church planting in practice

Fostering a New Faith Family

This article is contributed by Chris and Katherine Marlin and Tyler Chernesky, who are currently preparing to start a new church in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our dreams of church planting reach back almost a decade. And while those dreams have changed and grown over the years, they

Pray, Watch, Bless: Church Planting While Physically Distancing

This article is contributed by Gabe Garcia. Gabe, Kari, and their kids recently moved to Oakland, California, where they are preparing to start a new church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > “Many are the plans of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” –Proverbs 19:21 Planting

How Your Church Can Begin Making a Strategy for Racial Justice

“Most churches and Christian organizations have all kinds of strategies: a strategy for evangelism, a strategy for crisis planning, a strategy for staffing, or a strategy for how to manage your building. But how many have a solid strategy to ensure that they are fighting against racial injustice?” –Brandon Watts,

Church Finance Considerations for This Season

By Robert Tomko, finance director -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three church finance considerations for our current moment: 1.) Maintain accurate and responsible records. During this time, many of us will have fewer in-person connections with our accountant or bookkeeper. It’s important to ensure that our financial reports are produced with accuracy and

Made For This: Strength in Weakness

From Luke Greer [https://greer.lt], Partnership Director -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > He said to me, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” —2 Corinthians 12:9 Strong and Weak Links A couple of weeks ago, Malcolm Gladwell gave a talk [https://munkdebates.com/dialogues/malcolm-gladwell] where he articulated some of his

Ministering in the Blizzard and Preparing for Winter

Like many organizations that are serving entrepreneurs and start-ups, we have been challenged by Praxis' article Leading Beyond the Blizzard [https://journal.praxislabs.org/leading-beyond-the-blizzard-why-every-organization-is-now-a-startup-b7f32fb278ff] . It gives an excellent framework for the current moment, and for moving forward over the medium and longer term. Borrowing the concepts of "

In for the Long Haul: Planning a Financial Future

This article is part of the series "In for the Long Haul [https://updates.orchard.group/tag/long-haul/]," explaining Orchard Group's commitment to back church planters as they establish churches in cities. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Planning for a flourishing future What could be more challenging than turning nothing

Hiring Staff: Five Recommendations

From Brian Kruckenberg, lead planter of New City Church You’ve read the books, gone to school, gone through assessment, raised money, worked and reworked your vision statement, found a place to meet and made it through launch. Congratulations, you’ve planted your church! You thought the most difficult stage

Business Books for Church Planters

From Nick Parsons, Director of Recruitment Church planters often fall into one of two categories regarding business and leadership books. One group uncritically embraces whatever method sits atop the current bestseller lists. This approach fails to recognize that the secular publishing industry is plagued by faddishness that would embarrass even

Legal Pitfalls to Avoid

From Greg Hubbard, Orchard Group Director of Operations “THERE ARE TWO THINGS IN LIFE YOU CAN'T AVOID..." As a church planter or church leader, there are some things we don’t like to think about but, in the end, cannot avoid. I can’t give official legal

Finding a Facility

From Brent Storms, Orchard Group President and CEO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One of the biggest challenges of starting a church in a center city or urban context is finding the right facility for Sunday gatherings. Space is limited. Landlords are skeptical. Prices are (often) outrageous. One example of the challenges: a few

Essential Tips for Church Planters

By Brent Storms, President and CEO I’ve been hanging around church planters for twenty years. I planted a church fifteen years ago, and since then I’ve interviewed, assessed, trained, coached, or managed hundreds of church planters. They are among the brightest, most gifted, most entrepreneurial leaders in the

Values that Shape Culture

By Mike Hickerson, lead pastor of Mission Church in Ventura, CA When we started Mission, I would love to tell you we knew exactly what we were doing…we didn’t. I would love to tell you we had values and strategy clearly marked out…we didn’t. I would

Church Planting Then and Now

From Luke Greer, Director of Partnership > From Attalia Paul and Barnabas sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them

