A Church Planter's Timeline

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

The first service for a new church planter is probably one of the most exhilarating moments of his entire life! In my opinion, there is nothing more exciting than pioneering a new work for God in a city without a Gospel witness. Yet if we do not prepare properly to ensure that every important detail is covered, all of the excitement and anticipation will quickly turn into a flurry of missed deadlines and last minute stress. Your top priority in preparation for the start of a new church is to prepare a well thought out plan that effectively schedules your limited time. To quote an old cliché, “Plan your work and work your plan!”

The following is a suggested list of essential needs for that first service with a suggested timeline. This outline will need to be broken down into many smaller duties, but hopefully this will prime the pump a bit to get you thinking in the right direction.

Settle on a church plant location—This important first step will involve prayer, fasting, pastoral counsel, door knocking, and several survey trips. Do not rush the process.

Set up an initial budget and timeline—Begin to draft the church plant budget and timeline.

• Time: As soon as possible

Secure local contact information—Secure a local cell phone number and a local P.O. Box for your new church.

• Time: 20 to 16 weeks prior

Secure your meeting place—You cannot print any materials, pass out any information, or publish any media until you have this place secured. The sooner this is accomplished the better.

• Time: 16 to 12 weeks prior

Prepare media materials—There are several things you can begin posting right away online to help get the word out about your new church. Design a church logo, design and launch a church website, subscribe to a social networking site to promote the new church such as Twitter or Facebook and start sending out email updates to prospects and local businesses.

• Time: 15 to 12 weeks prior

Send material to print—Prepare and print quality, full color materials such as tracts, bulletin covers, information brochures, visitor booklets/packets, a letterhead, business cards, opening service flyers, tithe envelopes, visitor cards, and banners and signs.

• Time: 15 to 12 weeks prior (timing will depend upon vendor’s turnaround times)

Complete church business needs—Business such as incorporation, filing for state tax-exemption, federal employment identification number, liability insurance, and opening a checking account. The Christian Law Association is able to help answer any church legal questions that you may have concerning these details.

• Time: 12 to 8 weeks

Prepare church administrative needs—Items such as the church constitution and bylaws, doctrinal statement, membership database, form letters, and soulwinning needs such as prospect cards, decision cards, and prospect database.

• Time: 12 to 8 weeks

Prepare canvassing materials—Divide your city into sections and prepare individual maps for those coming to help pass out invitations to your new church plant.  

• Time: 8 to 6 weeks

Secure service materials—You will need to gather a pulpit, hymnals, chairs, nursery supplies, PA equipment, key board/piano, children’s curriculum, and any decorations.

• Time: 8 to 4 weeks prior

Move to your new location—If you do not already live in the city in which you intend to plant a church, be sure to move and be completely settled into your home before launching out into full time, church planting ministry.

• Time: 8 to 4 weeks prior

Begin canvassing the city—Go door to door inviting each member of your community to your opening service. Many church planters invite neighboring churches to come and help canvass their community.

• Time: 4 weeks prior

Plan the order of service—Know what you are going to sing, say, and do. Do not leave this service “to the moving of the Spirit!” Make your first service exciting and vibrant.

• Time: 4 to 2 weeks prior

Follow up on soulwinning and canvassing prospects—Personally visit every good contact you have made, and invite them to be your personal guest at your inaugural service.

• Time: 2 to 0 weeks prior

Final preparations—Confirm location, conduct a “trial run” service set up and sound check, and coordinate with those helping in your first service.

• Time: 2 to 1 weeks prior

Execute the first service—After months of preparation, it is finally time to begin the church the Lord led you to start!

To fail to plan is to plan to fail! Take the necessary time to build a complete and thorough checklist and timeline that will guide you through the months leading up to your first service.