If you have ever been called by God to birth a church, new ministry or like Peter, step out of the boat into deeper waters, then the following will prayerfully give you insight, encouragement and focus.
Understand first that whenever God calls someone to do something for Him, it usually is beyond his or her ability, experience and resources. Thus, God has to be in the mix because if He doesn't do it, it won't get done. Remember the task is nothing for God to accomplish; all He wants is the glory!
So make sure you are not derailed by your plans or desires and that first and foremost, the assignment is in line with God's word, His will and His leading. In other words, you are confident and have confirmation that this is God’s desire and dream, not just yours. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it"
Secondly, it is always good to have a core of people or contacts to assist you from the beginning. It is true: There is safety in counsel and numbers. This will help in the process of all it takes to begin a successful ministry, not to mention a contribution of resources that will be needed.
If you start with a foundation in place, it will help secure the ministry as it is built from the ground up. Keep in mind it takes people to start and run a ministry of any kind. Solidify your foundational members first with proper training, direction, vision and a time frame. You will save yourself a lot of heartache and ground when you begin this way.
Meet with your team, dream together, cast vision, cover it in a lot of prayer, collect the needed resources and chart the plan and then begin.
"Write the vision and make it plain so he who reads it can run with it.”
If you as the leader don't know where you’re going, you can bet those around you won't either.
Next, a secure plan of action is needed to locate where your new church or ministry will be meeting. This can be one of the most challenging things for you to tackle. It will have to be a God thing and you need to secure a place with room to grow, not just to meet your immediate needs. Plan ahead and plan in faith. A true visionary always looks and plans ahead.
Tie up all these details while firming up your new bank account, becoming incorporated and establishing your new ministry as a nonprofit 501C3.
Any accountant or lawyer can assist with this, putting everything in the new name as you desire. Also plan for proper advertising and promotion. A great Web page is a must, so organization and administrative skills are needed in this stage of the game! Make a list, and check it twice. If you plan properly, you will have fewer concerns once you set your start date and begin.
On the practical side, you may be coming out of a mainline denomination, the Lord is bringing you out of religion or you are being called to a certain city for such a time as this. Please know God is for you. He desires for His kingdom to advance and you are not in rebellion by answering God’s mandate on your life. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Anyone who pursues Gods call with passion and determination will be met with conflict, challenges and resistance. The challenges are all the more reason to endure as God stretches and forms you into all He has called you to be.
Nothing like a church plant will grow you up quickly and teach you to know the mind of Christ. From the onset of your ministry determine who you will be, what is important to you and what is going to be the priority in your new ministry. Will you be a praying church, a missions church, a Full Gospel church, Apostolic, prophetic or what defines you? So be true to yourself and your call and establish that early on. What is it that distinguishes you from the rest? It is very important to know that up front.
Lastly, covering and accountability is a must.
In other words, find your tribe and connect with it! Plan to come under or be joined to someone, group or ministry that you identify with and desire to be affiliated with. You will need to have someone to guide, mentor and relate to you and you need to be accountable to that person or group. Do not skip this part!
In this process, you will have others to not only relate to but also glean from and get direction.
The next step is being able to establish a board or a least a financial committee to help guide and govern your affairs.
New people desiring to join your church or ministry will ask this question first and it’s usually a deal breaker for them if they stay or go. You will be glad it's in place and will put to rest any questions or concerns for those wanting to make sure this ministry is in order.
God truly is a God of order and works through order.
If you begin something new properly and with God’s blessings, your chances of success are much higher, and you will be a lot better off because of it. God is in the details! So cover every base and think outside the box.
My prayer is that you will be so outside the box there won’t even be a box. Never try and carbon copy another ministry. It never works or at least never permanently. Be who God called you to be!
This is just some of the insight you will need in beginning the journey of birthing a new church or ministry.
A lot of trial and error, learning, growing and faith-building are ahead of you; but the most important thing to remember is to never quit, never ever, no matter what.
Start what you finish and complete what God called you to do. For He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Know He is perfecting that which concerns you. And God is faithful to keep that which you have committed unto Him.
So be strong and courageous and know that every place that the soles of your feet tread, He will give it to you. For He knows the plans He has for you, plans of a future, to bless you and give you hope. Therefore, go in His might, move in His power and be assured of His Love. You are a world changer and a history maker!
By: Pastor Deon Lett, New Destiny Church, St. Petersburg, Florida
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Birthing a Church Out of the Box!
