RESIDENCY LABS » CHURCH PLANTING LABThe Church Planting Lab
Start a church that fits your unique convictions, leadership, and mission field.
The Church Planting Lab is a collaborative, experiential training designed for you. This 10-month training equips you in practical areas of starting a gospel-centered, Spirit-led, multiplying church. You’ll learn, discuss, practice, and glean from many trainers in a cohort of peers, as your spiritual confidence and ability are bolstered in time-tested church planting/leadership competencies.
This Lab Is For You If…
You are unsure how to create effective disciple-making in today's society.
You are struggling to balance your current jobs or ministries with the demands of starting a new church.
Your family feels unsupported in the church planting process.
Many aspiring church planters feel unsure about how to launch a vibrant, gospel-centered church that truly transforms communities. You’re exploring how your unique gifts can spark a multiplying, Spirit-led congregation. While you've studied the theory, you crave real-world experience to navigate the challenges of starting a church. You’re eager to see both personal and community growth, yet finding practical, flexible training that fits your busy life remains a significant hurdle.
But… what could happen if things were different?
Imagine starting your church planting journey with clarity, confidence, and a solid strategy. Through the Church Planting Lab, you gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, equipping you to overcome challenges and build a thriving, disciple-making community. With ongoing mentorship and family involvement, you step into ministry fully prepared and supported for the road ahead.
Don’t just start a church but
launch a thriving, disciple-making movement!
Take the next step with confidence.
When you complete this residency, you won’t just gain knowledge—you’ll be fully equipped for real ministry. With guidance and hands-on experience, you’ll have the confidence and tools to take your next step in church planting.
01
Clarity & Confidence in Church Planting
Participants will walk away with a well-defined vision, strategy, and practical next steps tailored to their unique calling and mission field. This removes the uncertainty and guesswork from launching a church.
02
Ongoing Support & Coaching
Unlike a one-time training, this lab offers mentorship and coaching throughout the process, ensuring planters stay on track and have a support system when facing challenges.
03
A Stronger, Healthier Family & Ministry Balance
By integrating spouse involvement and real-world application, participants will experience a more sustainable church planting journey that strengthens both their ministry and family life.
Course Pricing
$4,500 USD
One-time payment or split the total into three separate paymentsThat Includes
✓ Online and print materials
✓ Administrative and coaching costs
✓ Lab expenses (food, trainers, activities, etc.)
Additional Costs
Travel costs to Lab Weeks (covered by residents/churches
Local church internship expenses (covered by residents/churches)
Assessment costs (varies per sending organization)
As part of the training, we encourage students to raise 100% of tuition and costs, and scholarships may be available
Resident stipends/salaries vary per sending church, and are worked out between a resident and church. We are happy to discuss funding and support options. Contact Us.
“After completing the Discernment Residency and receiving helpful feedback, we jumped into the Church Planting Residency. We were able to dream about and work through more of the specifics of what everyday ministry and mission would look like for Garden City Church. We really felt the freedom to plant the church that God was calling us to plant for our specific context with continued guidance along the way.”
Carl Young
Garden City Church
Hey, I’m Ben—your
coach for this lab.
Ben is a pastor, author, and equipper who serves disciples, ministry leaders, and church planters through The Equipping Group, Salt+Light Community, and Plant Fort Worth. He has contributed to numerous publications, led church planting efforts, taught at universities and seminaries, and, alongside his wife Jess, raises their three children while occasionally hosting foster kids.
Here’s what you’ll learn.
Class 1: Vision & Culture
LATE AUG - MID-OCT (Lab Week: during the week of Sept. 9) This class considers the ins and outs a church’s vision and org culture, based on the gospel, your convictions, & mission field.
Class 2: Discipleship & Dependence
MID-OCT - DEC (Lab Week: During the Week of Nov 4) This class equips you to shape everything in your church around discipleship, Spirit-ledness, and kingdom priorities.
Class 3: Leadership & Team
JAN - FEB (Lab Week: During the Week of Jan 13) We consider various realities (like trust, conflict, etc) of working as a growing, changing team — and developing new leaders too.
Class 4: Gatherings & Ministries
MAR - APR (Lab Week: During the Week of Mar 17)
We consider gatherings and various ministry strategies, and their place in your church's mission & ministry.
Class 5 : Care & Sustainability
MAY - MID-JUNE (Lab Week: During the Week of May 5) We wrap up by looking beyond Day one of the plant, considering growth, change, and personal/church health “for the long haul.”
The Process
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Training
Engage in 6-8 hours per week of guided learning, including readings, videos, coaching, and hands-on ministry practice.
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Practical Assignments
Participate in bi-monthly on-site Lab Weeks, where you apply what you've learned through real-world ministry experiences.
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Monthly Gatherings
Attend 2-3 day immersive sessions per class, featuring discussions, prayer, hands-on exercises, and expert-led training—all with lodging and meals covered.
What is a lab week?
Each class includes a 2-3 day gathering where you engage in discussions, prayer, hands-on exercises, and training from experienced leaders. Lodging, food, and costs are fully covered.
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DAY 1
9:30am
You arrive for intentional coffee & catch-up. Then you spend time in scripture & prayer together, before discussing your prep work.
Noon
Lunch included.
Afternoon
A regional or national expert in that class’s topics leads an afternoon training, which includes Q&A and exercises.
4pm
Then we leave for dinner, a little fun, & hanging out together. -
DAY 2
9:30am
Today begins with a resident’s sermon & peer feedback, then a morning of experiential learning.
Noon
Lunch included.
Afternoon
The afternoon involves more discussion, training, & exercises.
4pm
Then you’re sent out with prayer and assignments.Day 2 begins with a resident’s sermon & peer feedback, then a morning of experiential learning & lunch.
Schedule
Still have questions?
Here are some answers.
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The Ministry Discernment Lab is not general leader training; it’s for group leaders, lay leaders, and ministry staff who feel compelled toward a further vocation in gospel-centered, Spirit-led, missional ministry. Your “raw materials” must be affirmed by your wife and by ministry leaders; you want help discerning your calling and fit on a ministry team. The process is designed for the “working man/woman,” to fit within ~6-8 hrs/wk, plus Lab Weeks.
Applicants should be at least 22 years-old, with confirmed leadership experience, who is looking to lead/serve within a ministry organization the future.
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We are working on academic credit through Western Seminary (Portland, OR), which would transfer variably by institution. We are also coordinating with Grimké Seminary (Richmond, VA) on receiving course credit for your Lab work. Email hi@equippinggroup.com for more info. Academic credit incurs institutional charges.
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The Ministry Discernment Lab costs $4050 ($450/mo, Sept - May). Tuition covers online and print materials, administrative and coaching costs, and all Lab expenses (incl. food, trainers, trainers, activities, etc.). Residents/churches cover travel costs to Lab Weeks, and any expenses for your local church internship. As part of the training, we encourage you to raise 100% of tuition and costs, and scholarships may be available
Assessment costs exist separate from the Lab process, and vary per sending organization. And resident stipends/salaries vary per sending church, and are worked out between a resident and church. We are happy to discuss funding and support options with you.
Ready to Start?
We are here to help you
find your fit for mission and ministry.