I’ve had some more time to prayerfully think about my first response for advice on starting a ministry. If you haven’t listened to my podcasts on How to Steward A Prophetic Call Part 1 and How to Steward a Prophetic Call Part 2, you’re welcome to do it.
10 Questions to Ask Before Launching A Ministry
1. Have I Heard God?
I’ve learned to look for three parts to any call.
- There needs to be a call – anything from “I always knew” to hearing the audible voice of God. If it hasn’t been life-altering, look at your life to see i. your passion and ii. where you’ve constantly had trouble. I’ve more about that in my book Hope In Transition.
- The gifts to fulfill that call need to be evident. This doesn’t include skills that can be learned; it’s aptitude, passion, it’s attitude.
- The gifts need to be confirmed by those closest to us (the church). We may think we’re called to sing in front of millions. We may think we have a great voice. But if the spiritual fathers and mothers around us don’t agree…
2. Is My Vision Clear?
Then the LORD replied: ”Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. Habakkuk 2:2 (New International Version)
It’s amazing the clarity that comes when we write the revelation down.
3. Is My Spouse in Agreement?
This is the kicker I’ve seen hurt too many marriages. Remember – our first and greatest ministry to our spouse and kids. I’ve done up a Spousal Daily Health Check that you can download.
4. What Skills Will I Need To Acquire Or Outsource?
I don’t want anyone to get overwhelmed. If God has led you to it, He’ll lead you through it. I also don’t want you to think you can plan for every eventuality. What I’m suggesting is that you plan out your vision and see what you’re going to need to pray in, work on, or outsource. We are supposed to be counting the cost.
5. How Am I Going To Market the Ministry?
This lines up with counting the costs. I’ve done up a Weekly Ministry Marketing Plan you can download and use.
6. What Are My Other Options?
I can’t go into the details right now, but we’ve been pursing a call to international ministry to the point of moving to the other side of the world and back. Now everyday I have more people from around the world reading my blogs, books and emails everyday than I’ve ever spoken to in a single day. It’s best not to assume anything.
7. Am I Running From Something?
We need to ask ourselves this and not hide behind fine sounding religious lines like “God’s calling me…” Anything not done in faith is sin and so if we start something to get away from something God has not released us from…well is that really faith?
8. Is It Time to Leave Where I’m At?
We may want to leave, but have we sat still long enough to hear if God says “wait”?
9. Am I Doing This For God or Me?
We may be called, it can be time for us to go, we might not be running from anything, but we may be out to build our kingdom and not His. The simple test…can I give up the dream?
10. Am I Ready to Persevere?
The dragon will always try to eat the infant. The threatened king will want to kill the babies. Don’t think you won’t be tested. Anything worth sharing needs to be refined. God’s good that way.
Good thing He’s for us.
In my initial thoughts on launching a ministry I didn’t know if the one who asked me the question wanted to be identified, so I kept him nameless. But since then he’s told me it’s OK to let people know.
It was Christopher M. Gallagher. He’s got some great sites for you to check out and connect with him on:
Gallagher Institute (http://www.gallagherinstitute.com) Preacher’s Pen (http://www.preacherspen.org) Speak-Better.com (http://www.speak-better.com) Twitter (http://twitter.gallagherinstitute.com) Facebook (http://facebook.gallagherinstitute.com) LinkedIn (http://linkedin.gallagherinstitute.com)
Thanks for the question Chris. Praying for your ministry as you expand the Kingdom!
Wonderful! Sir, I would like to be in touch daily, weekly as it suits you. By the grace of GOD, you are a blessing. Shalom!!
I’m usually daily on twitter – I’m @revtrev Blessings
Before officially launching our ministry “Prayer Warriors of Erin” a followed a number of steps. I prayed, searched the scriptures and asked for advice from wise Christians in my church and community. I also did some research and read through this post “10 Questions I Would Ask Before Launching A Ministry”.
I agree with all your points.
One of the most important point is to have your spouse on board and in agreement. Provide your spouse with the opportunity to pray with and for you in your ministry. Keep him/her in the loop.
I’ve found a number of social media tools to be very effective for marketing the ministry. Depending on the scope of the ministry, don’t forget to meet with the elders and supporters in your church fellowship as well as other Christians in your community to seek their wisdom, ideas and support.
As we are obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading, God will bring people our way who have the skills and gifts to carry the ministry. Byron Spradlin, President of Artists in Christian Testimony is one of my mentors. In 1985, Byron taught me that if God is truly in a ministry and wants it to continue, God will raise up others to carry on the vision. We need to take time to mentor and train others in the ministry to eventually take over our job. This frees us to develop other ares within the ministry.
Thanks David.
You’ve been organizing Canadian Christian Media right? I haven’t been to the site for a while. Checked out your blog. It looks great.
Yes from 1999 to 2009 I helped connect Canadian Christians involved in media ministry. This was before Facebook and other web based social media networks.
http://media.davidspencer.ca/wiki/ChristianMedia.ca
Today you can find networks of Canadian Christians involved in art, drama, Internet, music, radio and television at these portals:
1. WikiChristian.org
http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php/Category:Media_Workers_in_Canada_Photos
2. Canadian Christians in Arts, Media and Music
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12223680691
3. ChristianArtists.ca
http://www.christianartists.ca/profile/DavidSpencer
Keep up all the great work for the Kingdom. Canada needs you!
Hi Rev Trev:
We applied your advice from this post and launched the Prayer Warrior Network.
The Prayer Warrior Network is a group of Christians who are praying for revival, encouraging neighbours to follow Jesus Christ and connect with a local church.
We volunteer to meet, pray for and encourage our youth, community leaders, church elders and church leaders.
We live in the villages of Alton, Belfountain, Brisbane, Cataract, Erin and Hillsburgh, Ontario.
The Prayer Warrior Network
http://prayerwarriornetwork.wordpress.com/
The Prayer Warrior Network on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prayer-Warrior-Network-of-Erin-Ontario/128236820574706
For Christian ministries interested in effectively communicating through the web, I have created a list of 15 Content Management Systems (CMS) that churches may wish to consider for developing their web site.
Each company offers a unique service. Depending on your needs and budget, you will find a CMS that will help your ministry.
http://media.davidspencer.ca/wiki/CMS_for_Churches
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Thanks. I’m doing weekly video ministry coaching at http://expectancyministries.com/coaching You can sign up for it for free and ask me your questions there.
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