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Danny Parmelee
God's given you a vision to plant a church. You're gifted and maybe have the team ready to go. However, there are thousands of details and hundreds of questions that you have. In this podcast we will answer some of the common questions and answer listener submitted questions to help you fulfill the call the Lord's given you.
Total 38 episodes
1
How Do I Connect In A New Community?
In this episode of Church Planters Ask, hosts Chris Highfill and Danny Parmelee explore practical strategies for connecting in a new community—or even reconnecting in one you’ve lived in for years. Drawing from personal experiences and proven methods, they discuss five essential steps for church planters:Pray Strategically – Prayer is foundational. Chris shares how prayer walks and intentional team prayers can spiritually prepare your launch and align your focus on the community’s needs.Enter as a Learner – Approach the community with curiosity and humility. Chris emphasizes joining groups like the Chamber of Commerce to build natural connections and gather insights.Serve with Purpose – Meet tangible needs without reinventing the wheel. Partner with existing organizations to make an immediate, meaningful impact.Build Friendships – Invest time in genuine relationships by showing up consistently, listening well, and being present in community spaces.Tell the Story – Only after building trust do you earn the right to share the transformative story of the gospel with authenticity and credibility.Packed with actionable advice, real-life stories, and encouragement, this episode is a must-listen for church planters looking to engage their community effectively. Don’t miss the practical tips and the inspiring challenge to love and lead well!
25:0118/11/2024
What Are The Keys To A Successful Launch?
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.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.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.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.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.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.
26:1502/10/2024
Should I Have A Launch Team Covenant?
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.
14:2719/09/2024
Who Should Preach At My Church Plant When I'm Gone?
13:3104/09/2024
Do Mailers Still Work?
In the latest episode of "Church Planters Ask," host Danny Parmelee dives into the question: "Do mailers still work for churches?" To explore this topic, Danny is joined by Tim Speweik from Outreach, a veteran in church marketing with over 27 years of experience and involvement in more than 1,200 church plants.Tim shares valuable insights into the evolving role of mailers in an era dominated by digital marketing. He challenges the notion that mailers are outdated, arguing that when done right, they can be an incredibly effective tool for reaching people. The episode covers the importance of creativity in crafting mailers, the strategic use of targeting and timing, and the benefits of integrating mailers with other forms of marketing.Listeners will also learn about the practical aspects of implementing a mailer campaign, including cost considerations, the significance of nonprofit postal rates, and the pros and cons of doing mailers yourself versus using a service like Outreach. Tim emphasizes that while mailers aren't a silver bullet, they are a valuable part of a larger marketing strategy that includes both physical and digital touchpoints.Whether you're skeptical about the effectiveness of mailers or looking for ways to enhance your church's outreach efforts, this episode offers a wealth of practical advice and actionable strategies. Tune in to discover how mailers can still play a crucial role in connecting with your community.
27:4920/08/2024
What Is the Best Location for a New Church Plant?
In this episode of Church Planters Ask, hosts Danny Parmelee and Chris Highfill dive into the critical topic of selecting the right meeting location for your church plant. This discussion is packed with practical advice and personal experiences that will be invaluable to any church planter navigating the challenges of finding the perfect venue.Chris kicks off the conversation by sharing his journey of starting Grace River Church. He highlights the pros and cons of various locations, from elementary schools to YMCAs. He recounts how his church began in an elementary school gym, which had its limitations, including small parking areas and a lack of proper auditorium space. Despite these challenges, the built-in community relationships with families whose children attended the school were a significant advantage.The hosts then explore the benefits and drawbacks of other common locations, such as middle schools, high schools, and YMCAs. They discuss how moving to a YMCA provided Grace River Church with better visibility and a more centralized location, contributing to the church’s growth. However, Chris also shares the less glamorous side of using such facilities, like the less-than-pleasant smells and the challenges of setting up and tearing down every week.Danny and Chris emphasize the importance of being flexible and patient when choosing a location. They caution against signing long-term leases too quickly, as it’s essential to remain adaptable to growth and changes within the community. The conversation also touches on the potential pitfalls of renting from other churches or storefronts, including issues with space customization and possible conflicts with the hosting church.The episode wraps up with practical advice for church planters, encouraging them to seek out various location options and consider both the logistical and spiritual implications of each. Danny and Chris also highlight the value of good signage and community visibility, offering a shoutout to their sponsor, outreach.com, which provides valuable resources to help church plants with their marketing and branding needs.This episode is a must-listen for church planters looking to make informed decisions about their meeting locations. With real-life stories, expert insights, and a touch of humor, Danny and Chris provide a comprehensive guide to navigating one of the most critical aspects of launching a new church. Whether you’re just starting or considering a move, this episode offers the wisdom you need to make the right choice.
