I love church planters, but I’m here to tell you there are five bad reasons to plant a church. I moved into church revitalization, and part of the concern I had in doing so was that I might not have a foot in church planting. That would be tough for me. After two successful plants and having worked with literally hundreds of planters, I think it’s in my blood. (Interestingly, I learned a few years after my first plant that my mom served on the core of a church plant during her years before marriage. It’s truly in my blood.)

I seem to find some planters—or want-to-be planters—who are in it for the wrong reasons. The fact is we need people called to ministry in the established church. We need them in church revitalization. Not everyone needs to be a church planter.

But the bigger issue is that without the right reasons, if we are not careful, a church plant could become just a part of a growing fad and no ultimate good will come from it. And that’s not good for the planter or the Kingdom.

So, we must be careful to plant for the right reasons. And not the wrong reasons.

Here are 5 Bad Reasons to Plant a Church

You’re running from authority.

I’ve worked with some people who didn’t want to follow the rules. In fact, I am that person sometimes. That’s not a good reason to start a church, however. And when that is the reason—just offering this as a heart-check—it is usually out of pride and arrogance. God can never honor that. You’ll have authority in a church plant—if you’re smart—or you’ll find yourself in deep trouble. All of us need some authority in our lives.

RELATED: Why Plant Churches? To Make Disciples!

You want to do things your way.

I understand. Really. Especially if you worked for a controlling leader or for someone who had no passion or vision. But be careful. Sometimes a desire birthed in good can quickly become something birthed in rebellion. And when that happens, many times you close yourself to ideas other than your own. You then become the controlling leader.