I once heard a pastor give a message on stages of church development. After hearing it, I began to see a pattern in my own life.

It went like this, there are the trailblazers. They are the ones who not only have vision to go somewhere, but they are willing to go through the rough times of trailblazing-knocking down the thorn bushes and blazing a new trail where no one has gone before. (This is where I’ve been the last few years).

Then there are the pioneers/builders . They are right behind the trailblazers, or sometimes they come a few months later. These are ones who follow the trail of the trailblazer, and are willing to bring the working tools to help build. (I remember a time when I was helping at one new church plant, I helped clean the facility, took care of children on Sundays, financially gave to the church and served on the council. I am a pioneer/builder.)  

Now some of these pioneers will stay on to settle, but many of them will leave. I’ve often found pastors get nervous when this happens, they wonder why the pioneers are leaving, and may ask themselves, Did something go wrong? Usually that is not the case. Sometimes God has them move on to help in another pioneering and/or building job. I’ve personally been involved in 3 new church plants and 2 new schools.. Pioneers usually like change and often like the challenge of building. This is how God made them. Sometimes they are judged by leaders or settlers who wonder what is wrong with them for not ‘staying’ at one place..but it is ok…they know they are called to build.

Then there are the settlers. They will come once the buildings and vision has been established. These usually stay much longer.  The trailblazer may be among them, because they first had the vision. The trailblazer will usually are getting new vision though and will be adding to what they are building, so the community remains alive and thriving.