In a previous related piece – Problems with Pioneers – Revex v Capex Funding – the argument was made that funding pioneers out of diocese or local church funds is difficult, and it’s better for pioneers to obtain their own funding.\r\n\r\nPaul gave us the biblical model for this when he used funds raised in Macedonia to pay for his work in Corinth and from Philipi for his imprisonment in Rome. And when the funding ran out in Thessolonica he and his companions “…worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so [they] wouldn’t have the burden of supporting them while we proclaimed God’s Message to you”.\r\n\r\nSo before launching out Pioneers need to ask two basic questions. First …\r\n\r\n…do you back yourself to succeed?\r\n\r\nThen ask the question any investor would ask …\r\n\r\n…Why? How do you know? Where’s the evidence? Are you being honest and realistic? (that’s four, I know)\r\n\r\nAnd there is a third question for those who are married…\r\n\r\n…does my husband/wife agree to using our current funds for ministry rather than for our family and pension?\r\n\r\nIf all these questions can be answered positively then crack on and … work out the sums.\r\n\r\nThere are entrepreneurial ways of funding church planting, but the traditional model is to fund one or two ministers for three to five years. So allow £50,000 for one full time minister with a family per year. That’s £250,000 for five years. And don’t forget the possible cost of hiring a venue and equipment.\r\n\r\nSo now all the ducks are in a row, its time to … think about the ‘ownership’ problem.\r\n\r\nIf you can back yourself and raise your own funds why would you do it for a denomination that will not participate in the risk? And if you plant a successful church, and the denomination has not participated in the risk, why would you give them the benefit of your income stream and assets and resources?\r\n\r\nStill interested? Can you afford it? Family on board? Agreed terms with your denomination?\r\n\r\nIf yes – it’s time to plan.\r\n\r\nIf no – it’s time for the church to rethink funding options for church planting …