The most essential criteria for church planters are not skill based, nor personality driven, but character-centric and rooted in the Great Commandment. The authors of The Wholehearted Church Planter insist that church planting proficiencies flow best from those who truly know and love God, people, and in an appropriate way, themselves. If the authors are correct, the potential for multiplying leaders and reproducing new churches is greatly enhanced. It means that ordinary Christians can evangelize, disciple, and gather people into all kinds of new communities of faith. They can therefore impact church planting movements in ways they never imagined. This book does not disregard the importance of training or the role of the professional, but it calls for a broader, but deeper discernment of whom is being called by God to start new congregations.
