Church Planting Tutorial

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Church Plant Launch Plan / Proposal / Action Checklist

You are called to plant a church. You've been praying and God has given you a vision that is growing more exciting each day. You are eager to turn this vision into action. One of your first steps is to develop a plan.

What constitutes a plan?

1. Launch Plan / Church Plant Proposal - The terms launch plan and church plant proposal are often used interchangeably. At a minimum, a launch plan is in written form (clear and concise) and answers a number of basic questions including why you are planting, whom you are trying to reach, where the church will be located, who will do it with you, how much it will cost, how will it be funded, what kind of church it will be, how you will gather a core group, and the critical success factors. More detailed launch plans identify key strategy areas with associated action plans. We suggest working through your Philosophy of Ministry before finalizing your plan (see next section of the tutorial).

2. Action Checklist - A written list of actions to be completed during the pre-natal phase through launch. Ideally, each action includes a cost/budget, a date for completion, and a lead person or organization assigned responsiblity for its completion. Some church planters turn the action list into an integrated schedule to show the interrelationships between actions (i.e. many actions need to be done in sequence).

Why are these planning products so important?

1. Focusing Your Vision - Its been said that you don't really understand something unless you can write it down. The process of writing a launch plan will help you refine your vision and learn to communicate it more effectively.

2. Feedback - You launch plan can be reviewed by other experienced planters and leaders. They will give you feedback that will improve your plan and save you countless hours of heartache by avoiding problems.

3. Fundraising Tool - Your launch plan will help you raise funds with potential donors and partners. Simply having a written plan communicates that you have your act together and MAY be worthy of a donors trust. Ultimately, your vision and passion will sell your plan. The written launch plan is a tool for opening the door to further discussions with donors.

4. Sharing Your Vision with Potential Launch Team Members - Your launch plan is a great tool for recruiting potential launch team members.

5. Priority Setting and Time Management - Developing an action checklist will help you prioritize your time. You will get more finished in less time which results in a more time with people and a healthier launch.

Where can I see samples and get more information?

Checklists

Passion for Planting - Comprehensive New Church Checklist - The most comprehensive list we've found with over 400 actions.

Global Church Advancement - A Church Planting Checklist by Steve Childers

Church Planting Manual - James Allen

Starting a Church That Keeps on Growing - Checklist for Each Phase of Development - Bob Logan and Jeff Rast

Mississippi Baptists - Startup Checklist for New Churches

Church of the Nazarene - New Churches - Starting New Churches Checklists

Grace Brethren North American Missions - Life Cycle Star

YWAM Church Planting Coaches - Church Planting Phases

Seattle Church Planting - Church Planting Checklist

Proposals