(This paper was produced some years ago but is still helpful as a memory jogger for conventional, congregational-based church planting.)

Church Plant Implementation Steps

by Bob and Mary Hopkins of Anglican Church Planting Initiatives

 

Phase One (“Conception”)

These steps can happen concurrently and can take differing lengths of time according to each situation. The conception may arise in different ways, depending on the motive for the plant and those who first sense the probability. Interpret these early steps and their appropriate order according to your situation and leadership structures.

1. Appoint a small task force to carry out initial research on your project. Its purpose is to gain sufficient information about the proposed area, community or network to enable a reasonable assessment of feasibility.

2. The church leadership review the initial project research and pray whether God is giving a vision for a viable project. This may take more than one meeting. You may also wish to get outside consultancy help at this stage and/or at steps 3 and 9.

3. Arrange meetings of the church elders/PCC and share the vision for this project/ church plant and give sufficient time to gain the wholehearted approval of the outline plan. This could involve a day away together.

4. Identify a project leader and possibly one or two support leaders to form a small group.

5. This group then begins to develop and write down elements of a clear vision statement for the project/ new church for the selected community.

6. Begin sharing the vision more widely by: Starting to preach sermons to teach and prepare the church for the vision Teaching about church planting in small groups

7. Fix a regular prayer meeting to intercede for the project - or to make it the focus of an existing prayer group.

8. Prepare prayer notes as the project develops to inform those praying and to highlight any needs. Feedback answers to prayer to encourage intercessors.

9. Plan the necessary training for the leaders and the team. Especially consider outside input (either attending a church planting training event or course and/or inviting an experienced consultant/team.) Schedule these events for after you have formed your team.

10. Review in the project leadership group, the strengths and weaknesses of the various models and types of church plant/ mission project. Relate these to your initial research and assess which would form the best model for your project. Clarify the intended planting model/type

11. Communicate with deanery/ diocesan or (circuit/district) authorities concerning the initial plans.

12. Meet with the team leaders of other churches in or around the community/ area where you intend to plant/ evangelise and explain your vision and plan. Allay fears of competition and seek to pray together in a spirit of mutual support.

Church Plant Implementation Steps

Phase Two (“Early Pregnancy”)

Note: These steps can happen concurrently and take differing lengths of time according to each situation. 

1. Through prayer, discussion and further community assessment, develop a strategic plan for the church plant/project which describes its:

2. Agree a date and announce a meeting open to all in the church, at which the vision will be shared more fully. This will enable others to feel a calling to join the team.

3. At this, or at a further meeting, an opportunity should be given for folk to share their doubts and fears about church planting/ the project as well as getting them to work through the evangelistic advantages. This greatly increases the ownership of the vision and dispels mis-understandings.

4. Following the meeting of all the church in steps 2 and 3 of above, start forming the core/team (those committed to the project). The leadership should test the calling of those who volunteer and possibly approach others that they think could be right. Establish the basis of commitment.

5. Hold regular meetings of the leadership group for planning and prayer. At these you can present the strategic plan outlined in step 1 above. Also deal with questions and share at each stage the proposed steps ahead. Promote different aspects of the vision in more detail at each event.

6. Hold periodic meetings of the developing core members. At these you can present the strategic plan outlined in step 1 above. Also deal with questions and share at each stage the proposed steps ahead. Promote the different aspects of the vision in more detail at each event.

7. Continue to keep the whole church informed regularly of evolving project progress. Use different channels of communication (i.e. written and verbal- be creative). You could start a regular Church Planting News Bulletin by preparing a written document for sending (or use the notice board) to all of the church to inform them of the possible project.

8. Decide which exercises you want to use in your team to establish a) gifting b) team member types c) personality and orientation. Prepare the necessary materials.

9. Plan team building and consolidation events with the leaders and team members. These will include fellowship, prayer and the tests decided above, together with team building games and exercises.

10. Review the team results for the gift identification exercise. Also assess who falls into the five leadership gifting areas in Ephesians 4 vs. 11. Keep notes of these findings together with Belben Questionnaire, / Task/People/Rules orientations and / personality profiles you have done. Begin to use them in deploying both leaders and team members and in the development of emerging ministries for the plant.

11. Plan and carry out fuller neighbourhood/network survey of the target area/community (select from Mission Audit materials ). Use as many core/team members as possible so that they are involved in the process, are affected by it and gain insights and key contacts.

