Church Plant Questions
It has become clear to me that I need a sounding board to share my thoughts, ask questions, and get input from others with the church plant I am heading up. So with that said feel free to give feedback to the following ramblings.
I recently completed a timeline that covers the major events, checkpoints, and significant dates between now and launch Sunday 9/9/07. Some of those things include searching for a site, the naming of the church (the Bridge), info meetings for the mother church, and school supplies give away. What things would you be sure to include in the timeline?
On 8/15/06 we will be casting vision to the mother church for the church plant and let them know that we are officially moving the date up 1 year. During this Sunday we hope to communicate where we have been, where we are going, and some of the major things coming up. Recruit a prayer team that will be put in place immediately. We also want to begin some sort of regular communication peace. I have brainstormed how that could work with ideas such as vox, website, mailings, postcards, and e-mails. The goal is to communicate with everyone who is curious. However, those who are curious range from you guys are crazy to how can I get involved. What would you use to communicate on a regular basis with the mother church and interested parties?
Another question I have is one that could be its own post but for the time being if you were able to hire a few people for a church plant would you hire based on position, need, or person and for however you answer what would you be looking for?
August 23rd, 2006 at 4:21 pm
My good friend BC is probably just a bit further than you are in planting a church out near Phoenix. He was a youth pastor and then was able to put together a team from his home church, with their blessing, to plant another church a bit further out in another up and coming community.
Might be fun for you to read a bit about his journey.
http://www.amadeochurch.com/
http://prayingmantis.blogspot.com
http://www.amadeochurch.blogspot.com/
Hope it helps, blessings on you and your ministry
August 23rd, 2006 at 5:41 pm
First off let me encourage you to look at this site daily http://www.growingedgebuzz.com as it will help you (and every other church planter) in tremendous ways.
Second, regarding paid “staff” I would say go SLOW. It’s easier to hire than fire….easier to give than take away. IF you do pay someone don’t make it much (even if you can afford it). Let them be faithful with a little before you give them much. Also, when you start paying people to do the “work” you will send a signal to the rest of the Bridge that you may not be interested in sending. Everyone on your launch team needs to ante up and work. Some harder than others as they are able.
To your question on “who do I hire” I would say hands down hire someone who has the character God demands for leadership and the vision that God has placed in your heart for the Bridge. If he/she doesn’t have the character then eventually you will all be screwed. And if he/she doesn’t truly understand, support and help you cast the vision of the Bridge then eventually you will be screwed as a the main leader.
These are great questions. Others will probably have more valuabe things to say but this is coming from my context (we started out with 35 people….didn’t pay for our first “guy” until almost a year later…now we have 5 paid leaders and all of us work great together)
Keep up the excellent work!
August 24th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Thanks stephen for the site to check out. I found a lot of helpful things on it.
I also want to thank you for the going slow with staff comment. The more I read and pray I’m led to that conclusion but I also am receiving encouragment to go bold from a few trusted people also. Much like you we will be starting our church with a group of people. Can I ask what the time frame between the one year of paying your first “guy” to the five paid leaders?
August 24th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Some of this may be better discussed offline but here is simple answer.
We are now at 20 months. The people we pay are all part time (so don’t think we have large amounts of money going to staff. That’s another no-no in my mind but again that should be another post).
There wasn’t really a “time line” in my head for giving money to people who helped launched Mo Arlington. Thankfully the small group that launched us graciously placed my wife and I on staff with a full time salary (I actually raised about 35% of my support from outside sources). So I was the first to “get paid.” Then as God was faithful in giving us more money I looked around for a few things…
1) someone with character
2) someone with leadership abilities
3) someone whom I trusted knew, understood and lived out the vision of Mo Arlington
4) someone with financial needs
To this day all 5 of us who are on staff meet those requirements. Actually I have 3-5 other leaders who probably know this vision better, are more disciplined in their character and could run circles around me in making leaders but they won’t receive any money from us. Why? B/C their jobs provide for them in lucrative ways. They understand and agree to that. So it’s kinda cool to give money to leaders who both deserve and need it.
That would be my advice.
September 4th, 2006 at 1:47 am
Hey Marty, you can find a fairly comprehensive timeline by registering here. http://www.churchplantingresources.com/
I’m not speaking from all that much experience, but I know Character’s of utmost importance. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going ‘bold’ but practically speaking from what I understand, it’s hard to justify in terms of workload until there’s 50 or so people. But that might depend on what you’re trying to accomplish that first year.
I’m just trying to figure out this same stuff myself…
September 4th, 2006 at 8:10 am
Marty, great questions! I too have a website for you to check out http://www.newchurches.com/index.php (especially the forum) and also the best , most practical book out there for you - Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age by Ed Stetzer. There is a chapter in this book to address each of your questions. You’ll also find affirmation for your one year runway. As for my thoughts . . . I think you need to team up with the best worship leader you can find/afford early. I’m not overlooking the huge fact that they must also have a calling to your ministry. He or she will really help you cast vision and momentum by adding color and dimension to your core group gatherings and other start-up presentations. Stay culturally relevant, take time to be still in the Lord, and go get ‘em!
May 25th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Go slow. Communicate early to lots of people that you need their prayers -prayers that leaders would be raised up to help you go. Don’t make any promises to any people - because this deal is between you and God first, being faithful to what he is calling you to. When people want to help, even close friends - be real clear that you are excited that they would like to partner with you (unless your gut/spirit tells you they might not be good for the plant) but that you can’t promise them any definitive leadership role - especially your close friends. Let them see how your leadership style will be in this new setting, let them work faithfully with you day to day - perhaps after 6 months after they have been faithfully serving in the small ways - consider having them be a deacon over an area of ministry - after you have been through a years worth of actual church planting - then consider whether they would be prepared for greater roles in the church. And do not pay anyone except yourself (as the lead pastor) and perhaps an admin early on - this church plant deal is a lot of work - and when the time comes for you to jump on full time you will need to not have your money all distributed out to lots of workers - so you can’t give the church your whole heart, mind and body. We never let over 50% of our income go to staff so we can be missional and outward focused. We have really never gone above 30% for most of the time - since I have had another job.
Email me - if you want to brainstorm - we started 9/11/2006 - 1 year before you guys. We are meeting in a school and are around 100 people. If you can get at least 25-50k from your church and various supporters before you leave, I would, for start up costs. And it seems you already got the prayer thing covered.