Church Planting Landmines [Paperback]

Tom Nebel & Gary Rohrmayer (Author), Stuart Hoffman (Editor), Julie Becker (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

We don't like to talk about failure. Church planters who fail do not speak at our conferences or write books. We hold up the successes and then wonder why so many church planters are surprised by hardships and overwhelmed by failure.

Learning from failure is a key concept in life and successful church planting. When asked about his hundreds of failed attempts to invent the lightbulb before experiencing success, Thomas Edison simply said that he had discovered all the ways not to produce the lightbulb. Church planting is no different. It needs to be seen as a process of 'failing forward.'

Church Planting Landmines looks at many of the issues that can bring failure and gives practical advice on how to avoid these mistakes. Topics include:

Ignoring personal health and growth
Lack of leadership development
Leadership backlash
Evangelism entropy
Fear of money
Underestimating spiritual warfare
Misfiring on hiring
Delaying missions engagement
Listen and learn from those who have stepped on some of these landmines. Keep failing forward!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tom Nebel and Gary Rohrmayer are both former church planters who are involved in leading the national and regional church planting efforts for the Baptist General Conference.

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: Churchsmart Resources; 1st edition (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889638501
• ISBN-13: 978-1889638508
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical insights for churches in an intermediate phase, November 18, 2011

By 

Joshua D. Reitano (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Church Planting Landmines (Paperback)

I did a presentation on this book for my Church Planter's Forum, so after teaching on the principles from the book for an hour, I'm not too interested in typing a lengthy review. However, I will say this: very helpful book, especially as our church turns 2 years old (the subtitle is "Mistakes to Avoid in Years 2-10). Extremely practical, but a little light theologically. However, given the tradition I come from, we could use the help on the practical side. Well worth your time if you are a church planter. Also useful to read together as a leadership team.

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended reading by Tim Keller. Great practical resource!, April 7, 2011

By 

Justin Hyde - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Church Planting Landmines (Paperback)

I came across this book only recently, but I wish I would have read it years ago.

T. Nebel and G. Rohrmayer have provided church planters with an invaluable resource in this short book. The subtitle is "mistakes to avoid in years 2 through 10" and these "mistakes" are outlined as 10 detrimental landmines, with a chapter devoted to each:

1. Ignoring Personal Health and Growth
2. Lack of Leadership Development
3. Leadership Backlash
4. Personal Evangelism Entropy
5. Corporate Evangelism Entropy
6. Inadequate Enfolding Strategy
7. Fear of Money
8. Underestimating Spiritual Warfare
9. Misfiring on Hiring
10. Delaying Missions Engagement

This book is filled with many helpful charts, diagrams, quotes, and statistics (though the statistics are a bit dated). This book is both encouraging and convicting. As a church planter three and half years in, I was especially convicted by "Landmine 4: Personal Evangelism Entropy."

At the end of each chapter, the authors provide "Questions to Ponder" which are especially helpful for you and your leadership team. This book is written by seasoned pastors and veteran church planters. The counsel and strategy offered was born out of years of experience and is invaluable to rookie church starters. In addition, this book serves as a good reminder to those who have served for years, but may have established bad habits in ministry.

This is book is "recommended reading for church planters" by Tim Keller and the church planters with Redeemer City to City.

I highly recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Church Planting, May 7, 2010

By 

Gaylen R. Livingston "an admirer of the creator" (Osceola, Wi.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Church Planting Landmines (Paperback)

I would like to start off by saying that this book gives you an inside look at what it is like to be in church planter. It gives you the traps and the glory that can be found in church planting. Coming from a perspective of being there and living it. Great title. Highly recommended if looking at working for God in this capacity or as far as that goes any capacity. Tx Gaylen