29:5120/08/2024
(RELAUNCH) Meet the New Co-host Chris Highfill
Join Danny Parmelee and Chris Hifill as they dive into the top questions church planters face, sharing their personal experiences and expert insights. In this episode, Danny and Chris introduce the podcast's new format and discuss their journey in church planting—from parachuting into new communities to navigating the challenges of growth and expansion. Whether you're just starting out or looking for ways to improve your church planting efforts, this episode offers valuable advice on leadership, strategic planning, and building a thriving church from the ground up. Don't miss out on practical tips, real-life stories, and the wisdom of seasoned church planters. Subscribe now and get ready to be equipped and inspired on your church planting journey! #ChurchPlanting #ChurchGrowth #MinistryLeadership #ChristianPodcast #ChurchPlantersAsk
17:2120/08/2024
How Do I Avoid Messing Up My Kids As A Pastor?
Hear from Daniel and Christina Im on how to raise kids and do ministry. We all know that when you lead a church that you are living in a fishbowl. This affects are children as well and there are things that we can do to help them be all God wants them to be without our calling as a pastor negatively impacting their relationship with God. If you're raising kids and planting a church it's a must listen.
26:4608/02/2021
Should I Just Go Ahead and Get A Therapist Now?
In this episode we hear from Licensed Counselor Rick Egbert as he discusses issues of mental health and church planters. He gives some great advice on how you can stay ahead of the curve on finding a counselor. In addition to keeping you and your family healthy, he also shares how it is good practice for your entire congregation as you model healthy habits and meet counselors in your area. We've seen a lot of horrible stories of pastors and church planters who have left the ministry due to the pressures of ministry or even died by suicide. None of us are exempt from the pressures and hardships so getting help and being proactive is important.
24:4501/02/2021
That's A Wrap For Season 1
What a year 2020 was! Please submit your questions that we will tackle in 2021.
02:0723/11/2020
What Advice Would You Give Church Planters?
We've taken 101 Questions Church Planters Ask Podcast on the Road! In this episode we are Live at the s2 Conference in Phoenix, AZ. The conference is filled with church planters and established churches that want to be strong enough to multiply. So we put a microphone in front of church planters and asked them to give some advice to current and future church planters.
16:1316/11/2020
Should My Church Plant Do A Christmas Eve Service In Pre-Launch Phase
If you think that doing a Christmas Eve service in your Pre-Launch Phase you may want to think again. While it may be a perfect way to get exposure and gain some launch team members it often will not achieve the outreach you expect. In this episode we'll look at some other options and explain why holding off on a Christmas eve service in Pre-Launch phase may be your best growth strategy.
16:3009/11/2020
What Are The Best Ways To Engage The Community?
When you are a church planter, its more than just gathering a crowd for worship services. You need to find ways to embed yourself in the community and help your team to do the same thing. In this episode Danny and special guest Christ Highfill discuss 10 ways that you can engage the community whether you are pre-launch phase or already up and running.
25:1002/11/2020
How can my church plant use International Freelancers & Virtual Assistants?
Do you want to know one of the greatest tools to help your church plant? What if I told you that there are people from around the globe that you can hire for projects such as design, web, video, audio, architecture, data entry, IT, marketing and more? The world of freelancers and virtual assistants is at your finger tips.
24:0326/10/2020
Should I Consider Dual Affiliation?
There really is no reason to plant a church a lone these days. There are multiple church planting networks and denominations to help you. Many planters wonder if they have to choose just one or if it makes sense to have a couple groups you work with. We explore the advantages and challenges of dual affiliation in this episode.