12. Community work includes prayer in the area. The prayer base should also continue to develop with the regular meetings/intercessors. Pass on the insights of the praying people to the leadership group to help shape development.

13. A mission audit co-ordinator should collate and analyse all the information gained. This should be presented so that the leaders can plan the outreach and ministry and all core members can be encouraged and informed.

14. Leaders assess the survey findings and begin to form a profile of the area/ community and agree the main needs of the area/network.

15. Obtain details of other similar church plant projects that have already begun, not too far from you. Contact them and visit as a team. Preferably secure a time to hear from their leadership and ask all your questions. 

16. Ensure that Church Council meetings continue to include the plant as an agenda item- keeping them informed and gaining appropriate approvals.

Church Plant Implementation Steps

Phase Three (“Later Pregnancy”)

Note: These steps can happen concurrently and take differing lengths of time according to each situation. 

1. Continue team building and training. Form Responsibility area/ Task Groups to carry forward the various areas of the project. Allocate leaders and team members according to gifting and orientation.

2. Based on a thorough review of your community survey results (mission audit), the leadership begin to plan and implement appropriate initial events to respond to needs, create awareness of the new venture and further develop contacts.

3. Identify the evangelist(s) in your team- recognising the different types (proclaimers, explainers, people gatherers). Encourage them to research suitable material (e.g. teaching from Lawrence Singlehurst – SRK, Lost for Words CPAS ) to use to motivate the whole team in evangelism and outreach planning. Give team meeting time to this.

4. Continue to develop contacts and following-up those visited where appropriate. Encourage all the team’s creative/evangelistic gifts in imaginative ideas to draw in new people and to respond to needs.

5. If, or as numbers are sufficient, you may wish to begin meetings of the subdivided core members together with warm contacts and so move towards initial small groups.

6. Distinguish those in the leadership team/core with gifts for Vision, Management, Administration. Organise your meeting to reflect this- you may want to begin to plan different meetings at different frequencies with those who have these distinct focuses.

7. Review the suitable buildings/ meeting places for the launch of the project, taking care to assess all practical aspects. Begin negotiations for their use.

8. Plan worship style and philosophy for meetings/services. Include decisions about the place of the sacraments in the life of the new church.

9. Identify gifted worship leader(s), musician(s) and begin to form a worship team. This ministry team begins to meet and worship and gather necessary resources.

10. Establish other ministry groups and appoint leaders. Begin equipping and training (this may include the children’s workers and home group leaders).

11. Prepare a budget for the first year of the new plant/project. This should show some estimate of income to offset underwriting from the “mother” church. Decide whether a separate bank account is needed and agree arrangements for covenants. Identify someone in the team as responsible for finance/ a treasurer.

12. Programme further meeting(s) with the Church Council to finalise structural relationship and the issues of finance, authority etc. and agree the overall plan for the launch of the project.

13. Continue contact/ consultation with your denominational leaders and other churches in your area. Consider whether some sort of District Strategy would be appropriate for co-operative mission planning. If so, assess who could be the catalyst and who is the key leader(s) to carry forward such a strategy.

14. Assess the timing towards “birth” and earmark some suitable dates (preferably to coincide with favourable festivals or community events).

15. Discuss and pray about the name for the new church/project.

16. Plan and arrange publicity for the launch of the project. Local newspapers/radio may carry a feature. You may also want to design something for a leaflet drop throughout the target community.

17. Continue prayer development to cover all aspects of the project. Prayer should now be routinely part of team, core and ministry area activities as well as function of the intercessors and happening in the target area.

Church Plant Implementation Steps

Phase Four (“Preparation for Birth”)

Note: These steps can happen concurrently and take differing lengths of time according to each situation. Don’t feel pressured to complete in any given time.

1. Confirm the launch date and name of the new church. Proceed with plans to “celebrate” the Birth, implementing the planned publicity and carrying out any leaflet drop with the team (not ignoring the possibility of further follow-up contacts in the process).

2. Carry out any final contact-making events in the area.

3. Consider and implement special prayer events prior to the launch such as a prayer vigil/ half night of prayer.

Issues of the Building

4. Finalise arrangements for the venue. In particular confirming the caretaker/opening up procedures, parking and any outside notice/direction boards.

