Is Your Church Ready to Expand and Multiply?

By Kristen Alexander

Is Your Church Ready to Expand and Multiply?

 Author: Kristen Calicott

 Read Time: 4 Minutes 

Your pews are full, and people are standing in the open spaces just to soak in the word that brings the soul its refreshment. The time and effort you put into launching the vision God gave you are coming to fruition. 

Is it time to expand your church or ministry? 

If the answer is yes, then you have already made the first step. This answer brings forward so many questions, decisions, and plans that will need to be worked through to ensure that you are ready and able. Let's dive into it! 

Get the party started! 

Now that you've decided it's time to expand, let's discuss the different ways that this is possible. 

In the last decade, and this last year especially, we've had some difficult hardships. But God took what was meant for evil, and He made it good! COVID provided churches everywhere with the possibility to spread the Gospel in so many different ways around the world!

Expanding doesn't just mean physically anymore. It can mean increasing the presence you have on the internet to reach those God's called you to lead. This can let your community dive into the different ministries you have, what organizations you partner with, and how they can get connected! 

If you do decide to host multiple physical locations, a church website is a great way to let people know that they can visit whatever one is closest to them and what events they may want to attend. This also gives your visitors the ability to view a Livestream to check out your church before deciding to visit in person. For those that haven't been to church before or are restarting their journey with God, having an online viewing option is a great idea.

A great way to get started or revamp your current online presence is through a StartSites website! Give us a call to get started today! 877-494-4655

Where is our next physical location?

The first step is to research the physical location(s) where you feel God calls you to expand to new physical locations.

Here are some basic questions to consider:

• Are you interested in renting or buying a building?
• Do you want to build an entirely new facility?
• Is this feasible financially, or do you need to raise the money and budget? 

Look at the community and ask these further questions before making a decision. 

• Is the location close enough for the main church to support the new site in its birth?
• Or, do you have people who are willing to travel or move to ensure the new location's roots are firmly planted and grown in the desired capacity? 
• Is the community in need of something that your new location will provide?

So many questions need to be asked, answered, and addressed before the decision is made to be confident that the location will flourish. And, if the answer is no, that's okay! Lean on the Father and ask Him if there is an area that He is calling you. He will provide the answers and give you clarity on what specifically He wants you to do. 

Ready, set, launch!

The last step is going to be the busiest! Once you have obtained the funding, decided on the location, completed the rental agreement or closing documents, or finished building, you will initiate the launch! This is such an exciting time in the growth of a ministry! 

Be sure that your launch team is informed and knows the procedures and policies they will carry into the new location.

Some policies you will want to educate them on are:

• Accountable reimbursement policy
• Conflict of interest policy
• Benevolence policy
• Indemnification policy
• Anti-terrorism policy

Ensure that communication is key in your process and get the right people in the right places to run everything smoothly. Use the strengths of your staff and volunteers to ensure that they will work with their new community to replicate the welcoming and loving atmosphere you have created in the main church and that they are adapting to the needs of the people around them! 

This new location will reflect on the main church and its mission and vision. Visit it often and make suggestions, but understand that everything will not be the same as your first plant. With the difference in communities and leadership, there are bound to be differences. But as long as the motive and mission are the same, there shouldn't be too much to worry about!  

Here we grow!

Either way, launching a new church plant or expanding an online presence is a big deal. It requires a lot of research, the right people, and the vision you've been given to stay at the forefront of it all. 

These steps can take months or years, but don't be discouraged! God has been at the helm of it all, and having your leadership pray over these decisions with you can give you clarity on what He is asking from you. Prayer is powerful, and that power will propel you into His plan.

If we can assist you with your vision, please give our church planting specialists a call! You can call now at 877-494-4655 or click the link below to schedule a call. We can’t wait to help you fulfill the dream God has placed in you!

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