Launch: Starting a New Church from Scratch

by Nelson Searcy, Kerrick Thomas

Starting a church from scratch? Start here! Launch offers specific strategies for beginning a church with no members, no money, and no staff. Readers get clear, practical how-to strategies for quickly raising funds, creating a team, planning services, effective evangelism, and rapidly developing a growing membership. Specific advice is included for reaching that often difficult-to-target demographic, the 20- to 40-year-old. Now thoroughly revised and expanded to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of church planting.

Genres: Church, Christian, Leadership, Nonfiction, Theology

250 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2006

Reviews

[Brooke Durrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok so if you are a church planter this is a 5/5!! If you are not interested then 2/5

[Jerry Riendeau · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a pastor who is three years into church planting. There were a number of practical pieces of advice in this book that I would have found helpful had I read it earlier on.

My main challenge with this book is that it is unselfconsciously about planting a very specific kind of church. The authors are describing a path toward planting a Baptist/nondemoniatioal, single elder, contemporary worship, church growth model congregation. If you approach this book with that knowledge, it will be more helpful for you.

[Michael Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah really sorry but this book was not very easy for me to finish. If I were a church planter, 5 stars, would definitely use so much from this book. Because I’m me, 2 stars. The best part about reading this book was that I read it alongside others, so the discussions we had were good and interesting.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many, many reviews of this book. Most of the criticisms are from people who want less practical steps and more theology and philosophy behind the church's ecclesiology and such.

Here's the deal from my perspective. Searcy starts out at the beginning of this book, and every book, by saying "here are the nuts and bolts" and "if you want the theology behind this, there are plenty of other books written".

So if you're looking for something other than practical tips that he's used effectively, then you'll be dissatisfied. (You should also probably read his introductions too before buying, since he's plain about what his books are...and aren't.) However, if you want the step by step process that he and his team have used to coach many successful church plants, then this is the book.

After 12 years of pastoring in a bivocational urban church, we set out on a journey to plant a new church in a new area with a strategy to "launch large".

Our strategy to reach new people for Christ has been very effective and we're thankful. God has been so good and has blessed us greatly. We're genuinely humbled and thankful for the results of the plant. (Launched with close to three hundred in attendance, still averaging over 200 after 20 weeks.)

We assimilated and formulated our strategy in large part based on three different resources. 1) Training from the ARC (Association of Related Churches) - They have planted over 200 churches using a "large launch" strategy with over 90% success rate. 2) This book "Launch" from Nelson Searcy. 3) To a lesser degree, we picked up some follow up strategies from Stetzer's book "Planting Missional Churches".

So for us, we were looking for strategy, we found it here, we employed many of the strategies in the book and God gave the increase by allowing us to experience the results we were praying for.

I have nothing but positive things to say about Searcy and the book "Launch".

[Bruno · Rating 3 out of 5]

God this, god that. Can't expect to read a book on building church without reading God 10 times on each page. Definitely got some insight on pastor strategy on mass manipulation, but less bad than I thought - turns out to be a book on leadership and on creating small business from scratch.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another church planting prep book finished. This one had some of the best simple answers to really practical questions that I've had as a church planter or should just keep in mind. It also had some of the lowest lows of the church growth literature I'm trying to glean from without losing my soul.

Highs: a simple 'play to run': 4-6 preview services, then weekly launch. Launch team assembly rather than a core group. Practical outreach and publicity ideas. Wisdom around hiring early staff and fundraising.

Lows: an over the top emphasis on speed and size as the benchmarks of success (honestly, really anxiety producing to read). Literally no theological reflection on ecclesiology, meaningful membership, or even the essentials of the gospel we are reaching people with. Unapologetic teaching of the homogenous unit principle (p. 181).

[Aaron Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty helpful book, though definitely not the kind of book I naturally enjoy. Much of Searcy's insights (though posited as hard-and-fast rules) are not so applicable to places like Vermont - as I imagine they aren't in many rural, small-town, declining-population communities that are post-Christian, postmodern Europe. Much of his advice seems to assume that you're planting a church in a city that experiencing an influx of new people, which is certainly not the case in most places in Vermont outside of Chittenden County.

Overall, Searcy is very practical, and there are certainly insights to be gained here.

[L Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative,good guideline

The book read like a manual of how to start a church.
Very informative and great guidelines.

My only concern was that it is important for anyone reading not to take everything as said in this book and apply it blindly. Always endeavour to hear the Lord and do what he says.

Like the part about other partner churches giving in order for your church to start with no strings attached long term is a joke. Money given will always have strings with it period.

So proceed with caution.

[Ronald J. Pauleus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good and practical read. I enjoyed much the advice and ideas given. This help me realized how much work a church planter has to do but it also showed me that God is in all that He wants His people to do.

“God never intended for you to do this alone.”

[Luke Thigpen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will not only provide practical ideas that can help propel a church plant, but it will remind you why you chose to do it in the first place. It is honest about the work it takes to be a success, but helps you believe it is possible.

[Austin Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent practical steps for starting a church, nothing groundbreaking and a lot of advertisements for his other work.

[Daniel Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nelson Searcy has some good, practical advice from church planters, but unfortunately, his ministry philosophy and ecclesiolgy is off in a number of significant ways.

[Bob Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Launch Plans

Nelson provides strategic, tested, workable, practical steps to successfully launch a church in any size community. A must read for planters.

[Muyeyero John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great book, thanks nelson, it gives a great guide to starting a church and he himself provides forever help through his website , thanks so much brother

[Stephen Carrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed a lot of concepts in this book. Much to think about and consider, as well as ideas and situations I hadn’t thought of. I found it inspiring and thought-inducing at the same time.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some insights:

The three deadly sins of church planting:

1. Lack of calling.
2. Lack of strategy.
3. Lack of funds.


God's dream for your church is bigger than your dream for your church.

