Planting Space

In our recent survey of new churches currently in years 2-5, we found that the healthiest new churches had launch teams over 40 people. Click here to see the stats.

You have a unique opportunity during pre-launch that you will never have again in the life of the church. You won’t be writing a message every week and preparing for the Sunday deadline. This short window in the life of the church should be utilized to set the DNA firmly in place. Hopefully by the time you are building the launch team you have crafted the vision and values for what this new church is all about. Now is the time to put those values into action. In the beginning, there will be a large gap between what you envision the church to be and what it is perceived as in the community (if it is noticed at all). Here are some tips for bringing that perception a little closer to reality and instilling DNA into your launch team.

1. Do something that says, “Its not about me”.

Not many church planters start out saying, “I’m starting a church that is all about us. Who cares about the lost people in our community.” If you are saying that, you might be starting a cult not a church. People in our culture are self-absorbed. Do something early to break them of that. Let them know that if they are a part of the team then they are going to serve. Provide lots of opportunities to do simple service projects together. Get them interacting with the outcasts and less desirables of your community. If they aren’t willing to do that, then you may not want them on your team. Warm bodies are great for numbers, but launch team members who don’t get it can be a cancer.

2. Let others lead.

You don’t have to do everything. In fact, you shouldn’t. When a church planter takes the burden of leadership for everything, you create a culture of staff leadership rather than lay leadership. Churches that grow fast empower and equip lay leaders. Let others lead groups, plan events, share at team meetings, etc. The more you empower people to lead early on the more likely you will create a culture of leadership. Without leaders your church will not grow. They may not do it as well as you, but until we can get cloning legalized you will have to multiply yourself in other ways.

3. Evaluate everything through the lens of target group and core values, and beliefs.
What do you want your church to be known as in the community? Who do you want to reach? After you have answered those questions only do things with your launch team that support those answers. Stay narrow and focused. Your launch team may clamor for things that fall outside those lens. When that happens its time to cast vision again and ask the group if the idea aligns with the vision and values of the church.

4. Have some fun and eat together.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. That’s not any fun. Take time to chill out together, relax and eat. Have a regular night for fun. Watch football together, watch Lost together, play Wii boxing together. Whatever it is, have fun. Laughter and food are great team builders. Nobody wants to be a part of a stuffy task oriented team. Keep them focused on your values but have fun doing it.

featured on newchurches.com

Tags: 1 Comment