New Church Planting Checklist
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NEW Ideas for NEW & RENEWING Churches Resources for Birthing New Churches © 2009 B A S I C P L A N T I N G
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New Church New Church BASIC PLANTING Resources for Birthing New Churches © 2009 NEW Ideas for NEW & RENEWING Churches
Transcript of New Church Planting Checklist
N E W I d e a s f o r N E W & R E N E W I N G C h u r c h e s
New ChurchResources for Bir thing New Churches © 2009
B A S I C P L A N T I N G
CHECKLIST
T he following Check List is intended to aid church
planters and coaches through the church birthing
process. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all
activities needed to birth a church. Rather, this resource is a
starting place to generate ideas and highlight opportunities.
While we tried to place these in a general order, much of the
church birthing process happens organically – therefore, you may
find a need reorder or add to the list.
If you have any questions about this resource,
contact Rev. Cameron Trimble at [email protected].
UCC NewChurchDevelopment
Conference Sponsored Church Planter Model
Basic Planting Checklist
Initial Inquestq Discern that you are called by God to plant a church in the United Church of Christ
q Talk with those closest to you about this calling and make sure you have theiraffirmation and support
q Set up meeting with Conference staff overseeing new church development
q Receive and review conference documented strategy for new church Development
q Alert your conference that you are interested in engaging the assessment process
Assessment: Phase Oneq Complete Written Interview
q Complete DISC Profile (www.ediscprofile.com/)
q Complete the TEAM Profile (order from ChurchSmart)
q Complete the Conflict Style Profile
q Obtain VHS or DVD of Sermon Delivered in Past 5 years
q Complete National UCC Planter Assessment (Contact National UCC Evangelism Team)
q Current Church Budget (if currently serving)
q Submit Phase One Information to Conference NCD Advisory Team for Review
q Meet with NCD Advisory Team
q Obtain approval to move to Phase Two of Assessment
Assessment: Phase Two
q Obtain Background Check and Credit Check through Updated Ministerial Profile
q Meet with appropriate Association Church and Ministry Committee forIntroduction if needed
q Develop Detailed Ministry Plan q Define Initial Target Areaq Initial Demographic Studyq Obtain Percept Report for Area of Interestq Obtain Chamber of Commerce & Other Demographic Informationq Visit Target Areaq Provide List of Major Neighborhoodsq Visit Major Neighborhoods/areasq Visit Other Local Churches & New Church Plantsq Define Congregational Make up Based on Goals and Demographic Informationq Develop Initial Budgetq Develop a Fundraising Plan of Actionq Compile Detailed Budget for First 2 years of Operation
q Review Budget with Conference Staff
q Determine if Budget Adjustment Needs Additional Review
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q Finalize Working Draft of Budget
q Be in Process for Ministerial Standing if Not Ordained
q Submit Information to Conference Staff for Review
q Meet with Conference NCD Advisory Team
q Attend UCC New Church Leadership Institute in Atlanta, Georgia
q Attend Other New Church Training Events (see Griffith Coaching)
q Schedule Meeting with Conference Board of Directors for Approval
q Appear Before Conference Board of Directors
q Obtain Calling by Conference Board of Directors for New Church Start
q Obtain Letter of Call and Personnel Policies
Initial Start Activitiesq Identify and Meet with Launch Team Membersq Develop Promotional Material for Fundraising and Partnership Developmentq Select Church Nameq Determine Potential Launch Date Goal
Contact Potential Facilitiesq Prepare List of All Possible Meeting Places
q Establish Contact at Each Possible Location
q Introductory Letter to Each Facility Contact - Make Contact
q Attempt to Meet with Each Facility Contact
Final Demographic Studyq Converse With at Least 50 Locals
q Obtain Percept Report
q Develop Soft Demographic Study
q Conduct Soft Demographic Survey with at Least 200 Locals
q Finalize "Average Target Family"
q Review and Update Philosophy of Ministry
Networking with Other New Church Plantersq Develop a Strategic Partnership Plan
q Define Partnership Options
q Develop Partnership Covenant Expectations Documentation
q Identify Potential Partnering Churches and/or Organizations
q Contact Potential Partners
q Formalize Partner Commitments
q Review and Revise NCD Project Plan w/ NCD Advisory Team
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Networking Plan for Community Contactsq Develop List of Potential Community Contacts
q Develop Strategy for Networking with Community Contacts
q Document Initial Network Plan
q Form New Church Development Connection Groups
q Identify and Train Connection Leaders
q Develop Invitation Plan
q Recruit Connection Group Members
q Secure Meeting Times and Locations
q Host Umbrella Event
q Plan Quarterly Umbrella Event
