Plant a church and expand the Kingdom by investing in the foundational steps explored in this article.
Starting a new church requires a solid foundation and getting some critical details in place with help to build just that. When a church has a solid plan for gathering a team, determining location, securing financing, and more, the church can begin with a strong foundation and make the launch phase smoother.
Not only does planning allow the church to anticipate potential obstacles and prepare for unforeseen situations, but it also minimizes the risk of costly mistakes, saves time and resources, and helps ensure a successful launch.
Here are things to have in place before you plant a church. Dive into these areas and build a clear plan.
5 Things to Have in Place Before You Plant a Church
1. Be confirmed in your calling to plant a church
Are you sensing God’s leading to plant a church? That’s exciting! The next step is to make sure that calling is confirmed.
To determine if you are called to plant a church, it’s crucial to evaluate your qualifications, skills, and readiness. This involves conducting a personal evaluation, which includes examining your strengths, weaknesses, areas for growth, and past experiences that could inform your work as a church planter. By completing this process, you can gain insights into your abilities and identify where you might need additional support. This step will provide a firm foundation for success in church planting.
Pro Tip: No need to go searching for this assessment. Your denomination will have a proven method for determining ministry fitness.
This step of undergoing an assessment is typical in the church planting process. If you’re considering launching a multisite church, you might request this type of evaluation to ensure readiness before embarking on such an endeavor.
In addition, trusted mentors and wise counsel can play a vital role in confirming a church planter’s calling. Seeking advice from leaders who have experience in the field can provide valuable insight into the process, as well as offer accountability and prayerful support.
Can you imagine planting a church alone? While it might sound nice to fly solo temporarily, teams are a critical component to a healthy launch.
A launch team not only provides critical resources, skills, and talent but also plays a significant role in reducing pastoral burnout. By having a team in place that is committed to carrying out the church’s mission, it bears the weight of the church’s vision, allowing the pastor and other leaders to focus on other critical areas.
When a launch team is well-prepared and well-organized, it greatly streamlines the decision-making process, keeps everyone accountable to the church’s goals and objectives, and fosters a sense of community and unity.
3. Articulate the vision, mission and core values of your church
While all of these components are different, each one of these keystones will greatly inform every step and decision as you plant a church.
Your church’s mission should encompass more than just providing weekly services; consider how you can create a sense of belonging and nurture relationships, particularly in a portable or multisite setting, while inspiring spiritual growth among your attendees.
At its core, having a clear mission statement helps distinguish your church from others. Ultimately, establishing the mission and purpose of your church sets the course for success in all future endeavors. Understanding this provides clarity on decision-making processes going forward, particularly for your launch and leadership teams.
Need some help developing your mission and vision statements? Church Fuel suggests recruiting a facilitator for the process, saying:
“An outside voice pushing the team forward and bringing fresh perspective can be just the thing you need to make considerable progress. Consider bringing in someone skilled in strategy and facilitation to lead your retreat. Or at least ask someone on your team who has demonstrated skills like this to be the facilitator.”
In summary, establish a clear mission and purpose to shape success and provide clarity as you embark upon a season of decision-making.
4. Research and choose the best church plant location
When researching to determine the best location for your church plant, have you considered the opportunities for outreach that the research process itself may provide? Furthermore, once a suitable location has been chosen, the church will be better able to reach even more people, thereby expanding its impact within the community.
In addition to visibility, accessibility, and potential cost savings, the right location can also secure long-term viability. Being in the best location for your church’s needs can minimize the risk of closure due to a lack of funding, low attendance, or community support.
To be prepared for a thorough search, here are a few surprising challenges we recommend you consider when deciding on a location:
Zoning and land-use regulations
Noise and parking restrictions
Other churches in the neighborhood
Competition from other churches
Accessibility
Community resistance
Although community resistance typically comes in the form of social comments, anticipating potential obstacles and problems is a wise approach to protect the church’s mission. By considering these possibilities in advance, church planners can be proactive in addressing concerns, minimizing damage and preserving the church’s integrity.
Find the right place to launch your next campus with our Community Finder.
5. Secure financing for your church launch
To maintain the financial sustainability of the church plant for long-term growth and development, it is important to explore different ways to secure funds before launching your church.
Although church planting has traditionally been funded by organizations, other pre-existing churches, or denominational support, this usually consists of just a stipend or support for a short period.
In addition to this support, churches can launch campaigns, offer matching grants, or simply film and publish an appeal video asking for donors.
But, to make sure the church is set up to run smoothly after the donations and denominational support have ended, the church’s ethos should include:
A transparent attitude towards giving and donations
Frequent calls to give and invest in the church’s mission
Easy access to donating methods like online donation forms, text-to-give services, and traditional check-writing options
This will eliminate the sometimes-taboo nature of money discussions and also enable members of the congregation to show their support for the church in whatever form is most comfortable for them.
How can multisite churches raise funds with the help of other campus churches?
In the case of multisite churches, there are endless ways for the main campus or other campuses to support the launch of another location. Here are three of our favorite ideas from CauseVox:
Volunteer Chore Team: Enlist a group of volunteers to do chores for community members for a specified cost.
Collect and Sell Event: Ask church members to donate books or other specified items and create a team to sell items online
Bail Out Event: Similar to a “Teacher in Jail” concept, the pastor is confined until the bail money has been raised.
Pro Tip: Get the youth involved in this event and have a blast with it!
We hope these insights can be a source of inspiration and help you to think of innovative ways to prepare for a church plant or multisite launch.
Church Planting FAQs
Below are answers to a few frequently asked questions regarding church plants, multisites, and portability.
Do I need to sign a facility agreement?
Yes! This is a best practice, and you should absolutely get your agreement in writing.
Do I need to know the chosen church plant or multisite venue before we proceed?
Having a venue secured before consultation is a best practice. We design everything to fit where you will be worshiping and hosting your church services.
How much does a system cost?
Every system is custom and there is no flat rate. Once we meet with you and discover your church’s needs, we can discuss costs. The first step is to book a 20-minute call with us.
What is an on-site consultation, and do I need one?
A consultation with a specialized team member is a critical step in ensuring that the portable church system you purchase best serves your church’s needs. For a complete system, a consultation is necessary.
Is there a way to do this cheaper? We have people at our church who are willing to volunteer their craftsmanship skills and supplies.
There are definitely ways to do it cheaper—in the short run. If you want a dependable system that won’t exhaust your volunteers, our custom solutions are the way to go.
For example, here’s what Jody, Campus Expansion Coach and Campus Pastor at Cypress Church in the Columbus area, had to say about the security our cases provide:
“I have been doing portable church for 15 years in multiple states, in different churches, and in wildly different roles. While brands of AVL gear matter and some gear is better than others, nothing has been more critical to making AVL excellent in my ministry experience than PCI’s design of their cases in every environment— but especially in the AVL world. I’ve done portable AVL without PCI and I will NEVER do it again.”
Although it may be tempting to opt for cheaper alternatives, we hope you consider experiences like Jody’s.
Before you plant a church, it is essential to invest time and resources into the foundational steps that will ensure success. This includes exploring and confirming your calling, conducting research on optimal locations, and extending the financial resources necessary to get started, just to name a few.
These steps are not only important for the long-term viability of your church but also for establishing identity and clarity around your mission and purpose: to expand the Kingdom of God.
Grab a copy of our 90-Day Launch Plan for Church Plants, a thorough plan to help you arrive at “Launch Day” fully prepared. Download your free checklist today!
Explore Portable Church FAQs on topics such as costs, consultations, set-up, tear-down, transportation and more to find the answers you need.
Many leaders of multisite and church plants have asked us some great questions, and we believe their insights could be valuable to you as well.
Are you interested in working with Portable Church Industries but are uncertain about where to start? Or maybe you’re a long-time friend who simply wants to know if we can make you some new placards for your custom cases (yes, we can!).
We have compiled a list of FAQs, but please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if there’s anything we haven’t covered. We are more than happy to provide you with the answers you need.
