Why So Many Urban Church Planters Burn Out in the Church Planting System

The Pinocchio Planter

“I wanna be a real boy.” - Pinocchio

The Pinocchio Planter is an urban church planter who, like the character Pinocchio, begins their journey with a deep desire to fulfill a divine mission, to plant a church in a way that authentically serves their community.

However, over time, they find themselves increasingly entangled in “strings”, external pressures, and expectations from financial supporters, networks, and denominational structures.

These “strings” dictate their strategies, metrics, and systems, pulling them away from the organic, community-focused ministry they originally set out to accomplish.

Key Characteristics of the Pinocchio Planter:

1. Externally Driven: Their decisions and strategies are primarily shaped by external voices, often prioritizing the expectations of donors, supporters, or denominational networks over the needs and realities of the local community.

2. Disconnected from Community: They become more focused on meeting the expectations of outsiders than engaging meaningfully with the people they are trying to serve. This creates a disconnect between the church planter and the community, leading to frustration and ineffectiveness.

3. Metrics-Focused: They are often pressured to measure success in terms of attendance numbers, financial giving, or other metrics that don’t reflect the deeper spiritual work being done in the community. This focus on external validation stifles their creativity and flexibility.

4. Burdened by Unrealistic Commitments: The Pinocchio Planter is often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of commitments they’ve made to outside partners—commitments that might not align with the realities on the ground in the community they’re planting in. These commitments can include meeting funding goals, adhering to prescribed church growth models, or reporting progress in a way that feels disconnected from the true mission.

5.Experiencing Resentment: Over time, the Pinocchio Planter begins to feel resentment towards their role. They may feel like a puppet, always dancing to the tune of outside supporters, but never fully able to do the work they feel God has truly called them to do.

6. Wishing for Freedom: Deep down, the Pinocchio Planter desires to cut the strings and become a “real planter” who can lead authentically, free from the burdens of external expectations. This desire for freedom reflects their yearning to be a true servant of their community, unencumbered by the need to appease outside voices.

The Journey of the Pinocchio Planter:

The Pinocchio Planter goes through a series of stages as they realize their predicament:

1. The Puppet Stage: Initially, the planter is excited about the support and resources they receive, but over time, they begin to feel like a puppet on strings, unable to make decisions independently.

2. The Awakening: The planter realizes that their mission has become more about appeasing supporters than serving the community. They begin to feel the tension between what they’re called to do and what they’re actually doing.

3. The Resentment Phase: As the planter tries to juggle external expectations with their calling, resentment grows. They become disillusioned and may feel trapped in a role they no longer recognize.

4. The Desire for Authenticity: At this stage, the Pinocchio Planter desires to break free from the strings and become a real, authentic planter who can serve their community without external constraints. This may involve difficult decisions, like renegotiating partnerships or stepping away from certain forms of support.

5. The Cutting of Strings: The final stage is when the planter takes concrete steps to cut the strings, redefining success on their own terms and reconnecting with their community in meaningful ways. They learn to move at the pace of their calling and unique mission, not the pace of supporters.

The Goal: Becoming a Real Planter

The ultimate goal of the Pinocchio Planter is to become a real planter, one who is free to authentically serve their community without being bound by external expectations. A real planter:

Is community-centered: Focuses on the needs, rhythms, and challenges of the local community.

Is mission-driven: Moves at the pace of God’s mission in their context rather than external timetables.

Is metrics-conscious: Measures success by spiritual growth, transformed lives, and deep relationships rather than only numerical targets.

Is authentic: Has the freedom to lead creatively and flexibly in ways that best serve their context.

Do You Feel Like Pinocchio?

I remember when it hit me. I looked at how I was spending my time week after week and realized I was buried in emails from networks, jumping through hoops for support churches, and constantly trying to prove I was worth the investment. Meanwhile, I was barely making a dent in Northeast Baltimore.

I felt like a puppet, tangled in obligations I didn’t even remember signing up for. And it took me a long time to admit it, but the truth was clear: I had to cut the strings.

That’s why we’re building Maroon House, a space where urban planters and ministry leaders can clarify who they are, learn how to navigate the Church Planting (and Christian) Industrial Complex, and finally breathe again.

We don’t just want you to survive this journey. We want your ministry to thrive.

If you’re feeling like Pinocchio, called, burdened, but stuck in the machine, reach out. Let’s talk.

📩 charlie@bemaroon.com