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. This is the final segment in this series of blogs. Here are links to the first three.
1. Ask People to Move with You.
When Jesus called the disciples, he ask them to leave things behind including jobs, family, and home. Paul made the same ask of those who traveled with him. As a church planter, you want to reach people for Christ in the city/town where you are starting the church. A great way to exponentially multiply that effort is to have other committed Christians who know you, love you and get your vision to move with you. Such an ask might seem bold or over the top, but you don’t get what you don’t ask for. Remember, Jesus said ask and you shall receive, not wish upon a star and you shall receive. For some that you ask, this will be the most faith stretching experience of their lives. You know that if they have moved with you, they are sold out to doing whatever it takes. Their faith will be stretched and they will grow like crazy because you made the ask. Don’t look at it as if you are asking them for a favor. You are inviting them into an incredible journey with God.
2. Do a Community Survey
This is a kill two birds with one stone scenario. Community surveys are a great way to learn details that demographics reports leave out. It is also a great way to connect with people and get the word out about the church. That might actually be three birds with one stone. Consider doing a gas buy down along with the survey. Pay for 10 cents a gallon and while you are filling up the cars and washing their windows ask them to take the survey. If you will be meeting in a movie theater, do a movie ticket buy down or give away coupons/gift cards to the concessions. This helps eliminate the awkwardness some feel in doing a “cold call.”
3. Don’t Microwave Relationships
Jesus spend three years daily building the disciples into the launch team for the Church. Building a launch teams doesn’t happen over night. Plan 9-12 months on the ground building relationships before starting the church.
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What questions do you recommend when doing a community survey?
What I’ve worked up so far:
-Do you go to church?
-What do you hate most about church?
-Can Oprah make a rock so big she can’t move it?