The question you must wrestle to the ground is, "Will I allow my fear to bind me to mediocrity?"

The only way to live in this adventure -- with all its danger and unpredictability -- is an ongoing, intimate relationship with God. The control we so desperately crave is an illusion. Far better to give it up in exchange for God's offer of companionship.

The rule of the next mile: The step by step thought process behind strategy is the most productive way to accomplish anything. Instead of initially focusing on and trying to reach the ultimate vision of creating a thriving church, you must take that vision, break it down and put your energy into completing the next goal, the next task, and then the next one...


Three Good Questions about the people you want to reach:
1. Who are the key population groups living in my area?
2. What population group is not being reached effectively?
3. What population group do I best relate to?

[Daniel Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Church in a box

Extremely practical and gives you step by step quite to starting a church. It accomplished that goal but was very simple and a little hokey so sometimes hard to read.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful book for those who are looking to plant or 'revamping' a church. searcy and thomas provide basic nuts and bolts about planting a new church. they also walk you thru each process of what needs to happen and what things to avoid. i thought they provided a well balanced approach of trusting in the LORD 100% and giving 100% of our efforts.

on the other hand, i must admit, had i read this few years earlier, right out of bible college/seminary, i wouldn't have appreciated it. after few years of ministry, and my coming down to earth a little, i'm beginning to appreciate these practical approaches to ministry. interestingly enough, this book has been sitting on my shelf for the longest time - if my memories serve me correctly, i picked up this book after attending a church planting conference sponsored by acts29 and redeemer in nyc few years back. i think the LORD led me to read this book in HIS perfect timing...

[Daniel Alvers · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked this book ok. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. They had a lot of great advice but it’s a very pragmatic book. I think finding practicality in leadership of a church plant is important, but I think it's more important to have a robust view of God. I think it also important to have a good grip on the gospel and what it means to be called a church. The implications of that were not discussed. They also did not talk about what it means to have a theologically integrated ecclesiology. Not a horrible book. Most helpful section was on how to ask for money. They had some very creative and organized ideas about raising funds. I found some of their discussion regarding the necessity of a "worship" pastor odd..... I could recommend this book to people thinking about church planting and I will use it again.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok for starters let me say I'm not a Rick Warren fan so for me to make through a book with a former Saddleback guy it's saying something for the material!!! This book is a modern day masterpiece on church planting. This gives what most church planting books don't and that's practical how to. Most church planting books are all philosophy no practicality like a skeleton with no meat or muscle. I personally won't use everything in this book but I'm working on my strategy tomorrow and moving forward with the basic plans and procedures to plant big. I think an IFB church planter like myself can take this plan filter it through our doctrine and come up with a great plan for church planting. SIMPLY put this book was very helpful!

[Aaron Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I expected. Searcy books are chock-full of best practice advice and dubious Bible exegesis, and this one is no different. As a church planter, however, I found this book to offer timely wisdom and directly applicable actions steps. At times it feels too programmatic, as if it weren't contextually conditioned, but Searcy anticipated most of my objections and answered most of my questions - even ones I hadn't thought to ask. I don't like the proof-texting, and I'm always cautious of an institutional approach to church planting. But I can summarize the book in one word: "helpful." And that's a pretty good word.

[Jerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty bad, though helpful at a few points. Why does anyone in the Rick Warrenosphere assume that if you do things right, your church will necessarily grow? This book is largely a set of "launch" techniques that are not without some practical merit, but it simply leaves untouched any of the difficulties church planters in the NT actually face--doctrinal integrity, preaching, troublesome people, and the like.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mostly practical advice from one church planter's experience. While there is quite a bit of helpful ideas laid out, it almost feels like the authors are just talking about how they're experts is the church planting world since they led a successful plant.

I'm glad I read it, though, and it's worth reading of you're considering a church plant. Make sure that you don't read only this book, though.

[Kelley Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are in the middle of launching a second campus. Much of this material applies to us even though it's not a "church from scratch." I appreciate the humor and practicality of the content. I found myself highlighting, taking notes in the margin, and laughing through every chapter. THANK YOU for sharing your experience. I foresee this will be a book I quote and refer back to many times over the coming months and years.

[Cass 10e · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is funny and irreverent. It is easy to read, very accessible to any reader. The reason I didn't really like it is simply because this isn't exactly the kind of church we are hoping to plant. Their method has surely worked for them in their environment and at that particular moment in time, so I suppose it is worth reading, simply for ideas.

[Juan Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas are the real thing. God guided them to develop a planting model that is fresh, revelant and biblical. If you are being call by God to plant this is a must read. They write out of experience, what they learned when doing it. They are not theorist, but incredible honest and faithful practitioners

[Larry Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purely systematic and organizational way to look at church planting. Great for systems. Weak on other issues like theology and pastoral care. Pretty sure the authors were not focused on this point which I believe this is why the systematic approach to the book was so good. Looking for systems buy this book. Looking for pastoral care or praise and worship look other places.

[Jeremy Copeland · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book, I read it really quickly. He doesn't really say anything new, but he gives you a very simple straight-forward look at what it takes to launch a new church. It's well worth the read, especially for those just beginning to think about church planting.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best book on the fundamentals and core spiritual decisions of church planting that I have ever read. Highly recommended for anyone thinking about starting a church or if you've just started a church.

[Shawn Brace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite some of its consumer-driven perspectives on church planting, this was a very informative and practical book that clearly articulated a roadmap to church planting. I definitely highly recommend it.