I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating – working in communications for CBF, I often find myself in rooms in which I would normally not belong.  Yesterday was no exception, as I sat amongst the prospective CBF church starters while they learned the ins-and-outs of planting a church with CBF.

Bo Prosser, CBF coordinator of ministries was leading a session on personality and leadership styles.  I walked in as the group of men and women from across the United States were filling out a personality assessment to determine whether they were cats, puppies, bears or turtles.

Sounds strange, I know, but Bo presented this unique personality assessment to help the church starters understand how they relate to the people they serve and how their personality traits will benefit them in starting a church.

Out of curiosity, and as a bit of a sucker for personality quizzes, I decided to join them and discover what type of animal I am.

I am a bear.

According to Bo, this means I am thoughtful, detailed and idealistic, I need to hibernate, and you don’t want to see me “rise up” in anger. And, while I am passionate and a great person to have on the team, I am most likely – make that most definitely in my case – not made to be a church starter.

The rest of the room split 50/50 between cats and puppies. They are adventurous and spirited, resourceful and inspiring, daring and optimistic. They are natural leaders with an entrepreneurial giftedness.

They are the people we need starting churches.

Being in that room yesterday, and seeing the church starters walking around the building today, I’ve learned a few things:

1. Church starters are uniquely gifted for creating and nurturing new communities.
2. Church starters are visionaries – they can see a struggling community for all the potential it holds, and envision ways to bring change and hope.
3. Church starters dream with action – they have this exceptional ability to turn daydreams into action plans and mold them into life.
4. Church starters are contagious – hearing them explain their passions and dreams sparks a passion in you to join them along the journey.

At CBF, we walk alongside church starters, hearing their stories, watching as their communities grow and cheering them on along the way. This week is special, because we get to meet people on the beginning of their journeys and dream with them.

But, there’s one more thing I learned from the church starters:

5. They need you. They need individuals and established churches near them to join their ministry through support and encouragement. They need faithful partners and friends to walk the journey alongside them.

Get to know a church starter. Listen to their dreams. Ask how you can help. You won’t regret it.

For more information on CBF church starting or to find out if there is a CBF church start near you, visit http://thefellowship/churchstarts.