To make navigating easy, use the links below to search the FAQs by category.
Portable Church FAQs Answered: What To Know Before Going Mobile
Cost, Consult & Delivery
What’s the first step for working with you?
Simply book a 20-minute call with us—it’s free and there’s no pressure or commitment. We’re excited to hear about your vision!
How long will it take to get my portable church system?
In 14 weeks, you should have your system! Certainly, this takes into account the supply chain concerns we are seeing everywhere.
What is an on-site consultation and do I need one?
A consultation with a specialized team member is a critical step in ensuring that the portable church system you purchase best serves your church’s needs. Certainly, for a complete system, a consultation is necessary.
COST QUESTIONS
How much does a system cost?
Every system is custom and there is no flat rate. Of course, once we meet with you and discover your church’s needs, we can discuss costs. The first step is to book a 20-minute call with us. We’d love to connect!
I see portable items online. What’s the difference between your stuff and what we see for sale on Marketplace or resale sites?
At Portable Church Industries, we offer more than just gear—we provide access to our 27 years of experience serving over 4,000 churches. Whether it’s sharing best practices, providing custom wiring, or creating cases for your equipment, all of these elements are vital to ensuring the success of your launch when partnering with PCI.
Is there a way to do this cheaper? We have people at our church who are willing to volunteer their craftsmanship skills and supplies.
Yes, there are definitely ways to do it cheaper—in the short run. If you want a dependable system that won’t exhaust your volunteers, our custom solutions are the way to go.
For example, here’s what Jody, Campus Expansion Coach and Campus Pastor at Cypress Church in the Columbus area, had to say about the security our cases provide:
“I have been doing portable church for 15 years in multiple states, in different churches, and in wildly different roles. While brands of AVL gear matter and some gear is better than others, nothing has been more critical to making AVL excellent in my ministry experience than PCI’s design of their cases in every environment— but especially in the AVL world. I’ve done portable AVL without PCI and I will NEVER do it again.”
Although it may be tempting to opt for cheaper alternatives, we hope you take experiences like Jody’s into consideration.
Do you offer financing?
We do not offer financing, but we can recommend trusted companies that are happy to help you with the process.
Venue & Rental Agreements
Do I need a signage facility agreement?
Yes! This is a best practice, and you should absolutely get your agreement in writing.
Can you help us consider what we need to include in our rental agreement?
Consider things like snow removal, defibrillator, evacuation route, WIFI, janitor, etc. To get a checklist of things to ask before securing a facility, refer to the Practical Guide To Rental Spaces.
Do I need to know the chosen church plant or multisite venue before we proceed?
Having a venue secured before consultation is a best practice. We design everything to fit where you will be worshiping and hosting your church services.
Custom Solutions & Installation
Do I have to send my gear to you? Can you just install it when you come?
To properly integrate your gear before delivery weekend, it needs to be sent to our Troy, Michigan facility. Therefore, there are some shipping and delivery costs involved, but having the time to prep and test the system will help to ensure a smooth training weekend.
However, in some situations, it is possible to integrate equipment on-site when it is required. This is generally when the equipment is being used before and up to the delivery. This will require additional days added to the delivery dedicated to the integration, which will add cost to the delivery and travel.
Can I customize my online order of portable gear and equipment?
Since everything is designed and customized to your church’s specific needs, we don’t have any online options for systems. Check out our online store for bistro carts, scuba walls, and more.
Other businesses need portable solutions. Do you help groups other than churches?
Absolutely, we do help companies.
Can we permanently install some of our equipment?
Yes, and permanently installing it can dramatically cut down your set-up time. However, we would suggest you view it as a donation to the venue, not as something you will likely take with you when you leave. Also, you will need to involve local integrators to handle the installation which PCI will work with on design.
Can I get new placards made for my cases?
Yes, we can work with you on this. Simply contact our office and we’ll hook you up with one of our specialists.
Transportation & Portability
Can we use our own trailer?
In most scenarios, your trailer is not going to be tall enough to handle our cases since our trailers are a custom height. Often the specs on stock trailers are rated at lower weight tolerances as well. For instance, 8′ and 8.5′ trailers are common, which is too large. Sometimes churches think more space is better, but in most cases, this leads to hassles with dead space in the trailer, like wheel wells. Our trailers are a very tight and clean pack.
To see it for yourself, check out this video of one of our team members executing a trailer load:
What size truck do we need to tow the trailer?
You’ll need a 1/2 ton for 16′ trailers, and a 3/4 ton for 24′ trailers (both with trailer tow packages). Be sure to match the truck’s capacity to the trailer’s weight rating.
Can I use a box truck?
You can use a box truck but we strongly recommend a trailer purchased from PCI.
Setup & Volunteer Planning
Should we use classrooms, the cafeteria, or a hallway for setting up our worship service?
Cafeterias and gyms allow for the easiest set-ups and tear-downs. Sometimes classrooms are a good solution if there isn’t a lot of rearranging needed. Hallways are also possible if they are large and secure enough.
Do backdrops provide a sound barrier between rooms?
No, it doesn’t. You’ll need to find another spot to host a classroom of children or a breakout session. Here are some creative spaces that other portable churches have created to accommodate this need.
How long will this take to set up?
Plan on one hour with the recommended volunteer team size.
Why do we have to practice our tear-down on Saturday?
Trust us, it will make Sunday much easier and—bonus—more enjoyable. We want to make sure your team has a chance to practice a full set-up and tear-down so they have experienced the full process.
How many volunteers do we need to set up?
Usually, we suggest 10% of the campus attendance with more specific information coming on the facility report.
Our rental facility said we can use their audio and video system, should we do that to save money?
We rarely recommend using the venue’s audio. If the video set-up is high quality, such as a movie theater (yes!) versus a school auditorium (no). As for lighting, a school auditorium wins our vote, while a movie theater does not, which means you should bring your own in that setting.
Do we need to provide our own graphics or can PCI help with creating them?
We can provide graphic work or work with your existing graphics.
Should we use our venue’s WiFi?
Use your venue’s WiFi only if it’s tested with your system in place without firewalls, etc. Consider access and availability, and bring your own line in if necessary.
Should we use the same system components at the portable campus as we do at the main campus for training purposes?
Using the same platform or interface makes sense but not necessarily the exact same equipment.
Why is lighting so important in the auditorium?
Lighting is important for any system but becomes particularly critical if you are going to live stream or video record your services. A good video cannot be obtained without strong lighting.
Can you reset my Apple gear?
Unfortunately we can’t help with that request. You’ll need to work with the manufacturer
How much does an LED wall cost and is it worth it?
If you have the team to handle the setup, an LED wall is a great investment! The cost ranges from 70k-100k at the low end.
How can we know if an LED wall would work in our venue?
If your room has a lot of ambient lighting, maybe. Also consider storage space. But most importantly, you’ll need to have a dedicated team to invest in the set-up since it takes more time than a typical projector and screen.
Do you provide Pro7 licenses and Resi licenses, etc.
You absolutely can purchase your license through us, but we do not service software.
Can I get new placards made for my cases?
Yes, we can absolutely work with you on this. Simply contact our office and we’ll hook you up with one of our specialists.
References
We’d like to see your work in the field. Can you tell us who is using PCI near us?
We can help you find the right channels to start getting connected to churches near you! In the meantime, check out our photo galleries that give you a peek inside the transformations we’ve been a part of creating.
Have more questions that were not covered here? We’re here to help. Book a 20-minute call with one of our experts today.
Plan an annual church spring cleaning to address updates and improvements that will create enthusiasm and deeper connections.
As you know, in the life of a church, the days and months can fly by at breakneck speed. As soon as Christmas has passed, you’re already planning the Easter service, and minutes after that wraps, you’re dreaming of Fall Kickoff.
What about the parts of your church plant or multisite that need regular check-ins to function with excellence? For example, you likely never miss a chance to update your church’s home page, but what about the Staff or About Us pages? Are they still listing that intern who’s now retired?
