Money isn’t everything in church planting, but some of it is certainly necessary. One of the first steps toward raising the necessary financial support is a change of perspective. Countless biblical passages highlight the benefits of giving, for the giver.
“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:24-25). And again from the New Testament: “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Philippians 4:14-20)
Keep foremost in your mind that people who give are not doing you a favour or supporting your project. They are participating in God’s plan for his church, and will be blessed through their giving. The practice of generosity is an opportunity for growth and obedience in the lives of all believers. That shift in thinking should make it easier to actively pursue funding for church multiplication.
First begin to generate support for a church multiplication movement by tapping into funding sources that are currently available and accessible. Those funds can be incorporated into your planning immediately so you will know how much more support will need to be developed. After tapping the funding sources immediately available, you’ll then need to move on to developing other potential sources of support. The need for funding will only increase as a movement takes off.
Spend some time with your team in “prayerful dreaming” and see what develops. Once a movement has begun, unexpected sources of money can appear. Once the fruitfulness of a ministry becomes apparent in the community, unexpected opportunities often present themselves. Faithfulness demonstrated seems to attract the necessary resources at the right time. Pastor after pastor and planter after planter has found that when they stepped out in faith and needed the money, it was there.
The funding of a Multiplication Movement requires we look at the following:
- A review of current available and accessible resources
- Estimation of the resources requirement over the next 3-5 years
- Review of current projects that use existing resources
- Consider priorities as you develop the overall process
- Encourage new church plants to contribute to further multiplication
- Develop new sources of funding for the future
- Evaluate the limiting factors in the process
- Ensure that all plans are tied back to the vision and are covered by prayer
For further insights into these elements, check out the other articles in this section of the Blog.
Colin Noyes is the Director of ResourceZone International. He has thirty years of ministry experience as a pastor, college lecturer and consultant/coach to consultants, denominational leaders and local church pastors.
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