A sure and solid foundation... If your foundation isn't strong and secure it will be easy for the devil to get the best of you and destroy what God is desiring to do through you. Let me put it this way, make sure your marriage and relationship with God is strong and being cultivated. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Be sure your mate is supportive. It's almost impossible to build a new church or ministry if your mate isn't behind you. It's very difficult to get others to get behind your vision if your mate isn't.
2. Set apart regular time for you and your mate. If you have children you need regular time with them as well, but you can't be all that you need to be for your kids or the people you are ministering to if things aren't good between you and your mate. You need not only time praying, worshipping, and studying the word together, but time enjoying each other and just having fun.

   RELAX! Your mate should be your best friend. Have a weekly date night and periodic times when you get away over night WITHOUT the kids! At the risk of sounding unspiritual, you need an occasional time away from the church crowd where you simply enjoy each other and grow in your relationship and intimacy.

3. Spend adequate time developing your relationship with Jesus. It's easy to get so involved in ministry that we neglect our personal time with God. Sometimes read and study the word just for the enjoyment of it, not just to find a message. Spend time praying and worshipping to draw near to Jesus without it being motivated by the people and the ministry (Luke 10:38-42).

Finding a location... Where should your new church or ministry be located? This is really up to you and God. If we will "acknowledge Him in all our ways He will direct our paths" (Proverbs 3:6). Notice, it's not MIGHT but WILL direct our paths! We have the promise that He can be depended upon to direct us if we will ask for His help and guidance.

"Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you know not" (Jeremiah 33:3). You must simply seek Him and choose the place that you feel the strongest about. If you don't already know the city you want to begin in I would suggest getting out a map and praying over it asking God to show you where He wants you to go.

I would also suggest that you choose a metropolitan area unless God has specifically told you otherwise. Paul went to the major cities of his day. Someone once advised me that it is only logical to fish in a bigger pond. We must understand that we seldom know with absolute certainty which location to choose, but we must exercise faith. Paul, even after having a vision, was said to have concluded that God had called him to preach the gospel in Macedonia (Acts 16:10). Seek Him and walk in faith with the light that He has given you.

You can start the church in your home if you wish. There seems to be a trend toward "house churches" these days, and it would be an inexpensive way to get a core group together before you commit to a permanent location. You can also rent out a hotel room or banquet hall. They will let you pay by the week or service, and will usually give you a discount if you are meeting every week.

If you have the funds, you can go ahead and rent out a retail, office, or warehouse space. Check the classifieds and the Internet for listings in your area. We usually drive around the area until God shows us the place He wants for us.

Next... Church Planting Part 3