Preparing people in and out of season
When Elim sensed God calling everyday people to be part of a UK-wide church planting movement in 2018, the Church Planting Academy was born. Mike Robins says it’s helping people discern and step into this calling
Mike, tell us how the Church Planting Academy started.
It was founded primarily by Mark Pugh through Rediscover Church. Then, around five years ago he shared the vision with me. Together we began shaping a curriculum to equip and empower people to plant healthy, sustainable churches within roughly a year.
What began as a regional initiative in the South West has since grown into a national academy. Our current cohort includes around 40 participants and we continue to expand.
Who is the course for?
It’s designed for potential planters at various stages of discernment. Some are actively preparing to plant while others are simply exploring the possibility. Participants are taken through a series of stages, from developing Christlike character and leadership foundations to pioneering and planting. Along the way, we also provide mentoring to those who are actively planting.
So one of the Academy’s roles is to help people discern whether they’re called to this?
Absolutely. Discernment is central to what we do. We encourage people to be prepared “in season and out of season.”
Some complete the course and realise that church planting is not what God is calling them to pursue right now – and that’s a healthy outcome. Others sense clarity midway through the programme, while some go on to plant either during or shortly after completing the course.
The goal is never to push people into planting churches. Rather, it’s to help them discover whether God is calling them to this work. One participant said, “I don’t know why I’m doing this. I’m not really a pastor, and I don’t want to run a church.” But when asked why he felt drawn to planting, he replied, “I just want to gather people, teach them about Jesus and help those who don’t know him to find him.” That, in essence, is church. That plant has since seen several baptisms.
Many church plants fail. How do you help people plant well and sustainably?
Sustainability begins with a deep confidence that God has truly called someone to plant. Alongside that, it requires the wisdom to make healthy, well-timed decisions. That’s why the early stages of the Academy focus heavily on character formation and foundational principles. We want people to build well from the start so that what they plant can endure.
My own passion for healthy church life is woven throughout the programme. We work hard to embed values that promote resilience, spiritual maturity and long-term fruitfulness.
A key part of the journey is dismantling preconceived ideas about what a church should or shouldn’t look like. We intentionally challenge fixed models and archetypes.
Church planting can be challenging, lonely and exhausting, and is often accompanied by opposition. How does the Academy prepare people for these realities?
We are very intentional about emphasising the power of team. Participants are connected with one another through shared communication spaces and are supported by experienced mentors who can walk with them through difficult seasons. We strongly advise against planting alone or carrying the weight in isolation.
Just as importantly, we don’t want to simply send people out and then disappear. Ongoing relationship is core to our ethos.
What can we expect from the Church Planting Academy this year?
A new cohort will begin in September and we are also launching a Church Planting Academy in Wales which will run in partnership with us.
