One of the main obstacles/ opportunities (obstacle of you look at the money/opportunity if you look to God) to church planting is the need to raise funds. Things cost money...food, businesses, real estate, and yes, even churches. After conducting interviews with church planters and church planting coaches and after reading several books on the subject, I have discovered that to launch in the largest way possible will cost between $90k and $100k! This is the amount of money needed just to kick-off your very first couple of services.
About $50,000 would go to PURCHASE items needed for an effective church launch...these items include such things as a sound system, staging, curtains, giveaway Bibles, video projectors, Kids Ministry supplies, tables for First Impressions/coffee/donuts, equipment for making coffee...the list can add up pretty quick (and I didn't even mention chairs or a trailer to store everything since most churches start-up in a portable setting...meaning set-up and take-down each week). Clearly, a lot is needed in the initial cost/ purchasing to get ready for your first public service.
The other approximately $40,000 or so would go to MARKETING the fact that a new church is coming to the area. This includes direct mail (around $10k to print, postage, and deliver to 50k homes), TV commercials, radio spots, signage (banners, road, auto, etc...), and individual hand out cards. This also includes the website creation and money needed to parter with community events and hosting a party or two (free bounce houses, free food, free rides, etc...) for the community families you are trying to reach.
So, $90,000 is the number needed just to launch a brand new church...again, this could be a huge obstacle, but I think it really is a great opportunity. That is way I am also excited that we are going to be launching Oasis Church NFL...together! For more info about getting involved and to invest in a church that will have eternal impact, click on the 600 page on the left hand side.
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