After helping over 50 church plants over the past 10 years I’ve discovered there are still some things I’m learning about planting.  While there are books, conferences and web sites on church planting that try to give planters a heads up on what to expect, there aren’t too many of them that give you the real skinny. I don’t think they are trying to hide anything, it’s just most resources focus on pre-planting and how-to stuff. It’s hard to find resources that reveal some of the intangible things you will encounter.  I hope you find this valuable, if fact, if you really read it, I know you will.  Keep this list around, because, inevitably you will encounters every one of these.

Ten Things I Wish I Knew Before Planting a Church

• PRECEDENT.
  Remember, EVERYTHING you do now sets a precedent for your future.  Do it once; do it always.
• EMOTIONAL SWINGS.
  Don’t get caught up in emotional swings.  Three things to be aware of: high attendance, low attendance and money.
• MONEY.
  It takes CASH to do ministry.  Don’t be fooled, creativity and volunteers can go a long way, but it takes professionals to do it right. You gotta pay to play, my brother!
• NETWORKING.
  Start with a partner.  Two things: get connect to a church network and hire a “right-hand man” as soon as possible. There is only so much one person can do.
• RELATIONSHIPS.
  Start with small groups or a plan for small groups.  It’s not about your gatherings primarily, it’s about RELATIONSHIPS. Over 50% of the people you’re trying to reach decide to go to a church for relational reasons, so provide them one.
• BE AWARE PERSONAL AGENDAS.
  Avoid office seekers.  They WILL BE the death of your church!
• KEEPING STARTING YOUR CHURCH.
  Never lose your entrepreneurial senses.  One day you’ll wake up and realize you have a church and you’ll be stuck in what experts call a “growth barrier.”
• TRUST YOUR PLAN.
  Stick with your plan.  Don’t just try the next big thing.  Don’t be tempted to recreate what God is doing somewhere else.  Let God write your story.
• PEOPLE WILL COME AND GO.
  People will leave your church because of you (and most will be back in 90 days or less).
• STICK WITH YOUR VALUES.
  Practice hospitality; preach for life-change.

Love your feedback on these, let me know what you think.