q Develop Invitation Plan
q Secure Locations for Umbrella Events
q Develop Event Activities
q Identify Special Equipment Needs and Purchase/Acquire Timelines
q Identify Participation Accounting Methodology
Brandingq Develop Brand Identity
q Develop Tag Line
q Design Logo
q Develop Initial Marketing Plan
q Review and Understand Marketing Techniques Effort/Cost Levels
q Develop Marketing Philosophy
q Create List of Marketing Ideas
q Determine Initial Marketing Technique
q Create List of Marketing Ideas
q Determine Initial Marketing Technique
q Determine Initial Marketing Costs and Lead Times
q Finalize and Document Initial Marketing Plan
Website/Technology Developmentq Identify Web Development Resource
q Meet with Web Development Resource
q Select and Purchase Domain Name Based on Church Name
q Link New Domain to Web Site
q Set-up Email Accounts with New Domain Name
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q Determine Major Content and Functionality for Web Site
q Develop and Publish Professional Web Site
q Link Site to Other Prominent Community Sites
q Get Site Listed High on Major Search Engines
q Set Up Account with Email Marketing Service such as Constant Contact
q Set Up Blog
Budget and Fundraisingq Assign Cost to Project Plan Tasks
q Assign Likely Dates for Each Expenditure
q Lay Ground Work for Partnership and Support
Staffing Planq Outline Potential Staff Positions based on Church Strategy
q Determine Likely Number of Staff to be Added
q Identify Positions to Pursue
q Determine Hiring Timelines
q Determine Use of Interns if Any
q Issue Written Staffing Plan
q Adjust Increase in Staffing within Your Budget
q Review with Conference NCD Advisory Team
Initial Equipment Listq Provide Initial Worst Case Equipment List
q Assess List to Determine Purchase Criteria and Dates
q Determine Initial Purchase List
Update Ministry Planq Understand What Events are Currently in the Community and Successful
q Determine Best Events to Meet Community Felt Needs
q Determine Which Events To Do
q Update Schedule of Events
q Identify List of Special Equipment for Events
q Determine Which Equipment to Buy
q Update Equipment List
Establish Initial Community Presenceq Obtain Church Office Space
q Initial Ongoing Marketing Presence
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General Advertisingq Design and Order Business Cards
q Design and Order Brochures
q Obtain List of All Local Magazines that might fit your demographic with associated advertising costs
q Develop postcards/print material to be handed out in community with a personal invitation (remember, 87% of people who come to church come by personalinvitation, not general advertising) – BE STRATEGIC!
Update Marketing Planq Determine Area Specific 'Best Marketing' Techniques
q Determine Which Marketing To Do
q Develop a Schedule for Marketing
q Update Project Schedule with Marketing
q Determine Which Ads to Place
Database Systemsq Develop Visitor Information Process
q Select and Purchase Church Database System
q Set-up and Implement Church Database System
Contact with Key Community Leadersq Identify List of Key Community Leaders & Organizations
q Contact Each Key Community Leader
q Meet with Key Community Leaders
q Send Letter & Marketing Materials to Each Leader
q Identify Area Church Leaders
q Determine Whether Area Ministers Have Regular Meetings
q Meet with Area Church Leaders
q Identify List of Area Civic Associations
q Join Local Civic Associations
Facility Selectionq General List of Promising Meeting Locations
q Rank Facilities Using the Facility Selection Checklist
q Obtain and Assess Demographic Near Top 3 Facilities
q Make Final Facility Selection
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q Confirm Number of Worship Services
q Obtain Church Insurance Policy if Not Provided by the Conference
q Develop Strategy for Recruiting the First 30 People
q Develop Written Expectations for Launch Team
q Identify and Recruit First 30 People
Expand Launch Teamq Develop Strategy for Recruiting the Next 50 People
q Identify/Recruit the Next 50 Launch Team Members
q Vision/Values/Beliefs Write-Up
q Develop Basic 101 Level Course
q Conduct Basic 101 Level Course with the Launch Team
Financial Systemsq Set-up Payroll for Staff
q Identify Church Budget Categories for Tracking
q Establish Church Budget in Financial Software
q Develop Reimbursable Accounting Process
q Implement Donor Relationship Management System
Outreach Planq Review & Understand Outreach Event Effort/Cost Levels
q Develop Outreach Philosophy
q Establish Standards/Expectations for Number of Types of Events
q Provide List of Possible Outreach/Services Events
q Determine Initial Schedule of Events
q Determine Special Equipment Needs and Purchase Timeline
q Issue Written Outreach Plan
Small Group Planq Determine Special Small Group Model to Use
q Establish Goal for Number of Small Group at Launch
q Develop Training Plan for Leaders
q Issue Written Plan for Small Groups
q Identify and Recruit Small Group Members
q Start First Small Group
q Start Second Small Group, etc.
