ABOUT
Second Chair Church Planting is a nonprofit ministry that provides pastoral and administrative support to church plants. Flowing out of a desire to strengthen church plants and expand Gospel impact, Second Chair was founded by Pastor Paul Burr in 2020 to serve church planters as they begin planting. Church plants often only have the resources to have a single pastor on staff. Second Chair fills the need to have more support without creating a financial burden on the church.
We envision church planting where no planter plants alone. We come alongside church planters, not just to coach, but to be a player-coach, abiding with them through the ups and downs of church planting.
Together, as partners in the gospel, we say to church planters:
We want you to succeed at what the King has assigned you to do.
"A second chair leader is a person in a subordinate role whose influence with others adds value throughout the organization."
Mike Bonem, Leading from the Second Chair
THE CHALLENGE
PLANTING ALONE
I’m Alone
“It can be a denomination, another church, or an experienced pastor or mentor, but don’t do church planting alone. Let me say that a little clearer. DON’T DO IT ALONE.”
Ron Edmondson, CEO of Leadership Network
I Can’t Do This by Myself
I’ve seen this so many times. A planter does not have a day-to-day sounding board for ideas, plans, action items. They can get bogged down with the daily pastoral duties, planning service, and sermons.
I Need Help
“If I had a part-time second chair leader at my church plant, I would have put him in charge of all training of leaders - small groups and any ministry leaders.”
Chris Schweisthal, Athletes in Action, Ohio State
Wearing Every Hat
“The big thing that burdened me was regular administration, day to day tasks in the background, finance, budget, training, structure. I didn’t know what I didn’t know” and was operating out of a previous experience.”
Mike Sechler, Church Planting Dir.– EFCA Midwest District
THE SOLUTION
FILLING THE SECOND CHAIR
Sent Out in Pairs
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2-3
One in Purpose
He who plants and he who waters are one…1 Cor. 3:8
But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. Phil 2:22
Filling the Second Chair
“Great team players share credit, emphasize team over self, and define success collectively rather than individually.”
The Ideal Team Player, Patrick Lencioni
Different Roles
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
1 Cor. 3:5-6