momma.
Choosing a location that cannot support or sustain the growth of a new church can take you out.
This may be due to a lack of community engagement, financial resources, or other vital support systems.
Let me be clear: I believe the gospel can do anything and go anywhere.
But that does not mean every neighborhood or community can support a church with full-time staff. I have found that many planters, especially black and brown planters, have learned that they can get quick funding if they go to a difficult or dangerous community.
The truth is that the money will run out quickly if you do not have a long-term funding plan.
Second, if your dream is to be a full-time pastor with a sustainable salary, retirement package, kids in a decent school, and a couple of vacations a year, be honest about that and find a location or community that gives you the best chance to attain that SO THAT you can have an impact in a difficult or dangerous community.
When we planned to launch in Baltimore, a mentor told me, “You guys are trying to build a golf course in a desert.” The resources it takes to make that happen are astronomical, and many church planters learn that lesson too late.
Final Word
Yo! I’m sick of getting phone calls about how another church planter has bit the dust. We don’t have to keep making the same mistakes. We can learn from one another, walk together, and see renewal and transformation take place in ways many people can hardly believe.
That’s precisely why we started Maroon House. It’s a space for black, brown, and urban church planters to get community, care, and coaching without code-switching. If you want to connect, contact us at hello@bemaroon.com for a more personal connection and coaching opportunities.