20:1219/10/2020
What's the Deal with Church Merch?
If you do Church Merch right it can be one of your most effective and inexpensive marketing tools. There are so many upsides to equipping your people with the right stuff. Learn when to invest in quality apparel vs when to get promotional SWAG.
19:3712/10/2020
Should A Pastor Opt Out of Social Security?
If you are new to being a pastor or church planter, chances are someone has told you "You should opt out of social security!" In this episode I will walk through the IRS social security exemption that is allowed for clergy but also explain who qualifies and the dangers of opting out if you don't meet the true exemptions.
09:1805/10/2020
How Do I create Mission, Vision, Core Values For My Church Plant?
It's pretty common for one of your earliest steps in church planting to write a Mission Statement and also Vision and Values Statement. Understanding the differences in these and composing them correctly can really help you communicate with clarity. As the church plant grows transferring mission, vision, and values to your people will be key in accomplishing big things for the Lord.
22:5228/09/2020
How Important Is A Seminary Degree For A Church Planter?
Many church planters wonder if they need a Seminary degree or a Bible degree Before they start the church plant. In this episode we discuss some of the advantages of formal education but also explore why Seminary isn't for everyone. Also if you do go to seminary either before the church plant or during the plant what you might want to focus on.
18:3421/09/2020
What Might Spiritual Warfare Look Like In a Church Plant
In this episode Danny parmelee and Lee Stephenson discuss what spiritual warfare might look like in a church plant and how to recognize it and combat it.
17:5214/09/2020
Should I Consider Bivocational Church Planting?
Danny Parmelee along with Brad Briscoe talk about Bivocational Church Planting and the different things you should consider if you are going down this path. For some it is a great fit and will help to maximize ministry while others in a different context may not.
23:5207/09/2020
Should I Have Non-Christians On My Launch Team?
First it's important to understand the difference between a core team and a launch team. In this episode I will discuss how your approach to launch team members in general will help you to figure out WHO should be on your team and why this perspective might challenge what you've heard else where. Even going so far as to say that the strength of your launch team may not be as tied to the equality of individual commitment.
15:2531/08/2020
What Should I Do When No One Shows Up?
Leadership is lonely. Its even more lonely when people you expected to show up at your meetings, trainings, events, or Sunday worship gatherings are simply just not there. In this episode we'll explore some of the self leadership to work through that but also practical follow up ideas.
14:1523/08/2020
How Do I Maximize Email Marketing & Communication?
Email is not dead.As annoying as you may consider emails to be, they are still an essential daily function of most everyone's lives, and the best way to keep in contact with the majority of your community. Consider the email addresses you collect like flecks of gold: they are a small but highly valuable piece of information on the people in your community that you can use to connect with them in the future. When you add all these flecks of gold together (your email strategy) you will have a valuable tool to reach many people for Christ. Use your web domain for your email address as soon as possible. Having your email connected to your church plant's website instead of Gmail.com, Yahoo.com, etc. adds the appearance of legitimacy and establishes professionalism. Also, this allows people to copy and paste your website from your email address into their web browser and access your website once it's set up.Use an email marketing service. There are all kinds of email marketing websites, even sites connected to church data management software. As soon as possible, start using a service (we suggest mailchimp because it's free up to 2,000 contacts). Using an email marketing service helps to manage and organize your contacts while sending a well-designed email. Yes, you still send personal emails to people using your standard email but this is key as you grow the amount of people you reach. Group and sort your audiences.It's best to gather your email addresses and contact information according to the function and role of the individual. Here are a few examples of ways to group and sort your audiences:Prayer TeamFinancial SupportersLaunch TeamGeneral InterestThis also helps you to capture the attention of those who aren't interested in being involved until the official launch of your church plant. As you grow as a church, people can pick and choose which category of emails they're interested in receiving-- or even opt out of receiving emails.Discover your own frequency and rhythm for sending emails.The context of your church plant determines your frequency and rhythm-- and determining this comes with time, as well as trial-and-error. Monthly updates to financial supporters, weekly emails to your church plant's launch team, and other email types are valuable rhythms to start with, and adjust as needed. Emails sent too frequently are often ignored, whereas emails sent too