At the start of any new year, it feels like the clock has been re-set. For many faith communities, a new budget year begins in January and with it comes the anticipation of all that will unfold in the next 12 months of ministry. Leaders and volunteers return to regular rhythms (hopefully) refreshed by the holidays and time away.
In this context, ideas for a new ministry seem to sprout up overnight. But without an intentional process of discernment, a faith community is likely to fall into a few common missteps when starting something new.
Faith communities that jump too quickly into launching a new idea overlook the critical role of slowing down to first observe, deeply listen, and cultivate empathy for the people around them. When a staff member or volunteer is excited or experiencing a call to launch something new, it’s tempting to move an idea forward quickly. But doing so usually means a leader assumes the idea will be fruitful, rather than knowing whether it’s actually responsive to people’s needs and hopes.
Before plowing ahead, it’s essential for leaders to take time to ask intentional questions of the people they’re hoping to serve. Leaders should also listen for new information and perspectives that might reveal a different direction for the ministry.
Rather than simply relying on a shiny idea, starting a new ministry must be led by the Holy Spirit and grounded on theological values. Theological reflection and discernment must be a step in the process of developing something new or making adaptations to an existing program. There should be something unique about how the church – the living, breathing body of Christ – engages in ministry compared to a social services agency or secular non-profit in your community.
Every ministry communicates something, whether explicitly or implicitly, about your faith community’s beliefs about God and people. Taking time to reflect on the theological values you hope to convey to ministry participants helps lay a critical foundation for building something new.
Developing a thriving new ministry is a team sport and leadership must be shared. As soon as the possibility of starting a new ministry emerges (not once an idea has already been determined), it’s essential to bring other leaders – staff and volunteers – into the conversation. Doing so actively communicates to the entire faith community that whatever new ministry is developed won’t be owned by just one leader. This also creates space for diverse voices and perspectives to speak into how the idea eventually takes shape, ultimately leading to a more effective ministry that’s collectively owned.
Ministry in the Church isn’t meant to be led by just one person. Every person in the faith community has gifts to offer. Launching something new might be the perfect time for new or unengaged people to get involved in a deeper way.
Starting a new ministry shouldn’t be seen by you or your faith community as a quick fix. The end goals must go beyond just boosting attendance numbers and numerical growth. Instead, a new ministry’s goals should be rooted in theological reflection and the hopes you and other leaders have for people who participate in the new program.
Frame the ministry’s goals by reflecting on this question: “What changes in someone’s life, in the short term and long term, do we hope occur because they participate in this new ministry?” Thoughtfully answering this question helps your team prioritize what matters most to God: transformation in real people’s lives. That’s infinitely more impactful and inspiring than simply getting people to show up to the faith community’s building on a regular basis.
Starting a new ministry can feel overwhelming without a guide. There’s a vision to cast, committee approval to be sought, plans to make, supplies to be ordered or created, and volunteers to recruit. A trained guide can help your faith community identify the right questions to ask, shifts to make in the ministry’s design, and critical systems needed to launch and sustain the ministry well. An outside perspective can also contribute insights your community hasn’t thought of yet and help you maintain momentum.
If you are considering starting a new ministry in 2026, our free, online workshop, “Faithful Imagination: Developing Ministries that Thrive” is the perfect place to begin. Registration includes lifetime access to a self-paced workshop as well as a downloadable handout that will guide you through the concepts presented in the workshop.
Subscribe to receive a monthly roundup of fresh insights and free tools for senior ministry leaders.
