The Urban Church Planter’s Survival Guide: How to Build a Dope Church When Resources Are Tight
Church in inner-city neighborhood
Urban church planting ain’t easy.
If you're planting a church in the city, especially as a Black or Brown leader, you already know the struggle is different.
This ain’t for the suburbs. This ain’t a blueprint for unicorn churches with million-dollar budgets. This is real talk, straight from the trenches.
Welcome to The Urban Church Planter’s Survival Guide.
Here’s how to build a RHINO church—resilient, rooted, and ready for the long haul.
Table of Contents (hyperlinked)
Why Most Church Plants Fail ( And Why This Guide Exist)
My Story: The Journey of an Urban Church Planter
In 2010, my mentor asked, “What if you planted a church?” That question set me on a path I couldn’t have imagined.
I cut my teeth at Providence Church in Lehigh Acres, then trained in Camden, NJ, under Dr. Doug Logan at Epiphany Fellowship. In 2016, my family and I planted Epiphany Baltimore—a church born in the aftermath of the Freddie Gray uprising in a city with 300+ murders a year and deep racial divides.
Charlie Mitchell Epiphany Baltimore, 2018
It wasn’t just ministry. It was war.
I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at the start. My wife battled a chronic illness while raising our three kids. We lost funding, friendships, and faced the brutal financial strain of urban church planting.
But we built something real.
We pioneered The Lab, a missional content studio that kept us connected through the pandemic. We merged with another church to form Hopeville, a thriving, diverse community. Against all odds, we raised over $1 million, moving toward self-sustainability with a church made up of real Baltimoreans.
We weren’t outsiders looking to gentrify. We were co-builders, shaping a church for and with the people of Baltimore.
Now, I’m here to share some of what we learned so you can navigate the challenges ahead.
The Harsh Reality: Most Don’t Make It
Urban church planting is often romanticized as a bold, exciting calling.
But the cold, hard truth is that most church plants don’t survive.
Studies show that 50-80% of new churches close their doors within five years.
The dream doesn’t match the reality.
Why? A few key reasons:
1. Money is too Tight
Church planting requires money. It takes way more bread than most planters realize.
Between venue costs, equipment, outreach, staffing, and operational expenses, many church plants struggle to stay afloat. Urban church planting adds an extra layer of challenge, as higher costs and economic disparities in many communities make traditional funding models difficult.
Most planters assume money will just show up.
It won’t.
Without a clear financial strategy, your church may never get off the ground.
That’s why you’ve gotta become a professional.
2. Leadership Crashing Out
When you plant a church, you don’t just preach on Sundays.
You’re the pastor, counselor, fundraiser, strategist, administrator, community advocate, the sound guy and janitor.
Most planters underestimate the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll this takes. They start with high expectations but quickly crash under the weight of exhaustion and unmet expectations.
Church planting is a marathon, not a sprint—but too many pastors burn out before they reach year three.
3. The Emotional Toll of Failure
When a church plant struggles…or fails. It’s more than just an organizational loss. It’s a personal and spiritual crisis for the planter.
Feelings of failure and disappointment can be overwhelming.
Marriages are strained under the pressure.
Depression and self-doubt swoop in.
For many, a failed church plant leads to years of healing and rebuilding. Some never fully recover from the pain of it.
The Goal of This Guide
Church planting in the city requires more than just passion and faith. It requires:
Realistic expectations
A solid financial and leadership strategy
A support system that won’t let you burn out
A mindset of resilience and adaptability
This guide exists to give you the real talk, practical steps, and battle-tested wisdom that will help you plant a church that lasts.
I want to help you avoid the common pitfalls, learn from my mistakes, and build something that truly makes an impact in your city.
So let’s get started.
2. RHINO Churches Don’t Die: You Must Be Built for the City
What Is a RHINO Church?
Rhino in muddy landscape
I just got back from taking my kids to Animal Kingdom, where we went on a safari tour.
As we rode through the Disney African savanna, we saw all kinds of animals in their “natural habitat”, but one in particular caught my attention, the rhino.
