Have you ever wanted to start a church? If so, you may be surprised to learn it is easier than you think. While you need to remember why you started out; for everyone to gather in prayer, praise and worship, there are other details you’ll need to keep in mind if you want the church to be successful. Read on if this is something you’re interested in:
Figure Out The Details
Your mission should define who you are, what you believe, and what you wish to bring to the community. Figure this out first with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and then you can hammer out the details.
When you have a simple strategy that supports your mission and vision, people get passionate about your mission and vision.
Carey Nieuwhof
Other decisions that should be laid out in the very beginning of your plan include the:
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Name of the church
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Denomination
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Goals
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Brand
Start Fundraising
You can start fundraising online, through letters, or any other way you can think of. You’ll need funds for all kinds of things, including:
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Start-up costs
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Facility management
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Software implementation
You may use the funds you’ve raised to first find suitable metal worship buildings for your cause. However, how you will spend the money raised is something you should figure out before you receive a penny.
Apply For Your Employer Identification Number
This is for tax purposes and is a must for the new church. The form to fill out for this identification number is called an SS-4.
Open A Bank Account
You’ll need to do this in the name of the church so you can start handling the finances. Consider things like minimum opening deposit, monthly fee, location, and so on. You might even want to look up loan availability.
Set Up Your Donation Platforms
You’ll need donation platforms to receive donations from supporters. You might try a crowdfunding website, for instance.
Apply For A Grant
You may be able to find support for your church in the form of a grant. Grant-giving foundations, private foundations, and other organizations often provide support for new churches in the form of grants.
Complete All Paperwork
Not glamorous, yet it must be done. There’s always a lot of paperwork to get through!
Obtain a Certificate Of Formation
One of the major steps that you need to complete in order to establish the church is to obtain a Certificate of Formation. This makes the church legal in the eyes of the government.
Draft Your Bylaws
The bylaws are the constitutions that the church will abide by. You may want to use an attorney for legal assistance.
Networking
To get people through the door, you’ll need to network. You can do this with flyers and posters, as well as online. Make sure you keep an updated online presence!
Schedule Services And Events
Having regular services and events for members to attend is important. You might want to arrange prayer sessions, praise and worship nights, sermons, mission trips, fundraising events, and more.
The only thing left to start a church when you’ve completed the above steps is build the team, and ensure you keep people engaged. Maintain communication, welcome new members, and nurture a strong community of people who love the Lord Jesus. Actually, this is the first step!
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
As Jesus said, “I will build My church.”
Amen and amen, Lord Jesus. We may build a building to gather in, yet Jesus builds His church. Our job is to follow Him where He leads us.