Church Plants Launching [Part 3]

* Preview Services
We only did one “preview service.”  We started out calling it our preview service, but we thought that seemed awful unfriendly.  So we decided to just have a full blown Christmas service for our folks, and if they invited people that was great, but if not we would just have a nice Christmas service.  People invited A LOT of friends and family.  After that we wondered who would come to our launch.
We are in a small town. It didn’t take much for people to know what we were doing and where.  So it wasn’t necessary for us to do  lots of Preview Services.  But I would encourage a FULL RUN THROUGH with every area the week before Launch.  This is essential to make sure everything works, make a list what else you need, and making sure everyone knew what the heck they were doing.  We launched on Jan 11.  We did a full run through the week before – we made sure that NO ONE invited guest.  Of course we had several, but they thought it was awesome.

* Volunteers
You won’t be able to do too much without volunteers.  Depending on the size of your plant team several people might be doing double duty just so that someone is greeting, there is coffee and that the sound works.  In our early days our sponsor church Rocky Creek did a great job of giving us extra hands in the children’s area.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help (sponsor churches or local kingdom minded churches).  Because there is a good chance that you will need it.   Another big thing is DON’T BURN YOUR VOLUNTEERS OUT! If someone doesn’t get to go into a service for a month – that is unacceptable.  Figure a system so that your workers are able to enjoy your full Sunday experience.  It might been others helping out or combing classes, but your volunteers are the life blood of a church plant – CARE FOR THEM and make sure their heart says healthy!