Have you always felt a calling to the church? Why not start your own? Keep reading to learn how to open a church the right way.
Everyone has gifts they can use to impact their community. What are yours?
If you’ve felt the ministry calling, you’re in the right place!
Today, we’re discussing how to open a church. Whether you’re starting a house church or you’re expanding your ministry, read today’s post for information on how to open a church.
How to Start a Church from Scratch
Many of the most popular megachurches began as humble house churches. In some ways, house churches do start from scratch. They add seating, space, and programming as the church grows.
That said, they likely had a plan even before the first small group meeting.
Even though a church isn’t exactly like a traditional business, you can apply some of the same principles used by business start-ups. Give plenty of consideration to:
- Growing Your Audience
- Raising Money
- Delivering a Fulfilling Experience
We’ll talk more about the financial aspect of opening a church in a minute, but first, let’s look at the legal side of church planting.
How to Open a Church Legally
Right now, you may be running a small ministry, but once you plant a church, the government looks at you through a different set of lenses, especially when you want to take advantage of tax-exempt status.
Set up a non-profit entity with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Your non-profit status comes with several strings, such as restrictions on campaigning for any political party.
Setting up a non-profit isn’t complicated, but you might consider hiring an attorney to ensure you’ve done it correctly. Starting a church legally means you can focus on the spiritual side of things in peace without worrying whether you’re on the wrong side of the government.
Here Is the Church Here Is the Steeple
Unless you plan to meet in the park, you’ll need to find a building for your church. Church location and venue play essential roles in a successful new church launch.
Look at potential venues from the perspective eyes of visitors. Is the venue:
- Easily Accessible
- Clean
- Adequate Parking
- Ample Space
- Kitchen Space
- Lighting
- Stage Setup
Don’t discount an already existing church building. You can work with people who specialize in church restoration and renovation to create a space that fits with your vision.
The Money Factor
You’ve likely heard about buying a house with no money down, but what about starting a church that way?
Raising money will be a primary activity both now and in the future. Churches run on tithes—or donations—and it starts with you. Can you put some skin in the game?
If you expect others to contribute financially, you’ll want to be an example. If you don’t have enough seed money, consider selling some of your personal belongings or digging into your savings.
Plan your start-up budget, which includes remodeling or buildout of your venue, among other things.
Ready to Fulfill Your Calling?
Now that you know the basics of how to open a church, you’re one step closer to opening the doors and seeing all the people!
If you’ve received from this post, you’ll find more articles to feed your spirit in our archives. Enjoy!
The post Restoration and Renovation: How to Open a Church appeared first on Spiritual Media Blog.