There are 5 steps to starting and growing a church. The model that I am going to share with you is not the only church-planting model, there are many models of how to start a new church: House church (small churches in homes with 2 families or more that gather together) or the model that starts with children's ministry then brings it back to church, starts with community ministries then brings it back to church, does a Christmas package project then brings it back to church… . There are many models, ways of starting a church.
I want to share a pattern, and I hope it will be more of an encouragement than an outline to follow literally and definitely. When starting a church, ministry, something new should have these steps: Why (vision) How (practical steps how to achieve it) What (what result you are aiming for).
I want to summarize the points, then in other posts I want to share details about each.
1-Dream, unique vision for the new church, this can take from 0-3 months.
In the next article, I want to share 7 steps just for this part. But I want to urge first, make sure that you have received from God a unique vision for your church. Why do you need this church, does it suit you, how has God shaped you, what are the wrong ways to start a church... ? Make sure you have a clear vision before moving on to step two.
2- Team building may take 6-12 months. Like Jesus who started the ministry with 12 disciples from the beginning. At this point, treat the team like a ward, not a hospital. As a special force, the razor. I want us to explore this, how to treat the team as a guild, how to get the best out of them, and how each voice has its place according to the talents it has.
3-The beginning of the church, the opening of the church. Set a start date for the church and do 3-4 monthly events before the Grand Opening happens. The events build momentum before church starts and also test the team before it starts.
4-The growth of the church, after its opening. What services to start after opening the church? Do as much as you can do well, don't start with too many services and then stop them on the way. Start with 1 max 2, Sunday and messages or only Sunday. Then adding leaders, expanding the team, start adding services. But first find out which ministry goes with your church?
5-Multiplication of the church, the apprentice. Like life, it creates the family, then it's time for the child to be born. And the church needs to "give birth" to other churches. Keep this in mind from the beginning of the church and you will keep an apprentice close by and when the time comes to start the new church, you will be ready.
In closing, I want to say that: We are in the most beautiful times of Christianity in Albania. There are over 300 evangelical churches, 1 church for 10,000 inhabitants. There has never been, or at least we have not documented anywhere, that there were so many churches and evangelical Christians in Albania.
Let us move with the rhythm of the favor that God is giving to our country.
The big dream for Church Planting in Albania: What if... in the next 10 years we prepare to start 1 church for every 5 thousand inhabitants? Let's seek God and if He gives you the call to start a new church, I am ready to help with the practical steps and everything I can.
Because preaching is the most effective evangelization and God's favor is upon our country!