1. Recognize Your Calling
Congregation members tend to be a reflection of their leaders, and leaders tend to be a reflection of their pastor. Churches will often flow in the same anointing and passion as the senior pastor. So first figure out what area of ministry your stronger gifts and passion lean towards. Some churches are known for having a focus on evangelism, others are known for their emphasis on worship, and some churches are specifically known for being prophetic or apostolic training centers. Churches should be known for all these things, but your main call and gifts should be highlighted in order to operate at your highest potential. Forcing yourself to operate outside of your main calling or gifts can cause unnecessary stress and spiritual frustration.
Identify your strengths! What are you good at? What are you passionate about? What are your favorite areas of ministry or topics you love to discuss? Do you feel called to a 5-Fold Ministry office or are you just seeking to start a Bible study group? Pay attention to where you are most drawn to and prayerfully consider where you fit best in ministry. If you don't feel led to start a church and would rather stick to developing a home Bible Study or Prayer group then some of these next ministry tools may not apply to you. More information on those ministry ventures can be found on the Small Groups page.
Your passion and calling as a ministry leader should be reflected by the official Mission, Vision, and Core Values upheld by the church. Although churches can operate with out an official Mission, Vision, or Core Values, having these set in stone can help give the church specific direction and set the tone of the culture of the congregation and even regular services.
Identify your strengths! What are you good at? What are you passionate about? What are your favorite areas of ministry or topics you love to discuss? Do you feel called to a 5-Fold Ministry office or are you just seeking to start a Bible study group? Pay attention to where you are most drawn to and prayerfully consider where you fit best in ministry. If you don't feel led to start a church and would rather stick to developing a home Bible Study or Prayer group then some of these next ministry tools may not apply to you. More information on those ministry ventures can be found on the Small Groups page.
Your passion and calling as a ministry leader should be reflected by the official Mission, Vision, and Core Values upheld by the church. Although churches can operate with out an official Mission, Vision, or Core Values, having these set in stone can help give the church specific direction and set the tone of the culture of the congregation and even regular services.
2. Strategize Your Style
As much as we believe that biblically appearance doesn’t matter, the rest of the world has not gotten that memo. The most relevant and thriving churches are normally known for their “branding” style. Constantly changing graphic styles, fonts, and logos can create the appearance of instability and disorganization to outsiders. Cluttered and poorly-made flyers will not attract as much as a carefully branded and well-designed flyer. Ideas for flyers and ads are easily accessible on Pintrest.com and certain phone apps carry great quality editing for images.
Companies are known for certain symbols, colors, fonts, and slogans. Anytime someone sees these colors and font they will likely immediately think of that company. The same branding techniques can be used for churches and ministries. To brand your church and catch attention of outsiders there should be a modern logo that may or may not include the actual name of the church, 1 or 2 main fonts that are used consistently, a color scheme of 3 or 4 that flows, and possibly a catchy slogan that is used that can tie into the mission or vision of the church. Once those details have been figured out, they should be used on Church T-shirts, business cards, and social media graphics. Vistaprint.com is a great resource for high quality business cards at a decent price and these cards can be given out during events, evangelism, or fundraisers. If local T-shirt shops aren’t readily available, CustomInk.com is a great website for bulk purchases of shirts and other clothing and can have your order at your doorstep in 2 weeks. Church T-shirts should be worn at community events, fundraisers, and during evangelism.
Ex: Our church name is SoulFire Revival Center. The logo is in all caps and there is a flame inside the “o”. We are known by the O flame symbol (which is on our church shirts) as well as the colors red, black, white, and grey.
Companies are known for certain symbols, colors, fonts, and slogans. Anytime someone sees these colors and font they will likely immediately think of that company. The same branding techniques can be used for churches and ministries. To brand your church and catch attention of outsiders there should be a modern logo that may or may not include the actual name of the church, 1 or 2 main fonts that are used consistently, a color scheme of 3 or 4 that flows, and possibly a catchy slogan that is used that can tie into the mission or vision of the church. Once those details have been figured out, they should be used on Church T-shirts, business cards, and social media graphics. Vistaprint.com is a great resource for high quality business cards at a decent price and these cards can be given out during events, evangelism, or fundraisers. If local T-shirt shops aren’t readily available, CustomInk.com is a great website for bulk purchases of shirts and other clothing and can have your order at your doorstep in 2 weeks. Church T-shirts should be worn at community events, fundraisers, and during evangelism.
Ex: Our church name is SoulFire Revival Center. The logo is in all caps and there is a flame inside the “o”. We are known by the O flame symbol (which is on our church shirts) as well as the colors red, black, white, and grey.
3. Modernize Your Methods
Church methods that had a heavy impact 20 years ago may not carry that same kind of impact today. Times are always changing and in order to stay relevant churches should make appropriate adjustments. The original church in ACTS did not have their own building, stages, welcome centers, or even electricity. We evolved into brick and wooden churches with stained glass windows as dedicated places of worship complete with a steeple, giant cross, and organ. Today’s modern churches look a bit more different with lights, smoke machines, giant screens, electric instruments, and coffee bars. The appearance and methods may change, but the message should always remain the Word of God.
