Is There (Still) a Place for Barnabas?

[NOTE: I've expanded this from the original post that I made earlier today]

Soon after Saul's conversion in Acts 9, many apostles were perhaps confused and fearful that his life change was for real. Barnabas took the risk to take Saul around to the believers and make a case for why he was authentic in his new found faith.

I'm reminded of this passage because I wonder if the role of Barnabas is one that is often overlooked in the starting of new churches. It's been almost ten years since we completed our church planting experience and just over four years since I last served full-time in a church setting. I share that because there may be resources that are available now with which I am unfamiliar that address this topic. But, from my brief research I have not been able to find much that explores the significant role that a "Barnabas" could play. I'm not thinking strictly of a team-based ministry approach - that has been tried, written about, and over-conferenced for a long time. I'm thinking specifically of someone who is well-connected in a community who serves as a person of influence who takes the planter around to introduce him/her to various community leaders to explain away confusion and fear over the new church start.

I'm interested in this topic for a very specific reason: our current church is looking to add a third campus over the next year or so and I am researching some items to pass along. I have no idea what role (if any) we will play in this project, but I want to make use of any insights that I can pass along.

If my memory serves me correctly, when the Crossroads Community Church was planted in Sullivan, IN, in the late 1990s, the planting pastor (Eddie Hammond) had someone from the community who served as a strong support for the initial planting phases. Thank you to Brian for adding after the earlier post:

"Crossroads was launched with two staff people. One was a seasoned pastor, who served as a people magnet. One was a local businessman, who served as the administrator/organizer.I thought the model worked very well. Most Planting Organizations strongly encouraging planting in teams and to find a partner who has strengths where you are weak."

Here are a few questions I am pondering:

1. Is this model (church planter moving to community with established partner) a recurring pattern in church plants?



2. Are there organizations or trainings that address this topic?



3. Are there better biblical examples than Barnabas for this approach?



4. Do you have any thoughts or insights about the whole notion of multi-site church starts (as opposed to straight up church plants)?



5. Are there geographic regions that would be more receptive to this approach than others?



6. Could a person serve as a Barnabas (as I'm desribing him here) and simply be the "#2" in a new church/multi=site ministry and serve this role repeatedly for different planters?

I appreciate any feedback you have.