How to Start a New Ministry

From Discernment to Action: Following God’s Missional Call

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Are you being called to start a new ministry, but aren’t sure how to begin? Maybe you’ve been feeling God’s quiet nudge, urging you to address a particular challenge or to minister among a particular group of people. Maybe you hope to encourage the members of your congregation to take the wheel on doing the same. Either way, our course offers a path forward! Come and learn how to kickstart a new ministry, driven by your passion and working in alignment with God's purpose.

Throughout this course, we'll dive into best practices for thriving new ministries, turning to Scripture, prayer, reflection, and practical exercises to gain a deep understanding of God’s particular call for your ministry. We'll explore the process of discerning your calling, defining a clear vision, understanding the structural components of ministry, managing finances, building a dedicated team, and articulating your mission effectively. Michael Binder, co-author of Leading Faithful Innovation, will guide you through each step of this prayerful and practical journey.

What You'll Learn

  • Equip Ministry Leaders: Empower your entire team to launch new ministries with confidence, looking to real-life scenarios and case studies for guidance and practice.
  • Clarify Your Vision: Transform your calling into a compelling ministry vision with a concrete plan.
  • Navigate Ministry Foundations: Discover the essential elements, steps, and strategies for launching a new missional ministry.
  • Explore Strategies for Ministry Funding: Gain insights into flexible ministry financing.
  • Build Strong Teams: Attract, develop, and nurture a diverse ministry team.
  • Articulate Your Ministry: Learn to communicate your mission effectively to inspire support, even building your own ready-to-present pitch deck to share with possible ministry participants and partners.

About this Course

  • Modules

9

  • Learning Elements

31

  • Videos

11

  • Practices & Activities

14

  • Time

7 hours, 30 minutes

  • Price

$55

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Here's What's Inside...

Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.

In this module, you will:

  • Reflect on God’s call to this ministry.
  • Consider reasons for this ministry.
  • Engage in prayer for this work.

In this module, you will:

  • Define and sharpen your ministry vision.
  • Develop a concise description of the work.
  • Pray for discernment.

In this module, you will:

  • Learn strategies for researching locations and partnerships.
  • Discover what you don’t know.
  • Pray for eyes to see and ears to hear.

In this module, you will:

  • Learn a model for testing and refining your ideas.
  • Continue to pray for God’s guidance.
  • Engage in testing and refining your ideas.

In this module, you will:

  • Learn simple strategies for managing finances.
  • Understand how financial decisions can affect ministry.
  • Develop a simple budget spreadsheet.

In this module, you will:

  • Learn the importance of working with others.
  • Consider what your team might look like.
  • Develop an invitation for others to join you.

In this module, you will:

  • Shape and develop your pitch from your earlier work.
  • Develop a plan for a rhythm of prayer around your ministry.

Find out your next steps as you complete the course and how to stay connected with your group. You'll also be able to submit feedback about your course.

You'll Learn How to Shift Ministry Models
Group of volunteers with sprout for growing, ecology, and coming together to grow something new

There is an ever-growing need for ministries that make a difference in this world, and church leaders and people of faith alike need grounded, practical, and dynamic processes for responding missionally and effectively to that need! Many ministry leaders have the passion; use this course as a tool to build a vision and plan that lives up to your heart for creating change and serving those around you.

What to Expect

  • Flexible Pacing and Continuous Access: Learn at your own pace and revisit the course materials whenever you want!
  • A Prayerful, Practical Process: Gain strategies and action-oriented methods without losing sight of Scripture and God’s calling for you.
  • Skillful Guidance: Glean insights and advice from Michael Binder, author of Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future and experienced practitioner in faithful innovation.
  • A Supportive Community: Join an online community of fellow participants who share in your journey of learning of discernment and ministry planning!
  • Group Registration Option: Walk through the course with a group, allowing the learning to resonate through your team.

Ready to Enroll?

Enroll in this one on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all on-demand courses plus more with Faith+Lead Membership →

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Access to this on-demand course

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Access to an online supportive community

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Access to 20+ on-demand courses

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Access to all workshops and their recordings

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Access to member-only live Q&A monthly interviews

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Access to monthly group coaching

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Looking for just in-time training resources?

Use this on-demand course as a complementary ready-made resource for small groups, Bible studies, discipleship growth, and equipping lay leaders in your specific ministry setting.

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Meet Your Instructor

  • Michael Binder

    Michael Binder is an assistant professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. His teaching focuses on starting new congregations, leading change, and practicing Christian witness and evangelism amidst secular cultures. Binder is a founding pastor of Mill City Church in northeast Minneapolis and continues to serve there. He has worked as a consultant with hundreds of congregations and denominations in the U.S. and Canada. Binder is a graduate of Carleton College (Northfield, Minnesota), Bethel University (MDiv), and Luther Seminary (PhD, Congregational Mission and Leadership).

Connect as you learn

Connect inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab

Learning happens best when you do it together with folks who are on the same journey as you are.

That's why our private social network, the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, hosts conversations about course content with other learners, instructors, TAs, and community leaders.

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Study together with a small group or congregation

Want to bring How to Start a New Ministry to your Bible study, small group, or even your entire congregation?

Choose "Enroll a Group" at checkout and select how many people you'd like to provide access to the course. You can go through the course together in-person, watch lessons together via Zoom, or even create a private group in the Learning Lab where participants can connect asynchronously.

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