Church Planting Incubators

The Incubator is our church planting training program that provides practical tools, gospel community, mentoring and funding for starting and growing a new church that is grounded in the gospel and rooted in its neighborhood.

Apply for Incubator

PRE-REQUISITE

GOSPEL FLUENCY & RENEWAL EXPERIENCE

What is the value of the gospel for personal growth and not just our conversion? What is the difference between gospel-centered growth and self-help growth? We will be exploring these crucial themes. We will also discuss the anatomy and effects of idolatry, particularly those that are common to church planters. Before you join the incubator program, you will need to attend a Gospel Fluency & Renewal Experience.

Los Angeles
August 14-16, 2025

San Diego
August 22-23, 2025

Trimester 1

SEP/OCT/NOV

Personal Life of a Leader

In this module we will examine the main characteristics that make for an emotionally healthy leader, including your spiritual habits, the darkside of your leadership, leading out of a healthy marriage, and practicing a regular sabbath. Come ready to step into some healthy rhythms that will sustain you.

Apprenticeship and Core Team

Developing and training is different than teaching or preaching. People need opportunities to suggest ideas, give input, practice, and have greater buy in. Come learn a model for apprenticeship for your core team that includes internal goals that strenghten your infrastructure and external goals that build missional habits.This is where the description goes.

Contextualization

Where in the community can you be sowing evangelistic seeds with your team? What are your church's on-ramps for people checking out your church? What are your core team's missional habits and how are those taught and caught? We will be discussing these very important values and skills sets.

Trimester 2

JAN/FEB/MAR

Managerial Courage

Patrick Lencioni once said that there is no such thing as well rounded individuals, only well rounded teams. Using his book, The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, you will identify an area of growth for you and your team. (It would be wise to bring at least one of your teammates to this meeting.)

Church Leadership

What are the rhythms and habits of good church governance that serve both you and your family, and the church at large. If you have an oversight committee what does it mean to lead that team well and set up healthy expectations. What are your by-laws and structures that should be in place as you start your church. These are the questions we will address during this module

Evangelistic Pathway

Trimester 3

MAY/JUNE/JULY

Preaching and Effective Communication

What differentiates a gospel-centered sermon from other types of sermons? How do we preach the gospel from every text to benefit the non-believer and the Christian? Come learn various values and skills for delivering your sermons. You will be asked to preach in front of panel of leaders and be given feedback.

Church Finance & Ops

Financial sustainability is a challenge for a new start-up. Come learn best practices for both your church and your family during the early years of your church. We recommend you bring your wife if you are married and also a trusted core member to this module. We look forward to bearing witness to God's provision and his wisdom in financial stewardship.

City Vision and Justice & Mercy

Scriptures teach us to speak up and care for the less fortunate, to cross cultures, and develop a love for the city. Come learn what it means to lead your church in poverty alleviation and advocacy and collaborate with others in the journey. We'll also hear about two different organizations that offer grants to churches doing this type of work in their communities.

Apply for Incubator

ADDITiONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES

via our online resource library, Masterclasses, and City Labs.

Strategic Planning

We will spend the evening strategizing for the next stage of your church plant. Make sure to invite a few core team members to this important day!

Branding and Marketing

What is your strategy for engaging your church and your community using social media and other mediums? Come learn some of the best practices.

Resiliency

Professor Bobby Clinton studied over 2,000 leaders to ascertain what makes leaders last the long haul of ministry. It is sobering to know that 2 out of 3 leaders do not finish well according to research. We are interested in you surviving and thriving for the long haul. Come learn what makes the difference.

Ministry Design

Vision, mission, and values should be central to what you and your team do week to week. Come learn how to design these elements such that they are compelling and hepful to you and your team. You'll also be introduced to our Strategic Planning Document which you will complete by June.