There they were, covered in mud, moving through the terrain with power and ease. What struck me was how many people assume rhinos are slow, clumsy, or even unintelligent, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The tour guide dropped a fact that stuck with me: these massive creatures, some weighing up to 8,000 pounds, can run up to 30 or 40 miles per hour. That’s fast for something that big.
And right then, I realized this is the kind of church we need to be building.
RHINO churches are tough, resilient, and built to survive in high-pressure environments.
They aren’t glamorous or flashy, but they thrive where others can’t. In the urban church planting world, people are always looking for unicorn churches, the rare, overnight success stories, but I’m here to tell you that unicorns don’t exist.
Unicorns vs. RHINOs
The Myth of the Unicorn Church
In the startup world, venture capitalist Aileen Lee coined the term “unicorn startup” to describe a privately held company that reaches a $1 billion valuation, something so rare that it’s almost mythical.
Likewise, in church planting, we have our own version of “unicorn churches.”
These are the churches that:
Launch with thousands in attendance right out of the gate.
Raise millions of dollars before they even open their doors.
Have a celebrity leader who gains national influence almost overnight.
Grow at an explosive rate, often becoming the model everyone else tries to follow.
But here’s the truth: any time you investigate a unicorn church, you start to see holes in the story.
A multi-millionaire philanthropist was backing them.
The pastor was already a well-connected influencer in the region.
The church was launched as an expansion campus of an already thriving megachurch.
And even if none of those factors were in play, fast-rising stars tend to crash just as quickly.
Unicorns, as exciting as they sound, aren’t real.
So if you’re a church planter, stop chasing unicorns. And if you’re a network or denomination, stop trying to manufacture them.
When we elevate unicorn leaders too quickly, we set them up for failure. The pressure of rapid growth often leads to moral failure, exhaustion, or burnout.
The RHINO Church: Built for the Mission, Not the Spotlight
Instead of looking for unicorn success, we need to embrace the RHINO mentality.
RHINO churches are different.
They intentionally plant in hard places.
They embrace the mess of real discipleship.
They build for the long haul, not for quick wins.
These churches don’t always look impressive at first glance, but they are resilient, agile, and designed to thrive under pressure.
In the modern era, where we are navigating digital Babylon, political divisions, racial and economic tensions, and a shifting church culture, RHINOs are the ones who will endure.
The RHINO Church Framework: 6 Key Traits
West Baltimore
A RHINO church isn’t just about survival, it’s about thriving in tough environments while staying faithful to the mission. Here’s what makes them different:
R – Resilient
Rhinos have thick skin. They can take hits and keep moving forward.
Urban church planters face unique challenges: financial struggles, opposition, personal attacks, and spiritual warfare. But RHINO leaders don’t quit when things get hard, they adapt and press on.
H – Humble Muscle
Strength in discipleship, not just crowds.
Spiritual formation isn’t just for suburban hipsters.
RHINO churches focus on building strong believers, not just filling seats. They aren’t chasing viral moments or applause, they are grounded in deep discipleship, spiritual maturity, and real community.
I – Intentional & Innovative
A RHINO church moves with purpose. It doesn’t just chase trends.
Urban churches can’t afford to be outdated or out of touch—but they also can’t be trend-chasers with no real mission.
RHINO churches read the culture, pivot when needed, and engage people in relevant, meaningful ways.
N – Neighbor-Focused
RHINO churches are deeply embedded in their communities.
They don’t just parachute in, set up shop, and expect people to come. They listen, serve, and build trust. Their impact is measured not just by Sunday attendance, but by the transformation happening in the lives of the people they serve.
O – Optimistic
Despite the challenges, RHINO leaders don’t lose hope.
They believe in redemption, restoration, and long-term transformation. They don’t ignore the realities of violence, poverty, or brokenness—but they also don’t let those things define the future of their people.
S – Strategic
RHINO churches fight smart.
They leverage limited resources, focus their energy where it matters, and refuse to waste time on ineffective strategies.
