DEVELOPING A CHURCH
PLANTING CHECKLIST
STRATEGICALLY
By
Dr. Tom Cheyney
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When my son was younger, I coached his little
league baseball travel team! It was a good team
made up of a lot of good kids who loved to travel
and play tournament baseball. As the tournament
approached, my coaches and I would go over a
series of checklist we designed to assure that once
we were on the road we had not forgotten anything
that could hurt us or cause us to be disqualified
from the tournament. Many times these checklist
saved us from various circumstances that could
have harmed the team. Checklist are useful.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Checklist are useful and as a sponsoring church
that works with a church planter it will often remind
you of the critical and strategic things to do. Like
an airplane pilot who goes over a preflight checklist
to insure nothing has been overlooked, so it is as a
church planting sponsor. Here are a few areas
where checklists could prove helpful:
 When invading an area where Satan has a foot
hole.
 When going out to evangelize an unreached area.
 When seeking to launch a church that is niche
appropriate for the community.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Here are a few areas where checklists could prove
helpful: (Continued)
 Developing a working flexible checklist and
monthly calendar setting goals for growth and
expansion.
 Developing a list of potential ministries that could
be developed in a healthy New Testament church.
 Take steps to begin developing the core group for
leadership with some version of On-the-Job
training.
 Develop and raise up apprentices who can
become mentors.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When invading an area where Satan has a foot
hole.
 Define the mission: start churches that reproduce
in their own ethnicity without outsiders help.
 Define and pray for the target area: gather
people from only one culture in a flock. Pray to
Lord of the Harvest for workers and for the Holy
Spirit’s power. Usually, new churches that mix two
cultures normally cancel one out; one dies. Pray
for workers: Luke 10:2. Pray for power to witness:
Acts 1:8.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When invading an area where Satan has a foot
hole.
 Form a new work assitance team: This team
can work with others, preferably of the same or a
very close culture . Jesus and the apostles never
worked alone. Nor did they form permanent teams;
they formed temporary assistance team for the job
at hand. People constantly joined and left them.
Successful church planting new work assistance
team normally have people of the same cultures
(Acts 18).
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When going out to evangelize an unreached area:
 Share
Christ in a way that is simple to copy and
easy to pass on: narrate the Gospel and other
key Bible events in story form. Remember, a wise
church planter in another ethnicity and culture
develops a collection of Bible stories, at least one
for each major doctrine and Christian activity.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When going out to evangelize an unreached area:
 Seek
to work with the entire family: It is wise to
start with the heads of households. Remember to
work with entire families: Acts 10:24; 16:13-15;
16:29-34; 18:8. Look for a “man of peace” or a
“person of peace” which is a welcoming person to
help you fit into a new group of people or
neighborhood and make good contacts (Luke 10:57).
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When going out to evangelize an unreached area:
 Practice
and authenticate the believers
repentance with Baptism by immersion: Church
Planters should count converts only when they
have been added to your new church by baptism
(Acts 2:41). There is a new fashion of letting
anyone say they are part of a new work regardless
if they haven’t followed the tried and true norms of
coming to Jesus through repentence and baptism.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When going out to evangelize an unreached area:
A
Word of Caution for the Church Planter:
Simply counting hands or decision cards creates
confusion because it makes it difficult to
calculate sound evangelistic processes and leads
to less than sincere set of statistics. The apostles
counted converts after baptism.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When going out to evangelize an unreached area:
 If
your message of Christ is rejected, shake
the dust off: Church Planting is hard enough in
a fertile path of soil. If the community appears to
be unresponsive seek one that is responsive
(Luke 10:14.) Don’t read too much into what I
just said here! Remember that for most planters
who do this they do not have to alter their place
of residence; they merely shift their focal point to
a less wealthy, more approachable section of the
general public. Reality 101!
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When seeking to launch a church that is niche
appropriate for the community be sure to select a
model that can be replicated in your selected area:
Churches that meet in houses (These
churches find buildings too costly for their small
group, so the followers simply prefer small
church clusters).
 Cells Churches (same as house church except
cells meet regularly for united celebration).

DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
When seeking to launch a church that is niche
appropriate for the community be sure to select a
model that can be replicated in your selected area:
 Conventional
Churches (these aim to rent out
or construct facilities when their growth merits
it).