Finding the Right Venue

Scott Ancarrow faced an early challenge when he led a church plant in Baltimore- finding the right facility. Where a new church meets, especially in city centers, dramatically affects who is able to come, and whether or not new people will be able to find it! Fortunately, Foundry Church was

Church Planting Partnerships

The story of every church plant is also the story of partnering churches.  New churches get their start with the prayer, personnel and financial support of other churches! Lorenzo Smith of Collective Church [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/collective/] in West LA shares of how that support is encouraging to

Go To Where the People Are

Derrick Puckett recognized that many times people won't come to church, even if they are spiritually seeking.  So Renewal Church [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/renewal/] in Chicago makes a habit of getting outside the walls of church- whether that's playing basketball or going to neighborhood

Part of the Family

Over a period of years, Jordan Rice became increasingly convicted about the need for spiritual growth and change in Harlem.  He left behind his law career to study theology and entered a training program for church planting.  A year and a half ago, he led the launch of Renaissance Church

Get Back to Me in 20

From Brent Storms, President and CEO You might not know why you’re doing what you’re doing now for another twenty years. Sorry. It’s true. Twenty years ago this month, my wife and I packed up our meager belongings and moved from Missouri to Massachusetts. We both grew

City Similarities

From Luke Greer, Director of Partnership As I stepped from the platform into the car, the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of the subway assaulted my senses: a suit-wearing executive barked orders on his iPhone before losing coverage, teens sporting Yankees caps and loosely-laced Nikes slap-knuckled one another in greeting,

Want to Change Culture? Engage the City

from Greg Hubbard, Director of Operations Many people are watching the emerging U.S. presidential races with keen interest (or dismay). We are concerned about the state of our culture. We long for a positive future. If only we could elect a leader who would do something about all the

We've Been Learning for a Long Time

from Brent Storms, President and CEO Orchard Group has been starting churches in and around New York City since 1948. That means a lot of organizational learning from trial and error, failures and successes. Three visionary leaders preceded me as President. Hundreds of board members have exercised sharp minds to

What Churches Will Look Like in 2050

From Nick Parsons, Director of Recruitment > “It’s difficult to make predictions, especially if it’s about the future.” - Mark Twain The 1989 film, Back to the Future II, made some incredible predictions about what the year 2015 would look like. The film correctly predicted flat screen televisions,

Prayer for Today

> Living God, Plant in me a bold faith that dares to see new possibilities, a sure knowledge of your promises that is not bullied by fear, a strong conviction that there is far more of you than what my eyes can see, and a deeply rooted trust that Christ

What Can You Expect When You Plant a New Church?

Thinking about planting a church? Are you already a few steps in and have questions? Join our bonus session [http://m.exponential.org/2015w/sessions/sessions-01m.html] at Exponential West on October 5th.  We have a lineup of great speakers who have planted churches that are flourishing in their cities.

Creativity in Church Planting

It started with a guy who had a giant screen and a projector. MISSION CHURCH [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/mission-christian-church/] in Ventura, CA wanted to find a way to have fun with families in their city over the summer. As they reviewed their staff, their volunteers, and all their

Intercultural Leadership

From Dr. Brian Leander, Orchard Group Board member “Look at the last ten people you’ve texted,” a church planter recently challenged his congregation. Listeners pulled out their phones to scroll through their screens.  “Now, how many of them look just like you?” Take a moment to practice this yourself.

