Around 81% of Americans attend church to get closer to God so it makes sense you’d want to open one in your neighborhood.
Planting a church is a fantastic way to spread the Gospel to new audiences and make a positive impact in your community.
If you’re unsure how to start a church, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know.
Things to Consider Before Starting a Church
One of the most important tips for starting a church is knowing what the process entails. Before embarking on this life-changing journey, consider the following questions:
Is This the Right Time to Start Your Own Church?
Before you start a church, evaluate your situation. For instance, figure out whether running a church is your passion if it’s the right time, and whether you have the right expertise.
Your congregation will come to your church to listen to you and have comfort in their faith. Therefore, as a leader, you must have the knowledge, faith, and experience to be an effective pastor.
What Kind of Community Are You In?
Consider how religious your community is and if there’s a large number of people excited to attend your church. Even though starting a church isn’t the same as creating a business, the idea of supply and demand still applies. If there aren’t enough members interested, you must reconsider your location.
Tips On How to Start a Church
“What is the best way to start a church?” You ask. Here are essential tips for starting a church, including:
The Planning Stage
Start by defining your church’s mission, who you are, and what you hope to bring to the community.
Take time brainstorming church names as it’s the first thing potential members will hear about you. For inspiration, use your denomination (e.g. Catholic), location, or choose a unique name instead. Once you’ve decided on a name, register a domain name for a website, blog, and employee email addresses.
You must also decide whether you want to follow the traditional route or become a more contemporary church. Remember, it’s important to set your church apart from the rest especially if there are many churches in the area.
Funding the Church
You must figure out how to fundraise your church so you can cover expenses like startup costs and facility management. During this time, apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) which is used for tax purposes by the IRS for new organizations.
An EIN is crucial for opening up a bank account, useful if you need to take out a loan so you can set up your church. You should also set up an online tithing tool so churchgoers can donate easily.
You’ll need to complete the application for a Certificate of Formation and a 501(c)(3) status so your church is legal in the eyes of the law.
During this stage, consider liability insurance for churches so you’re protected if disaster strikes and someone is injured on the church’s grounds.
Building a Team
When you’re planting a new church, create a list of anyone who may be interested in being part of your ministry. Share your vision and encourage potential attendees to get involved.
Once you have a group of people interested, organize a meeting where you can discuss possibilities for the first service. You must also develop your church network so you can grow the congregation and help the church survive without compromising on the quality of your service.
Schedule Your First Service and Events
Decide on your sermon style and how long you want the service to go on for. Most church services last between one to two hours so figure out which works best for your church.
You should also plan other exciting events like inviting special guest speakers, musicians, and other ministries to help run your service.
Be diverse so you reach different people and age groups. When you do this, your church will gain a positive reputation which will encourage others originally on the fence to join in.
You can also plan mission trips to other countries or throughout your state. This is an excellent opportunity for church members to form strong bonds while helping the community. Ask church-goers to create custom t-shirts for your missionaries so they can remember the event and raise money for the church.
And host stewardship events like potluck dinner or Bible study so everyone can build a stronger relationship with the Lord by embracing their faith.
Grow Your Community
Keep everyone up-to-date with church affairs via social media and word-of-mouth. Use this opportunity to encourage community members to encourage others to join too.
When new faces appear in your congregation, make sure you and your team are friendly and welcoming. Being a newbie is nerve-wracking so make it easy for new members of all walks of life to join your church.
Also, if a member misses service two or three weeks in a row, contact them. They may be going through a difficult time or discouraged to attend so reach out to show you care.
Wrapping Up
Now you know how to start a church.
Even though it’s daunting, make sure you have the funds, perseverance, and vision to create a strong church community.
Stay in contact with your congregation through weekly newsletters and host events so attendees can further strengthen their relationship with the Lord. Good luck!
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