So how do you plant a church?

While we were out visiting family and friends, the most common question was, "So how do you plant a church?". So this post is dedicated to outlining the "plan". I am using a church plant model called "Launch Large". This model has been developed by Nelson Searcy a church planter in New York City. The concept is to launch as large as possible as fast as possible to help you get over some of the number barriers. The model also helps you keep focus on the main thing, that is to launch the church and to keep the church focused on outreach rather than becoming a program rich church. Not that there is anything wrong with programs, it is just as the conception of a church, it is not the most important thing to be working on. Keeping your eye on outreach and the mission of the church (reaching the lost), will bring you to the programs that will be most effective for your community. Square peg, round hole concept.

So, here is the plan. June 1, 2009 we arrived in Prattville, Alabama. During the first couple of months, it is important to "exegete" the community. What does this mean? Well, find out what the community is all about. What is important to the people who live here? Where do they "hang out"? What is the worship community like? What is the true demographics? Where is the growth happening? You just need to get a feel for the community and the people. What makes them tick?

In addition to that minor task. Ha! I will be trying to find a place in which to hold worship services (more on that in a moment) and finding a worship team and worship leader. These are key components for the worship experience. And speaking of worship, I will need to order the materials and equipment for the services! Sound equipment, keyboard, chairs, trailer to haul it all in and everything else needed to have a quality worship service.

Meeting people is also an ongoing and daily task. Letting people know who you are and what you are doing. Praying that God will lead you to those who have a heart for mission and want to walk along side of you and help in planting the church.

That is what is going on in June and July. Searching, meeting people, learning and developing a worship team.

August we begins our six months of servant evangelism and worship. Each month from August to January 2010, we will be doing three things each month.

Servant events. We will be using these activities to work within the community to help meet people and to help meet people's needs. These activities can be just about anything. Handing out water at the park, working with local food banks, prayer walks through neighborhoods, the list goes on. Basically, whatever takes you to the place where people are and getting to know them and they in turn get to know you. We are striving to be a church that is relevant and part of the community.

Fellowship events. These are fun times. Picnic in the parks, bowling, taking in a football game, anything that brings people together for fun. These are not threatening events that are sponsored by the church, but not intended to be an evangelism event. This is just church folks having fun. It is also a way in which we can let them know who we are and what we are doing. Give them the chance to join us as we launch the church.

Monthly worship. Each month we will gather for a time of worship with those whom we have meet along the way at our servant and fellowship events. Those events are key as we are always inviting everyone to the next event, be it a servant event or a fellowship event. But once a month we gather to give thanks and praise our Lord with worship. Now this is two fold. One it is real worship and real church! But it is also a time in which we can work out the bugs in the process of setting up and taking down our equipment. It gives us a time to prepare for the weekly services that will come with the launch.

So for the first six months (after the community research) this will be our monthly activity schedule. Servant event, fellowship event and worship.

The official launch date is important to pick out. You just cannot pick any day out and go for it. Some times work better than others. The three top times to launch a church are the second weekend in February, Easter and the second week after school starts. February? Yes, for what ever reason, the second weekend in February is a peak after the holidays. No one is sure why, but it is. Check you own church attendance records and you will see. Next is Easter, this is obvious as most people who do not frequent church much, usually come on Easter. The next date is the second week after school starts. Why? Well most people have gotten their new fall schedules together and that is the time when most people who are looking to come back to church, start looking to add it to their schedule. Works that way, don't ask why.

Now that we have the time issue set, the next step is to pick a date and stick with it. Our Launch Large date is February 21, 2010. Wait!, you say. That is not the second weekend in February. Good catch! It is not, but one of the first rules is to never, never, never launch on a three day weekend. Next February, the second weekend is not only Valentines Day, but the Monday following Valentines is President's Day and makes it a three day weekend. So, we went to the next weekend, February 21.

The goal is to gather as many people over the first six months so you can have as many people on your launch service. Experience shows if you launch with X number of people, you will have 1/2 X the following Sunday. Thus you want as many people as possible on that first service. The number we are going for is still under prayer. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated as well. Once the launch Sunday has happened, we have a party and close out the launch team. Those people who have gathered along the way and have stepped up and helped with the launch on the church. We then recruit them to continue on with the ministry of their choice on a weekly basis. And from February 21, 2010 and on we will be having weekly services and growing as a body of believers!

So that is on way to plant a church. The model is laid out and the date set. Now to pray, put into action and follow God's lead as we move forward. I hope this answers your question and if not, just post them and I will answer as best I can. Thanks again for your continued prayers.

In His Grip!
Pastor Doug