Menu

What is a Prospectus?

Sending churches, networks, and denominational entities expect you to have a prospectus before you reach out to them for funding. A prospectus is a practical and visionary plan for a new church and has become an expectation in the current church-planting landscape. Someone said, “Trying to plant a church without a prospectus would be like trying to get a job without a resumé.”

Create a digital prospectus of eight to twelve pages. They can be longer, but you will pitch to busy pastors who appreciate a concise document that can be read in ten minutes. Use photos and images generously. But don’t use a Venn Diagram!

Prospectus Key Components (from "Church Planting Thresholds" by Clint Clifton)

  1. Personal Introduction—Introduce yourself and your family. Include a biography and a large picture of your family.
  2. Context of Plant Location—explain the uniqueness of the location, near a college or a military base,etc.
  3. City Profile—Bullet point the features of your city’s population, demographic, existing churches, need for new churches, culture, socio-economic, statistics, etc. Use photographs.
  4. Mission, Vision, and Values—visually present these as you would on a website.
  5. Strategy—explain how you will meet the city's spiritual needs with ministry strategies.
  6. Ministry Overview—explain the services and ministries you plan to provide.
  7. Doctrine—include your theological and doctrinal positions, either by referencing a familiar doctrinal statement or in summary.
  8. Timeline—show a timeline beginning with a call. Show your preparation, your gathering, and your projected launch date.
  9. Budget—present the needs, goals, and ways to partner.
  10. Partnerships—include denominations, networks (GCC), key churches, and organizations sending and endorsing you.

Prospectus Samples to Get Insight

  1. Redeemer Huntsville, AL 
  2. Frontier Church Texas
  3. Veritas Dayton, Ohio
  4. Imago Dei Raleigh, NC
  5. Missio Dei, Raleigh Durham, NC
  6. North Augusta Fellowship, Augusta, GA
  7. Hampton Roads Fellowship, VA
  8. Partridge Point Church, Metamora, IL
  9. New Creation, Chicago, IL
  10. Grace Hill Church, Herndon, VA