Church Planting

[From Planting Space by Doug]

In our recent survey of new churches currently in years 2-5, we found that the healthiest new churches had launch teams of over 40 people. Click here to see the stats.

At Passion 4 Planting we work hard at staying up to date with church planting and have a nearly exhaustive list of tasks for planting a church. Its packaged nicely into our Converge software and online launch plan tool. If you are interested, we’ll be giving it away for free starting at the Exponential Conference.

Though building a launch team is the most important things you do in starting a church, it hard to develop a task list around it. People are not tasks. If you approach them as such, your launch team will not thrive. You need to create opportunities to connect with people in an authentic way in which you reach out to them with the love of Jesus rather than look at them as a number or how they can help you. Here are a few ideas:

1. Define what a launch team is.

A launch team has a singular goal: to help the church planter get the church started. Once you begin launch team meeting, you must communicate the goal of the team. The tendency will be for the team to form a tight bond during the pre-launch time and focus inward once public services begin. You must regularly communicate the message that they are to reach out to their lost friends and neighbors and serve them rather than hang out together.

2. Determine who you will allow to be on the launch team.

By the time you begin building this team, you should already know what your target group looks like. Your target group helps determine who should be on the launch team. For instance, if you are targeting young couples a launch team of retired adults will not work. When the young couples arrive for the church and all they see is gray heads, they will assume the church is not for them. It is advisable to have diversity on the launch team, but the majority should reflect the target group.

Will you accept non-Christians on the launch team? I hope so. You are starting a church for lost people, so they should be a large part of the team. They may not yet fully understand church, but your relational connection will be enough for them to help get things started.
Don’t aim to recruit Christians from other churches. That’s not why you are starting the church. You will likely encounter Christians who want to be on the launch team. Be very clear up front what the vision of the church is and make sure they are on board 110%. Unity is essential. Find out why they want to be a part of the team. If they have left a church, call the pastor and ask. The last thing you need is a cantankerous Christian on your launch team. Avoid the temptation to begin holding “services”. Their will be many clamoring for this. Keep them outward focused and attend other church plants in your area together.

3. Define the commitment.

Ask people to commit to serving for the first 3-6 months of the church. You will need that commitment to have adequate volunteers the first few months. Hopefully they will continue to serve long after that. But remember the goal is to get the church started. If they do not see themselves as a permanent fixture at the new church, they are more likely to stay through their committed time.

4. Don’t get attached.

You will build close relationships with the people on your launch team. You will tell stories for years about the things you did together. You will think that they will be a part of the church forever. They won’t. Most church planters see about half of the launch team leave in the first two years. Part of that of that will be natural. The ones that will hurt are the those that never really got it and leave to go somewhere else.

5. Start with Prayer.

You cannot start a church out of your own strengths and talents. You should have the feeling of “I can’t do this.” Starting a church is a God thing. Pray for divine connections. Ask God to help you connect with the right people at the right time. God is already at work in your target area. Long before you arrived, God was working in the hearts of people and preparing the ground for your launch team. If the task of building a launch team of 40+ people sounds too big, then you are in the right place. Go to God.

6. Get out of the office/house.

You won’t meet to many people sitting in your office at the computer. Get out! If you need a place to work, go find a coffee shop with wi-fi and camp out daily. You’ll get to know the employees and regulars and through those relationships will have a chance to share your story.

7. Network, Network, and Network some more.

Make an exhaustive list of who you want to network with and intentionally spend time meeting with them. Meet with principals, business owners, other church leaders, politicians, land developers, real estate agents, etc. If you need help identifying who to meet with, we’ve created a Community Targeting Tool, to do the job for you. If you need an excuse to talk to people, start planning an outreach event and ask for businesses to partner with you.

8. Do Things You Enjoy in Public (ex. sit in a jacuzzi).

My wife and I met lots of people sitting at our neighborhood pool and jacuzzi. What else are you going to do besides talk (That’s rhetorical, no comments please). I’ve known lots of pastors that join gyms as ways to meet new people. My wife and I met a launch team couple and long time friend by walking our dog in the neighborhood. If you don’t have dogs or kids, get one or the other. Its the easiest way to break the ice and you will automatically have lots of things in common. Take your kids to the park and hang out with the other parents who have nothing to do while their kids play.

9. Plan outreach events.

Plan several outreach events to connect with and meet new people. Whenever you do, be sure to issue a press release. Partner with other events that are going on in the community for maximum impact.