Healthcare and New Churches

From Greg Hubbard, Director of Operations OBAMACARE. The word itself (is it a word now?) evokes strong emotional responses in most people, whether positive or negative. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare’s more proper name) has been a source of anxiety for churches mostly because it has

Hope in Dark Times

A recent Sunday morning service at Forefront Church [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/forefront-church-2/] in New York City closed with a time of open prayer.  It was a risky move.  Have you ever been in a group of a few hundred people and been invited to pray out loud?  It

Orchard Institute

You may have heard some of the startling statistics concerning cities: * For the first time in history more than half the world’s population lives in cities. * By 2050 more than 70% will live in cities. * Nearly half of American millennials want to live in New York City. What does

Church Planting Operations 101

From Greg Hubbard, Director of Operations As a church planter or church leader, there are certain things we don’t like to think about (like death and taxes) that we cannot avoid. I can’t give official legal advice in this forum, but I can point out things that I’

A Conversation on Gospel and Race

WHY HOST A CONVERSATION ON GOSPEL AND RACE? Renewal Church [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/renewal/] in Chicago serves a city that is nearly equally black, white, and Latino [http://grist.org/cities/gentrification-might-be-real-but-its-the-least-of-chicagos-worries/] .  Their desire is to share the gospel with all people of the city, believing that the

Church Plants that are Fighting Human Trafficking

Mosaic [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/mosaic-christian-church/], Revolution [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/revolution-christian-church/], and The Foundry [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/the-foundry-church/] are partners in the fight against human trafficking in Baltimore. Their presence has been vital to the work of The Samaritan Women [http://thesamaritanwomen.org/], a home

Planting the Urban Church: An Exponential Conference Bonus Session

Mon, April 27 | 1pm – 5pm Idlewild Baptist Church | Tampa, FL Attend this Bonus Session FREE when you Register [https://www.signup4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=EXPO43E&TID=jPKc0EV1x9lSjQgezaygbQ==] for a Pre-Conference Lab or Forum as part of Exponential East for +$59. Hosted by The Orchard Group featuring: Brent

The Impulse Society

A great cultural long read for your weekend. As pastors and leaders, it is important to be aware of social patterns. We will seek a solution more gospel- and spirit- oriented than the author, but he does point to trends that affect all of the people in our churches, our

Start a Movement: Plant "pregnant"

> "The goal of any church plant or church, for that matter, should never be stability. Stability as a goal becomes a poison that can turn the heart of a church to stone. It relegates a church to small dreams and little impact." –Josh Burnett, lead planter at

Five Business Books for Church Planters

From Nick Parsons, Director of Recruitment Church planters often fall into one of two categories regarding business and leadership books. One group uncritically embraces whatever method sits atop the current bestseller lists. This approach fails to recognize that the publishing industry is plagued by faddishness that would embarrass Contemporary Christian

Five Values that Shape Our Culture

From Mike Hickerson, Lead Pastor at Mission Church I would love to tell you we knew exactly what we were doing when we started Mission Church [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/mission-christian-church/]…we didn’t. I would love to tell you we had values and strategy clearly marked out… we

Church Planting Podcast #5: Staffing

https://orchardgroup.hipcast.com/deluge/hipcast-11792-u-394986-s-1.audio.mp3 Four church planting leaders discuss what they've learned (and mistakes they've made!) when hiring staff. Podcast highlights include: 2:21 Mike asks, "What did your staff look like at launch?" 11:38 Josh shares his experience

Church Planting in Miami: Diversity, Downsizing, and Adapting

From Whitney Ingram Learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, trying new foods – a missionary to a foreign country would expect all of these challenges. Church planters in the United States might not anticipate such cross-cultural experiences as part of their work, but Orchard Group planters in major

Welcoming the Visitor

Mission Church [http://www.orchardgroup.org/church/mission-christian-church/] is making a difference in lives in California! Below is excerpt of an email they received from a first time visitor: > "I just wanted to say thank you. Today was my first day at Mission Church. Before I even got

Hiring Staff: Five Recommendations

You’ve read the books, gone to school, gone through assessment, raised money, worked and reworked your vision statement, found a place to meet and made it through launch. Congratulations, you’ve planted your church! You thought the most difficult stage was over, right? While the beginning stage of a

Orchard Group Podcast: #4 Serving the Community

https://orchardgroup.hipcast.com/deluge/hipcast-11792-u-384968-s-1.audio.mp3 > Whatever you do for the least of these, you also do for me. -Jesus These words set a high standard for those of us who follow Jesus and work in churches! Today’s discussion will center around how several different churches

What I Didn't Know About Church Planting

From Jeremy Hazelton > "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know." Albert Einstein I'm no Einstein, but I do resonate with this quote. I have only been a church planter for 4 years. Village Church [http://www.orchardgroup.

