You wouldn’t move into a house that’s under construction or drive a car that’s still on the assembly line. So why would you launch a ministry before it’s ready?
Starting a ministry can be one of the most fulfilling yet challenging experiences. While a love for the Lord and a heart for people are essential for your ministry, you must also consider many logistics to sustain that foundation. Nothing should stand in the way of your calling, which is why it’s helpful to follow a solid strategy.
Enthusiasm provides the fuel you need to start and maintain a ministry, but a thorough plan provides the structure for success. Let’s review the steps you can take to launch an impactful and sustainable ministry!
1. Build a Prayer Team
Prayer is important in every aspect of our lives, whether we’re starting a new ministry, facing a challenge in our personal lives, or simply looking for encouragement in our daily endeavors. Ask people who love and believe in you to pray for your new ministry.
Be specific with your prayer requests. You may ask for prayer over:
- Clarity of vision and to remain focused on God’s purpose for the ministry
- Wisdom in decision-making, such as selecting ministry leaders or navigating challenges
- Resources and provision for financial and logistical support
Remember to be open with your prayer team throughout the process. Share your ideas and update them regularly on your progress, needs, and problems.
The takeaway: A prayer team is an invaluable asset to your ministry journey, providing spiritual covering and encouragement throughout every step of the process.
2. Align the Ministry to Your Calling
Consider why you’re starting this ministry. Maybe you’re trying to address an unmet need, like starting a children’s program for your small church. Or, perhaps you have a vision for bringing the gospel to your community.
Confidence in the calling God has placed on your heart is essential to discerning whether your idea lines up with His will. As you move forward with your ministry, all your decisions must be rooted in this calling.
Here are some strategies you can follow to remain grounded in your calling:
- Write out your mission and vision. Place it somewhere you’ll see it often, like on your bathroom mirror or above your desk.
- Consider the cost. Determine what you’ll have to give up to find the time and energy to launch this ministry, so you can make sacrifices where needed.
- Remain open to God’s leading. Be flexible in your approach and willing to pivot if you feel God leading you to divert from your initial plan.
Don’t be afraid to ask trusted fellow believers for their perspective. God’s voice is ultimately the only one you should follow, but He may speak to you through others.
The takeaway: Launching a ministry is a big commitment, but it’s all under God’s control. By consistently pursuing God’s calling, you’ll know that every decision you make aligns with His will.
3. Define Your Objectives
What does a “win” look like for your ministry? You need a goal to determine whether your ministry is successful and to track your progress toward success along the way.
Think about goals as the tangible mission of your ministry and objectives as the specific actions that help you achieve it. For example, if your goal is to gather the men in your congregation together for discipleship, you might have the following objectives:
- Identify a study plan for the group to follow.
- Create an accountability structure (i.e., pairing older men with younger men, ministry leaders with interns, etc.).
- Set a regular meeting schedule.
- Invite members of your congregation to join.
Once you’ve defined your objectives, assess them to make sure they’re properly aligned to keep your goals on track. What have you set out to accomplish, and what specific actions have you taken to achieve it? Have those actions been successful? If not, you may need to adjust your approach.
The takeaway: Launching a ministry requires a careful balance between relying on God’s will and doing our due diligence by taking action. As long as your objectives truly follow the direction in which God is leading, they should result in success.
4. Find the Right People
Ministry is a team effort. A passionate and like-minded team provides the support you’ll need to complete your objectives, making it key to the ministry’s success.
Figure out the types of people you’re looking for based on characteristics that align with your goal. Some qualities you might look for include:
- A heart for service
- Specific talents and skills
- Shared vision or calling
- Spiritual maturity
While you should take team selection seriously, be careful not to force mismatches. Find people who already have similar desires and connect their passions with your purpose.
The takeaway: God already knows who He’ll use and how He’ll use them for His will. Trust in His provision when looking for a strong team, and prayerfully consider potential ministry partners.
5. Identify Your Tools
Although ministry is a spiritually driven endeavor, it requires practical tools to carry out the tasks that push you toward your goals. These resources could include:
- Curriculum. Depending on the focus of your ministry, you may need to choose a children’s ministry curriculum, a women’s Bible study, or other teaching materials to carry out your mission.
- Worship tools. If your ministry offers a dedicated time for praise and worship, you’ll need the right resources to facilitate that time. This could include anything from the screen displaying song lyrics to the audio equipment your worship team uses.
- Church management software. Instead of investing in numerous tools to manage different aspects of your ministry, you might leverage a church management solution that combines many capabilities into one platform.
Once you’ve chosen the tools you need to start and operate your ministry, train your team to use them. Make sure everyone feels free to ask questions and is comfortable using these resources to carry out their roles.
The takeaway: In an increasingly digital world, every ministry needs a set of tools to reach people and work toward their missions. The right resources will make it easier for your team to put your plan into action and get closer to your goals.
6. Set Your Budget
Now that you know what you’ll be doing and which tools will help, it’s time to calculate the cost.
Your budget will be primarily based on your goals and needs, but there are also compliance considerations to keep in mind when starting a ministry. For example, you may have to pay a filing fee if you choose to incorporate your ministry by filing Form 1023 with the IRS.
Create a detailed budget that accounts for all your ministry’s income and expected expenses. It may be helpful to consult a professional bookkeeper or ask a member of your church with accounting experience for guidance.
The takeaway: Most ministry leaders are focused on their calling, not their finances. But don’t let the numbers intimidate you. There’s a financial aspect to carrying out any ministry, and if God called you to this, He’ll provide for it.
7. Establish a Timeline
A clear timeline keeps your ministry launch on track, ensuring you meet key milestones. It’s also important for organizing your approach and staying accountable to your goals.
Set deadlines for raising your budget, building your team, and launching your effort. Give yourself plenty of time to complete each step before moving on to the next. You might break the process down into these phases:
- Phase 1: Preparation and Foundation. Clarify your mission and vision, recruit a prayer team, and create a budget for your ministry.
- Phase 2: Team Building and Planning. Recruit key leaders. Then, develop and share training resources relevant to your ministry’s work.
- Phase 3: Outreach and Promotion. Invite congregation members to learn more about the ministry and get involved.
Remember to track your progress and communicate it to your prayer team and ministry partners. They’ll want to stay in the loop regarding your progress and know where you might need extra support or prayer.
The takeaway: Strong ministry launches always outlast faster launches. Taking your time when starting a ministry and following a well-developed timeline allows you to fully think through each step and ensure you’re trusting God’s timing.
Above all, remember to prayerfully approach each step of launching a ministry. While there are practical steps you can take to set the ministry up for success, you’ll only achieve your goals if you follow God’s prompting. At the end of the day, our ministries’ victories are not the result of our own works, but accomplishments made by the grace of God!
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