Do you have a system for ‘spring cleaning’ areas of the church that can get dusty and neglected? Whether it is a review of your facility or a dust-off of your processes like volunteer retention, there’s no reason to neglect a chance to refresh your facility and systems.
As you take inventory of what projects to tackle, here are several ideas to consider.
6 Areas To Update During Your Church Spring Cleaning
1. Website
While the hope is for your in-person hospitality to make a good first impression with guests, your church’s website is key to getting them to come at all.
Take a detailed look at each page of the church website. Is the information on each page accurate? Here’s a checklist to speed up the process:
Is all of your contact info up to date, including your physical address and your mailing address? Check your phone number and email addresses, too.
Check the ‘About Us’ page and be sure it gives visitors a comprehensive overview of the church’s mission, vision, core beliefs, history, and any other important information about your church.
Run your site through a broken link detector and check for links or images that may be preventing visitors from exploring or engaging with the church’s website. We trust detectors like the ones offered by Ahrefs and Semrush, though there are many others available online.
Check every video and audio clip to ensure they’re working properly and still high quality. Along the same lines, check the photos to make sure they’re accurately displaying a current picture of church life.
Is the Give section easily accessed and prominently displayed?
If there isn’t a facility map available on the website, it’s time to have one drawn up. Your visitors might be familiar with the venue if it’s used for other purposes, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into Sunday morning comfort when they’re concerned about delivering kids to their classes, finding bathrooms, and getting a good seat in the worship service—all without having to talk to anyone. A printable map can help them plan their visit.
By executing this spring cleaning checklist for your website, you’ll be more likely to catch incorrect information and offer an inviting, engaging, and reliable site for visitors and attendees alike.
Harsh weather can cause damage to the facility. Add to your church spring cleaning list an annual check of the venue, looking for damage, particularly interior issues. Take note of any cracked tiles, stained or torn carpet, scuffs on the walls, burned-out light bulbs, and more. Once complete, talk to your landlord about who is responsible for making necessary repairs.
Pro Tip: Consider blessing your landlord by organizing a church beautification day with volunteers to tackle any repairs needed.
In addition, review the annual fire safety report notes to be sure that smoke detectors and fire extinguishers have been checked and updated as needed.
Finally, give attendees and visitors confidence by ensuring hand sanitizing stations and other defensive practices, such as no-touch faucets, are functioning properly in the facility.
Renting? Start off strong with this rental checklist—free for you to download.
3. Equipment
For portable churches, this portion of the church spring cleaning checklist includes far more than your typical building and AVL equipment.
Checking and maintaining the equipment that (literally) makes a portable church function is a critical activity on the church calendar. Whether it’s caring for your cases, trailers, or coffee brewers, every item in your portable church or multisite toolkit will benefit from an annual check-up. To get maintenance tips on each of those items, visit our YouTube channel.
Own a trailer? Below, check out Jesse’s tips on trailer maintenance.
In addition to checking and maintaining your portable equipment, include an AVL equipment check on your church spring cleaning list. To ensure all equipment is in safe, working condition, use these guides:
Check wiring and connections of AVL systems
Inspect projector bulbs and replace as needed
Test microphones to make sure they are operational
Verify that the audio system is powerful enough for the room size
Check lighting systems to see if repairs need to be made
Test instruments used in worship services to make sure they are functioning properly
Replace broken or worn-out cables
Clean any dust from vent fans and other equipment
With the equipment used weekly and so many people involved, it’s easy to miss important warnings. Making sure to do a thorough check-up of the equipment is crucial and should not be overlooked.
As the MVPs of your portable church or multisite, volunteers must have our attention. To make sure their input isn’t overlooked, systematize your volunteer nurturing and use your church spring cleaning as a time to trip the wire and make it happen. Use this checklist to get started:
Design and send surveys to assess volunteer satisfaction
Ideally, ask team leads to schedule a face-to-face meeting with each volunteer, but use calls or video chats if necessary
Host a small celebration to thank volunteers and encourage their continued participation in the fall
Hone or set up a system of feedback loops to learn more about how the volunteers are doing throughout the year
Finally, remember that praise is free. Recognize your volunteers’ excellent work publicly whenever possible.
5. Calendar
During your church spring cleaning season, gather your core leaders to discuss the calendar for the remainder of the year. Are the fall kick-off activities accounted for? What about summer connection opportunities?
When each ministry is represented and a visual calendar is available, it’s easy to see if two major events are colliding or if there is a gap that might cause people to lose connection.
Once the calendar is set in stone, the techies need to update the Events section of your website, and the communication folks need to start promoting.
Visitor follow-up is an essential part of any church, particularly for a portable church or multisite that sees many visitors come through their doors. What a shame to miss the chance to connect with a guest. But, by recognizing the needs of visitors and investing in a follow-up system, churches have an opportunity to create impactful connections that will last well beyond just one visit.
How can you determine whether your not your follow-up system is working as intended?
Use your church spring cleaning season to do a careful review of the system’s success. Check the following points:
Do you have an ample supply of your first-time visitor gifts?
What kind of retention are you seeing for each event, including Sunday mornings and regularly scheduled activities?
How is your ChMS functioning? Are people responding to your communication efforts?
For visitor follow-up, how many communication attempts are resulting in responses or engagement? Do you have a system for measuring and reporting this critical information?
Have you considered recruiting a group of secret shoppers to test your follow-up effectiveness? Create avatars that represent different people in your target audience, including those who engage as a first-time visitor and those who are regular attendees. Ask each volunteer to respond based on your created scenarios, and then elicit detailed feedback about their experience.
Taking the time once a year to refresh areas within the church can have a powerful and profound impact on the spiritual health and growth of any congregation. By refreshing the website, facility, equipment, calendar, equipment, and systems, not only will the physical and technological aspects of the church improve but it will also create a renewed enthusiasm amongst members to create and share meaningful change.
With fresh perspectives come innovative ideas for how to engage visitors and increase involvement which leads to deeper connections with each other as well as God.
Thankfully, investing in small projects over time helps build a strong foundation that can serve as a cornerstone for years to come.
Has your spring cleaning checklist revealed any areas that need improvement? Whether you are part of a church plant or a new campus, we’d love to help you put your best foot forward. Book a free consultation call with us today.
Jumpstart your successful launch journey when you follow the steps we recommend to our clients when we’re asked how to plant a church.
Are you sensing a calling to start a church? That’s exciting! Or maybe a church planting has approached you and suggested you launch. Do you know what steps you should take next?
Although starting a church can take years to execute, you don’t have to spend an abundance of time plotting your steps. Thousands of churches have gone before you and paved the way, and it would be prudent to learn from their examples.
We’ve spent decades in the trenches helping to launch more than 3,000 church plants, outfitting churches with the equipment, resources, and supplies needed to produce an outstanding worship service week after week.
But long before we started talking supplies, we had the privilege of advising leaders during the very first steps of their journey to plant a church. In this post, we’re going to share our advice with you so you can skip to the fun stuff, like recruiting your launch team and meeting community members.
Here are the 6 steps we advise church planting teams on how to start a church. If you want to quickly jump to each section, use the links below.
Organizations like these provide access to valuable resources, such as experienced mentors and coaches, proven tools and methods for starting a church, training in areas such as leadership development and pastoral care, fundraising assistance, and networking opportunities.
Additionally, church planting organizations offer support both before and after the planting of a church. This allows church planters to benefit from the wisdom and experience of others who have gone before them, paving the way for their success. Moreover, by partnering with networks like these, churches are able to build upon the missional work that has already been done in an area which can help ensure long-term growth and sustainability.
A network can advise you on setting up your church bylaws and belief statement, which experienced church members will be interested in reviewing.
Simply put, bestselling author and early multisite church pioneer in North America, Rich Birch, says:
“Networks provide us a valuable opportunity to strengthen our efforts by sharing resources, best practices, and informing each other about church-planting initiatives in our communities.”
Don’t expend an ounce of concern about whether or not you’ve crossed every T and dotted every I. Instead, get started on the right path with great legal direction from an organization like StartCHURCH.
