Welcome!

The Reality

Church planting is hard. Church planting is discouraging. Church planting is lonely. It is not for the faint of heart. Over 4,000 new churches start each year, which means upwards of 20,000 planters are in the trenches in years 1-5. Many of these leaders are discouraged and have considered quitting.

In a recent national report issued by Exponential, planters universally cited the following struggles: (1) the internal battle to overcome pride, self-reliance, drivenness and an uncoachable attitude; (2) loneliness and isolation; (3) mistrust; (4) lack of rest; and (5) maintaining joy.

Although most planters understand the importance of making personal development, soul care and family nurturing top priorities, these things often get lost in a planter's busyness. The result is a fragile foundation for dealing with the discouragement and loneliness of planting. Eventually, any unresolved family of origin issues or weaknesses in the marriage will surface, often in the midst of the planter's other struggles.

The Opportunity

The Exponential One Days highlight the vital importance of the spiritual, physical and emotional health of the church planter as a vital component in catalyzing leaders who reproduce. Where many resources focus on the "doing" of models, approaches and innovations, the Encouraged One Days focuses on the "being" and health of church planting leaders.

The Dream

We hope to see 100+ local church based, one-day Encouraged Events in as many major metropolitan areas are possible in the Fall 2011. Our goal is to make it easy and affordable for any church planting family to attend one of these events.