This is from John Van Pay’s post on the Process Ministry Blog. Great thoughts! Thanks John!

“Why would you want to start a church instead of going to an existing one?” Besides feeling that God has called us to launching Gateway, we felt like we were wired for this venture. Of course, anyone who has launched a church has their own rules, so I thought i would add with my own. My “rules” below aren’t just for those starting churches, but for those who are considering going to work for themselves as well. With most businesses and churches struggling to survive in their first year, it is imperative to have “rules”.

1. Don’t start a church unless its an obsession and something you are passionate about. I felt possessed by this consuming vision that I constantly think about when laying in bed, showering, and riding my bike.

2. If you have an exit plan, its not an obsession.

3. Recruit team players who you think will love working in your system and with you. Character, Chemistry, and Competence are the non-negotiables.

4. Transformed lives cures all. Know how your church will operate and how you will actually make disciples. A simple defined process that is understood by everyone is key.

5. Know your strengths and focus on being great at them. Get the best you can. Outside the core competencies, hire people or recruit those outside your strengths.

6. As far as technology, it is not the main thing. However, having a good website, video projector, blogs, blast emails, and podcasts are a great way to communicate in our culture.

7. Keep the church flat. If you have leaders and pastors reporting to other leaders and pastors in a startup, we will fail.

8. Never forget the “why” and the mission. For us it is to become friends with the unconvinced so we can help them become life long followers of Jesus Christ. Every person who we meet or walks through our door is the most important person, matters, and for whom Christ hung on a tree for.

9. Do as much as you can “in house” and save money.

10. Make volunteering fun for the team. Keep a pulse on the stress levels and accomplishments of your people and reward them. Surprising a key team member with a 3D U2 concert, random canoeing/cliff jumping, and handing out starbucks cards is way to have fun or celebrate during stressful seasons.

11. It is your responsibility to make sure your core leaders are growing. Offer accountability and opportunities for spiritual and leadership growth. Every team member is currently reading a leadership book so we can become better.

A few books that have influenced my “rules” are the Bible, 7 Practices of a Church-Andy Stanley, E-Myth Revisted, Simple Church, and Good to Great-Phil Collins