We recommend StartCHURCH because they are known for helping with every aspect of church startups, from setting up articles of incorporation and employee identification numbers to choosing tax exemption status. In addition, clients have access to their StartRIGHT Service, a cloud-based software suite that will help you with policies, taxes, and more.
What’s the danger of starting a church without legal advice?
Starting a church without proper documentation brings up many concerns, and here are just a few:
Your church might be operating without the necessary legal documents or permits.
The church leadership may be open to potential liability if an accident happens on the property.
Potential donors could be discouraged from giving due to a lack of proper documentation.
Credibility with government officials, congregants, and potential members could be compromised.
Repairs or changes made before getting official approval may need to be covered out of pocket.
By eliminating legal concerns, you can rest assured that your church is well-protected and on the path to success. Legal experts have experience dealing with all the complexities associated with launching a church and can provide clear guidance to ensure your church is compliant with all applicable laws.
Working with a professional also ensures that if any issues arise, there is someone knowledgeable and experienced who can help navigate them. Furthermore, having the right paperwork in place from the beginning will save time and money in the long run.
It’s time to identify the area to which God is calling you to plant a church. Finding the right location to launch is crucial for any church plant. After all, the church location and venue play a key role in how effectively your church plant reaches and engages the community.
How can you determine the best church plant location?
Here are 5 tips to help you along the way:
1. Ask God to give you a burden for a specific place.
Of course, this decision has been prayed over, right? Well, more often than not, teams get busy and trust their gut rather than God’s leading. Add prayer to your list of non-negotiable tasks.
2. Look for areas devoid of churches
Zero down on the areas where there are fewer churches. Are you ready to go where the need is the greatest? Consult with other pastors who are already serving in the city/town in which you feel called to plant a church. Ask them where the greatest need in their city is, and identify the challenges of the specific communities in the area.
3. Consider venues
Which facility is suited for your church? There are hundreds of questions to be thoughtfully considered when choosing a venue. Is it easily accessible? What’s the overall vibe? Does it have adequate parking spots and clean restrooms? Is there ample meeting space for both adults and kids? In addition, you will also have to think about factors like kitchen space, lighting, and stage setup.
4. Think about the costs
It’s no surprise that the potential cost of setting up a church can be a deal-breaker. Whether you’re constructing a new building or renting, it’s a decision that can’t be taken lightly.
Here’s some good news: we’ve got a checklist that is sure to make your job easier. The Facility Cost Comparison checklist will help you find the right space for your church. Download a copy for yourself today and feel free to send your team the link, too.
5. Consider equipment requirements
Can the venue be easily accessed? Is there storage available? Every venue will have different expectations, limitations, and requirements. If your facility requires you to supply your own furnishings, consider one of our portable equipment solutions or simply contact us and we can talk about customized options to meet your needs.
There’s no way around this critical piece of business; your church plant needs funds to operate. But it doesn’t have to be a dreaded subject, either.
Have you heard this quote by Andy Stanley?
“A church plant that does not fundraise is like an airplane that never takes off.”
As you’re likely starting to experience, preparing to start a church can be likened to the excruciating, painful, exhilarating task of building an airplane. Surely you don’t want to go through all of that work and never see it do what it was made to do! The key to getting off the ground is funding.
How can I raise money to start a church?
Historically, church plants were funded by existing churches or organizations. While that is still a common practice, the support is often just a stipend to supplement what can be raised, and even that amount is generally only committed for a few years.
It’s time to get creative and explore new ways to raise funds for your ministry. Here’s a sampling of a list from Donorbox, who are recommending that individuals and teams:
Host an online donation form.
Create a branded donation form for website embedding
Add on text-to-give functionality so people can easily donate or tithe
Crowdfund
In addition to these suggestions, it’s wise to research which platforms offer fees for service rather than a flat monthly fee. Oftentimes, churches aren’t prepared to utilize the numerous bells and whistles offered, and it will save money to only pay for what’s being used.
5. Start Building Your Launch Team
If you don’t already have your launch team gathered, now is the time to solidify those seats. Need assistance?
StartCHURCH shares a solid list of considerations when gathering the launch team, like finding individuals who live in the church plant neighborhood, being clear on your expectations and commitment, and — maybe most importantly — making it clear that the lead team is not the same as the launch team.
What’s the difference between a church plant lead team versus the launch team?
The launch team helps to provide short-term support during the early stages of launch, such as helping with basic tasks like outreach, research, and volunteer coordination. The launch team is in existence only through the first weekly service and has gathered for the simple purpose of getting the church started.
On the other hand, a church plant lead team is usually comprised of the core group of leaders that are responsible for the long-term vision and implementation strategy. They typically have a leader or pastor in charge who oversees their day-to-day operations.
That said, it’s not uncommon for members of the launch team to later join the leadership team after the church is launched. The main difference between the two is that the lead team is more focused on long-term planning and implementation while the launch team focuses on implementing plans in a shorter time frame.
6. Become a Contributing Community Member
The example of the Apostle Paul inspires us to be creative and confident in our efforts to spread the gospel. As a tentmaker, Paul earned money while traveling around the world, talking to people and engaging with them about his faith. This allowed him to build relationships and spread Christianity wherever he went.
In the same way, church planters can use their current community job as a tool for evangelism. Once you secure employment in the community where you’re planting a church, you quickly make natural connections that would be nearly impossible to make otherwise. For example, when one church planter got a job at the local gym, who do you think was the first community 50 attendees at his church? Fellow gym rats.
By building meaningful relationships with coworkers and customers, church planters can create opportunities for spiritual growth and eventually invite others to become a part of their faith community. That’s 21st-century tentmaking.
Plant a Church and Impact God’s Kingdom
When a church planting team has the right steps to follow as they start a church, amazing things can happen. Having a clear plan and strategy for launching makes it easier for the team to focus on their mission and be effective in reaching out to their surrounding community.
Following these 6 steps will allow the team to set achievable goals, have accountability measures in place, and prepare for launch day confidently.
Need help getting your church plant off the ground? We’re here to help. Book a 20-minute consultation call with one of our experts today.
Explore how LED walls increase design options and appeal, and what elements to investigate when considering a unit for your portable church.
Churches today rely heavily on worship set design to give the congregation an immersive and interesting experience. To create a worshipful environment, churches have traditionally used permanent backdrops or projected visuals. LED walls, as an alternative to these conventional techniques, have gained popularity as a result of technological improvements. The benefits of employing LED walls for worship set designs will be discussed in this article, along with an insider’s look at a successful implementation, and factors to consider before installing an LED wall.
Can LED Walls Be Used in a Portable Setting?
Absolutely! In the clip below, we gain an insider’s view of an LED wall that’s been designed with portability in mind.
Now that we’ve seen how an LED wall can be used in a portable setting, let’s explore the advantages and take another look at a wall that’s “out in the field.”
Advantages of Using LED Walls for Worship Set Designs
One of the primary advantages of using LED walls is that they enhance the visual experience for the congregation. LED walls can provide amazing graphics with high resolution and brightness levels that are sure to engage attendees. In addition, compared to conventional techniques, LED walls offer more flexibility and creative alternatives. During their worship services, churches can quickly swap between various backgrounds, colors, and visual effects. Finally, when compared to other techniques, LED walls are also a more affordable and energy-efficient option.
An Example of Successful LED Wall Implementation
Here’s a recent example of an LED wall installation we were privileged to work on.
In early 2023, we partnered with BNY Productions and Journey Point Church in Denver to design and install an LED wall. The N31 Series LED wall with a 1.86mm pixel pitch will serve two purposes: it will hide areas that are better left unseen (in this case, a kitchen) and also elevate the visuals during their worship experience.
Oftentimes, we see churches choose LED walls because of the greater flexibility in designing their sets. Or churches who previously used projection systems found that they were unable to achieve adequate brightness levels until they switched over to an LED wall system which provided better image quality overall.
In any case, these churches did their homework and invested in LED walls…but only after considering several factors that might impact their decision. We’ll list a few of those factors here.
