Ever feel like you've made every mistake possible? You're not alone. Logan Wolf welcomes Jim Griffith, co-author of The 10 Most Common Mistakes Made by New Church Starts,* to discuss the critical pitfalls church planters often face and practical ways to overcome them. From neglecting personal and spiritual care to premature leadership decisions, Jim offers candid insights backed by decades of hands-on experience and coaching.

With humor and humility, Jim shares how common oversights like neglecting the Great Commandment, underestimating opposition, and becoming overly attached to preconceived visions can derail even the most passionate planters.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

❤️ Great Commandment Leads to Great Commission – Prioritize spiritual self-care and genuine relationship-building to sustain long-term ministry.

⚔️ Take Opposition Seriously – Expect resistance, not just spiritually, but relationally, from within the wider community and fellow ministries.

🌎 Know Your Mission Field – Deep familiarity and genuine affinity with your community trump borrowed visions and formulaic strategies.

👥 Timing in Leadership – Avoid formalizing leadership too soon; let your leaders prove themselves in the context of your new church.

🤝 Intentional Networking – Church planting is relational, not transactional; prioritize consistent community presence over quick fixes.

Next Steps:

📌 Practical Advice:

Join your local Chamber of Commerce and offer chaplaincy services.
Identify key community spots as "office hours" for building relationships.
Clearly differentiate between inspirational stories and actionable training.

🔗 Connect and Reflect:

Regularly evaluate and align your vision with your mission field reality.
Foster intentional relationships within your family and community, ensuring your ministry thrives beyond initial enthusiasm.
Send your church planting experiences, stories, anecdotes, and questions to desk@crosspointutah.com. Connect with me further here.

*This is an affiliate links with proceeds going to support our ministry here in Utah.

Learning from Mistakes: Author Jim Griffith on Common Church Planting Pitfalls