Ok… Part two of this section of my notes from the Launch Conference:

4. Baptism

Be able to answer these questions:

  • How do we make sure people understand the meaning and significance of baptism?
  • How do we capture our first baptism on video or with photography? How do we get the video or photos out to the entire church in the coming weeks?
  • How do we capture the stories and testimonies of those being baptized? How do we maximize these as celebrations of what God is doing in our church family?
  • How do we signify the event for those being baptized? Do we give them certificates? Framed personal photos? Group pictures?
  • How do we promote the next baptism at our first baptism?

5. Recordkeeping and Databases

  • Contact information on everyone who attends (name, address, phone numbers, e-mail address, spouse and kids’ names)
  • Weekly Sunday attendance broken down by adults and children
  • Weekly offering amount
  • Number of volunteers on Sunday
  • Number of volunteers during the week

6. Basic Accounting

  • Offering collection, counting, and deposit
  • Check writing
  • Reimbursement processes
  • Salaries/paychecks
  • Regular reports (bank account, budget, etc.)


7. Corporate/Legal Structure

  • What’s the minimum structure you must have ‘by law’?

8. Leadership Development System

  • My personal plan (e.g., conferences, books, podcasts)
  • My plan for staff (e.g., read books together, DVDs)
  • My plan for volunteers (create a culture where there is an abundance of leaders)

These 8 systems are crucial! Everything else can wait 8-18 months! (including membership class and small groups)