3 Factors To Consider Before Installing Led Walls
1. Size and Placement
The size of the wall should be appropriate for the room it’s installed in while taking into account viewing distances from different angles within the room. A wall that is either too small or too large can detract from the congregation’s overall experience. Similarly, the appeal might be diminished if the wall is situated in a spot where it is difficult to see from particular angles.
On the other hand, a properly scaled and placed LED wall can improve everyone in the congregation’s immersive experience regardless of where they are in the space. The point is this: if you are considering an LED wall for your church worship experience, great thought should be given to elements like room size and layout.
Does your facility or rental have adequate power supply, ventilation systems, and connectivity?
The technical aspects that go into building an LED wall for a church are essential to guaranteeing its best performance and security. To make sure the system has the capability it needs to function properly, electrical requirements including power supply, voltage, and current must be carefully evaluated. In addition, to prevent the LED panels from overheating, ventilation and cooling systems must also be installed.
Another crucial component to take into account is connectivity, which enables communication between the control system and LED wall. This guarantees that material is presented on the screen precisely and without lag or delay. By considering these technical elements during installation, churches can ensure that their LED walls perform optimally while maintaining safety standards.
Like any substantial piece of equipment for your portable church, it’s crucial to take the budget into account when installing an LED wall for a church. The cost of LED walls can vary significantly based on elements like size, resolution, and technological details. Setting a realistic budget is essential, taking into account not just the price of the LED wall itself but also any other expenses like those for installation, upkeep, and repair.
Churches may prevent overpaying and make sure they’re receiving the best value for their money by establishing a budget in advance. Working with trustworthy vendors can also assist churches in making educated decisions regarding their LED wall expenditures while avoiding any unforeseen costs or hidden charges.
LED Walls Increase Design Options and Appeal
When it comes to creating dynamic worship environments in churches, LED walls have many advantages. If they haven’t already, more congregations should think about incorporating this technology into their worship services due to its improved visual appeal, versatility in design options, and cost-effectiveness in comparison to previous ways.
We would love to help you elevate your Sunday appeal. If you’d like to know more about LED walls, we’re here to help you. Contact us for a 20-minute, free consultation today.
Check out some inspiring recent church launches and the foundational elements each used to make their God-given dreams come true.
It was a chilly Sunday morning, and the sun was already beaming into the church lobby. Guests would enter an emptied area stocked with welcoming church equipment: an info center and coffee bar. Further inside, the auditorium-turned-worship-center was a bustle of activity as the pastors, AVL team members, ushers, and musicians prepared for the church’s first worship service in this location.
The pastor and launch team had been working hard for months and today was the day it all had to come together. Although, even in the most chaotic moments, a sense of calm was in the air. Volunteers and staff worked together to ready everything for the first visitors’ arrival.
The exterior of the building, framed with branded banners, welcomed passers-by, and the entrance was equally colorful with direction signs and information cards. Everyone was so excited; they could hardly contain it even during times of stillness or prayer.
Welcome to Launch Day.
The music team began their first jam while ushers welcomed early visitors. People came into the worship area steadily with freshly brewed coffee in hand, smiling at one another as they filled the seats.
At 10 AM the first “welcome” was spoken. Naturally, those who had dreamed of this church launch from Day One were overcome with emotion. The service was underway and now it was time to focus on executing the mission of expanding the Kingdom within the community.
This is just a glimpse behind the scenes of one church launch. After the privilege of participating in thousands of launches, we can say with authority that no two are the same. And yet, there are some common elements that connect the most successful launches, and we are sharing a few of those today.
FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS OF CHURCH LAUNCHES
It can be a real challenge to launch a new church, especially in an increasingly digital world. It’s a daunting prospect to create something from scratch and build an engaged community out of nothing. But this doesn’t mean it’s impossible! This article will showcase some inspiring launches, highlighting the strategies and elements they used to make their God-given dreams come true.
Why 3 Recent Church Launches Rocked Their First Weekend
1. Successful Church Launches Have Clear Vision and Goals
Not only do successful church launches have clear vision and goals, but those foundational declarations need to be communicated over and over (and over) again.
Regular communication of a church’s vision and goals with members helps to keep them engaged with the church. In addition, it powerfully reminds every one of the importance of their individual roles in achieving the goals. As a result of this communication, a community is built among the attendees—people who are bonded by a shared purpose and language.
In addition, let us not underestimate the significance and long-term success of getting everyone on the same page when it comes to the church’s goals, beliefs, values, and expectations. Mutual understanding is critical to a church’s long-term health and success.
As for Church of Eleven22, Vision Nights are part of the church culture. The pastor and leaders share the direction where God is leading them for the next year. And by the comments on their social accounts, people are excited to attend and hear the vision for themselves.
What format are you using to share your vision and goals with your church attendees and members? Would you consider a Vision Night?
2. To Rock a Church Launch, Gather the Right People & Technology
Every church wants to make an eternal impact. As a portable church, it’s critical that you have volunteers who invest fully in the mission. Creating a volunteer-friendly environment will help keep a volunteer team engaged and form a strong team bond. Certainly, a force that is united, with everyone committed to furthering the message of Jesus, will be able to accomplish more than individuals working alone.
Let’s face it: a staff of three pastors cannot set up church for 400. On the other hand, a church launch that includes an army of positive, high-energy volunteers who understand the mission and vision and faithfully serve in their designated capacity can easily prepare for a crowd. Consider every volunteer a conduit for potential attendees.
How Can the Right Tech Impact a Church Launch?
The right tech can be a major cost-saving measure. For instance, tech can reduce staff time spent on admin tasks and overheads associated with running physical events, meaning churches can serve more people with fewer resources. Finally, gathering the right people and tech provides churches with greater potential for impact on individuals and communities around them, allowing them to spread their message even further than before.
It’s no secret to anyone on Union Church’s launch team that people and smart tech solutions are critical and very much appreciated. They were pumped for their launch and now they are equally pumped to be in community together, sharing the gospel message with others.
In the case of Union Church, days before launch, the team was putting in hours in preparation for the first service. Leaving no stone unturned, they checked lights, cameras, and cords, and worked together to ensure a great experience. This attention to detail and commitment to the end goal made their recent church launch successful.
3. Church Launches Need the Right Physical Spaces & Equipment
Of course, having the right equipment when launching a church is non-negotiable. Although a group can “make do” for a while, in the long run, having the right pieces from the start will only maintain morale and confidence in leadership.
Having flexible gear can mean a larger audience can be accommodated, not to mention offer better and more comfortable accommodations. For example, consider the attention level of an attendee seated comfortably in his chair versus one who is sore and squirmy. No question: successful launches include a consideration of their guests’ comfort. Likewise, over time, quality amenities help create an inviting atmosphere.
Lastly, the physical location that is chosen for your church has a deep and long-lasting impact on the success of your launch. If renting or leasing, do you know the building’s history? What’s the perception of the community based on its previous tenants? The right questions will summon information critical to choosing the best location.
We love how our friends at Buffalo Church in Montana put guests at ease with a coffee bar in the lobby. Not only does it communicate a strong “welcome” to all in attendance, but it also sets a communal tone.
Do you need to set a tone in your lobby like the folks at Buffalo Church? Investing in a portable bistro cart allows you to set up your coffee station anywhere you want to serve.
CHURCH LAUNCHES IMPACT COMMUNITIES
A successful church launch will make an eternal impact on the community it serves. On a spiritual level, individuals have the opportunity to connect and grow together in their faith. Furthermore, keeping with the church’s mission, it provides a safe place where people can hear about Christ among a gathering of fellow seekers and believers.
Create an enhanced worship experience when you learn how to use portable staging for churches.
Portable staging is a cost-effective and easy way to set up an engaging and dynamic worship space for your church. With portable staging, your space can be transformed and will provide an enhanced experience of worship for your people.
Portable stages are a great asset for any church that needs to be mobile. They provide convenience, flexibility, and stability when setting up in different spaces. Both large and small groups can benefit from portable staging for churches, you’ll just need to identify which setup is best for your gatherings.
