If you’re planning to plant a new church, your church’s or denomination’s leadership will usually want you to present some kind of formal proposal to them.

This outlines your reasons and rationale for planting, identifies the people you’re seeking to reach with the good news of Jesus, and lays out in brief form your plans to plant.

The benefits of a formal proposal are many! It establishes clear expectations and boundaries in terms of leadership, resources, people, and finances, it helps people pray specifically, it assists with clear and transparent communication, and it allows the leaders God has raised up in your church to ask questions, point out things you may not have thought of, and to encourage you and be encouraged.

This proposal document example is a slightly modified version of the original planting proposal for Trinity Church Mount Barker, which was established in 2010.