sparingly give time for contacts to lose interest. Subject lines matter.For great examples of email subject lines, check out Bridges in Nashville and subscribe on their website's email newsletter submission form. Pastor Kurtis Parks sends some great email newsletter subject lines.The truth is, it doesn't matter how incredible your email is if no one is interested enough to open it. You don't want click-bait that misrepresents what your email is about, or titles that express every single email contains essential information: but you do want to attract interest and make readers curious enough to click on the email.Use more pictures and less words.You only have a few seconds of your reader's attention once they open your email. Don't show big blocks of words at the top or make your email painfully long to read: readers will click away if they're overwhelmed with too much information at once. I recommend a billboard-style approach: blocks of photos with just a bit of essential info that links to further details on your website or elsewhere. Putting the details on your website instead of the body of the email also helps drive clicks to your site, which helps put you higher up in search engine results.Pay attention to your analytics.A day or two after sending an email, check open rates (even see exactly who opened it), link click analytics, and anything else you can see from your email marketing service's data. Take note of where people are clicking for more details to gauge interest in what you're promoting and sharing. The average open rate for non-profit email newsletters is 15-20%, so manage your expectations and use your data to help increase your effectiveness for future newsletters.Drive people to your other channels.Create a path in every email to not only your website, but also to your social media channels and contact information. You'll never be able to reach every person through one channel, but giving individuals opportunities to connect on their favorite platforms will help everyone stay informed and connected to your church plant in the way they prefer. As a general marketing and communication principal you want to create synergy by having your emails drive people to your website and social platforms, you want your social platforms to drive people to your website so you can get their email address, and you want your website to drive them to your church services, small groups, missional communities. Each one of these feeds the other, and creates momentum and multiple channels of communication and ultimately connection. That is what your ultimate goal is connection and relationship, not just open rates and followers. But open rates and followers are often the path to that connection.
22:0417/08/2020
How & Why Should I Raise Financial Support? 2 of 2
Last episode we looked and the foundation of WHY to raise financial support for your church plant. Now we look at the HOW to raise financial support. It is Not an easy process but it is one that will do much more than just raise money. You cast vision and gain ministry partners not just donations.
34:4610/08/2020
How & Why Should I Raise Financial Support? 1 of 2
In this episode we discuss with Dr. Steve Shadrach the WHY behind raising financial support. This looks at some of the biblical reasons and examples of raising financial support along with some of the pragmatic benefits of raising personal funds for church planting.
25:3903/08/2020
How Much Should A Church Planter Be Paid?
Determining the salary of a pastor can be difficult and especially difficult for a church planter since there isn't a history of salary for the church. Here we discuss how to set salary for a church planter.
14:2127/07/2020
When Should I Appoint Elders in the Church Plant
It is critical to have Godly leadership in your church. However it can be very dangerous to rush the process of appointing elders in the church
14:1820/07/2020
Who Should I Be On The Lookout For That Might Destroy The Church?
You will have people that will create division and conflict in your church plant. Listen here to know what to look out for.
24:4513/07/2020
Is It OK to Steal People From Other Churches?
This is one that every church planter will face when developing their launch team. Is it ok for people to come from other churches. How do you handle this with area pastors?
17:2513/07/2020
When & How Should My Church Plant Open A Bank Account
It's time to open up that Bank Account for your Church Plant. Do you go with a local bank, national bank, credit union? What types of services are a must? We answer those here!
20:3413/07/2020
Should My Church Plant Use a Credit Card or Debit Card?
Answering a simple question if your church should use a debit card or credit card. Church finances are important, especially for church plants starting out.
04:3813/07/2020
How Do I Get 501c3 Non-Profit Status?
We cover why you need to apply for 501c3 non profit status for your church plant and the steps you need to take. Whether that applying through your denomination or hiring a lawyer to apply for you.
13:1613/07/2020
What the Heck Are By-Laws, and Who Cares?
08:4911/07/2020
How Do I Apply For An EIN?
04:2011/07/2020
What Is Important When Choosing A Church Name?
So it's time to name your church plant. Well this is fun and exciting. But also can create some anxiety. There are lots to things to think through when selecting a name.
