Church Planters Ask – Details, episodes & analysis

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Serve with Purpose – Meet tangible needs without reinventing the wheel. Partner with existing organizations to make an immediate, meaningful impact.
4. Build Friendships – Invest time in genuine relationships by showing up consistently, listening well, and being present in community spaces.
5. 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.