Purpose Driven Planting

175...580...145...163...208...295!

First service attendance of new churches using the “launching large” strategy.

One of my favorite scenes in the Apollo 13 movie is the launch sequence. You see the determination on the faces of those in the control center. You can feel the anxiety of the crowd in the bleachers. The countdown winds down, the engines start and you get to be a part of one of the most powerful, exciting and, at times, nerve-racking journeys imaginable. It reminds me of starting a church!

I know the popular term for starting a church is “planting” but I grew up in a rural area and to me planting is one or two guys quietly putting something dead into the ground and hoping for some life. When I started a church I wanted more than that! I wanted the whole town to know Discovery Church was taking off. I wanted our message – the greatest ever told – to rattle lives and shake up relationships. I didn’t want a quiet, peaceful gathering – I wanted to make some noise. I wanted to launch a church!

There was only one problem – I had no clue how to do it!

Then a friend introduced me to the Starting a Purpose Driven Church Conference, and for the first time I heard of the “launching large” strategy. From that point on I was a card carrying, chance taking, cannonball into the pool, get dirty for God, dyed in the wool, Purpose Driven church planter – oops! – I mean “launcher.”

And the great thing was – the conference gave me the tools to do it! Here’s what I learned...

A key aspect of starting a Purpose-Driven Church is to begin large. The goal is to gather a crowd and then turn the crowd into a church. Doing so breaks through the growth barriers right from the start, brings credibility (Wow! This many people must mean they know something!), gives you a larger group of people to assimilate and disciple, and speaking frankly, a large crowd usually helps pay the bills (I don’t worry about that, but not having our car repossessed has kept my wife happy!).

Simply put, launching large brings all the excitement and “buzz” that a rocket launch causes around Cape Canaveral.

A key to the launching large strategy is the “preview service.” Preview services are held once a month for three to four months and are like previews for an upcoming movie. They introduce the community to what the church will be like. Preview services also give the staff a chance to get used to the rental facility and their new responsibilities with plenty of time between previews for evaluation, improvement and training. Most importantly, the staff also has more opportunity to follow up on the larger-than-normal number of visitors and new Christians the first few services can produce. After all, taking care of the changed and changing lives is why we do this!

Another part of the launching large strategy is the “comeback connection” held between each preview services. These low key, once-a-month events are structured for your staff (translated “wife and kids!”) and you to get to know the people God is sending you. Our best Comeback Connections at Discovery were backyard barbecues at my house. For some reason, people want to see where the pastor lives and how good he can barbecue. Feed them and then share your vision at these Comeback Connections. Above all, don’t be afraid to recruit attendees for your Launch Team! If they’re spending an afternoon at your home, you know they’re somewhat interested!

Preview services, Comeback Connections, launching large...wondering if this strategy works or not? The facts speak for themselves. Here are the first service attendances at a few of the PD Coaching Network churches that have launched large:

Connection Church - 145
Discovery Church - 115
Church at the Bay - 580
Suncoast Church - 208
The Pointe - 295
Crosswalk Lutheran - 146
Jacob's Well – 212
Church on the Edge - 175
Life Bridge Church - 106
Church of the Suncoast - 163
Crosspoint Church - 148
The Peoples Church - 100

See what I mean? There’s something to this whole “launching large” strategy.

By the way, while launching large has some obvious benefits, there is a price to pay. The stress level of beginning a church with 150-250 people is much greater than starting in your living room with five people. The emotional and financial costs of marketing are higher too. Launching large is hard work and it takes much preparation. This is not something you just dive into without a lot of prayer and some practical training. Again, that’s why attending the next Launching a Purpose Driven Church Conference is so crucial. You’ll gain the practical knowledge you need to start a church the right way.

Launching a church is a big undertaking and it’s certainly not for the faint of heart. But we serve a BIG God and if He’s called you to do this, He will give you the power to make an impact. I want to see as many people influenced as possible. I want to make some noise and let the world I live in know that Discovery Church is taking off. Launching large gives me that opportunity. What a ride!!!!