The Importance of Building and Training a Launch Team for Church Planting

Starting a new church is an exciting and challenging journey. One of the most critical steps in this process is building and training a launch team. This team is not just a group of volunteers; they are the backbone of your new church, the hands and feet that of Jesus that will breathe life into your community and set a culture for years to come. At Barnabas Planting Network, we understand the importance of this foundational step because we were born out of a church plant ourselves—Bridge Church in Fort Saskatchewan.

Why Building a Launch Team Makes Sense

1. Shared Vision and Mission: A launch team helps to ensure that everyone involved in the church plant is aligned with the vision and mission. This alignment is crucial for creating a cohesive and focused effort towards the common goal of establishing a thriving church community1.

2. Diverse Skill Sets: A well-rounded launch team brings together individuals with various skills and talents. This diversity allows for a more effective and efficient approach to the many tasks involved in starting a church, from logistics and administration to outreach and worship2.

3. Sustainable Growth: By involving a team from the beginning, you set the stage for sustainable growth. A strong launch team can help manage the workload, preventing burnout and ensuring that the church can grow steadily and healthily3.

4. Community Building: A launch team fosters a sense of community and belonging among its members. This sense of community is essential for the church’s overall health and can help attract and retain new members4.

   
   

Training the Launch Team to Avoid Pastor & Launch Team Burnout

Pastor burnout is a significant issue in church planting. According to recent studies, 42% of pastors have considered quitting full-time ministry due to burnout5. A lessor discussed issued is Launch Team burnout. At Barnabas Planting Network, we believe that proper training and support for the launch team can play a crucial role in preventing this so that all members of a Launch Team are still actively pursuing Jesus 5-10-20+ years down the road.

1. Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Training helps to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member. This clarity ensures that tasks are distributed evenly and that no one person, especially the pastor, is overwhelmed6.

2. Skill Development: Providing training opportunities for the launch team helps to develop their skills and confidence. This development not only benefits the church but also empowers the team members to take on more responsibilities, further reducing the burden on the pastor.

3. Support Systems: Training includes building support systems within the team. These systems provide emotional and spiritual support, creating a network of care that can help prevent burnout.

4. Healthy Boundaries: Training emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries. This includes managing time effectively, prioritizing self-care, and ensuring that the pastor and team members have time to rest and recharge.

The Barnabas Planting Network Approach

Barnabas Planting Network was born out of the experiences and lessons learned from planting Bridge Church in Fort Saskatchewan. We saw firsthand the importance of a well-trained launch team in creating a sustainable and thriving church. Our mission is to support church launch teams by providing the resources, training, and community they need to succeed.

By focusing on building and training strong launch teams, we aim to help church planters avoid the pitfalls of burnout and create healthy, vibrant church communities. We believe that the calling to plant a church extends beyond the pastor to the entire team, and together, we can achieve great things for the Kingdom of God.