There are many places of service in the church. One category of ministry is pastoring.

Then there are subcategories, like children's pastor, teaching pastor, etc. Not lesser ministries, just more targeted areas of service. One subcategory is church planter. Pastors who plant churches have a very specific calling with accompanying gifts. It is not a better calling, just different.

And it is important to understand that it is different, because nothing spells disaster like an NFL kicker lining up as a center (even I know that, and I don't watch football). You can be a wonderful pastor and not have the gifts of a church planter. I have asked people for whom who I have great respect and are gifted in ministry, "Do you plan to be a church planter?" And they have told me, "No, that's not how I'm wired." They are making a difference in the kingdom, but they realize that they don't have what it takes to plant a church.

It takes a wise and sensitive person to realize what God does not want them to do.

So, how do you know if you are a church planter? I want to consider six things that are indicators you may be called to plant churches:

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