When starting a new ministry its much easier to set the tone of the church culture and flow of ministry. That being said, if you have an existing ministry that lacks structure, impact, or has an outdated feel to it, it may be time to evaluate the ministry to see if any updates and adjustments should be made. This can include dress code, worship songs, stage design, and digital advertising. Churches should appeal to multiple age groups and feel welcoming to all generations. If your church is mainly a specific age group it's likely that modern updates will attract a more diverse audience and feel more age-inclusive.
When starting a new ministry its much easier to set the tone of the church culture and flow of ministry. That being said, if you have an existing ministry that lacks structure, impact, or has an outdated feel to it, it may be time to evaluate the ministry to see if any updates and adjustments should be made. This can include dress code, worship songs, stage design, and digital advertising. Churches should appeal to multiple age groups and feel welcoming to all generations. If your church is mainly a specific age group it's likely that modern updates will attract a more diverse audience and feel more age-inclusive.
4. Categorize Your LeaderS
Placing the wrong person in the wrong ministry can cause that ministry and the church itself to have stunted growth or even deteriorate. Whoever is placed in any area of ministry should first be spiritually right with God, equipped and trained (or willing to be taught) in that ministry, and have a passion for that ministry. Passionless people in ministry produce dead churches. Those who are in leadership or have an interest in serving should be given an opportunity to share their gifts, talents, and passions with the pastors so they can be placed in the appropriate areas in which they will be allowed to thrive. If there is a ministry need that nobody is passionate to fulfill, a rotation of trusted leaders should be made until the right person steps up to the plate. A rotation ensures that leaders won’t burn out. Also, every area of ministry should have a set of guidelines or responsibilities to avoid confusion or unapproved changes. A chain of command should also be set in place for leaders and volunteers so everyone knows who they answer to.
Ex: Energetic and outgoing people can be best placed as greeters, ushers, and teachers. Business-oriented people may be used to help organize and lead events.
As an additional helpful resource, you may choose to have your leaders and volunteers take a personality test that highlights their personal strengths, weaknesses, and general character traits. This tool could help leaders and volunteers analyze what kind of ministry and areas of responsibility they are most likely to thrive in. A free online personality quiz is available at 16Personalities.com.
Ex: Energetic and outgoing people can be best placed as greeters, ushers, and teachers. Business-oriented people may be used to help organize and lead events.
As an additional helpful resource, you may choose to have your leaders and volunteers take a personality test that highlights their personal strengths, weaknesses, and general character traits. This tool could help leaders and volunteers analyze what kind of ministry and areas of responsibility they are most likely to thrive in. A free online personality quiz is available at 16Personalities.com.
5. Emphasize The Need In Your Community
Every city and community seems to have a specific culture as well as spiritual needs. Los Angeles is known for vanity, Las Vegas is known for gambling an promiscuity, New Orleans is known for alcohol and witchcraft and so on. Spirit-led churches in communities known for a specific addiction, sin, or oppression have the mandate of fighting against those specific principalities through prayer, evangelism, outreach events, and teachings that better prepare the listeners to deal with them. Once the need is understood, it should be effectively communicated with leadership and the congregation so appropriate ministries can be set in place. This is an opportunity to best serve your city according to their specific needs.
Ex: A city with a party street filled with clubs and bars could benefit from an evangelism team praying with bar-hoppers on weekends. A city with a heavy homeless population could benefit from a homeless outreach team that provides care-kits and food regularly.
Additional information as well as a list of common outreach ministries and creative fellowship activities can be found on the Events & Fellowship page.
Ex: A city with a party street filled with clubs and bars could benefit from an evangelism team praying with bar-hoppers on weekends. A city with a heavy homeless population could benefit from a homeless outreach team that provides care-kits and food regularly.
Additional information as well as a list of common outreach ministries and creative fellowship activities can be found on the Events & Fellowship page.
6. Mobilize Your Team
Plan a day (or several days) with your church leaders and congregation members to go out into the community and advertise the church through creative ways. Hand out free waters on street corners with business cards, set up a prayer tent in a busy park, knock on doors and hand out free cookies and a flyer to the next church event, and so on. Advertising a healing conference or a children’s event can bring visitors in who may choose to stay and become members. Even is 100 flyers are passed out and only 1 new person shows up to church, that’s 1 soul that can be impacted and potentially remain and even grow into a leader over time.
Stay informed on city events and participate or attend as many as possible. Parades, festivals, carnivals, art shows, and other city fellowship events are a great way to meet new people, share the gospel, and have visible representation for your church.
The greatest advertisement is word-of-mouth. When people come in contact with a passionate and lively church group out in the city they will be more likely to visit. Bring the church to the people outside the four walls and watch your impact and congregation grow.
