Today, people are able to build airplanes that fly because, a century ago, the Wright brothers discovered the pivotal design that put the “flying” into “flying machine”. Those who want to create such a machine simply have to decide to build one, study the design, assemble the parts, and send the craft skyward.

 

Building a prevailing church requires the same process. The Pivotal Design has been discovered, and now it is up to a gifted and committed team of leaders to implement that design to create a prevailing church. 

 

Each new Mission Catalyst (MC) project follows a three-phase process, which is outlined below. The phases are research, assembly, flight.

 

From day one, everyone must be aware of these cautions:

• Starting a church is harder than you think (no matter how hard you think it is!).

• The DNA of the group forms quickly, which means you must be vigilant about creating positive DNA, which we call Book-of-Acts culture.

RESEARCH

 

STEP 1

Pray. Seek clarity about God’s call. Check your heart to be certain that your highest motive is to win people to Christ.

 

STEP 2

Explore the MC website, watch our short films, and learn about The Pivotal Design. Watch the video, and read the full edition of the document. Make a note of any questions you have.

 

STEP 3

Schedule a listening session with MC staff to share your situation and vision and to learn more about MC.

 

STEP 4

Identify potential planting team members. The planting team consists of the three to four leaders who serve as the church’s initial staff. Click the button below to learn more about the planting team. 

 

 

​

STEP 5

Once your potential team members are identified, meet in person with an MC staff member to discuss your vision, introduce your team, and achieve clarity on the MC affiliation process. Your team is responsible for the expense of the trip.

 

STEP 6

If you and MC agree to continue with the process, the next step is to complete the Planting Team Assessment. Team members of funded projects complete the full assessment process. While we strongly recommend the full process for all projects, team members of self-funded projects may complete the abbreviated assessment.

​

STEP 7

If the assessment is satisfactorily completed, team members attend a workshop. 

 

STEP 8

After the workshop, if both parties agree to proceed, MC announces that a new project is entering the Assembly phase.

 

ASSEMBLY

 

During this phase, which takes between three and 23 months (depending on the size of your launch team or core group), you are not “doing church” as much as you are “building church”. The project begins in earnest, and concrete steps are taken to bring together the Pivotal Design components. Actions include:

 

Learn

The planting team (or at least the lead pastor) participates in weekly coaching calls.

The planting team reads the book Launch by Nelson Searcy. Click on the blue text below to purchase the book.

​

​

​

​

The planting team and available launch team members take field trips to prevailing churches in the area.

 

Build

The planting team holds weekly leadership meetings.

The launch team (or core group) forms as planting team members and others invite people to check out or commit to the project. The launch team comprises those who attend and serve during the church’s pre-launch (Assembly) phase.

The planting team creates the ministry infrastructures and recruits leaders for the pre-launch teams.

The creative team meets regularly to plan monthly preview services.

 

Gather

 The church begins the 3 & 1 weekend format, comprising three monthly gatherings and one monthly preview service.

 

Fund

The church begins to receive tithe and offerings.

The planting team raises funds from outside sources.

 

Communicate

The church establishes a professional online presence (website, Facebook, etc).

The planting team communicates weekly with the launch team and friends of the project.

 

Reach Out

Launch team members pray for, spend time with, and invite people on their individual Impact Lists.

The group holds monthly Bridge events to which people can invite their unchurched friends. Examples include mini golf, ice cream in the park, and community service projects.

 

During this phase, the planting team sets benchmarks for the project and gauges its progress, ensuring that the Pivotal Design components are coming together and that the project is on the path to becoming a prevailing church. When all benchmarks are met satisfactorily, MC announces that a new church is entering the Flight phase.

 

FLIGHT

 

The project is announced as a Mission Catalyst Church when:

• The group has established healthy DNA, including a next-person focus.

• The group has settled on at least three planting team leaders who each (a) make a longterm commitment to leading the church and (b) serve at least 15 hours a week in leading the church.

• All other Pivotal Design components are in place.

• The group is experiencing sustained numerical growth and has launched, having progressed from the 3 & 1 weekend format to a full weekend experience every Saturday or Sunday.