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Developing a working flexible checklist and
monthly calendar setting goals for growth and
expansion:
Do not be afraid to give some guidance to your
church planter regarding realistic goals towards
growth and advancement. I would and still do set
and suggest strongly goals for reaching the 25, 35,
55, & 85 adults in core group marks for a planter to
work towards. Far too many church planters
underestimate what can be done in 90 days and
over estimate what can be done in a year!
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Teach new disciples to obey Jesus’ commands in
love (Matt. 28:18-20):
 Repent,
believe and receive the Holy Spirit:
let God begin the eternal process of
transformation. Avoid mere decision making
rituals. They are not biblical and seldom results
in strong churches. Call converts to repentance
as Jesus and the apostles did: Mark 1:15; Luke
24:46-48; Acts 2:38.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Teach new disciples to obey Jesus’ commands in
love (Matt. 28:18-20):
 Be
baptized and live the new, holy life in
Christ: baptize bad folks who repent don’t delay
it; let God’s grace flow! To delay baptism because
of our doubts or legalism discourages converts;
these new-born babes need the warmth of the
body; the apostles always baptized right away;
they did extensive teaching afterward. The
purpose of baptism: Romans 6:1-4.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Teach new disciples to obey Jesus’ commands in
love (Matt. 28:18-20):
 Celebrate
the Lord’s Supper: cultivate deep
fellowship with God (confess sins first) and
fellow believers. There is danger in failing to
discern and respect Christ’s body in the Lord’s
Supper: 1 Cor. 11:27-34. The purpose of the
Lord’s Supper is to participate in the very body
and blood of Christ—a serious experience: 1 Cor.
10:16-17.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Teach new disciples to obey Jesus’ commands in
love (Matt. 28:18-20):
 Love
God, fellow disciples, family, enemies
(forgive), needy neighbors (mercy ministry).
Biblical support—Love for God: Mark 12:28-30.
Fellow disciples: John 13:34-35. Family: Eph.
5:22 through 6:4. Enemies (forgive): Matt. 5:44;
Eph. 4:32. Needy neighbor (love in a practical
way): Luke 10:25-37.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Teach new disciples to obey Jesus’ commands in
love (Matt. 28:18-20):
 Pray
daily: cultivate personal and family
devotional life, listen to God’s voice, live by faith.
Workers are to pray daily: Matt. 7:7 ,without
ceasing: 1 Thess. 5:17.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Teach new disciples to obey Jesus’ commands in
love (Matt. 28:18-20):
 Give
generously of all that God has entrusted to
you (time, talent and treasure). A major cause of
mission failure is building dependency among
people by giving to them when they should be
giving to others. Historically, God lifts
Christians out of their poverty when they give in
their poverty to others, as He promises in 2 Cor.
9:6-11. Give generously: Luke 6:38.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Teach new disciples to obey Jesus’ commands in
love (Matt. 28:18-20):
 Make
disciples: witness for Jesus, teach and
apply the Word, train (model for others) to serve
and lead. We make disciples on four levels: it
begins with pagan peoples, then new believers,
growing believers and leaders (Jesus spent most
of His time discipling top level leaders i.e.
apostles).
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Teach new disciples to obey Jesus’ commands in
love (Matt. 28:18-20):
 Make
disciples: In Scripture discipling was
seldom one on one. All discipling builds on
obedience to Jesus’ commands (Matt. 28:18-20);
before Acts chapter two is finished the 3,000
converts of the first New Testament church are
obeying all of His commands.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Developing a list of potential ministries that could
be developed in a healthy New Testament church:
 Provide spiritual care and support for
family life: Counsel persons with personal or
family problems. Biblical support—Spiritual
counseling: 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
 Worship in a way that ensures involvement
by all the believers who congregate;
incorporate the Lord’s Supper and allow all ages
to take part enthusiastically. Worship in the
New Testament had as its center the Lord’s
Supper (Acts 2:42, 46; 20:7).
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Developing a list of potential ministries that could
be developed in a healthy New Testament church:
 Launch offspring churches that have
children: apprentice faithful, mature shepherds
for them like the Apostle Paul. Remember,
Church multiplication and reproduction involves
the selection and equipping of good leaders! One
word of caution here is be careful to look out for
immaturity for that is often the unseen agenda.
