Welcome to the Launch to Lead Video Course! We’re so glad you’re here. You’ve made an excellent decision in choosing to get as much training and equipping as possible before you launch your church plant.Please watch the video below to meet Nathan Camp, the chief executive officer of StartCHURCH, your guide through the Launch to Lead video course.

The call God has placed on your life is not one that He intended for you to carry out on your own. You are going to need help, and it’s okay to ask for it. Find out why having a launch team is essential to your church plant.

Important Truths About Launch Teams

There are three primary functions every launch team carries out. Learn what they are by watching the video below.

The Primary Functions of a Launch Team

It falls on you, church planter, to go out and find the people that will make up your launch team. Here are nine qualities to look for in a person when finding a great launch team member.

9 Qualities of a Great Launch Team Member

How do you go about finding the right people for your launch team? Here are 10 things you can do. Plus, learn the basics of creating a pitch for recruiting a launch team member.

Recruiting a Great Launch Team Member

Now that you have an idea of who will be part of your launch team, how do you lead them well? Here are 12 common mistakes you’ll want to avoid while leading your launch team.

How to Lead a Launch Team

After you’ve gathered your launch team together, you’ll want to create a timeline to map out how you will build community as a team, as well as what training will look like. Here are some best practice tips.

When to Start Building Your Launch Team

Launch To Lead Workbook

Launch Team Response Card

Launch Team Roster Sheet

Gifts and Passions Questionnaire 

Launch Team Organizer

Launch Team Job Description

Launch Team Message

Recruitment Presentation

Personality Test

How To Grow A 30 Person Launch Team

You learned why having a launch team is important, how to recruit the right people, and how to lead your team well.

When you know that God has called you to plant a church, you’ll want to make sure you take the right steps to protect it. Here are the first five steps you can take to ensure you are protecting the church plant that God has called you to lead.*Disclaimer: This lesson is not to be considered legal advice.

10 Steps to Protecting Your Church Plant (Steps-1-5)

By following the rest of these steps, you can be sure you’re providing your church plant the best chance to thrive despite hostile legislation.

8 Steps to Legal Ordination

By following the rest of these steps, you can be sure you’re providing your church plant the best chance to thrive despite hostile legislation.Bonus feature: This video outlines the three keys to creating a pastoral compensation agreement.*Disclaimer: This lesson is not to be considered legal advice.

10 Steps to Protect Your Church Plant (Steps 6-10)

Ordination Application

10 Must-Take Legal Steps

You learned the best steps to take to protect your church plant, how to create a legitimate ordination program, and how about possible exemptions available to your church plant.

Budgeting for your church plant can either be a catalyst that propels you forward or a weight that weighs you down. Here are important keys you need to create a successful budget for your church plant.

What Is a Church Plant Budget?

No two church plants are the same; neither are their budgets! In this video, learn about the essential principles to creating the right budget to fit your church plant’s needs.

Principles for Building a Church Planting Budget

Even if you have your budget written down on paper, there can still be some unexpected costs that arise. Here are some common "budget busters" that you may experience prior to your church plant’s launch and within the first year of your church.

8 Budget Busters in Pre-Launch and First Year

Launch day may be the most exciting day for church planters! Be sure that when you make a plan for that day, you also make a budget. Here are three major areas to plan for.

Budgeting for Launch Day

Not sure what your budget should look like for your church plant? While there is no "one size fits all" budget for church plants, there are some elements to think about while you plan. Here are a few ideas to help you move forward.

4 Questions Every Church Plant Asks When it Comes to Budgeting

Offering Count Sheet

Donations Receipt

Reimbursement Request Form

Successful Church Plant Budgeting

You learned the basic principles for creating a budget for your church plant, how to financially prepare for your launch day, and how to avoid financial pitfalls.

No one pursues church planting because they love compliance, regulations, and legal issues. But these pieces are part of the church planting journey.What should the legal structure of your church plant look like? Here are the five most common steps church planters choose to take to protect their churches.

Forming the Legal Structure of Your Church

The people you choose to be on your board of directors are meant to help you make the governing decisions of the church. Who should you choose to be a board member and what are their roles? Watch the video to find out.

Leading and Utilizing Your Board of Directors

Board meetings are essential for all nonprofit organizations. For churches, they have the potential to be an invaluable time for pastors to gain much-needed insight from their board members.Watch this video to understand what board meetings are, how they benefit your church, and how you can make the most out of each one.

The Importance of Board Meetings

You know why board meetings are important. Now it’s time to learn how you can lead them well. Here are 11 steps to take while leading a board meeting.

How to Hold Board Meetings

Your board of directors will have a significant impact on your church. Here are five great characteristics of what makes a great board member.

What Makes a Great Board of Directors

Leadership Honor Code

Board Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes Example 2

Background Check Form

How To Lead Your Board Of Directors

You learned about the role of the board of directors, why board meetings are a vital part of your church plant, and how to lead a board meeting well.

How do you plan your day for success? How can you make the most out of each day to launch and grow your church plant?The first thing we want to look at is avoiding these time killers in a church planter’s day.

How to Organize a Church Planter’s Day

Even with the additional hours they get if they work full-time for their church, many church planters struggle in productivity. The key is to structure your day for success. Here are 10 things successful church planters do with their schedule.

10 Things Successful Church Planters Do

How To Organize A Church Planter’s Day

You learned how to schedule your day for success, the most common time killers for church planters, and how to stay spiritually fresh.