Stay informed on city events and participate or attend as many as possible. Parades, festivals, carnivals, art shows, and other city fellowship events are a great way to meet new people, share the gospel, and have visible representation for your church.
The greatest advertisement is word-of-mouth. When people come in contact with a passionate and lively church group out in the city they will be more likely to visit. Bring the church to the people outside the four walls and watch your impact and congregation grow.
7. Evangelizing Intentionally
Encourage your leaders and members of the congregation to reach out to people and talk to strangers about Jesus and their church on a daily basis. Just going about your regular day and starting a conversation with a stranger can be an open door for prayer and ministry time and lead to an invitation to church. This can be done simply by asking members of the congregation to boldly step out and pray for anyone they see who is injured (with a cast, crutches, wheelchair etc..) while in public, pray for their servers and cashiers at restaurants and stores, and so forth. People tend to really appreciate nice strangers offering prayer and encouragement and will often ask “What church do you go to?” which will open the door for an invitation.
Even if the invitation isn’t given or is turned down, those stepping out now have some experience in evangelism and have the opportunity to grow in boldness when it comes to sharing the gospel in public places. Additionally, sharing the Gospel is like sowing a seed into the ground and you never know the impact that encounter can have on a person later on (even if they never attend your church).
Even if the invitation isn’t given or is turned down, those stepping out now have some experience in evangelism and have the opportunity to grow in boldness when it comes to sharing the gospel in public places. Additionally, sharing the Gospel is like sowing a seed into the ground and you never know the impact that encounter can have on a person later on (even if they never attend your church).
8. Vocalize Your Ministry Purpose
To keep the church on track with the mission and vision, the core goals should be mentioned regularly, either tied into a sermon, while collecting offering, or while advertising the next church event. By repeating the mission and vision it will likely stick to the minds of the listeners who will see the passion you have for it as they develop their own. Passion is contagious. People get excited if the person speaking about something is excited. So speaking out the mission and vision with passion can transform the culture of the church if there was no passion or direction beforehand.
Apart from verbally mentioning parts of the mission and vision, the official mission and vision of the church should also be posted somewhere visible in a common area of the church building where it will be seen often by members as well as new visitors.
Apart from verbally mentioning parts of the mission and vision, the official mission and vision of the church should also be posted somewhere visible in a common area of the church building where it will be seen often by members as well as new visitors.
9. Revitalize Your Leadership
One of the biggest issues facing many churches is lack of leadership and volunteers. Sometimes we get so caught up in the movement of ministry that we forget to take a breather. Countless times I’ve felt led to encourage a volunteer only to find out they were on the verge of giving up or quitting. Statistics show that 70% of pastors battle depression, approximately 1,500 pastors quit each month, and 80% of pastoral leadership often feels discouraged.
Fight against the statistics by having regular leadership meetings that involve fellowship, food, encouragement, and the sharing of thoughts and ideas. This keeps ministry momentum going but also provides special time for leaders to encourage one another and call out each other’s strengths. If anyone vocalizes that they are in a season of discouragement the team can use this as an opportunity to pray for that individual and bring restoration.
Fight against the statistics by having regular leadership meetings that involve fellowship, food, encouragement, and the sharing of thoughts and ideas. This keeps ministry momentum going but also provides special time for leaders to encourage one another and call out each other’s strengths. If anyone vocalizes that they are in a season of discouragement the team can use this as an opportunity to pray for that individual and bring restoration.
10. Globalize Your Impact
Increase the impact your church is having by partnering with other churches both locally and at great distances. There is much to learn from other ministries and there is much to impart as well. Ministry connections not only bring unity within the Body, but also open doors for mission outreaches and global impact. Another church may send a few volunteers to your area to join you in outreach and vice-versa.
In addition to mission trips, you may also choose to partner with missionaries or ministries in high-need areas and send financial donations to support and impact. Showing that you care about what happens outside the four walls of the church and actively assisting other ministries and non-profits will not only bear good fruit in the church, but even draw outsiders to sow financially into the ministry because they see the church on the move, reaching out, and making a difference.
In addition to mission trips, you may also choose to partner with missionaries or ministries in high-need areas and send financial donations to support and impact. Showing that you care about what happens outside the four walls of the church and actively assisting other ministries and non-profits will not only bear good fruit in the church, but even draw outsiders to sow financially into the ministry because they see the church on the move, reaching out, and making a difference.
In Conclusion
There are countless testimonies of how these steps have improved our ministry growth and impact. Of course there may be some steps that don’t apply to you or you don’t feel led to change. Just follow God’s guidance and prayerfully consider the opinions of your leadership before moving forward in any of these steps.
For professional assistance in obtaining a legal Non-Profit status for your church, visit StartChurch.com.
For professional assistance in obtaining a legal Non-Profit status for your church, visit StartChurch.com.
