1. Pray as a church, as a couple, as a family, and as you begin each day
Isaiah 6:8 – “Here I am. Send me.”
2. Believe God’s promises, Jesus Christ builds his church!
Matthew 16:18 – “I will build my church … ”
3. Look for a conversation starter with everybody you meet and ask questions
Acts 8:30, like Philip – “Do you understand what you are reading?” Have something ready with you to give to people, like an invitation card.
4. Identify ways to love and bless your neighborhood, your target zone
Genesis 12:1 – “I will bless you … you will be a blessing.”
5. Seek ways to love and bless the “landscape” and “machine” people in your daily routine.
6. Always remember who you are
Ephesians 3:8 – “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
2 Samuel 7:18 – “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” – a sinner, saved by grace.
Westminster Seminary California (WSC) held its annual Robert G. and Nellie B. den Dulk Lectures on Pastoral Ministry on Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21, 2025, with Rev. Eric Hausler (OPC pastor/church planter). Rev. Eric Hausler’s lectures were titled “O Lord, Open My Eyes: From Escondido to the Edge of the Everglades.”
Rev. Hausler’s second address explored the lessons gleaned through four decades of experience. His lecture titled, “The Rearview Mirror of a Church Planting Pastor,” considered the words of Paul in Philippians 4:9, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” The lecture included two Top Ten lists: The Do’s and Don’ts of Church Planting. In addition, Rev. Hausler shared 15 Biblical Principles needed for effective outreach and pastoral/practical/purposeful counsel regarding “next steps.” Rev. Hausler’s handout with additional notes, examples, and biblical references is available here.