In this episode of Church Planters Ask, titled “What Are the Keys to a Successful Launch?” hosts Danny Parmelee and Chris Highfill dive into the essential elements that contribute to a successful church plant. Drawing on years of experience assessing church planters, they outline five critical "M's" for a strong church launch.

1. Move of God: A successful church launch begins with a spiritual foundation, emphasizing the importance of prayer and the understanding that God’s hand must guide the process.
2. Mission: Keeping the Great Commission as the church's core focus is vital. The mission must be clear and consistently communicated to align the team and the community.
3. Momentum: Momentum is essential for maintaining growth and excitement. Chris explains the difference between genuine momentum and hype, encouraging planters to ride natural waves of community engagement.
4. Money: Fundraising is an ongoing necessity. It’s not just about meeting financial goals but about inviting others to invest in the church’s mission.
5. Miracles: Expect God to work in miraculous ways, but avoid unhealthy comparisons with other church plants. Every church has its own unique story of divine intervention.

This episode offers practical advice, spiritual insight, and encouragement for those looking to plant and grow a thriving church.

In this episode of Church Planters Ask, Danny Parmelee and Chris Highfill tackle the question, "Should we have a launch team covenant?" They explore what a launch team covenant is and whether it's necessary when forming a church launch team. While Danny shares his personal reservations about formal covenants, citing that they can create barriers, especially with new members or non-believers, Chris offers a more flexible approach. They discuss setting expectations for team members, such as attending events, contributing financially, and inviting others—without making it too formal or legalistic. Both agree that culture is key, and launch teams should have clear but open-handed guidelines, with opportunities for members to reevaluate their involvement after a set period. The episode encourages planters to focus on creating healthy, open relationships within the team, rather than relying on rigid structures like covenants.