PRE-LAUNCH STAGE

Presenter notes (suggestions)

PRE-LAUNCH GOALS1. Settle into the community2. Win early spiritual victories3. Break the missional code4. Win people to Christ5. Assemble and disciple converts6. Recruit & equip the launch team

The main goal of the Pre-Launch Stage is the right well-

equipped Launch Team

The Right Launch Team1. Trusts Christ and you2. Is committed to your strategic plan3. Includes new believers from

community4. Fits those you are called to reach5. Is willing to sacrifice for the cause

Pre-Launch Mistakes1. Skipping the pre-launch stage2. Not starting with evangelism3. Not learning how your lost target

thinks4. Poor positioning in terms of church

name, style, description of church5. Not setting dates for your previews6. Choosing an area that no place for

the church to rent

Matt. 4:1-11 - Led by God to fast and do spiritual battle

John 1:30-52 - Won the first followers who became his launch team members

What Was Jesus’ Pre-launch Strategy?

How Did Jesus Win His First Disciples? John 1

1. Went to where open people were

2. Dialogued with those most interested

3. Did an Evangelistic Bible Study

4. Pulled out those connected

Acts 1:12f- gathered the 120Acts 1:14- united them in prayerActs 1:15f- taught Scripture related to Judas’s replacement Acts 2:14f- begin preaching the gospel

What Was Peter’s Pre-launch Strategy?

“And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.”

Acts 16:13 ESV

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”

1 Corinthians 9:19 ESV

What Was Paul’s Pre-launch Strategy?

Importance Of The Pre-launch Stage

1. Future health and stability depend on it (roots)

2. Sets the DNA3. Determines who will stay4. Helps the planter establish

credibility5. Practice for the big leagues

1. Settle Into The Community

Why? a. Families need a nestb. You need a place to restc. You need to adjust to the

community

2. Win Early Spiritual Victories

a. Because the enemy is entrenched

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

2 Cor. 10:4 ESV

b. Our mission is to take territory

But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you…We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged,

2 Cor. 10:13,15 ESV

How Jesus & Paul Won Battles

1. Scripture2. Prayer3. Preaching of the gospel4. Assertion of spiritual authority

Example Of How God Extended Territory Through Joshua 1

 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses‘ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 

4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them

Joshua 1:1-6 ESV

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

Joshua 1:7 ESV

3. Break The Missional Code

a. Key to developing successful ministry strategies

“And the one who has understanding will succeed.”

Pr. 19:8b (EB)

“…and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.”

Eccl. 8:5b ESV

Don’t serve boiled sheep ears

b. People With Good Understanding Will Be Liked... Proverbs 13:15 (EB)

What do lost visitors want when they visit a worship service?

3. Understanding is necessary for appropriate cultural adjustments For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them…To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

1 Cor. 9:19, 22 ESV

How Do You Break The Missional Code Of Your Target?

a. Live and work with themb. Pray for wisdomc. Study the Scripturesd. Study the culturee. Ask questions and listen

What Does The Bible Say About Lost People?

Gen. 3• Can be deceived• Are rebellious• Choose people over God• Feel shame and are motivated by fear• Are hiding and blame shifting• Are separated from God

Matt. 9:12-37• Sick, sinners, that need new wineskins• Filleted open & being abused• Lost without a shepherd• Plenty of them are ripe for harvest

Matt. 10:5-23• Need reaching out to, 5• Are culture bound, 6• Need the gospel, 7• Need their needs met, 8• Some will be hospitable, 12, 15 • Some will reject you and hurt you, 16f

Ephesians 2• Dead, 1, captives of Satan, 2• Living for themselves, objects of

wrath, 3• Are loved, 4• Can be made alive, saved, 7-9• Can fulfill God’s purpose, 10• Foreigners without hope or God, 12• Can be brought together in Christ,

as family members and living stones that are fit together. 13-22

Study Their Culture To Find Out The Following:

• Turf- how can you go to them?• Trials- what do they struggle with?• Tastes- what are their preferences?• Tunes- what music do they listen to?• Traditions- what do they do habitually? • Times- when are they most likely to go to church?

• Topics- what will attract them?• Tales- what are their cultural stories?• Triumphs- what are they proud of?• Transitions- what is changing?• Tribe- who do they identity with?• Tongue- what is their lingo?• Temperature of culture- warm or cold?

Study Their Culture To Find Out

What The Unchurched Say About Church

1. See no value in attending2. Think churches have too many

problems or fights 3. No time or not interested4. Churches are too interested in money

5. Services boring6. Irrelevant7. Disbelief in God8. * Bad experience with church9. * Are down on organized church10.* Distrust the church (child

safety)

1. Invited by a friend or relative2. Special “felt need” events

Seminar3. Direct mail that appeals to a felt need4. A new church starting up close by5. Sense a special need for God in their

life

Why The Unchurched Would Visit Church:

Why Do Door To Door Listening Surveys?

