(For those visiting High Point or are apart of High Point let this post give you insight into what it takes to plant a church.)
I am a church planter. We are well on our way to having a mature church that will reproduce on a regular basis. I want to be parent to many many many healthy churches over the life of my ministry. I just got off the phone with a friend in Des Moines that is planting in Sept. 09. It is very exciting because $50k was just committed to him this morning. He is well on his way to having the $150k it will take to make this church a reality. With ARC on his side and not having asked his other relationships he is well on his way. Here are some thoughts I just shared with him and want to share with him. These are random and very practical.
- Cash upfront is more important and valuable than monthly money commitments.
- Everyone has good intentions... when they commit put a time-line on when the money needs to be in your control. If it is an individual donor tell them you don't need it right away but maybe a month from now would be helpful. If it is an Organization like a district or missions board try and leave with a check. Often good intentions doesn't turn out like originally planned.
- Invite all the donas to the launch!!!! Those who gave once believe in you and want to see a positive return on their investment. They may not love the style but they will love you using their gift to the GLORY of GOD. Also... they will be more inclined to give again if they see it was used well. Everyone who gives wants to know it was a good investment. No one works hard for their money to see someone else piddle it away.
- Money doesn't guarantee success!!!! Success is based on a few parts. People, Money, Vision, (internal/external communication) Marketing, systems and most importantly gods Favor.
- entrepreneurs live in a delusional world. hey think it will be easier than it is, More profitable than it will be and faster than is is. But when they original expectations are not met it drives them to work crazy hard to make up for the overestimates... That is when they really succeed! That moment is when they rewrite the play book call audibles and their talent, Gods spirit and shear will drives them forward.
- Get a paypal, bank account and on-line presence ASAP!
- Be slow in giving titles.
- Don't recruit "warm bodies" recruit specialists. Go for the Best and ask them to leave where they are and come be apart of the adventure. "Warm bodies" often are outgrown quickly.
- Be quick to move people into other roles if they are not doing what needs to be done. If they are not succeeding they feel as uncomfortable as you do about it and may feel relieved if you bring it up.
- Leverage every relationship you have for this. Spend every dolor you can spare. Give every drop of spare energy you have. Some day the inertia will allow you to pull back but in the beginning you are the one who has to muscle this thing along.
- choose people to give you input that have done it. All others really don't know what they are talking about!
- Remember the first 200 people come because of who you are as the Lead Pastor. I would like to think they come for other reasons but they ultimately don't. The church down the street has better preaching, bigger programs, better media, cooler looking people and better coffee. But your the only you! God gave you what he did so that you could reach the people He needed reached. After 200 their are a slew of other factors people look for. When we get their Ill tell you more.
- Hold people loosely. Don't take it personally when they leave. Give power and authority away slowly. Love deeply and generously. Share vision all the time... Listen to their stories and ask them... "What God is challenging them to do?"
- Have bylaws figured out from the beginning and use the titles from the beginning. It is hard to change later. Culture is created day 1.
- Join the ARC... they have an awesome network and money.
Their is a lot more to say I'll have to do a part 2 post. Church planters... add your thoughts.
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