When used by portable churches, a good portable stage has even more advantages as it can easily be set up in any location without sacrificing quality. It provides a safe environment for singing and playing instruments while providing adequate space for worship leaders to direct services with ease. Also, since the stage will often be customized to fit the size of the church’s gathering area, no additional setup is necessary which saves time and money on permanent structures.
In this article, we will lead you through all the details involved in selecting the ideal stage for your portable church.
To navigate quickly to each section, use the links below.
Portable staging for churches is a system of modular components that can be used to create an elevated platform for musicians, speakers, congregants and other performers in a church setting. Portable stages are typically comprised of platforms supported by legs or risers, which can be rearranged and customized for different worship services. Additionally, portable staging systems often feature accessories, such as handrails, guard rails, and ramps to ensure safe access to the stage area.
Churches use portable stages for a variety of reasons. Here are 5 common purposes:
It allows churches to provide more flexible spaces for worshipers by making it easy to move the stage from one venue to another.
Portable stages give churches the ability to adjust their size and shape depending on the size of the audience, enabling them to accommodate larger or smaller congregation sizes.
They are typically made with lightweight materials that are relatively inexpensive and easy to transport.
Portable stages often include adjustable railing systems and additional storage underneath platforms. This extra space can be used for props or sound equipment during services.
Many portable stages come with custom designs tailored specifically for churches, which makes it easier to create a familiar and welcoming atmosphere for all.
In addition, consider how stage design enhances the experience of the congregation. As Church Executive explains, “Church workers are seeing stage design as an opportunity to create a visual atmosphere that mirrors what happens with the music and message on the church platform.” This shows that the simple-looking stage you select, and purchase has a lot more to it than just providing an elevated level for people to stand on.
What kind of portable stages are available for mobile churches?
There are various options when it comes to portable stages, but the most common are:
Small modular stages that are compact and convenient to store and transport. These are ideal for smaller stages that won’t have too much equipment or too many people on it.
Stage decks, usually used for more heavy-duty stage requirements. These come with various surfacing options in case you’re needing more robust surfacing or a non-slip option.
We recommend this Quik Stage Portable Stage because it is an extruded aluminum product with removable legs and extremely durable in the long run. Therefore, they are very easy to use if you are a portable church.
Of course, the key to choosing the best portable stage for your church is identifying your unique needs and requirements. Once figuring these out, you’ll be able to make the right choice.
What are the key factors to consider when buying a portable stage for your church?
When buying a portable stage for your church, there are several key factors to consider.
First, you need to determine the size and weight requirements for your space, as well as the number of performers or congregants who will be using it. Other considerations include budget constraints, safety features, ease of setup and teardown, storage options, and transportation capabilities.
Additionally, it is important to check on warranty information and make sure that your purchase is backed by a reliable manufacturer. Pay close attention to safety standards when selecting a portable stage; this will help ensure you own a product that meets all relevant safety requirements while providing an experience that’s enjoyable and comfortable for worshippers.
Other features to look out for include adjustable railing systems, additional storage underneath platforms, and custom designs tailored to specific needs or preferences.
Finally, be sure to review customer ratings and feedback from other churches that have used the same product model in the past to ensure that you are making an informed decision.
4 Significant Ways Portable Staging Can Impact Your Church’s Worship Service
1. Versatility & Flexibility
With portable staging, churches have the flexibility to create any kind of stage configuration they desire within the auditorium. By using modular pieces, teams can reorganize the area throughout the service to suit specific needs.
Working with a combination of platforms, risers, walls, and curtains, churches with portable stages can add variety to their stage design and create a space of worship that is far removed from the plain and simple auditorium the setup team is greeted with early each Sunday morning.
2. Elevate Musical Experience
By incorporating additional platforms and risers, musicians have ample space to play and move around while performing live music sets on stage.
Here are a few examples:
Allocating additional space for instrumental soloists by setting up elevated platforms around areas close to them (e.g., keyboardist platform located near grand piano).
Creating separate spaces/risers dedicated to vocal performance groups, like a choir, so they have ample room to move while singing their parts in unison during services.
Utilizing multiple tiered stages so that orchestras have enough room to spread out comfortably while performing live music sets on stage (elevated tiers should also allow better visibility from further away).
Generally, people feel like a space makes more sense when it is visually blocked, for example, when the choir has a specifically demarcated area or the music team is set up in a certain space. Stages can help immensely with making sense of your rented church space.
3. Add Color and Variety
Portable staging for churches can help your team augment the message of each service. For a start, the various levels create variety in your church space and helps focus attention during the worship experience. Also, portable stages provide more opportunities to incorporate different colors and textures.
Decorating risers and other areas of the stage with colorful plants, fabrics, and artwork provides an inviting aesthetic and ample opportunities to set up scenes that relate to your theme.
Stages and lighting techniques go hand-in-hand. For example, you can use color-changing LED strips to amplify certain features in your stage design, further helping people to understand the layout of your area while also creating a visually pleasing environment.
By employing special materials in the design of your portable stages, you can also help optimize acoustics in your church space, improving overall sound quality for congregants.
When selecting your stage and any stage equipment, remember that incorporating specialized stands made from heavy-duty materials helps trap reverberations more effectively than traditional structures usually found in churches, such as support frames crafted from PVC piping or steel trusses.
Building special isolation boxes or enclosures around specific sections of instruments where external noise needs to be blocked out completely (drums are particularly vulnerable here) so sound is carried across more evenly while performers are playing their parts on stage during worship service events.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PORTABLE STAGING FOR CHURCHES
Selecting the right portable church stage is an important decision that can have a significant impact on the worship experience of your congregants. The stage should be sturdy, comfortable and safe, while also creating a pleasing aesthetic. Therefore, it’s essential to select a stage that meets all of your needs whilst remaining cost-effective and durable in the long run.
Often, it is best to consult with someone who has already gone through the process of selecting ideal staging for their church and can impart the peaks and pitfalls around this process.
Book a free consultation callwith Portable Church Industries and receive professional help in selecting your ideal church stage.
Ensure an excellent experience for your people and your team when you learn what to look out for when making a portable baptismal pool purchase.
The New York Times reported that “baptisms are getting wild” because of the non-traditional nature of the sacrament over the past decade. Whereas historically churches had a built-in baptistry, churches are often built without that structure. These days, it’s not unusual to see baptisms celebrated in a church auditorium with a water-filled horse trough or portable fiberglass unit, or even at a local beach.
The “wild” approach to this tradition is especially important for churches that don’t have a permanent baptistry for recognizing this sacrament for church members. How can a portable church conduct baptisms? What’s the best equipment for celebrating this sacrament in a leased facility or in a venue that simply does not offer a baptismal area?
Portable baptistries are the perfect solution for conducting baptisms in buildings that don’t have a permanent baptistry, whether you’re a mobile church or have a permanent facility.
To navigate quickly to each section, use the links below.
What are some examples of a portable baptism pool?
Options for portable baptistries can run the gamut—from a horse trough to a tub with built-in stairs. Here are just a few of the options available to churches:
In case you’re wondering which option is often recommended by our portable church experts, it’s the easily-assembled unit from Portable Baptistries. Among the churches we’ve worked with, these lightweight tubs have become a favorite.
For more information, check out this video where some of our church launch experts share the pros and cons of different kinds of portable baptistry options.
PRO TIP: Yes, powerful and portable water heaters are available through many vendors, searchable online. For less than $1,000, you can ensure a toasty experience for your candidates.
How to Conduct a Baptism in a Portable Church
In addition to deciding which portable baptistry is best for your church, there are plenty of other details to consider. We’d like to share a few tips that come from decades of working with churches that have navigated baptisms in a mobile setting.
Towels are Key
Not only will your baptism candidates appreciate a large bath sheet, but it’s also a safety tool! Instead of leaving a trail of water on a tile floor, line the path with towels to minimize slips and reduce the water pools in your church’s bathroom area.
