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# Four Biggest Lessons
- URL: https://www.dashhouse.com/2013114four-biggest-lessons/
- Published: 2013-01-14T10:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-08-15T15:29:16.000Z
- Author: Darryl Dash
- Tags: Blog, Christian Living, Church Planting, Life, pastoring, #DashHouseCom, #wp

Tomorrow marks a year since I finished at Richview and began the process of planting a church. It’s been both the most exciting and the most difficult year of my ministry so far.

A year in, here are the four most profound lessons I’ve been learning.

1. **Spiritual attack is real.** I wasn’t prepared for the intensity of attack in the past year. Our family has been through some intense periods of suffering. I’ve been learning the truth of what Spurgeon once said: “When you sleep, think that you are resting on the battlefield; when you walk, suspect an ambush in every hedge.” Church planting is a battle.
2. **Idolatry is rampant.** I can’t wait to read Jared Wilson’s forthcoming book [*The Pastor’s Justification: Applying the Work of Christ in Your Life and Ministry*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1433536641/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com). The reason: it’s so tempting to find my justification in ministry, either past ministry at Richview or my current performance as a planter. Of course, my justification can only be found in the finished work of Christ, but I’m often tempted to look elsewhere.
3. **Busyness is a struggle.** I honestly thought I would have more time than when I pastored an established church. Was I ever wrong. I am currently recalibrating my schedule because the work is so intense, and things can get out of control very quickly.
4. **Planting is an overflow of one’s relationship with Christ.** [Adam Sinnett](http://lifeinthestory.com/?ref=dashhouse.com) told me this, and he’s right. “Fight to remain Jesus-centred, not planting-centred,” he told me. “It is easy to make planting the focus, and miss God.” It’s probably the best advice I heard all year.