ChurchSafety

Nurturing a church from a seedling to a vibrant community is no easy task. It can test the skills of even the most experienced church leaders. You don't have to go it alone.  We've put together a few simple tips to get you started.

• Ask the tough questions. It's better to find out now—before you open your doors—whether your leadership team is ready to undertake a church plant.
  
  
• Establish procedures. Define important financial controls before you pass the first collection basket. Consider how to handle contributions, what your spending policies are, and how to document expenses.
  
  
• Location. Location. Location. Think about what kind of facility you will need and for what length of time you'll need it. When you make a leasing decision, consider the ease of reaching the location, the parking arrangements and your projected growth.
  
  
• Know who you are. Discuss your church's "identity."  Define your mission and think about how you will connect with believers and non-believers.
  
  

• Shout from the highest mountain. Tell people about the church and what you have to offer. Have a plan for communicating your message to the congregation and the larger community.
  
  
• Be prepared for conflict. A new church is fertile ground for conflicts to flourish.  Expect disagreements from passionate people with different ideas about the new church.  Have a plan for resolving conflict peacefully.
  
  
• Go with the flow. Your new church will have a congregation with its own unique needs.  Be prepared to let some things evolve on their own, as long as those decisions don't compromise your mission and identity as a church.
  
  

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