11:3210/07/2020
I Think I'm Going To Plant A Church, Am I Crazy?
Welcome back everyone to 101 questions that church planters ask, I’m your host Danny Parmelee.If you are listening to this episode, chances are you are in the exploratory stage of church planting. Maybe the train is already down the tracks a little bit or you are just kicking the tires or your just not sure at all.Either way, you probably have asked yourself “Am I Crazy? Youve heard church planting is a bit crazy so you’re wondering if you are crazy for considering it.Well let me tell you...Yes you are. Joking aside, what I want to do is discuss a couple aspects of discerning your call to church planting. God’s call is often first recognized by an internal prompting of the Holy Spirit.Something inside of you has sparked to the idea that God may be calling you to step out in faith in a huge way.This internal prompting is often related to external circumstances. For example maybe you are part of a church plant and you’ve seen how God has used it in individuals lives or used it to impact the the entire city you live in. God’s now captured your heart for church planting because of a positive experience.On the flip side sometimes God’s call to church planting comes out of what some call a Holy Discontent. As you look around at the church or churches you’ve been part of you sense that church could be done differently to reach more people Of course I caution against pride, ego, and bitterness. I promise you, you don’t want to plant a church if this is your driving motivation. On the other hand, many planters (myself included) saw that my generation was becoming more and more absent from the church and it burdened me with a passion to innovate the way church was done, without changing the gospel message. All this to say that I encourage you to examine what is prompting you to considering planting a church. There are probably multiple things so sort through each of those and ask God to affirm the good intentions and confess and repent of the sinful motivations. I promise you, this will not be a onetime process, you likely will be praying these same prayers over and over again many even many years into the church plant.If you find out that your motivation to plant is simply to prove something, to get back at the church that just fired you, or because you think you’re just so much more awesome than everyone else. I beg you DON’t Plant a church. Being a church planter can be the most amazing experience. I think that is why many are drawn to it. But church planting is NOT for the faint of heart. Take a look at some of those in bible and you will see what I mean. If you want to know what the life of a church planter is really like, take the words of the Apostle Paul for example in 2nd Corinthians 11 where he He says “ “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones,three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiledand have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. To me this is the perfect job description for planting a church. So yea, if you’re NOT asking “Am I crazy for wanting to plant a church? Then you probably really don’t have a good understanding what church planting is all about.I know he was not a church planter, but my favorite biblical call to ministry was the prophet Ezekiel. I was drawn to his call as a young church planter. I won’t read it but in Ezekiel chapter 3 you get a glimpse into Ezekiel's call from God. What I love so much about his call is that God makes clear that he is called to a people BUT that not all the people will listen, follow, obey. God doesn’t promise him a “successful” ministry. Instead God asks him to be faithful to preaching the Word no matter the reaction or result. Most church planters imagine themselves on stage, preaching to the crowd, people nodding and coming to Christ. Followers and leaders lining up behind them and their amazing vision… And YES some of this will happen. BUT, you will have much more resistance to your message, method, and strategy than you can imagine. God prepares Ezekial by saying “I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint.” Ez 3:9If you’re the type of person who can’t take criticism, rejection, rebellion, difficult people…. church planting probably isn’t for you.It may sound like I”m talking you out of church planting. You’re onto something. I think that church planting is part of God’s amazing plan for the gospel to flourish and grow. I love church planting and love church planters. I also know if the wrong people try and do it, it can tear apart their lives, other people’s lives, and even discredit Christ and His Church in that community. This brings me to the next part of discerning Gods call. You shouldn’t rely only on internal promptings.Proverbs 11:14 says “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. It is imperative that your call is affirmed by others. This is much more than asking your mom if she thinks you are capable. Or asking your friends if they think you have what it takes. I’m not...
13:0809/07/2020
What is this podcast all about and why was it started?
Just a little introduction of myself and my background in launching epikos church in Milwaukee, WI in 2005. What started in our living room grew to over 2,000 people on 3 campuses. The format of this podcast will be very simple answering of questions that I've heard many times in coaching church planters AND your opportunity to submit your questions on www.churchplantersask.com
02:4501/05/2020