10. Plan a Matthew Dinner.

When you connect with someone its natural to get together. If they have captured the vision of the new church, ask them to host a cookout at their house and invite all of their friends (including you). This will rapidly expand your connections. It is also how the church most naturally grows. Most people come because they are invited. Build this into the DNA of the launch team early. At dinner time, ask the host to introduce you as the pastor of a new church and have them ask you to pray. No need for lectures about the church. If people, are interested they will ask. As you meet new people, invite them to your house as well. Be strategic and invite people that you think will naturally connect with each other. I hosted a dinner group for friends and then asked if they would like to do it regularly and have discussion about spirituality afterward. Each person wrote down one question they would like to ask God. Each week we talked about a different question. This wasn’t bible study time. Everyone contributed their own thoughts. But I always shared Scripture and God’s point of view. The discussions were amazing.

11. Host informational cookouts and dinners.

Plan some launch team events where those you have connected with can bring their friends. These are crowd gathering events. If you plan to vision cast, make sure that people know that ahead of time. Remember the time you were hoodwinked into an Amway presentation. No one wants that experience.

12. Share your story and don’t be afraid to ask.

Don’t be shy about what God has called you to do. Most non-Christians will find it fascinating that you are starting a church and ask questions. I found that being a pastor is not the leprosy disease we make it out to be. People are interested in spirituality and your story is the most powerful tool you have. Look for opportunities to share it and ask them to share their stories of spirituality as well. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask. When you have an event our when you need volunteers to serve at the church, be sure to ask. Many won’t serve out of love for God YET, but they will serve because you’ve taken the time to be their friend.

[Featured on newchurches.com]

Today's Quote

"Without vision, people will define their own vision and the loudest voice will prevail."

Church Leadership Book

A CHURCH LEADERSHIP book has been written which is privately produced in the USA and can be previewed /purchased at http://www.albertsferguson.com/.

This book unveils various “leadership gaps” within today’s churches, without regard to denomination. It pinpoints the root causes why so many leaders of churches (of all sizes) are failing so miserably in their leadership. The matter-of-fact and straight-talking style of the author is balanced by the sound advice he gives from his international background in religious and corporate leadership. Use this volume to audit the state of the leadership within your local church.

You might also be interested in an article this author wrote in yesterday's NASSAU GUARDIAN newspaper. The On-line version can be accessed from the following link - http://www.thenassauguardian.com/religion/318187693176408.php

These are excellent resources.
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Network Formed to Plant Churches in U.S.

A group of charismatic pastors has teamed up to launch a church-planting movement whose goal is to expand God's kingdom through evangelism and prayer.

The International Center for Evangelism, Church-Planting and Prayer (ICE-CAP) launched last summer in Nashville, Tenn., as an extension of Every Nation, an international network comprising more than 400 churches in 50 countries.

The organization was formed in response to declining U.S. church attendance, specifically among young adults, said ICE-CAP founder Rice Broocks, pastor of Bethel World Outreach Center in Nashville.

"You have this growing concern that the rate of people becoming Christians in America is not even keeping up with the population growth" said Broocks, who with pastors Steve Murrell and Phil Bonasso co-founded Every Nation in 1994 under the name Morning Star International. "I see a lot of church planting around the world but, when we come back to America, churches, according to statistics, are closing more than opening."

He noted that The Barna Group released a study last year showing church attendance declining, most prevalently among 16- to 29-year-olds. The report revealed that this age group tended to be "more skeptical of, and resistant to, Christianity" than the same demographic a decade earlier.

Broocks also noted the "4 percent theory" put forward by Ron Luce, founder of Texas-based Teen Mania Ministries and a proponent of the view that only 4 percent of today's children will become "Bible-believing" adults. In comparison, Broocks said, 65 percent of the World War II generation, 35 percent of the baby boomer generation and 17 percent of the current millennial generation are considered "Bible-believing."

"Think about all the things that took place under the watch of the baby boomer generation—abortion, prayer taken out of schools," Broocks said. "Think about what America's going to be like when this '4 percent generation' takes over. If we don't do something within the next five years, what is America going to look like?"

Hoping to play a part in changing those statistics, Broocks teamed up with author and pastor Larry Tomczak, who once headed People of Destiny International. Renamed Sovereign Grace Ministries in 2003, it's a pioneering church-planting movement that has established more than 60 churches in the U.S. and abroad.

Broocks also brought on board Dale Evrist, author and pastor of New Song Christian Fellowship in Brentwood, Tenn.