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First Touch Materialsq Determine Marketing Giveaways
q Design Marketing Giveaways
q Order Marketing Giveaways
q Determine 'First Touch' Materials
q Design 'First Touch' Materials
q Print 'First Touch' Materials
Newspaper Advertising (if effective in your area)q Develop List of Major Local Newspapers and Publications
q Develop List of Newspaper Editors and Religious Section Contacts
q Establish Relationship with Each Editor
q Prepare Press Release and Draft Articles
q Design Newspaper Ad
q Place Recurring Ads in Local Newspapers
Home Owners Associations (HOAs)q Develop List of Local HOAs
q Obtain Contact Information For HOAs
q Establish Contact with Each HOA
q Determine Schedule of Events for Each HOA
q Design HOA Newsletter Ad
q Place Recurring Ads in Each HOA Newsletter
q Sponsor HOA Web Sites
Publicize Event Scheduleq Identify All Possible Publicity Outlets
q Select Publicity Methods
q Implement Publicity Methods
Launch Planq Develop Customized Launch Plan Actions
q Determine Spousal/Partner Role in Actions
q Determine Administrative/Volunteer Support of Launch Plan
q Issue Launch Plan Version 1 for feedback
q Conduct Final Planning Meeting
q Issue Integrated Schedule
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Outreach Event Preparationq Provide Event Planning Checklist
q Design Outdoor/Indoor Banner(s)
q Print Outdoor/Indoor Banner(s)
q Develop Strategy for Connecting with People at Events
Community Eventsq Community Event #1
q Plan Event
q Market Event
q Conduct Event
q Record what you learn
q Community Event #2
q Plan Event
q Market Event
q Conduct Event
q Record what you learn
q Community Event #3
q Plan Event
q Market Event
q Conduct Event
q Record what you learn
q Community Event #4
q Plan Event
q Market Event
q Conduct Event
q Record what you learn
q Repeat until you have critical mass
Staffingq Provide Draft Staff Policy Handbook
q Customize Staff Policy Manual
q Provide Hiring and Interviewing Resources
q Add Second Staff Member if needed
q Add Third Staff Member if needed
q Add Fourth Staff Member if needed, etc.
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Preparation for Launchq Provide Launch Sunday Checklist
q Review and Verify Opening Day Document
q Customize Launch Sunday Checklist
q Design and Print Template for Weekly Programs
q Design and Print Newsletter Templates
q Develop Space Utilization Plan
q Update Equipment List
q Develop plan for following Launch Sundays to build critical mass
Outdoor Signageq Determine Best Location for Signs
q Determine Best Sign Type for Given Locations
q Determine Process for Placing and Removing Signs
q Determine Outdoor Signs to Purchase
q Purchase Outdoor Signs
Ministry Team Processesq Identify List of Desired Ministries and Ministry Teams
q Identify Basic Processes for Each Ministry/Ministry Team
q Develop Leadership Matrix for Opening Day
q Assign Lead Person for Each Ministry/Ministry Team
q Develop Written Charter for Each Ministry/Ministry Team
q Finalize Basic Processes for Each Ministry/Ministry Team
q Identify Equipment Needs for Each Ministry/Ministry Team
q Initial Worship Choir or Band Formed
q Initial Set-up and Breakdown Team Formed
q Initial Children's Ministry Team Formed
q Initial Frontline Team Formed
Purchase and Assemble Equipmentq Distribute Equipment List to Launch Team and Prayer Team
q Determine Spare Equipment and Supply Lists
q Develop Final Equipment Purchase List
q Approve Final Equipment Purchase List
q Purchase Equipment
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Worship Service Planningq Plan First 6 Months Sermon Topics
q Plan First Sermon Series Services
q Write First Sermon Series Sermons
q Develop Order of Service Form
q Obtain CCLI/BMI/ASCAP License(s) and MPLC/CVLI License
Community Eventsq Event # 5
q Plan Event
q Market Event
q Conduct Event
q Record what you learn
Direct-Mail Campaign (IF USEFUL IN YOUR AREA)q Create Carrier Route Maps
q Define Target Area
q Determine Number of Homes in Target Area
q Determine Number of Different Cards in Series
q Design Cards
q Print Cards
q Label Cards
q Deliver Cards to Post Office
Final Preparationsq Review Launch Sunday Checklist
q Review Visitor Information Process/Plan Post-Launch Follow-up
q Plan Post-Launch Information Meetings
q Conduct Practice Service(s)
q Prayer Vigil
Launch (over a series of Sundays)q Host Worship Service
q Collect Visitor Information
q Hand out First Touch Material for people to distribute in community
q Follow up with visitors
q Debrief and determine what can be improved for next week
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Post-Launchq Initial Organization Activities
q Prepare Articles of Incorporation
q File Articles of Incorporation
q Prepare Federal Identification Number Filing
q Obtain Federal Identification Number
q Establish Church Checking Account
q Prepare Bylaws
q Prepare IRS 1023
q Submit and Process IRS 1023
q Obtain Non-Profit Bulk Mail Permit
q Obtain State Sales Tax Exemption
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