Three things to know before starting a church

Five years ago my husband, Brian, and I moved to Chatta­noo­ga, Tennessee, so that he could start a new ministry. The denominational committee overseeing the project wanted something completely different. Brian, who was bursting with creative energy, eagerly obliged by bringing together artists, activists, musicians, animal rescuers, and community or­ganizers. Now, the Mercy Junc­tion Justice and Peace Center bustles with people at all hours of the day and night as it extends hospitality to visitors and works for the dream of God in our city.

That’s the edition of the story we often hear in new church development work—how the committee and pastor met and the new ministry flourished. It’s like the Face­book edition of a marriage, sharing the happy photos and anniversary celebrations that highlight the lovely and hap­py aspects of marriage while glossing over the challenges and the rough realities. But like any long-term relationship, the new church and governing body experience highs and lows.

As the years go by, people lose the honeymoon glow and begin to ask more pointed questions about money, members, and metrics. Trust may sour and criticism increase. To make things more complicated, the denominational committee that oversees the new ministry regularly rotates in new members, and they may have a completely different vision of the development. For all of these reasons, it’s vital that each party understand what it’s committing to and that each ministers to and supports the other.