Good News for Everyone

From Nick Parsons San Francisco is associated with a lot of things. For some it is the Gold Rush, the Beat Generation and the Hippie Movement. For others it is the Golden Gate Bridge, trolley cars and rows upon rows of narrow Victorian houses. More recently San Francisco has become

Church Planting in America

Can church planting help Christianity's growth in America? Our President & CEO answers questions [http://video.christianpost.com/can-planting-new-churches-help-christianitys-growth-in-america-5806/] about the importance of church planting to the future of the church. (click through for link) [http://video.christianpost.com/can-planting-new-churches-help-christianitys-growth-in-america-5806/]

Five Things I'm Learning from Church Planting

From Jordan Rice My team and I have been planting this church in Harlem [http://www.harlemchurchplant.com/] for the last six months, and by the grace of God we’re growing.  We’re at/near all of our goals, and it’s been one of the most nauseating roller

Orchard Group Podcast: #3 Preaching Roundtable

Listen: https://overcast.fm/+CE6P0PbfQ Few things matter in a church plant as much as the preaching. Four communicators from new churches talk about how they improve their preaching, and how you can, too. Highlights include (although really, set aside time to listen to the whole thing- it's

Five Things I've Learned About Waiting

From Greg Ingram Without a doubt, waiting is one of the harshest aspects of human existence.  Is there anything more painful than being forced to wait with no course of action?  Have you ever had to wait by the phone for test results from your doctor?  Each minute feels like

Ask the Missional Pastor: #2

New churches are one of the most effective ways to reach people with the gospel.  However, we should not assume that evangelism will automatically happen in every church plant. We’ve asked some of our lead planters how their churches are living missionally and how they are training their people

Five Unavoidable Legal Issues in Your Church

From Greg Hubbard There are only two things in life you can’t avoid. One of those will be upon us April 15. As a church planter or church leader, there are other things we don’t like to think about but, in the end, cannot avoid. I can’t

Five Ways to Improve Your Preaching

From Bert Crabbe When it comes to church growth, preaching is kind of a big deal.  You can get a lot of things wrong and your church can still grow if the preaching is strong.  Likewise, you can do everything else right and flounder it it’s weak.  So, humbly

Orchard Group Podcast: #2 Worship

Listen here: https://overcast.fm/+CE6NrNpWY Orchard Group has a long history of planting healthy, vibrant churches.  As interest in church planting grows, we're sharing with new planters what we've learned over the years. Our second podcast continues the conversation regarding worship: How do you plan

Five Essential Tips for Church Planters

From Brent Storms I’ve been hanging around church planters for almost twenty years. I planted a church fifteen years ago, and since then I’ve interviewed, assessed, trained, coached or managed hundreds of church planters. They are among the brightest, most gifted, most entrepreneurial leaders in the kingdom. They

Becoming Indispensable

Got time over Christmas break for a little reading and listening? How to Become an Indispensable Staff Pastor [http://justinlathrop.com/become-indispensable-staff-pastor/] has good advice for everyone on staff at a church. Then head over to our podcast [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worship-in-the-new-church/id765566595?i=194421735&mt=

Ask the Missional Pastor

Churches in the last 50 years have moved towards age-specific worship and learning.  A chasm is growing between youth and adult church experiences and many churches are intentionally incorporating youth back into congregational life. So we asked our pastors who lead missional communities: How do you incorporate younger members into

Messy Community

From Rhesa Storms, Director of Communications: Churches talk quite a bit about community. Being a community, sharing community, living in community, growing as a community, authentic community. True community is worth pursuing.  The early picture of the church is of a diverse yet united community, used powerfully by God. Reality