RESIDENCY LABS » EARLY YEARS LAB

The Early Years Lab

Navigate the Challenges of
Early Church Planting

The Early Years Cohort provides church planters with hands-on coaching, peer support, and practical guidance to navigate the critical early years of establishing a healthy, sustainable church.

This Lab Is For You If…

You are trying to figure out your role in God’s mission and how your gifts fit into ministry.

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CAN YOU RELATE?

You’ve learned a lot, but you’re looking for practical ways to apply it in real ministry settings.

You want to grow in ministry, but it’s hard to fit training into your already full life.

“Unlike other vocations, ministry work has no formal arrangement for ongoing learning and development, no requirements for continuing education, and no structured place for peer collaboration and assessment.”
-Bob Burns, Resilient Ministry

We get it,
ministry is hard.

All forms of ministry can be hard – and church planting is its own unique niche within ministry. Planting comes with its own questions and needs, its specific doubts and wonders, and its seemingly-endless roller coaster loneliness of emotions.

You don’t have
to do ministry alone.

Coaching & Community for Lasting Impact

Guided coaching on vital principles, with a group of peers in your first three years of planting.

Study after study shows that leadership development and peers you can trust vastly improve both a minister’s experience and a planter’s sustainability.  

01


Spiritual Growth and Formation

• Deepened personal faith & leadership growth, through regular prayer, reflection, & conversation.

• Opportunities for spiritual renewal & discernment, for both your household & church ministry.


02


Ministry Coaching & Hands-On Experience

• Regular, guided & peer coaching to meet you in your specific situations, needs, & step in the journey

• Exposure to different areas of church leadership (preaching, discipleship, pastoral care, etc.)


03


Lifelong Resources

• Strengthened leadership & confidence.

• Lifelong connections with mentors, trainers, & peers.

• Greater spiritual depth & readiness for various aspects of ministry.


*IF One-time payment BY SEPT 1; $1995 if THREE separate payments

$ 1,800 USD*

Can’t afford that price?

Following TEG’s “pay-what-you-can” policy, let us know what you can pay here.

Your Cost Includes…

✓ All online and print materials

✓ 8 Monthly Gatherings (Sept - April, incl. 2 with spouses)

✓ 2 Retreats (Aug & May; lodging & meals included)

✓ One-on-one coaching sessions + availability as needed

✓ Free admission to Plant Fort Worth & Equipping Group events

Additional Costs

  • Travel costs to Lab Weeks (covered by residents/churches)

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Who Are your trainers?

Hey, we’re Kaynenn & Ben—your
coaches for this lab.

Kaynenn was born and raised in the Boston area. He is a pastor of Pillar Church in Fort Worth, has a passion for community engagement, and desires to see the church equipped to be culture shapers and community pillars for the glory of God and the enrichment of its residents. Kaynenn has a beautiful wife and three lovely little girls, and loves expository preaching, presuppositional apologetics, rap music, basketball (Celtics) and football (Patriots).

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.

Every year is a little different, given the specific needs of each planter and that year’s cohort together. But throughout the year, our early years content is split fairly evenly between “personal” focus (on the planter’s heart, soul, family, etc.) and “ministry” focus (on your plant, plans, roadblocks, etc.), all through the lenses of prayerful Spirit-ledness; fruitful multiplication; and gospel-centered disciple-making, for the kingdom of God.

  • Common planting mistakes and myths

  • Leadership and team

  • Vision- and culture-drip

  • Decision-making and hard conversations

  • Conflict and discipline

  • Leader development and appreciation

  • Funding realities

  • Scalable systems

  • Community and kingdom engagement

  • Time management & priorities

  • Prayer and dependence

  • Rhythms of rest

  • Leader development and appreciation

  • Funding realities

  • Scalable systems

  • Community and kingdom engagement

  • Time management & priorities

  • Prayer and dependence

  • Rhythms of rest

The Process

  • Kick-Off Retreat

    Our kick-off retreat is Mon-Tues, Sept 9-10, 2024: we’ll get to know each other, pray and play together, and set the vision and content for the coming year (*Optional: stick around for Plant Fort Worth’s monthly leader lunch Wed, Sept 11, with guest TBD)

  • Monthly Gatherings

    Each monthly gathering of the Early Years Cohort includes practical training on key church planting challenges, interactive discussions with experienced coaches, and peer collaboration, along with monthly prep work, guided reflections, and dedicated Q&A sessions to ensure actionable growth and real-time problem-solving.

  • Prep Work

    Each month’s gathering builds on prep work and reflection on a specific and necessary aspect of a church plant’s early days – these principles carry across multiple denominations, ministry philosophies, and mission fields.

  • Gathering Content

    Each session involves a mix of peer learning, Q&A, and exhortation/advice around that month’s principle with seasoned planters and trainers Ben Connelly (Founder of The Equipping Group) and Kaynenn Parker.

  • Follow Up Work

    You’re sent out each month with a specific action step or two, and Ben or Kaynenn will be happy to discuss/debrief with you, including two one-on-one calls throughout the school year as you work toward implementation in your specific church plant.

  • Closing Retreat

    Our closing retreat is overnight in early May, 2025 (dates TBD): spouses are invited to join you, for a touch of rest, celebration, & prayer, as we look back & look forward to end our year.

What is a monthly gathering?

Monthly gatherings are in-person sessions. Each session involves a mix of peer learning, Q&A, and exhortation/advice around that month’s principle with seasoned planters and trainers Ben Connelly (Founder of The Equipping Group) and Kaynenn Parker (Pastor of Pillar Church).

These gatherings are generally Wednesday mornings, monthly dates TBA Sept - Apr, 9:30a - 12:30p and include lunch. Two months we move to an evening dinner, where spouses join.

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FAQ

Still have questions?
Here are some answers.

  • Any planter within your first few years of having started. “Starting” can mean many things, so in general, we’ll follow whatever it means to you.

    If you’re gearing up to a future plant, we’d love for you to join a residency or take ourChurch Planting Primercourse.

    If you’re an existing church leader, we’d love to help you create a residency this Fall, or take our “Sent Churches, Sending Churches” course.

    Or if you have questions, let us know. Applicants should be at least 22 years-old, with confirmed leadership experience, who is looking to lead/serve within a ministry organization the future.

  • Price includes prep work/follow-up materials; exclusive content; 2 retreats (incl. lodging & meals); 8 monthly cohort gatherings; 2x one-on-one coaching; & availability as needed.

    Can’t afford that price? Following TEG’s “pay-what-you-can” policy, let us know what you can pay here.

    Cohort participants also get free access to TEG’s “Church Planting Primer digital course, as well as our “Trailhead” Community during your involvement: interact with experienced practitioners around monthly themes, ask & answer questions, get discounts on other trainings, + bonus content, some freebies, & more.

Ready to Start?

We are here to help you
find your fit for mission and ministry.

You May Also Be Interested In …

  • Church Planting Residency Lab

  • Ministry Discernment Residency Lab

  • Church Planting Primer

  • Sent Churches, Sending Churches