Discover what their gift sets are, their sense of
God’s calling and what they feel God wants them
to do.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Developing a list of potential ministries that could
be developed in a healthy New Testament church:
 Send
out missionaries to unreached areas:
Remember to include bi-vocational staff when
and where crucial. Send true tentmakers who
really earn their living as Aquila and Priscilla
did and not just fully supported workers who
merely pretend to be ‘tentmakers.’
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Developing a list of potential ministries that could
be developed in a healthy New Testament church:
 Organize
all members to carry out giftbased ministries. Spiritual gifts and their
ministry purposes are listed in Romans 12, 1
Cor. Chapters 12 though 14 and Eph. 4:11-16.
Mobilize members for all gift-based ministries
required by the New Testament. One person
may have a number of gifts. God gives different
gifts to different people.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Take steps to begin developing the core group for
leadership with some version of On-the-Job
training: (it is essential to model all of the vital
pastoral skills).
 Supervise and systematize in a way that
lets all members put to the test and
generously use their spiritual gifts in
ministry. Good servant leaders open doors for
people to try diverse gifts. Bad leaders require
excellence and control too much. The appropriate
attitude for leaders is found in 1 Peter 5:1-4.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Take steps to begin developing the core group for
leadership with some version of On-the-Job
training: (it is essential to model all of the vital
pastoral skills).
 Watch over the flock: identify the wandering
lambs and prowling wolves. Heal the hurting
and correct the unruly. Scripture support for
watching over the flock: Acts 20:28-31; Matt.
7:15-23. Correcting the unruly: Matt. 15-18; Gal.
6:1.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Take steps to begin developing the core group for
leadership with some version of On-the-Job
training: (it is essential to model all of the vital
pastoral skills).
 Nourish
the flock: study, interpret and apply
the Word of God. How to use the Word: 2 Tim.
3:16-17.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Take steps to begin developing the core group for
leadership with some version of On-the-Job
training: (it is essential to model all of the vital
pastoral skills).
 Commission and train shepherds to do the
basics for ministry: marry, bury, dedicate
children, lead meetings, serve Communion and
baptize. Lay hands on pastoral trainees when
they have established themselves with those
whom they disciple (1 Tim. 4:14). Celebrate
holidays, weddings, burials, wakes, dedications,
etc. in a way that is appropriate to the culture.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Take steps to begin developing the core group for
leadership with some version of On-the-Job
training: (it is essential to model all of the vital
pastoral skills).
 Rightly handle the Word of God. Provide
useful tools for studying inductively and
applying it at once to believers’ lives. Teach
workers to interpret the Word by taking into
account the grammar, meaning of words, context
(written and historical) and discerning what the
writer wanted readers to do about it. Compare
Acts 17:11.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Develop and raise up apprentices who can
become mentors then multiply them in the spirit of
2 Timothy 2:2:
 In each mentoring gathering do these
things (meet every two weeks if possible):
1) Listen to each trainee’s report on what his
people are doing (never start planning, coaching
or assigning tasks before you have done this)
2) Help each trainee to plan his and his people’s
ministry: what to do before the next session,
recording specific plans (names, dates, places).
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Develop and raise up apprentices who can
become mentors then multiply them in the spirit of
2 Timothy 2:2:
 In each mentoring gathering do these
things (Continued):
3) Look over, or listen to, studies done (assigned
last time)
4) Assign new studies, including reading that
supports trainees’ plans
5) Pray (any time during the session)
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Develop and raise up apprentices who can become
mentors then multiply them in the spirit of 2
Timothy 2:2:
 Use resources geared to trainees’ church
members education level and culture.
 Use a menu to choose teaching content (find
what the church is hungry for--listen!). The
menu approach was Christ’s and Paul’s only
method. Like a waiter in a restaurant, they
listened first (or read letters) to know what their
trainees and their churches needed; then they
responded accordingly.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH PLANTING
CHECKLIST STRATEGICALLY
Develop and raise up apprentices who can become
mentors then multiply them in the spirit of 2
Timothy 2:2:
 Model a way of teaching that fits the
culture and level of education. If church
planters methods fit the culture and follow New
Testament principles, churches will multiply. A
mature church is fully planted when it
reproduces within its culture without outsiders
help. Do not aim at just one church in a field; it
will become ingrown. Aim at a cluster of
churches.
DEVELOPING A CHURCH
PLANTING CHECKLIST
STRATEGICALLY
By
Dr. Tom Cheyney