Keys to Becoming a Church Planting Church

Church planting is a hot topic in Christian circles, with good reason as it is important in people hearing the good news of Jesus Christ. My concern is that it will be a fad that the church at large has embraced rather than a constant way of functioning by healthy spiritual communities. The church was always meant to be a multiplying presence in the world. Somehow, the church has too often become a permanently fixed entity where church expansion means adding onto a preexisting building. We can never forget that the church that Jesus is building, is an offensive force that the, “…gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt 16:18b

There are a few key components necessary to declare that your church is a church planting church. After coming through the process of starting a new church, it is important to me to help congregations become multiplication centers. Our very small, very new church has already crossed the proverbial line in the sand to become apart of this movement. Whether your church is diminutive in size or a “mega” ministry you can help establish new churches.

Key #1 Funding: This is the hardest part of the process for new churches because money although critical is in limited supply. Our God owns a cattle on a thousand hills, but I know no one who has unlimited access to that supply. The important thing to remember is that it doesn’t take millions of dollars to be a church planting catalyst. It does require a real investment in the people and/or organization.

Our church has helped fund new local expressions of Jesus’ church in a few different ways. One way is by investing in a missions organization that established new churches in Tanzania. Imagine the look in the eye of an average member when they hear that they have helped start a church around the world. We also give to help a national planting network that prepares pastors to launch strong. Lastly, we give directly to future pastors and churches.

It is important to make the investment, the size of that investment is less important. We were just as honored to receive $250 from a church as we were $30,000. Start somewhere, anywhere. The exciting thing is the more you place church planting on your people’s radar, the more they tend to give because they know their money makes a different. You can’t see it as loosing money for your own church. You must see it as an investment in God’s Kingdom, which is bigger than your church. Church planting churches tend to make new churches a budget item. Scripture says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21) once you make an investment in new churches the more you care about them. Give first and watch your heart follow.

Key #2 Support: We have already talked about financial support, so this point is more about the time and people resources needed to get a church off the ground. You may not have enough room in your budget, but you can be an encourager of a new kingdom work.

You would be surprised how a visit, a word of encouragement, or a piece of old equipment (used but good) will lift the heart and perspective of an upstart shepherd. Every pastor needs someone in their corner (other than Jesus) telling them that they can do it. There are so many new spiritual leaders out there that feel alone and exhausted and one word of support will give them the push they need to keep going. That is why I make it my goal to attend launch services, because to see a new face, even if another pastor makes a difference.

What things are sitting around your church unused that would be critical in beginnings of another? If at all possible give it away! Your old stuff is brand new stuff to someone else. If you upgrade a computer, a sound system, or chairs, give the old to a new church. I understand that you may be able to sell it for a profit, but there is someone who is already on a shoestring budget that may not be able to pay. If you must sell it, do it at such a reduced rate that they still feels like a gift. We received a projection screen, an old camera, and a Mac computer and with each offering, we rejoiced.

Another way you can help is by your churches prayers. Prayer is important because it is prayer! We can talk to the Father on behalf of those who are taking great risk to make His name known. In the midst of all the “hell” that breaks out on a planter, it is necessary to be covered by others. I don’t know if we would have made it had it not been for the prayers of the saints. We can never forget, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16

We have been overwhelmed at the service of people that attend other churches, but serve alongside us. Our sending church has made our story known to their small groups, and one of them has chosen to use our worship gathering as their community service. They have done such a good job that it is impossible for an attendee to know that they are not members. It has allowed our core team to focus on other areas that would go undone without these amazing volunteers. It takes a very secure pastor to allow their people to help in another local body, but it is an amazing Kingdom gesture.

Key #3 Training: This component actually has some of the other two keys, but it is so important that it stands alone. It is a financial investment because of the personal time that it takes and as the saying goes, “time is money.” It includes support because you must intentionally build people for the purpose of starting a new church. This is different than any other type of leadership development, as it is all geared specifically toward the process of creating churches.

Some church planting networks focus on training and/or coaching alone knowing that an investment in the understanding and preparation of a new leader is crucial. It could be seen as a major discipleship effort, to build up the next generation of pastors. To pour your knowledge into another for the purpose of spiritual growth is discipleship. I went through a 6-month “planting school” with my church planting network Launch which was invaluable in my process to lead a local expression of Jesus body. You can shape future by developing a new planter.

Some churches have decided to take the internships route. They will work with a seminarian or a young leader looking to start a church and will pour 1 to 3 years into their preparation. Some will ask the potential pastors to raise support for themselves and others will pay them for work that the church needs. Either way they get them ready for the journey ahead. To start a church takes more than just a passion for the advancement of God Kingdom, it takes some practical knowledge as well. These internships are often of benefit to both parties.

This is a real challenge for many church leaders. Train someone up for the purpose of leaving you. This sounds crazy until you realize that a person who is called to plant a church will have to leave eventually anyway. We can either hold on to people until they have to escape, or we can broaden our influence by launching leaders.

These are critical keys that are present in many church planting churches. I have seen no church that is actively apart of the planting community that doesn’t have at least one of these components. I believe that we need more churches planted as soon as possible. The bible says, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.” We need to send more laborers into the field and churches can be laborers’ agencies. Please consider adding one of these keys to your church’s process. It will advance God’s Kingdom.