If you’ve been called to plant a church, you’ve probably already realized something: there’s no shortage of things you could do.
The real challenge is knowing what to do first, what to do next, and what to do later.
That’s why ARC breaks the final six months into three simple phases. The simplicity is the point. You will do more than this, but if you get these phases right, you’re setting yourself up for a strong, sustainable launch.
Phase 1: Recruiting Phase (about 6 months out)
Main goal: Host amazing Launch Parties (recruiting meetings)
This is where most planters need the biggest mindset shift.
Traditional thinking says: “Build the team first.”
ARC says: “Build a pool of people first, then build the team from that pool.”
Why? Because starting too small can lock you into the wrong people in the wrong seats. But when you build a larger pool first, you’re able to invite people into the right roles at the right time, with clarity and confidence.
In this phase, your focus is simple and intense:
- Host one high-quality recruiting meeting per month.
- Follow up relentlessly (this is where momentum is won).
- Keep fundraising moving (always).
- Meet area pastors and build relational trust in your city.
Here’s the big idea:
One great recruiting meeting a month is often more effective than two mediocre ones.
Go all in on that one event. Spend a little more. Promote it better. Make it excellent. Then spend the rest of the month doing what most people skip: following up personally, meeting people one-on-one, and inviting them into the mission.
A launch party isn’t just an event, it’s a pipeline. It’s the middle ground between “stranger” and “serving on the team.”
Phase 2: Launch Team Phase (about 2 months out)
Main goal: Solidify your team
This is where things get real.
Now you’re building structure, culture, and unity. You’re not just gathering people, you’re forming a team that can actually carry the weight of launch day and the weeks that follow.
In this phase, you’re working on things like:
- Team roles and clear expectations.
- Systems and communication rhythms.
- Unity, culture, and spiritual health.
- Serving structure and scheduling.
- leadership development
ARC has found that it is best to aim for 45 committed adult launch team members serving in real roles.
Not “interested.”
Not “attended once.”
Not “17-and-under.”
Forty-five adults who are committed to serve, invite, and give.
This is the season that many planters say they enjoy the most pre-launch because it is organic and feels grassroots. It is when your team begins to take ownership and you can see the dream become a reality.
Phase 3: Launch Prep Phase (about 1 month out)
Main goal: Prepare for launch day
At this point, your content and communication have one job:
Point everything to launch day.
This is where I see planters drift if they aren’t careful. They’ve been building for months, but now their message gets fuzzy, their social media gets random, and their website doesn’t clearly say what people need to know.
Clarity creates confidence. Confusion creates drop-off.
In this phase, make sure:
- Your website makes date, time, and location obvious.
- Your social media is clear and consistent with a focus on launch day.
- Your mailer (if you’re doing one) goes out on time.
- You run two practice services (for your team, not public preview services).
Those practice services matter. They help you rehearse the full experience: kids ministry, transitions, sound, worship, message, volunteer flow, setup/teardown, all of it. Launch day should not be the first time you try to run everything together.
And remember this: Launch day is your grand opening. Don’t waste it by trickling your momentum into a bunch of mini-openings. Build toward one clear moment, then let the momentum carry you forward.
The payoff of following the phases
When you work the phases in order, here’s what happens:
- Recruiting builds a real pool of people.
- The pool becomes a committed team.
- The team creates an excellent launch day.
- Launch day creates momentum.
- Momentum becomes sustainability.
That’s the goal. Not just a big day, but a strong start you can build on.
If you’re serious about planting with ARC, this is the process we’ll help you walk out with coaching, tools, and training, step by step. The first step is to attend our next Launch Training event. We’d love to meet you and help you reach people in your community through a new life-giving church.