Consider the Best Location
If your stage area doesn’t suit baptisms, simply set up your portable baptismal pool in a different room, like a hallway or a classroom, and broadcast it to the worship area.
Pre-record for Ease and Comfort
Do you have shy candidates? Or a few who are long-winded? Instead of asking baptism candidates to share or read their testimony, consider pre-recording it instead. Not only will this be a comfort to the intimidated parties, but it will also keep the service to an allotted amount of time. In addition, churches can pre-record the entire baptism process to streamline it even further.
Share a Portable Baptism Pool
Know of other portable churches in your area? Consider sharing a baptismal. Assuming it’s not a piece of equipment you use regularly, it could easily be shared among a church or two—or more!
Consider Water Temp
As mentioned before, there are heaters available to help you quickly heat the water inside your portable baptismal pool–both immersion heaters and circulation heaters. Since baptismal pools are typically filled with cold tap water, often through a standard garden hose, a heated experience will be much more pleasant for the candidates and pastors alike.
On that note, remember to consider timing and building heat when you’re preparing for a baptism. For example, if you plan to heat the tub, consider both fill time and heat time when determining the appropriate start time for your efforts.
CREDIT TO @DannyWBennett ON TWITTER
How To Choose The Best Portable Baptismal Pool
Choosing the right portable baptistry for your church is important to ensure that baptisms are conducted safely and with proper respect. Factors to consider include size, cost, durability, safety, water quality, and ease of setting up and tearing down.
In a portable church context, one of the most important factors, above all others, is that your portable baptismal pool purchase must be easy to set up and tear down so that baptisms can happen anytime, anywhere.
Purchasing a baptistry for your church may initially seem like a quick task to tick off, but if you want to make the correct choice, you’ll need to know what to look out for. This article will have you set in the right direction as you search for the ideal baptismal pool for your church.
6 Things to Consider When Buying a Portable Baptismal Pool
Here are six things you will want to consider when setting out to find your church’s portable baptismal pool.
1. Set Up and Tear Down Matters
This is probably the most important factor for portable churches. You don’t want to purchase a baptismal pool that takes your team a long time to set up and tear down. You’ll want to keep this factor at the top of your priority list and it must be a deciding factor when you need to choose between your top three selections.
Here are some important things to look at:
Check if one person can set the pool up or if it will need a team.
Note the level of ease with which it will come together.
Will it need a plug point for a pump?
Are there steps in the setup that can easily go wrong and will mean that your pool is easily broken?
Additionally, the quick dismantling of your portable baptistry after the service ensures that no part of the equipment is left behind or lost in storage or transport.
Choosing the right size of portable baptistry is important. When making your selection, make sure it’s large enough to comfortably fit your intended number of participants as well as any accompanying individuals, such as parents or pastors. Too small of a pool could cause discomfort, while too large of a pool may require extra effort in setup and tear down. Consider your space requirements when deciding which size will best suit your needs.
In addition, keep the weight of the pool in mind if you plan to transport it between locations; some portable baptistries can be quite heavy and may require multiple people to move them. Here’s what one church member had to say about the subject:
“Our church needed something light-weight and easy to store away when not in use, the portable baptistries were exactly what we were looking for.”- Matt
By investing in a small and lightweight unit, churches—both portable and permanent—will have the flexibility to provide an engaging baptism experience no matter where it is celebrated.
When considering the cost of a portable baptismal, it’s important to factor in the quality and durability of the product. While cheaper models may be more economical in the short term, if they are not as durable as other options, you may need to replace them more often. Imagine the disaster if a baptismal unit springs a leak in the middle of your Sunday service. On the other hand, let’s not.
Depending on your budget, there may be additional features that can add value to your purchase, such as built-in filtration systems or temperature control solutions. Consider all aspects carefully and make sure you are getting the best value for your money.
4. Durability Matters
You need to consider durability when choosing a portable baptistry. Plastic units are typically lightweight, easy to set up and transport, and cost-effective, making them ideal for portable churches. However, plastic pools may not offer the same durability as metal portable baptistries.
Metal units tend to be heavier and require more setup time than plastic ones, but they offer superior strength and rigidity when compared to plastic models. They also tend to last longer due to their increased durability.
There’s no wrong choice; it’s a matter of knowing your typical use case.
It’s also important to consider safety when buying a portable baptismal because there are some things you need to watch out for. Here is a list of some important safety precautions:
Make sure that the pool has an adequate drain system, so that water does not accumulate or stay stagnant inside the pool.
Ensure that the pool is safe for children of all sizes.
The pool should have adequate support and stability to prevent tipping or sliding during use. For rollable units, locking caster wheels are a must.
Check for any sharp edges or corners that could prove dangerous and ensure that the material of construction is strong enough to hold water.
Be sure to read through all manufacturer warnings and instructions thoroughly before setting up and using the pool.
Keep unattended children away from the filled unit. This is where a plastic or wooden top will come in handy as another level of security.
Above all, does your portable baptistry come with the apparatus people will need for getting into and out of the unit? If not, consider buying a pool ladder or a portable ramp, perhaps even a stability rail. Another useful item for your baptistry would be a non-slip surface to lay down if your pool doesn’t have an in-built one. Whatever avenue you choose, make sure individuals are safe to enter and exit the unit.
Water quality is an important consideration when it comes to owning a portable baptistry. Impurities and contaminants in the water can cause health issues and skin irritation, as well as damage to the pool itself.
Before purchasing a portable pool, be sure to research the recommended water quality maintenance standards and make sure that any products you use in the pool will help maintain good water quality. Check if the pool you’re looking at will help you keep it clean in some way (filters, drainage system, etc.), or if it will end up being a difficult process for your team to keep it clean and looking good.
ACE YOUR PORTABLE BAPTISMAL POOL PURCHASE
Purchasing a portable baptismal pool is an exciting time and can bring great joy to any church. Aside from the important points we’ve discussed above, it’s a good idea to make sure to invest in products and practices that will maintain your pool and ensure a positive experience for all who enter the water.
Taking the time to choose the right baptismal pool for your portable church will mean that you can be confident that your baptismal experience will be safe and meaningful for everyone involved!
Need help navigating your portable church setup and gear choices? We’d love to help. Book a free consultation call with one of our experts today.
Church planting teams will find it helpful to compare the pros and cons of a church building lease versus tackling a new construction.
Knowing whether to build or lease your church plant is one of the most crucial steps in your church’s journey to launch. After all, if you haven’t determined which option to go with, how will you make meaningful strides in planning your launch? A lot hinges on determining where your church will meet.
It’s also very important that your church plans on investing a lot of time in determining whether it should lease or build a facility. This is not a 30-minute kind of decision. It’s a long process that involves identifying your church’s needs and what makes the most financial sense.
Unless you have someone in the know on your team, this process can seem daunting. That’s why we’d like to help and share what we’ve learned from working with multisites for more than 25 years.
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of a church building lease versus new construction, which should help you move in the right direction.
What’s Better: A Church Building Lease or a New Construction?
The decision to start a new church or multisite is an exciting one, but many factors need to be considered before making any decisions. This information will help you understand the options available to you.
Leasing vs Building
To determine the best course of action for your church, you’ll need to take a close look at all the benefits and challenges of each option. This involves looking at financial, operational, and logistical factors and weighing up what will work best for your church.
To jump right to the lists included, use the links below.
There are several advantages to a church building lease instead of constructing your own.
Save money by not having to pay for construction costs. Many will know that there are several hidden costs involved in new construction.
Steer clear of the hassle of dealing with permits and inspections.
Avoid the cost of buying land. There is also a lot of time involved in processing the purchase of land and seeing the process through correctly.
Sidestep the expense of hiring contractors.
Avoid the potential liability of owning a building. This one is easily overlooked until something happens.
Pay for what you need. Church Realty points out that “most church plants and multisite campuses start in a one-day-a-week space or a leased facility.” To put this into perspective, it means that a new church plant may only need to rent a space for 4 or 5 days in a month, which makes a lot more financial sense than investing in an entire new-build process.