The team united to form ICE-CAP with a goal to contribute to world evangelism, beginning at home. "We've all planted a lot of churches, but the key for us is not about my church or Dale's church succeeding," Broocks said. "A key phrase for us is that 'it's going to take the whole church to reach the whole world.'"

It also takes leaders, stressed ICE-CAP director Tomczak. "A strong percentage of people in churches are not sharing their faith and have never led anybody to Christ," Tomczak said. "A lot of people are apologetic, fearful; they don't know how to present the gospel."

With that in mind, ICE-CAP launched its Leadership Training Institute in October. More than 80 students converged in its first semester to learn about leadership through evangelism and prayer. Currently, the institute is wrapping up its second semester.

The group is also connecting with religious leaders nationwide to help develop strategies for church planting. But without evangelism rooted in relationship, little will change, Tomczak said. "Things have become too institutional, mechanical," he explained. "We've got to get back to the relational aspect, and that's critical in reaching this next generation. There's been a real disconnect there."

Tomczak said ICE-CAP is following a simple, foolproof model. "Our model for evangelism is Jesus," he said. "We've got to get out into the marketplace, into the highways and byways, and do like Jesus did—love people, engage people, befriend people, find ways to serve people."

--By Suzy A. Richardson (Source: Charisma online)

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Building Fund

(From ChristianityToday.com)

Today's Prayer

Dear God, Opportunities abound. Please help me to discern when an opportunity is something that You have placed before me and when it is something that would be contrary to Your will. Stir my conscience and bring questions, examples,and Scripture to my mind that will guide me in this process. Help me to consider biblical values; ethics; the gifts, skills, and abilities You have given me; my family and other commitments; and anything else they may open my eyes to the truth. Encourage me to grasp the opportunities You give and to turn from the opportunities that I should not touch. Thank You, God, for Your hands of guidance and Your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen.

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One Prayer

Craig Groeschel from LifeChurch.TV has come up with an incredible idea to unite the body of Christ in the month of June. One Prayer is a 4 week series combining churches all over the world, dozens of speakers, and hundreds of thousands of believers to pray one strategic prayer for the Church. The prayer goes like this ... "God make us ______." Each church can pick from a line up of speakers and topics to show during the 4 week series. Go to the One Prayer blog to check out the details. I challenge every pastor to be part of this movement!

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Thank You - Lee's Chapel United Methodist Church

I had a marvelous time today at Lee's Chapel United Methodist Church in Remlap, Alabama. The congregation was so kind, the praise & worship music was inspiring, and lunch was unforgettable. I know they missed their pastor, Jonathan Herston today, but I certainly enjoyed the experience of ministering.

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Frank E. Howard Obituary

Frank E. Howard
Date of Birth: October 23, 1917
Date of Death: April 01, 2008
City: Cleveland, TN

Frank Edward Howard, age 90, a resident of Cleveland, TN passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday, April 1, 2008. Mr. Howard was born in Stratford, Iowa on October 23, 1917 and he was the son of the late Jenny Belle Lynch Howard and Wilbert O. Howard. His sister and five brothers also preceded him in death. He later served in the United States Army during World War II, in the 121st Hospital Division. Mr. Howard moved to Wyoming after his marriage to Elva Decker, where they co-pastored the Sheridan Church of God of Prophecy for eight years. It was in Wyoming Mr. Howard attended Hieman Business College, preparing him for his role as the accountant for the White Wing Publishing House here in Cleveland from 1958 until his retirement in 1984, serving 28 years.

During his 50 year residency in Cleveland, Mr. Howard ministered as a deacon at the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy, as well as serving in leadership positions such as treasurer, Sunday School superintendent, and small group ministry leader. He also supported his wife’s international ministry to women, traveling with her to every continent. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He lived his life as a testimony of God’s faithfulness. His humble spirit, tender heart and love for the Lord defined his character and inspired those around him.

Mr. Howard’s compassion for the lost prompted a life dedicated to personal evangelism and serving others. Above all, his family and friends will remember him as a man of prayer, who lived out his faith daily looking forward to the time that he would join the saints in heaven’s eternal celebration.

Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Elva Howard of Cleveland, his daughter, Kathryn Creasy and her husband Rick, his son, The Reverend Randy Howard (General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy) and his wife Bess, his grandchildren, Lee and Clint Creasy, Lauren Harding and her husband Jay and Ben and Brett Howard.

The Remembrance of Life Service will be conducted Saturday morning at 11:00 from the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy with Pastor Tim Coulter and Reverend Billy Wilson officiating.

Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with Milton Donnafield, John Disbrow, Paul Evans, Ken Nope, David Calfee, Jack Wilkinson, Victor Chaddock and Terry Frankland serving as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy Deacons.

The body may be viewed from 10:00 until 11:00 Saturday morning at the Church.

Memorials may be made to the International Children’s Ministries, C/O the Church of God of Prophecy International Offices, 3750 Keith St. NW, Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 or to the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy Building Fund, 3301 Peerless Rd. NW, Cleveland, Tennessee 37312.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 9 P. M. Friday at the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy.

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Pastor Frank Taylor Supports New Community Magazine

[The Daily Record, Dunn, NC]

With hands lifted high in praise, and lots of "Amens," it was indeed a celebration of faith and hope.

Dunn, NC area pastors and lay leaders gathered yesterday to welcome The Daily Record's new Christian magazine, Faith & Hope, set to launch in early May. Faith & Hope will feature inspirational, faith-based articles by local freelance writers, and serve as a free guide to area Christian resources.

"We're looking forward to this as a means of serving our community in a new way," said Daily Record editor and publisher Bart Adams. "While we already publish more church news than most any newspaper our size, 'Faith & Hope' will be a Christian outreach to people who aren't looking at our church pages to find a service or activity.

"This is a way for business and church to come together in a bold way and say Jesus is Lord," Mr. Crawley said. "With your prayers, your support and your participation there will be revival, not just in Harnett County, but across eastern North Carolina."

Mr. Crawley also discussed the online aspect of the magazine, the Web site http://www.faithandhopeonline.com/, which will feature its stories, testimonies, links to churches and local resources, and a directory of area churches. Partnering churches receive an enhanced listing on the site, and a link to their own church site. Local churches will also be able to upload their news and pictures.

The Rev. Frank Taylor of Coats, pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy, said he's excited about being part of the magazine. "It's excellent, and I think the idea will be a great success," Rev. Taylor said. "It's something the churches have wanted to do for years - the book will bring us together as a ministry."

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Court Rules in Favor of Departing Churches

On April 3, Judge Randy Bellows of the Fairfax County Circuit Court ruled in favor of the Virginia churches that have departed the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Bellows ruled that a religious division had occurred, and that the Virginia Statute on Religious Division, Va. Code 57-9(A), is applicable to this case. The Episcopal Church and the diocese are expected to challenge the court's decision. Bellows has scheduled arguments on the constitutionality of the Virginia statute for May 28.

A majority of members in the 11 Anglican churches voted to sever their ties to the Episcopal Church and the diocese following disputes over the redefinition and reinterpretation of Scripture.

IRD Director of Anglican Action Ralph Webb commented:

"Judge Bellows' decision commendably recognizes facts that the Episcopal Church refuses to accept. The majority of many congregations across the country and the majority of one entire diocese have voted to leave the Episcopal Church.

"And it's ironic and tragic when a secular judge takes the Episcopal Church's membership in the Anglican Communion more seriously than the denomination itself. Bellows rightly recognizes that 'the CANA [c] ongregations were bound by personal ties of 'affection or sympathy' with the Anglican Communion' both before and after they left the Episcopal Church.

"The ruling should cause the Episcopal Church to take a long look at its harsh, take-no-prisoners approach to dealing with church property. This result was by no means inevitable. The denomination should have allowed the diocese to sit down at the table with the CANA congregations.

"Sadly, the Episcopal Church appears more interested in property than people, and more interested in the recovery of property than in reconciliation. Christians certainly can legitimately differ in their conclusions about who lawfully should possess the property. But sometimes you can be overly zealous concerning some goal that you'll either never reach or will attain at too great a cost.

"Will the Episcopal Church gain the world but lose its soul in the process? It still is not too late to pursue healing and reconciliation."

http://www.theird.org/

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Carol Howell Memorial

Plans are underway for a memorial to honor Dan Howell's wife, Carol. After Dan consulted with Fred Garmon, Executive Director of People for Care and Learning, he and the family settled on what they believe is a fitting permanent memorial for Carol in Cambodia.

Dan stated: “As you know, Carol fell in love with the Cambodian children, especially the ‘garbage dump’ kids in Phnom Penh. PCL has recently completed a new facility called ‘Emmanuel Village.’ Its purpose is to rescue these children from the garbage dump. However, the facility does not have a place for the children to play. Since play is an essential part of childhood and since Carol had such a lively and playful spirit, we thought it fitting to build the ‘Carol Howell Memorial Playground.’ It will be a safe place where children’s laughter is heard and their lives are mentored for Christ. As you know, Carol had an infectious laugh, and I know she would be thrilled to see the joy this playground provides for laughing children.”

