Months 1-6 Checklist: Personal

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	1. I am located in the city where God has called me to plant my church
	2. Pray without ceasing for God's guidance and study God's Word!
	3. Select several (minimum of 3) intercessors to keep informed of prayer needs for you, your family and your church

Months 1-6 Checklist: Christian Alliance of Pastors (CAP)

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	4. Register for the CAP OneDay
	5. Register for the CAP RightStart
	6. Register for the CAP AssessmentCenter
	7. Attend the CAP OneDay
	8. Attend the CAP RightStart
	9. Attend the CAP AssessmentCenter
	10. Complete all the required applications and assessments on the CAP website
	11. Set a launch date (Put date on CAP website)
	12. Complete your Church Plan
	13. Create your church structure organizational chart
	14. Create your church Statement of Faith
	15. Identify and contact your five (5) Overseers
	16. Begin to identify and select your Trustees (Financial Board)

Months 1-6 Checklist: Financial Procedures

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	17. Set up and organize an office (in your home is fine) for financial, church and church office administration
	18. Set up a filing system for all necessary financial and church administrative items
	19. Acquire a laptop computer and financial software (Quickbooks)
	20. Hire or consult with an accountant to help you set up your books and financial procedures
	21. Identify resources for each area of ministry. See the CAP website for a list of possible vendors and resources
	22. Set up a 3-Year Church Budget (three (3) years of expenses)
	23. Set up ledgers for tracking income and expenses

Months 1-6 Checklist: Church Administration

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	24. Acquire a Post Office Box for your church
	25. Write out a task listing for every area of ministry. List all items that need to be purchased for each area of ministry
	26. Set up a communication system for Pastor and Launch Team Leaders (Mailbox and Folder System or an online system)

Months 1-6 Checklist: Federal and Corporate

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	27. Finalize and obtain agreement from all Overseers (They will act as your temporary Board of Directors)
	28. Obtain your FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number)
	29. Create your Church Constitution and Bylaws: (Contact StartChurch)
Develop Organizational Board Meeting Minutes
		30. Appoint a Chairperson and Secretary
		31. Initial Directors will elect themselves
		32. Appoint any other officers
		33. Ratify the Articles of Incorporation
		34. Ratify the By-laws
		35. Pass resolution regarding out-of-pocket expenses for the Board
		36. Adopt policies like conflict
		37. Pass a resolution to open a checking account
		38. Pass resolutions for conflict of interest, reimbursements, Pastor
	39. Develop Corporate Records Kit (Contact StartChurch)
	40. Establish and complete ordination for Lead Pastor (file with state if applicable)
	41. Apply for 501(c)(3) : (Contact StartChurch)
	42. Adopt the Chart of Accounts (from Quickbooks)
	43. Complete Payroll Tax Forms for Lead Pastor

Months 1-6 Checklist: State and Corporate

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	44. Check with the state for availability of Church name
	45. Incorporate in the state: (Contact StartChurch)
	46. Register with the State Department of Revenue for income tax (Contact StartChurch)
	47. Apply for Sales Tax Exemption - where applicable (Contact StartChurch)

Months 1-6 Checklist: Launch Team

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	48. Begin inviting people to help you get your church started.
	49. Begin weekly vision meetings for fellowship, planning and leadership training. Build a team of at least 70 adults before your launch
	50. Find your praise and worship leader, praise team and musicians (drummer, bass guitar, lead guitar, keyboard)

Months 1-6 Checklist: Build Relationships with other Pastors

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	51. Learn from other pastors and their church processes
Attend church planting conferences:
		52. Exponential
		53. Capacity
		54. Catalyst
	55. Visit other churches. Visit large established churches as well as church plants, both in your town and out of town

Months 1-6 Checklist: Marketing

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	56. Develop your logo, business stationery, business cards (Pastors and Church), etc. Work with a graphic designer. (Make sure you have your church name registered first)
	57. Try to acquire a package deal with logo costs, collateral and website
	58. Take photos and videos early in the church planting process. Document the early moments of the ministry

Months 1-6 Checklist: Church Website/Blog/Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	59. Puchase website domain
Write content for website:
		60. Home Page
		61. About
		62. New to Us
		63. Ministries
		64. Get Involved
		65. What to Expect
		66. FAQs
	67. Get website designed and developed
	68. Begin posting to your Blog weekly
	69. Create Church Facebook Page
	70. Create personal accounts for Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram , etc.

Months 1-6 Checklist: Financial Administration

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	71. Open a Checking Account
	72. Get an offering envelope printed and use them with your beginning launch group

Months 1-6 Checklist: Leadership Procedures

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	73. Write short-term ministry agreements for Leaders who are developing ministries with specific goals and timetables for each area of ministry
	74. Develop interoffice forms: Ministry Reporting, Expenditure Request, Reimbursement Request, Event Evaluation, Copy Request, etc.
	75. Have graphic designer develop individual ministry logos and graphics
	76. Develop Get Cards, Ministry Servant Interest Cards (to volunteer) and Ministry Servant Commitment and Honor Code

Months 1-6 Checklist: Children's Ministry

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
Create Children's Ministry Forms
		77. Child's Application
		78. Accident Report
		79. Activity Consent
		80. Medical Authorization, etc
	81. Identify Child Registration System
	82. Purchase children's curriculum
	83. Design brochure for each area of Children's Ministry (Newborns, 1 -2 year olds, 3-4 year olds, 5-6 year olds, as an example)

Months 1-6 Checklist: Storage Area

Completed	Task	Sub-Task
	84. Identify a storage area for all ministry items
	85. Start making purchases for children's ministry
	86. Purchase any shelving, tubs or bins needed