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For over 2,000 years, men and women across the world have received the call to plant a church—a desire to cultivate a community that thrives on faith, love, and purpose.
This calling can be intimidating, yet when God gives you a vision, the reward of fulfilling his call on your life means more than anything else. Francis Chan put it this way, “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”
The thought of starting a new church is exciting, but when it comes to the details of how to plant a church, it can be difficult to know where to start. The good news is there are many practical and spiritual measures you can take before jumping in.
Let’s take a look at seven important steps that will help you as you embark on this exciting adventure!
The most fundamental step of planting a church, of course, is spending lots and lots of time in prayer, both individually as well as with your spouse, family, and spiritual community around you. This is a huge, life-changing decision and you’ll need all of the discernment you can get. In the midst of the practicalities, never underestimate the power of prayer.
Seek God’s guidance in every decision and ask for insight into the spiritual needs and challenges you may not even be aware of yet. Infusing your church plant with a culture of prayer will help everyone remember that, ultimately, this is a spiritual endeavor. Let this daily practice become an integral part of your church identity and carry it through the entire process.
Much like learning how to use a parachute before skydiving, it’s crucial to gather insights from seasoned planters before you make the jump. Seek out and connect church plant veterans, take them out for coffee and learn from their experiences. Ask them questions like:
For the latest church planting ideas and insights, check out online resources like NewChurches.com and ChurchPlanting.com. You can even get involved with networks for training and resources. Acts 29, the Church Multiplication Network, and the Association of Related Churches are all great places to find support.
If you’re more of a bookworm, there are plenty of great literary resources you can dig into. Check out Top 10 church planting books for aspiring leaders for some inspirational church planting books. A few of these titles include:
Let’s talk finances—the lifeblood of any startup. Get the ball rolling and fund your church’s mission with fundraisers through community events like dinners, musical performances, activities, or workshops.
Step out of your comfort zone and approach churches, business owners, church planting networks, and social media platforms. Share the heartfelt story and vision of your church and ask for financial support.
After calling on the generosity of your local community and personal networks, there are a few often untapped fundraising resources you can turn to:
The success of your church plant often hinges on location, location, location. Seek divine guidance, but also let data be your ally. Start by considering the unique call of your church and whom you aim to serve.
The gospel is for everyone, but maybe your church’s mission is to reach young families. Choosing a city with a large retiree population isn’t going to be the best move. You can easily get to know who lives in the places you’re considering with some quick demographics research.
Also, study up on the needs of each community. Do their needs align with the mission of your church? Is there a spiritual hunger your church can fulfill? If you come fully prepared to serve the people of your city, you’re more likely to see growth and create a sustainable ministry.
First, prioritize finding your people–the ones who believe in the church’s mission and are dedicated to seeing it thrive. Gain clarity about the vision of your new church. The more specific you can get about core values and mission, the better. As you connect with people about this exciting opportunity, those who resonate with the call will naturally be drawn to come along.
If your new church is taking you out of state or country, don’t be surprised if you run into some resistance persuading your friends and family to move with you. Instead, dive deep into your new community. Yes, it can be uncomfortable and awkward connecting with people you don’t know, but it’s best to get involved with the locals and create a buzz as soon as you can.
Once you’ve assembled your dream team, don’t assume everyone has instinctual leadership abilities. You’ll need to prioritize developing key leadership skills necessary for working as a staff member of the church. Gary Rohrmayers said it best, “One of the landmines that church planters never dodge is the landmine of leadership development. I will never forget the day when I realized that there are no such things as ‘ready-made leaders’.”
Now that you’ve got your city in mind and core team in place, the next quest is finding a home for your church launch. The church, of course, is more than a building, but having a dependable place to meet is important.
Whether it’s renting a school gymnasium, partnering with an existing church, or starting in a living room, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Tailor your approach to the unique needs and culture of your chosen location. Consider the expectations of your area. While a rented space may work well in densely populated cities, a traditional building might be better in a suburban community.
To avoid any potential delays in the process, it’s a good idea to start searching well ahead of your launch date. Waiting on property sales and negotiating rental contracts can take longer than you’d think. So, hope for the best, but plan for unexpected setbacks.
Flexibility is an attitude every church planter needs to adapt in the ever-changing landscape of ministry. Equip yourself with the ability to pivot when needed, and be open to adjusting your plans based on the lessons of those who have walked this road before you.
As with any great adventure, you’re on a path full of potential ups and downs. The question isn’t whether you’ll fail or succeed, but how you’ll handle either when they come. So, accept the fact that you’re going to make mistakes. Allow these missteps to illuminate where there’s opportunity for growth and—don’t forget—it’s just as important to take a moment and celebrate your successes.
In the words of Christine Hoover, “Church planting teaches two things more than any other: that God is faithful and that we must learn how to depend on that faithful God.” Ultimately, the outcome of your new church endeavor is in God’s hands. Rest in that knowledge, and then do your best to learn and grow along the way.
As you embark on this exciting journey, remember that you’re not alone. We encourage you first and foremost to always go to God in prayer. Then, seek guidance from the many faithful pioneers who have come before you. From best-selling books to diverse church networks, you have an abundance of resources and church planting ideas at your fingertips.
Remember to leverage both discernment and data to fuel your decision making, and surround yourself with people committed to your church’s mission to share the gospel. Planting a church is a challenge, but you didn’t decide to do this because it was easy. Use your setbacks as stepping stones and don’t forget to celebrate even the smallest of wins.
