The Custom Church Plant Timeline

The Custom Church Plant Timeline

By answering the questions below, we will create a custom, ten-month church plant timeline with detailed to-do lists for each month. This unique tool can be used as a project management tool, removing the mystery from church planting and preventing you from getting stuck, unsure of what to do next.
Your Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Church Plant Name:
This does not have to be the final name—any identifying phrase will work at this point.
Church Plant Location:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
What denomination, association, or network are you apart of?
16 Questions To Build Your Custom Timeline

Take a second to read the question, description, and make a selection.
1. Will you be a satellite campus of an existing church, using their name, logo and branding?
If you are launching a second site, or plan to use the name/branding of your parent church select "yes." If you're launching a new church with a new name & branding, select "no."
2. Will you have a parent church manage your finance and administration for the foreseeable future?
If your parent church will provide administrative oversight including giving, donor management, bookkeeping, non-profit status, etc, select "yes." If you are planning on setting those up for your new church plant, select "no."
3. Do you need to fundraise before you start?
Unless you already have received grant funds, support from a parent church, or some other form of funding, you will need to raise the funds before starting.
4. Do you know what neighborhood/town/city you're starting your church in?
If you know the general area you will be planting in, select "yes. If you're not sure yet, select "no."
5. Do you have a building for your church?
6. Do you plan on hiring staff?
This usually comes down to funding. If you have the funding, hiring a few key/experienced staff is recommended. If you don't hire staff, you will need to rely only on unpaid volunteer leaders.
Building Momentum
7. Are you interested in holding Information Meetings?
Information Meetings are chances for small groups of people to learn more about your vision and be given a chance to be a part of the new church. If you're able, these are worth having.
8. Do you plan on holding Launch Team Meetings?
Launch Team Meetings are a chance to gather those interested in the new church for training, vision, and building community.
9. Will you be holding Preview Services? If so, select how many you plan on having.
Preview services are monthly worship services that happen before you launch. They are a great way to practice being a church and give people a chance to "taste and see."
10. Will you be holding a Catalytic Event?
Catalytic Events are one-time, big, newsworthy outreach events that help you meet new people and introduce your church to the wider community. These might include festivals, block parties, volunteer days, or other community-wide events.
11. Will you be holding a Party the day of your Launch?
It's common on Launch Sunday to hold a worship service followed by fun activities, like a bounce house, food trucks, a magician, catering, etc.
Post-Launch
12. Will you be holding weekly services with worship and preaching?
Most churches launch with weekly worship services. Occasionally, house churches, missional communities, and other creative expressions hold church without weekly services.
13. Do you plan on offering small groups?
This might include classes, social groups, missional groups, or bible studies. If you plan on offering small groups of any kind, select "yes."
14. Do you plan on offering children's ministry?
Offering something for kids is essential to reaching parents with kids and is often recommended.
15. When you launch, do you want to hold a visitor event to help new people connect to your church?
Offering a Visitor Follow-Up event is a great way to get new people involved and connected.
16. Will you have a Signature Local Ministry?
Churches don't exist for themselves. Identifying a signature ministry to make a tangible difference in your community is highly recommended.