Has God placed a calling on your heart to start a church? Are you unsure of where to start or what it entails? Don’t let the uncertainties discourage you from following his plans. While it’s true there’s more to ministry than pastor robes, a church building, and a killer worship team, it’s not an impossible feat. So before you step back, consider this your official guide to starting a church.
Teamwork makes God’s dream work
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can build a steady church on your own. Before ever setting foot in the doors of your new house of the Lord, be sure you have help. Call a friend who completed an online business degree, a neighbor who works full time as a tax advisor, and formulate a dream team.
Seek advisement to set the necessary business development to keep your church running for years to come. When you’ve established the backend of your ministry, hire a full-time staff to run various aspects of the church. As your responsibilities grow, it’ll be immensely helpful to have trustworthy men and women to whom you can delegate various tasks.
Trust, even when it seems impossible
It’s easy to lose sight when things don’t neatly fit into our boxes of expectation. Don’t despair if the timeline of your church doesn’t look the way you imagined it would. Our plans can often misalign with God’s, and at the end of the day, he knows best. Remain calm and trusting in the valleys of your journey. It can be easier said than done, but it’s what the Bible states as God’s plan.
When we stay steadfast in the unknown, God remains faithful in his promises. If your acts are truly done in selfless ways for the sake of others, he will provide even when it seems there is no way. When it comes time to stand at the top of the mountain, your time in the valley will create a greater appreciation for the view.
Set clear intentions and values
What is the set of beliefs you plan to set forth in your church community? What are the core values and practices that you will stand on when you open your doors? Be sure that these are firmly set in place before moving too far forward. Align your beliefs with the will of God, and discuss these values with your staff and volunteer base.
Be transparent with your community and congregation on what you believe and on the calling God has placed on your heart. When you create your online presence, include these core beliefs values in a clear way for new members to see. Have easy ways of communication in place for you and your team to be contacted with questions and requests for guidance. As Matthew chapter seven states, build your house on a rock; a solid foundation will withstand time.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
The church is not a building. Remember that while you’re building a place to congregate in his name, it’s not the location that matters, but the people who fill it. In the book of Matthew it states that where two or more gather in his name, he is with them. That is what you’re seeking to build. A community of brothers and sisters who come together to delight in his presence, praise his name and serve one another.
If you lead in a way that points upward and pours outward, your congregation will follow. Your attendees, along with you and your staff, are meant to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that needs him more than ever. Serve your community, find its greatest needs, and go out together to do God’s work.