It’s exciting to dream about what your church plant’s launch day will look like. It’s even more exciting to imagine what your services will look like for years to come! Before we get into how to have 100 people at your church plant, it’s good to understand who will be attending your church on launch day and the services that follow.

4 Groups of Church Plant Attendees

What is it that makes people want to visit your church plant? In this video, we’ll take a look at the reasons why people look for a new church. You’ll also learn some key things that do not work when you’re trying to grow your church.

What People Are Looking for in Church Plants

When you’re in the days of pre-launch, it can be hard to imagine getting 100 people to come to your first service. But it CAN happen for your church plant, even on your first day! You just have to be committed to having multiple layers of marketing and follow these 10 steps.

Ways For Getting the Word Out

There are many resources on the topic of church marketing. It’s good to find out which approach is the best for you, but it can also make the information seem overwhelming. No matter which marketing strategy is right for you, there are a few key pieces of information to remember when it comes to your church’s marketing tactics.

Keys to Remember in Marketing

Launch Calendar

Sunday Schedule

Sample Mailer

Marketing Plan

Press Release

First Time Visitor Letter

Marketing (How To Have 100 People At Your First Service)

You learned about great church marketing strategies, examples of unsustainable marketing, and ten steps to getting 100 people at your first service.

What are the last two steps to winning at fundraising? Have you ever considered asking people outside of your circle for money? Learn who else you should ask money from, as well as how you can get the help you need in fundraising. Check out the last two steps to winning at fundraising.

Ways to Win at Fundraising (Steps 5 & 6)

It may seem shocking, but it takes money to do ministry. Many church planters often underestimate how much money it takes to do church.What’s an ideal amount for the general church plant? How do you go about getting the money you need to see your church thrive? Find out by watching this video on how to talk to people about money.

How to Talk to People About Money

How do the decisions we make affect the way we fundraise? Find out in this video as we take a look at steps two through four on the six ways to win at fundraising.

Ways to Win at Fundraising (Steps 2-4)

Raising $30,000 may seem like it’s too great of a challenge or overwhelming, but it is possible! Follow these practical tips.

Practical Tips on Raising $30,000

Fundraising Letter

Financial Gift Thank you Letter

How To Raise $30,000 For Your Church Plant

You learned practical tips on raising $30,000 and how to be successful in fundraising.

Momentum is defined as the power of mass and velocity being harnessed together in a single direction. As a church planter, part of your role is to develop momentum by giving clarity around which your launch team can come into agreement and alignment. Here are three ways you can create momentum for your church plant.

3 Ways to Create Momentum

Momentum doesn’t happen on its own; you have to create it. Unfortunately, there are ways to kill momentum. Here are nine things to avoid if you want to keep momentum going for your church plant.

9 Ways to Kill Momentum

Roster Sheet

DLC Creed

How To Build Initial Momentum

You learned three ways to create momentum for your church plant, how to keep it going, and nine ways to kill momentum.

Church planting is a family endeavor. To run a successful, thriving church, it is important to take time to not only work on your ministry but also to work on your marriage.

How to Have a Strong Marriage While Planting a Church

How can you work on your marriage while you’re busy planting your church? Make it a priority.Here are five ways you can date your spouse and other tips on how to have a healthy marriage while working on your ministry.

Ways to Date Your Spouse in Church Planting

Church planting is a family endeavor. Keeping your marriage as a priority is key, but your kids need you too. You can still be a great parent to your children while you plant a church!

4 Things Church Planters’ Kids Need

How To Have A Strong Marriage While Planting

You learned how to prioritize your marriage, how to date your mate, and how to strengthen your relationship with your children.

It’s exciting to think about the approaching launch day! But what should you do to be prepared? And what should the days look like following your launch day so you can make the most of it? Watch the video to find out!

Planning Ahead of Your Launch Day

It’s very easy to only focus on the weeks of your church plant. But if you only focus on the weeks, you may miss the year. So, how do you create a plan for a year of growth?Watch the video to learn how to structure your first year of leading your church so you can keep growing.

9 Areas to Plan for Year One Growth

Teaching Plan Example

How To Structure First Year Growth

You learned how to prepare for your launch day, plan for one year of your church plant, and how to structure your calendar for one year of growth.

Our culture is ever-changing, especially with new technological advancements. Unfortunately, it can leave pastors feeling bewildered and left behind. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Find out how creating an online service opens the door for furthering the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Church and Technology

Before you begin designing your online service, there are a few factors you need to keep in mind. Find out what major elements you need to consider before you start planning.

What to Consider Before Creating an Online Service

Translating your service online allows you to maintain your ministry's culture, even though it is on the internet. Here are six things you need to do to make sure you’re ready to take your church service online.

6 Elements to Recording Your Services

Once you feel comfortable and confident live streaming, recording videos, and uploading them, there is no end to what you can produce online! Find out the different services you can record and share on your website.

Different Services You Can Record

A key element to taking your ministry online is to also provide a means of connection for your staff, members, and potential visitors. Discover the four elements to maintaining connection for all those involved in your ministry.

How to Stay Connected Online

Changes bring about new opportunities for growth and creativity. Establishing an online presence and service can seem overwhelming at times, but be assured that through time and practice, it will get easier.

A New Opportunity for Your Ministry

Bonus Section - How To Get Your Church Online

You learned practical tips on how to get your church online

Launch To Lead Video Course

You completed the Launch to Lead video course. We hope this video course has helped you prepare for your church planting journey no matter where you are in the process. We also hope that you feel confident and equipped to lead your church plant well.

How to Organize a Church Planter’s Day

Related Resources

Videos in this lesson