Avoid the cost of maintaining and upgrading the building you lease.
Finally, looking at the debate with a wider lens, choosing a lease for your church plant will mean you are launching a portable church. Of course, we’re partial to portability, but perhaps not for the reasons one would think. We are passionate about portability because:
Portability sets a tone for flexibility and multiplication.
We like what Josh Roberie, part of an ARC launch team, had to say about the subject:
“One of the advantages of a portable church model is that it “allows you to add value to the place you are meeting, which will get the attention of community members as you tangibly show them your church cares.”
Not having the secure location of a church campus encourages individuals and church bodies to get out of their comfort zones and be more evangelistic.
5 CONS OF A CHURCH BUILDING LEASE
However, there are also some disadvantages to leasing a building. More than the pros, your church team will come up with very situation-specific cons that will help you make the best decision for your church. Some of the most common cons that we’ve seen are:
You will need to find a fitting location for your church’s specific mission and vision. If you choose to go with a church building lease, you have the pressure of making sure that it’s both near enough to your desired demographic, but also near enough to where your members live so that they can easily attend services.
Potential scheduling conflicts with your landlord. It’s not unusual for facilities to have blackout dates. For instance, churches that lease from a school, consider summer blackout dates while the school replaces flooring or roof repairs.
It can be tricky to determine precisely how much space you need. If you’re a new church plant, it’s difficult to know how quickly your congregation will grow, or how best to serve your people. For example, perhaps you’ll draw high numbers of people with infants, and yet the church building lease you’ve signed only allows you to rent a small area for your nursery needs.
Your landlord may change your lease terms, or even choose not to extend your lease. This will mean that you’ll be on the lookout for a new space…and with it, a new responsibility to communicate that change to the community at large.
Landlords can be enthusiastic about supervising how you use the space they own. This is something that can be sorted out with good communication and maybe a mediator, but it’s worth adding to the con list.
Building your facility comes with several advantages. And if this is the best choice for your church, it probably means that you’ve come up with more than ‘several’ advantages.
Building allows you to customize the space to meet your needs. This means that you can design the layout of the room to fit your congregation’s style.
You can add features, such as a kitchen, bathrooms, offices, etc., to give your church a unique feel.
For those of us who have attended many churches and have a keen critical eye, you’ll be able to contribute valuable points to consider when designing your new church building. For example, many older churches have “cry rooms” that you may have needed to use. You’ll know how isolating and cold they can feel. This kind of information will be valuable to your team when entering the design phase of your new build.
A dedicated church building that you own means you can put permanent branding up and passersby will know exactly where they can find your church at all times. It can be a beacon for those who aren’t sure where to find a church to attend. Although today, many people search for churches in their area online, there is still a tremendous value in making a mental note of where churches are in the area. This is something you can’t do if you go with a church building lease.
The list of cons to building a new church is by and large in contrast to the pros list of leasing a facility, which we will spell out for you, but there are other cons, that we’ve included, too:
Spend large sums of money on construction costs, as well as the hidden costs that inevitably pop up during the construction process.
Encountering the hassle of dealing with permits and inspections.
Needing to buy land and run the course of processing the purchase and making sure the process is completed correctly.
Facing the possibility of the purchase of your ideal piece of land falling through and needing to look at Plan B or start your search all over again.
Hiring and dealing with contractors.
Note and tackle the liability involved in owning a building.
Delayed recuperation of your expenditure, as your church waits for money to come in through tithes and offerings and other fundraising efforts.
Maintenance tasks and costs will be a fixed feature in your budget and planning meetings.
The new build may not be your experience with new construction. In other words, many go into the process of building a church thinking that once it is complete, no more building will be required. However, if your church grows and cannot accommodate all your people, or you realize that you forgot to build enough classrooms or office space, then additional construction might be on your to-do list for your church. This may be financially viable, or it may become a financial burden.
FINANCES & MISSION IMPACT YOUR CHURCH’S BEST OPTION
It’s easy to feel like you’re going around in circles when it comes to the topic of building or taking on a church building lease. But when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, you’ll find that the best option is the one that fits your church’s needs and makes financial sense. Does the timeline and fiscal commitment fit your church’s capabilities? Both of those boxes need to be checked, and for most churches, they find the better choice is to enter a church building lease rather than building a church.
Needless to say, it helps all churches when you have professional input regarding which option to take. That’s why we’ve created an invaluable Facility Cost Comparison Matrix to help your team make the right choice:
Make the right choice for your church plant or multisite when you download and complete PCI’s Facility Cost Comparison Matrix.
Looking for synergy and professional development? Attend the leadership and church planting conference Exponential Orlando 2023.
The Exponential Orlando 2023 Conference, taking place March 6–9, will explore the theme “Lost Cause: Reviving Evangelism.” This theme is a call to action for us, as Christian leaders, to revitalize our efforts to share the gospel and bring others to Christ. For church planters, it’s the biggest conference of 2023, and one you won’t regret attending.
Reviving Evangelism: Exponential 2023 Theme
In recent years, many believers have adopted a negative or misunderstood attitude regarding evangelism. It’s become a taboo word and a subject of debate, leaving this directive straight from Jesus on the backburner in many church plants and existing churches.
The goal of Exponential Orlando 2023 is to provide pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders with the practical tools and inspiration they need to overcome these challenges and be more effective in their evangelism efforts.
Here’s what Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton had to say about Exponential:
“I love what Exponential is doing to focus on multiplication, specifically the mission to see the percentage of U.S. churches that ever reproduce increase to greater than 10%. That’s a mission worth giving our lives to.”
Could this gathering be what you need to renew your passion and calling to meet ministry challenges?
The conference will feature keynote speakers, such as Pastor Rick Warren and Dr. David Platt, as well as workshops led by other notable figures in the field of church planting, leadership, and evangelism. These leaders will share their insights and experiences on how to lead churches into a culture of evangelism.
In addition to the keynote speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from other notable teachers, including pastors, missionaries, and evangelists who have made a significant impact in the faith, like:
Christine Caine
Josh Howerton
Dave Ferguson
Noemi Chavez
Daniel Im
Derwin Gray
And many more!
These development opportunities offer fresh, relevant tools to reinforce your church’s mission to multiply believers—and do so with confidence and boldness.
Need more reasons to attend Exponential Orlando 2023? Keep reading.
10 Reasons to Attend a Leadership & Church Planting Conference
Being in the room with like minded Christian leaders sparks a unique kind of synergy. Sharing ideas, experiences, and even the burdens of ministry, all become opportunities for encouragement and growth. Here are 10 reasons why ministry innovators and Kingdom influencers should attend leadership and church planting conferences.
To be inspired and motivated to revitalize your efforts to evangelize and disciple new believers.
To learn from some of the most respected names in the faith, who will share their insights and experiences on how to lead ministries that effectively share the gospel.
To receive practical training and resources that will equip you to both share your faith with boldness and to lead a church that is following Jesus’ direction “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
To network and connect with church planters, Kingdom innovators, and other ministry leaders.
To discover new strategies and approaches to creating relevant, effective ministries that strategically multiply in the 21st century.
To learn about the latest research and best practices in ministry and evangelism, and how to apply them to your unique ministry environment.
To be challenged and grow in your personal faith as you hear from powerful keynote speakers and other notable attendees.
To be a key part of the revival of evangelism in today’s Church.
To receive encouragement and support from other leaders and pastors who are facing similar challenges in evangelism within their church plants, existing churches, and Christian ministries.
Finally, to be refreshed and renewed in your ministry and better equipped to serve your congregations and local community.
Essentially, when leaders are empowered and equipped to develop a culture of evangelism within their churches, the advancement of the Kingdom is at hand. What a privilege to be part of multiplying disciples and launching churches!
Register for the Largest Multiplication Gathering on Earth
Ready to join the movement and attend the largest multiplication gathering on earth? Register for the Exponential Orlando 2023 Conference and be a part of the revival of evangelism in the 21st century.
