Develop Launch Team
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You will need a team! Logan and Ogne (1994, 2-1) cite a comment in Forbes magazine about the importance of being on a team, “They discovered that those that started [new businesses] with partners were four times more likely to succeed than those that started as solo entrepreneurs.”
In church planting circles, the term “Launch Team” has become popular. It captures that the action orientation of this group. One of our missionaries coined the term “co-missionaries” to capture the spiritual dimension of their calling.
Shape Leadership Philosophy and Structure
Many LCMS congregations have structures that lead to people governing the pastor and the pastor doing ministry, even though it may not be unintended. In a mission setting, it is imperative that a common vision and direction are established and maintained. The Large-Start Model calls for a structure where the pastor “equips the saints” (Eph 4:12) to do ministry. In a mission setting, the mission planter needs to be a strong leader and he needs to delegate many tasks for the launching of a ministry.
From the beginning, as many people as possible should be involved in the ministry to create ownership and to tap into their God-given talents. A mission should be structured to allow this.
A helpful way to envision of leadership structure of the ministry is to think of the planter as the executive, who has staff (in this case most likely volunteer) to accomplish particular functions.
There are a number of key leadership positions that need to be filled such as those listed below. Finding leaders to fit these ministries and “giving the ministry away” to them is an essential task in the mission planting process. Logan and Ogne (1994, 2-4) propose the following roles in a new mission.
Key Leadership Role |
Job Description |
“Recruiter – evangelist |
Magnetic personality or networker, invites and attracts numerous people to the ministry . . . |
Worship Leader – facilitator |
Able to plan, lead, and involve others in worship |
Children’s Ministry Leader – recruiter |
Able to plan, lead, recruit and train others in ministry to children |
Shepherd – care giver |
A highly relational person who provides for the individual care of needy and new believers . . . |
Organizer – implementer |
Designs and launches ministry systems to enable vision to become reality |
Recruiter – mobilizer |
Creates opportunities and encourages people to get involved in groups and ministries |
Financial – business administrator |
Designs and implements systems for financial, facility, and business management without blocking the flow of ministry” |
For the implementation of the Large-Start Model, at the very least the key leaders would include the Planter and leaders in charge of the following ministries:
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Marketing You will also need someone to handle the finances of the mission. If you cannot find someone, this service can be easily purchased at a minimal price. Under no circumstance should the planter also be in charge of the finances.
Articulate the leadership philosophy of the mission in written from
Determine key leadership positions
Write Job Descriptions
You will want to write brief job descriptions for each of the key leaders on the launch team in order to communicate clearly communicate expectations. These can be as brief as a paragraph or two. However, the team should also be encouraged to maintain a spirit that is willing to do whatever needs to be done to accomplish the mission.
Write Job Descriptions
Develop Leaders
In preparation for recruiting leaders for you will develop how you will train leaders. Developing leaders in your mission is one of the key skills that you will need to have. In developing leaders you will need to do the following.
Recruit Leaders – Look for people who have the gifts is the area of service, who share the vision that you have cast, and have the availability to carry out their responsibilities.
Embrace Leaders – Build a team! Let them know that they are part of your “Dream Team” that is called by God to do something great. Playing, as well as working, together is part of letting your leaders know that they are valued.
Provide Training – Provide opportunities for your leaders to grow in their skills as leaders.
Support – You are being coached; you also will coach your leaders. Help them set their goals and encourage them be reach them
Release – Let your leaders carry do their jobs. They may not do it in the same way as you, so give them freedom to accomplish the task their way. Taking over a job after you have delegated something is harmful to leadership development.
Create your plan to develop leaders