5. Assess the capacity of the building relative to the starting group plus expected newcomers and realistic plans for future growth. You may want to screen off part of a very large meeting area. Be ready with extra chairs in case your estimates are too low!

6. Research and acquire new P.A. system if required. Test new or existing system well before launch.

7. Consider issues of decor for the building as a place of worship. Banners or hangings can help provide a worship focus as well as covering up potential distractions (e.g. children’s work displays in schools). Consider how new people will perceive the setting for worship.

8. Acquire or get made all the furniture and equipment you will need for worship services, e.g. communion table with coverings, lectern, OHP and screen. These and items in 7 and above can be ways to involve those in the mother church and/or intercessors.

9. Carefully evaluate what extra rooms you need for crèche and childrens’ facilities. Relate what is available to your needs and ensure your childrens’ workers are prepared for the new context.

10. Based on your decided worship philosophy and style, choose and order worship materials, viz. Service Books, Sheets, song Books and/ or acetates for the OHP (you may need to cover copyright/CMA licence).

11. Those in the leadership responsible for the Worship and Teaching Programme should a) plan the themes for the initial months, b) develop a preaching rota c)identify others to participate in different parts of the worship service, do any necessary training and again plan rotas.

12. Appoint teams for welcome, coffee and tea, set up/take down crew, bookstall and give a task description list to each group. Some church plants have successfully given these task to Home-Groups who “host” the services in rotation.

13. Decide on the place of Holy Communion in your worship, viz. who will preside, how frequent will it be, what policy will you have for newcomers.

14. In the light of the plans of your children’s workers, acquire all the materials and teaching aids needed. Consider what involvement you want for the children in the main services.

15. Consider planning for at least one full rehearsal of your Sunday services in your new venue before the ‘launch’.

16. Book into the Mother Church programme a commissioning of the church planting team. Consider involving the denominational area leadership.

17. Discourage members of the mother congregation from coming in the early weeks of the plant. Such a spectacular bulge can increase discouragement at a key testing time one or two months into the project, when they stop coming.

18. If the vicar/pastor is to be present at the first service but not regularly thereafter, plan their participation accordingly and ensure an explanation of who are the ongoing leaders.

Financial Issues

19. Confirm decisions regarding any separate bank account for the plant, appointment of finance co-ordinator/ treasurer and arrangements for covenants (probably through the “mother”).

20. Decide how members of the new church will be encouraged to give. Arrange for either an offertory in the services or a gift box at the back.

21. Arrange necessary insurance for equipment, public liability etc.

Church Plant Implementation Steps

Phase Five (“Birth and Beyond”)

Note: These steps can happen concurrently and take differing lengths of time according to each situation. Don’t feel pressured to complete in any given time.

1. Work through with the team before the launch, your expectations of growth in order to avoid either disappointment and loss of momentum or being overwhelmed by success. Be in faith but also realistic about a quick or gradual build up of numbers. Be prepared for some early fall-off.

2. Prepare plans and material to obtain the names and addresses of the new people who will be drawn in, together with a follow-up approach.

3. Choose what sort of nurture and discipleship programme you intend to use for building up those who come (develop your own or use one of the many existing courses).

4. The team that have been responsible for the launch must be ready to be very inclusive- continuing good relations with one another but adapting to the new enlarged group. Consider the timing of shifting from a Team/ Core to an absorbed identity in the new congregation.

5. Plan how to make newcomers quickly feel this is “their church”- not just them attending your “new thing”. Are there jobs that they can be drafted into quickly.

6. Linked to this, anticipate the end of the “honeymoon” phase when the consistent high effort of the pioneer team can lead to exhaustion. Have plans to counteract this.

7. Anticipate the likely pressure to “settle down” and concentrate on those brought in at the launch- therefore loosing the ongoing outreach emphasis.

8. Plan the pattern of life/meetings/events of the new church to allow space for developing relations with non- Christians. Especially consider the freedom of no Sunday evening service- to devote time to the family or neighbours and friends. 

9. Plan and implement a strategy for cells/home groups based on your ministry philosophy and neighbourhood surveys. Clarify how they fit into the overall pastoral care and preferably also incorporate an outreach dimension.

10. Continue leadership and ministry training as necessary. Consider the need for someone in the leadership team to obtain accreditation within the denomination in the medium term.

11. Continue prayer ministry to support all developments.