1. They are a way to apply Matt. 10• Gets the shepherd out finding lost sheep (persons of peace).

2. Fills your heart with compassion3. Help you break the missional code

Why do door to door surveys?

4. Make a good impression

5. Allows you to localize your efforts

6. Fast way to connect with many

7. Leads to conversions

How To Do Door To Door Surveys?

1. Go alone or as man & woman team, or two women

2. Go when people are home and awake

3. Prayerfully go in faith4. Tools: surveys on clipboard, pen,

map, results chart, tract

What To Do At The Door?1. Stand back from the door after

ringing, hands in view2. Smile, make eye contact, speak in an

ordinary, friendly voice3. Give opening lines quickly & clearly4. Keep it brief5. Get name and additional contact info

of those interested6. Thank them, and give them invite

card

Opening line

Hello I’m _____________, and I am your neighbor a couple of streets over. I am also the pastor of new church that will be starting in the neighborhood. I am doing a simple four-question opinion poll related to needs and interests in this area. Would you help me out? It should take less than 3 minutes.

Questions1. What do you think is the greatest need in

this area? 2. Are you actively attending any church? 3. Why do you think most people don’t

attend church? 4. If you were to look for a church to attend,

what kind of things would you look for?5. Could we email you an invite to our new

church when it starts?

4. Win people to Christ

“Go therefore and make disciples

of all nations,...”

Matt. 28:19a ESV

a. Better for long-term conversion growth percentages

b. “Stickier” for new believers

Why To Win People During Pre-launch?

c. Builds credibilityd. The target market is huge

Solid Christians

Unsaved

Motivation For Evangelism

Basic motive: love for God and peopleExtra motivation according to gifting:

Apostles - to plant churchesProphets - to proclaim truthEvangelists – to express their giftPastor-teachers – to rescue lost sheep

Extra Motivation According To Gifting:

Leaders- help people find directionMercy- compassion for hurting peopleGivers- give greatest gift, eternal lifeTeachers- to make apprentices of JesusHelpers- to make others successful Encouragers- to see people make progress

How Jesus Won People

1. Relational evangelism, Jn 1, 42. Went to celebrations, Jn 2:1-113. Defended the defenseless, Jn 2:12f4. Made gospel appointments, Jn 35. Shared as He went, Jn 4

How Jesus Won People

6. Met needs, John 5,67. Preached publicly, John 7:378. Created lots of preaching points,

Luke 4:43-449. Shared in the marketplace, Lk 5:27f10. Attended parties of “persons of

peace” Lk 5: 29-30

1. Pray for wisdom, courage, and open doors

2. Go in search of persons of peace3. Create bridge events4. Organize service projects5. Make gospel appointments6. Offer Discovery Parties and

Seminars, Luke 5:27f7. Use plug and play DVD groups8. Evangelistic Bible Studies

Ways to start winning people

Why Discovery Parties?

1. Preaching creates faith, Rom. 10:172. Uses a main gift of the planter3. Generates evangelistic momentum4. Creates groups with right ratios5. Practical Bible content is a draw6. Is a socially acceptable method7. Good practice for previews

Characteristics Of Discovery Parties

1. Designed for the unsaved2. Focuses on practical Bible teaching3. Typically meets in a home4. Typically meets for about an hour

Discovery Party Specifics1. Sit in a circle or a semi-circle

2.Don’t put people on the spot

3. Speak seated if group is small

4. Pre-arrange testimonies

5. Let people ask questions

6. Have a nice meal or refreshments during and/or after

Discovery Party Specifics8. Provide name tags for everyone

9. Use connection cards for feedback

10. Five minute rule

11.Offer prayer for needs afterwards

12. Recruit workers to help with children

Example Invitation

Would you come over to my house on Tuesday night at 7? We are hosting a dessert party and a talk about what Jesus offers us today. Most people are pleasantly surprised to see what the real Jesus of history and Bible was like and practical ways he can help them.The meeting is over dinner and will last about an hour and 15 minutes. You will not be put on the spot to say or pray anything. You will enjoy meeting neighbors before and afterwards.

Format of Discovery Party

1.Appetizers & nametags2.Dinner during presentation3.Hosts and speakers are introduced and all

are welcomed4.Brief prayer and testimony (2-4 min.)5.Clear communication of the good news with

Q & A (30 min)6.Invite to a Plug & Play Group 7.Share other visionary plans

Tips for Success

1.Invite abundantly and repeatedly2. Exceptional hospitality & service3. Clear gospel message with an

attractive title– Vintage Jesus for Everyday Life– How Following Jesus Improves

Relationship

Tips For Preaching

1. Use themes Jesus used2. Teach the Bible clearly & correctly3. Apply the gospel to their felt needs4. Use lots of stories and metaphors5. Make each point an action step

Tips For Preaching6. Be honest with your own

mistakes and weaknesses7. Do not assume they know the

Bible or “Christianese” 8. Persuade them to commit to

Jesus

Final Thoughts On Discovery Parties

1. Do not let seasoned Christians dominate2. Follow-up those interested3. Host multiple Discovery Parties until

several prospects are generated4. Involve newcomers in helping quickly5. Apprentice others to do them6. Start new Discovery Parties and Plug &

