How often do people consider the hard work of our church planters and their wives? Church planting is very tiring work, and it is stressful on many levels. Many of the RPCNA’s church planters work long hours, get paid less than many of our “regular” pastors, and have the constant burden of wondering what the next six months will hold. Church planting is very difficult and is not for the weak of spirit.

Hard work ought to be recognized, laborers ought to be thanked, and our church planters ought to rest, even if it is just for a weekend.

In May, more than 30 pastors and wives involved in church planting in the RPCNA descended upon Los Angeles, Calif. They were promised an all-expense-paid weekend of learning, fellowship, and encouragement.

Lydia Eshelman and Heather Huizing of the Los Angeles RP Church planned most of the weekend on behalf of the Home Mission Board. The church planters spent the weekend at the downtown Embassy Suites, enjoyed incredible hospitality, and were given an environment conducive to both rest and spiritual growth.

The weekend’s speakers were Dr. David P. Murray of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and Rev. Daniel Hyde, Th.M., church-planting pastor of Oceanside United Reformed Church in San Diego County.

Dr. Murray spoke on the “Reason for and the Foundations and Practice of Christ-Centered Preaching.” He also spoke on “Theology of Sleep” and encouraged the church planters to make rest a priority in their ministry. Rev. Hyde spoke on prayer as a “missing” means of grace, discussed doctrinal preaching, and shared his thoughts on contextualization in the church plant. For those interested in listening to the lectures, they are available on the Los Angeles RPC site on ReformedVoice.org.

Attendees were also blessed with books, books, and more books during the weekend. Often our church planters are in need of more resources for study and ministry. Reformation Heritage Books provided a table with of discounted books. The Home Mission Board also provided each attendee with a copy of Murray’s book Jesus on Every Page as well as Hyde’s book on church planting. Many church planters went home with hundreds of dollars’ worth of new books. Saturday afternoon and evening were spent at Manhattan Beach, where the church planters were given opportunity to swim, ride bikes on the beach, enjoy the cafés and surf shops, and relax. Knowing that there were no sermons to prepare for the next day, chairs to set up, bulletins to fold, our planters were able enjoy the warm California sun and relish each other’s company while reflecting on the work of the Lord in their respective communities.

The Lord’s Day was spent at the Los Angeles Reformed Presbyterian Church. Dr. David Murray preached a sermon illustrating what had been taught about Christ-centered Old Testament preaching throughout the weekend. Lunch was provided by the congregation and an afternoon service was also enjoyed. Many commented on how rested and refreshed the church planters seemed after a work-free Lord’s Day and a after weekend that was both a retreat and a training seminar.

It is not very often that those who are in the trenches of church planting are told, “Thank you for your work.” The Home Mission Board wanted to provide a tangible thank-you through the vacation-retreat filled with excellent preaching and book giveaways. It is our way of recognizing that these men and women work very hard at planting. So again, thank you!

By Nathan Eshelman

Nathan Eshelman is pastor of the Los Angeles, Calif., RPC and is vice president of the RPCNA Home Mission Board.