“Her desire was to return to Cambodia next January. Through this memorial and a marker to display her name, she will always be with them. All contributions to this memorial will be appreciated by her family.” Tax deductible checks can be made out to Keith Street Ministries, 4000 Keith Street, Cleveland, TN 37312 and marked for the “Carol Howell Memorial.”

Sincerely,
Jerry & Evelyn Adams
5145 Creek Bend Circle
Cleveland, TN 37312
423 472 0906
adamneve65@charter.net

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Cleveland Happenings

This week, the General Presbyters of the COGOP have been in Cleveland, TN from around the world for their bi-annual meeting. These meetings have been punctuated by tragedy and difficulties, but successful. At the beginning of the General Presbyters meeting, Bishop Felix Santiago, the General Presbyter of Central America suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in Knoxville. Bishop Miguel Mojica, General Presybter of South America was hospitalized in Cleveland for a heart-related issue.

General Overseer, Bishop Randall Howard's father, Deacon Frank Howard passed away.

In the face of all these events, the meetings carried on and business has continued for thus world-wide movement. This week the BDP Committee, F&S Committee, Global Outreach Committee, Administrative Committee, and TC Board met with the General Presbyters to continue the work of the church.

Self Inventory

[From LifeChurch.tv : swerve by Craig Groeschel]

For a self inventory, and introspective, ask yourself the following questions.

• In what area of life have I lost my passion? (What can I do to get it back?)
• If the enemy were going to “take me out,” what are my three most vulnerable points?
• What new burden has God given me in the last year?
• What have I unlearned that has made me closer to God?
• What new discipline is God calling me to do?
• What has God asked me to do that I haven’t yet done?
• Is there something that I think about more than I think about pleasing God? (Money, possessions, ministry, family, recreation, something else.)
• Do I have an increasing joy in serving Christ?
• Am I handling the pain of ministry with integrity?
• Am I still being persecuted for my faith in Christ?

The Top Seven Temptations Senior Pastors Face

[From Perry Noble dot com by Perry]

#1 - Selling Out God’s Vision In Exchange For A Paycheck

I know so many pastors who fear losing their jobs because they think if they say what God wants them to say or attempt what God wants them to attempt then they will get fired. They claim to believe in the Sovereignty of God but then cower before the “all powerful … committee!”

#2 - Trying To Please Everyone

You CAN’T do it – no matter how you preach, what you wear or who you talk to – someone is going to get angry at you. Jesus never tried to please everyone…He was faithful to His Father and His calling – we should do the same.

#3 - Thinking Working Harder Will Solve The Problem

There have been so many times I have felt like I needed to violate the 4th commandment in order to make things happen … BUT – the commandment to rest is not a mere suggestion. It’s a command!

Sometimes the godliest thing a pastor can do is walk away from the work for awhile and relax … and let God prove how HE is perfectly capable of running the world (and the church) just fine!

#4 - Sacrificing Their Family

I’ve seen so many pastors allow the church to thrust their wives into activities that they hate – but the pastor tells them to do it in order to “keep the flock happy.”

I’ve seen pastors go to the sporting events and school plays of every kid in the church – except for his own; after all, they will understand, right?

Pastors – there isn’t a church or ministry ANYWHERE that is worth the price of your family! (How do you know if you are sacrificing your family? Why not ask them?)

#5 - Not Delegating Their Weaknesses

One of the myths that pastors buy into is that they have to be “well rounded.” Let me be very upfront here – there isn’t a well rounded person on planet earth. NO ONE is good at EVERYTHING.

If you have a weakness … instead of spending all of your time trying to master it (which you never will) why not delegate it and focus on the things you actually do well. THOSE are the things that will add the most value to your church over the long haul.

#6 - Avoiding Conflict

Unresolved conflict is like cancer … if not dealt with it will grow and eventually kill an organization or ministry. If there is tension or unresolved conflict on a staff … it is the pastors job to make sure it is dealt with – not ignored! (Anyone need to have a conversation today?)

#7 - Not Spending Personal Time With God

When a pastor is not personally walking with God then He cannot expect His church to do so! Pastors, NOTHING should come in between us and our personal time with God – that is where our fire comes from! We NEED HIM … He doesn’t need us. SO … we need to spend more time seeking His face rather than merely asking Him to bless our plans.