Play groups around persons of peace

Birth Plug & Play Groups

These are much like Discovery Parties except they:

1. Have “hosts” not leader/teachers2. Use a DVD for content3. Meet for 4-6 weeks

5. Assemble and Disciple Converts

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,…

Hebrews 10:24-25a ESV

Two Primary Tools

• Small group home bible studies, as in John 1

• 3D Home Church Services

Start a 3D Home Church

An all purpose meeting, designed to discover, and develop pre-launch participants and deploy them as Launch Team members

Why Start A 3D Home Church?1. Uses the planter’s preaching gifts

2. Gives a place to invite guests

3. Establishes Biblical koinonia

4. Growth momentum

5. Fishing pool for launch team workers

Why Start A 3D Home Church?

6. Creates credibility for the planter

7. Mixes disciples with seekers8. Models future groups life9. Provide practice for future

services and group life10. Prepares people for multiple

services

How To Start A 3D Home Church?

1. Decide on a time to meet (1 hr + meal)

2. Pick a home in the middle of your area

3. Provide childcare4. Invite! Invite! Invite!

A 3D Home Church Format

• Meal and/or refreshments• Prayer and/or singing• Bible teaching with Q&A• Sharing, testimonies• Vision casting and planning with

some Launch Team training

Learn to Do Small Church Well

1. Exceptionally warm and hospitable

2. Easy to get to know everyone3. Able to know the leader4. Set up wisely5. Tailored messages to the group6. Make it easy to get involved in

helping

6. Recruit and Equip The Launch Team

The Launch Team includes all Launch Stage participants who have any specific role in starting the church.

Members may be new to the faith, and are not the same as the Equipping Team who are a more select group.

Different Ways Launch Teams Are Formed

1. Planter or small team sent out gather a launch team from the community

2. Large group sent out (hive, colonization)3. Replant of a dying church4. Split off from the mother church

Why Develop a Launch Team?

1. It is a life-changing experience2. More can be done with a team3. Establishes volunteerism4. Provides encouragement

1. Lack common leader2. Become too close 3. Personal and relational

problems of core members4. Not fit the target group 5. Lack common vision

Potential Launch Team Problems

Where to Find Launch Team Members

1. From among converts2. From churches or your circle of

Christian friends3. Combination of #1 & #2

Why Build Your Launch Team Through Evangelism?

1. Starts the church off right2. Joy and celebration3. Improves future conversion growth

potential4. Less need for church re-education5. Lots more prospects

Costs Related Concentrating on Converts

1. Numbers may come slower at first

2. Less resources

3. Steeper learning curve for the planter

4. Lives of converts may be messier

MYTH: The larger and more mature the Launch Team the better

MYTH BUSTER: Large mature Christian core group typically results in mainly transfer growth

When Recruiting Christians Be sure to get a license from the

churches you want to fish in Look for those want to fish, not to just

feed Watch out for hi-jackers Don’t get distracted from your primary

task Don’t depend on them too much

Christian Launch Team Members Work Out Best When:

1. Some are new Christians

2. Are used to relating to the unsaved

3. Come from evangelically effective churches

4. Are missionally committed

5. Are outnumbered by unchurched people at your launch

How To Recruit A Launch Team

1. Share the VISION and strategy

2. Share the BENEFITS¨ Significance¨ Your gifts are needed¨ Relationships¨ Growth¨ Eternal rewards

3. Be open about the COSTS–Sacrifice–Change–Conflict–Disappointments–Hard work

4. Spell out launch team requirements

• Commitment to your vision and strategy• Willing to take a service position• Meetings they will be expected to attend• Will seek to live by the Relational Heart

Attitudes

Relational Heart Attitudes

1. Put the goals and interests of others above your own

2. Live and open and honest life3. Give an receive scriptural correction4. Clear up relationships5. Participate in the ministry6. Support the work financially7. Follow spiritual leadership within

scriptural limits

S.W.A.T. TeamsServants Willing And Temporary sent

on mini-mission trips Children’s ministry (main need) Set up and tear down Music Counting offerings Community Service & Outreach

Scaffolding

Those who come to be part of the Launch team intending to go back to their sending church after a few months.

How You Can Develop Your Launch Team

1. Training in general ministry skills– How to invite– How to include (no person ignored, 10

Minute Rule)– How to serve on a team

(Retreat settings work well for training)

2. Apprentice them in of the essential ministries areas

• Children• Facilities• Hospitality

• Greeting• Refreshments• Ushering

• Accounting• Music and tech

Launch Team Meetings

Bible teaching on church lifeVision castingPractice skillsAccountabilityGoal setting- pray, invite, shareMake assignments

Summary of Commissioned Part 1

Day One: Follow The Timeless Church Planting Practices of Jesus

5 Stages of Church PlantDay Two: Preparation StageDay Three: Pre-Launch Stage