Starting a new church can be both an exciting and daunting experience. That’s why the Association of Related Churches (ARC) has set up a five-step process that helps guide pastors and leaders as they start new life-giving churches for their communities.

ARC churches serve an amazing purpose: to spread the message of Jesus to those who are in need of healing and hope. The organization has created a launch model that has proven to help new churches get off the ground and thrive in the long term.

Hundreds of churches throughout the world have followed this process to exceed even their own expectations. Below are the five steps in the launch model from the Association of Related Churches.

Step 1: ARC Launch Event

Leaders of new ARC churches must attend an ARC Launch Event. This event is a training session designed specifically for church planters. At the event, you can hear from ARC pastors, staff members, and coaches, all of whom share the nitty-gritty details of starting new ARC churches.

The Association of Related Churches suggests attending this event when you’re about 12 to 18 months away from launch day. There are no prerequisites to attend. You just need to sign up online, show up at the event, and get all the tools you need for your new ARC church.

Step 2: Application

Following the ARC Launch Event, you’ll be invited to officially apply to launch a church with the Association of Related Churches. This allows the organization to get to know you and your aspirations better.

If your application is approved, you and your spouse will be invited to an in-person ARC Launch Assessment Event. The key areas that will be evaluated as part of the readiness assessment are marriage, money, and ministry. The ARC’s goal is to help equip healthy couples to plant healthy churches.

Step 3: Train

Once you receive approval from the Association of Related Churches, you will gain access to the organization’s online training platform, ARC All Access. This will help you start your ARC church launch plan.

The online platform provides a digital training manual, resource partners, a library of resources, and extensive training courses. Move at the pace you prefer through the platform to learn about topics that will help you prepare for launch day and beyond with your ARC church.

Step 4: Coach

Rather than moving through the launch process alone, the Association of Related Churches will connect you with a regional ARC Launch Coach. These coaches are church planters who have gone through this process on their own and are now pastoring thriving ARC churches.

This process includes private coaching calls, monthly webinars, and working hand-in-hand with your coach through the launch plan. You’ll get recommendations and feedback that help you prepare for your launch and ensure you have everything you need to succeed.

Step 5: Launch

ARC churches can qualify for match funding from the Association of Related Churches as long as they meet certain milestones. These are healthy goals that will help set you up for a strong launch day.

For instance, you can get a dollar-for-dollar match up to $50,000 to go toward your ARC church launch. This funding has been donated by pastors who have gone through this same process. All the Association of Related Churches asks is that you re-invest that money through your giving so others who come after you have the same opportunity.

About the Association of Related Churches

The Association of Related Churches (ARC) represents a collaborative network comprising independent congregations from various denominations, networks, and backgrounds. Its primary mission is to provide essential support and resources to church planters and pastors, enabling them to effectively share the teachings of Jesus Christ. ARC’s operational approach revolves around empowering and equipping church leaders, thus helping them foster the widespread dissemination of Christ’s life-changing message. Established in 2000, the Association of Related Churches has evolved into a worldwide entity and has played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of over 1,000 new churches globally.