10 Lessons in Bootstrapping a Church Plant - Part 4

by Nelson Searcy and Tommy Duke

We’re looking at the lessons that can be learned in “Bootstrapping” a Church Plant (starting with little or no outside financial support). Click here to read the first, second, and third posts in this series.

Here are today’s lessons:

4. FOCUS: YOU’LL STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR CHURCH’S VISION
Bootstrapping will force you to drill down on the two or three things you feel called to do in order to fulfill your God-inspired vision. You won’t have time or money for rabbit chasing. For example, at The Journey we’ve chosen to focus on the weekend worship services and small groups. Anything that doesn’t support or flow through those two activities is a distraction from God’s vision for our church. We can attest that not having that pesky funding floating around will keep you from heading off in too many different directions.

3. BE BOLD: YOU’LL LEARN TO TEACH WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT GIVING
God isn’t shocked by the fact that your church needs resources to fulfill its purpose. He set the church up to be supported in a specific way, and he lays out the plan for that support in his word. During this bootstrapping process, take time to dig in and confirm your understanding of what the Bible says about money, on both a personal and corporate level.

One of the primary reasons pastors don’t teach on finances is that they’re not sure what they really believe. But once you have settled your theology of money (and are modeling the way of biblical generosity), you’ll have the confidence to teach your people about giving boldly, passionately and in a way that resources the church as God intends (Mal 3:10). Stewardship is discipleship. If you shy away from teaching on money, you are doing both your people and your new church a disservice. (For more on this topic, read Maximize: How To Develop Extravagant Givers In Your Church.)

Tune in tomorrow for the final two lessons from bootstrapping a new church!

P.S. The Church Planting Conference in Orlando is only ONE WEEK AWAY! There are just a few spots left.

If you’re looking for some help in starting a new church or with growing your church plant, you need to register today. There is still time to attend this crucial event in the life of your church plant but you need to contact me TODAY to be at the upcoming One Day Launch Conference in Orlando on July 13th. Register today, This will fill up!

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.