These leaders know how to stretch a dollar, maximize their team’s talents, and stay laser-focused on the mission.
You Were Made to Be a RHINO
In the world of church planting, you have a choice.
You can chase the illusion of unicorn success by trying to launch big, raise millions, and gain influence overnight…
…or you can embrace the RHINO mindset—being resilient, humble, innovative, neighbor-focused, optimistic, and strategic.
Unicorns don’t last.
RHINOS do.
Which one will you be?
3. The Dumbest Mistakes Planters Make (And How to Dodge ‘Em)
Charlie Mitchell, Baltimore 2020
I’ve seen too many passionate, well-meaning leaders step into church planting with a vision from God, only to hit wall after wall until they’re burned out, broke, and questioning everything.
So, you feel called to plant a church in the city?
I respect that.
But before you burn through your savings, sanity, and spirit, let’s break down the biggest mistakes that take church planters out…and how you can build something that lasts.
I made a lot of mistakes as a parachute planter.
Mistake #1: Trying to Please Everyone—Your Church Ain’t for Everybody
One of the fastest ways to crash and burn is trying to be everything to everyone.
I’ve watched church planters twist themselves into pretzels trying to appeal to:
Young professionals
Families with kids
College students
Empty nesters
Longtime neighborhood residents
And what happens? Their message gets watered down, their team gets stretched too thin, and they end up connecting deeply with nobody.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Get crystal clear on your calling.
Spend serious time in prayer and reflection. Who specifically are you called to reach? What’s the unique contribution your church is meant to make? Don’t settle for vague answers like “urban professionals” or “the neighborhood.” Get specific.
Lean into your authentic voice.
Folks in the city can smell fakeness from a mile away. The moment you start pump fakin’ to try and fit in, you lose credibility. The very thing that makes you unique is what will attract the right people.
Learn to say ‘no’ early and often. Every “yes” to something outside your mission is a “no” to something central to it.
Be ruthlessly focused…especially in the early days.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Your City’s Culture—Context Is Everything
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen church planters drop cookie-cutter ministry models into completely different cultural contexts and then wonder why they’re not connecting.
Just because something worked in Portland doesn’t mean it’ll work in Port Arthur.
What resonated in Nashville might fall flat in New Orleans.
Avoid This Mistake
Become a student of your city.
And I don’t mean just reading demographic reports. I’m talking about deep immersion:
Where do people hang out? Go there.
What are the neighborhood gathering spots? Become a regular.
Who are the respected voices? Listen to them.
What’s the rhythm of the neighborhood? Adapt to it.
Listen twice as much as you speak. Before you start offering solutions, make sure you understand the community's real needs, desires, and pain points. Spend your first 3-6 months just listening and learning.
Find cultural translators.
What is water ice?
Snowball Stand in Baltimore
In the early days of Epiphany Baltimore, we made a dumb missional mistake. We wanted to meet folks in the neighborhood, hear their stories, and tell them about our new church that was coming soon.
The plan was simple: hand out Italian ice on the street on a hot day and see what happens.
After 2 hours of standing in the sun on North Ave. (a busy street for cars and pedestrians), maybe one person took a free Italian ice.
Here’s why… Trevor is from Jersey, they dont have “Italian ice” in Jersey, they have “water ice.” I’m from Florida, and we have “Italian ice,” but it’s from Rita’s.
People in Baltimore, we learned after two long hours, dont call it “water ice” (which sounds repetitive IMO) or “Italian ice,” they are all about “snowballs,” not snowcones, “snowballs.”
When we started using that lingo, people grabbed em up and we had some interesting conversations.
In other words, you need longtime residents and key community leaders who can help you understand the unspoken rules of your neighborhood.
These people are worth their weight in gold.
Respect what came before you. Your city had a spiritual history long before you showed up. Honor the churches and leaders who have been faithfully serving for decades.
Mistake #3: Thinking Money Will Just Show Up—Financial Naivety Will Kill You And The Plant
I’ve watched too many visionary leaders launch with passion and prayer but no actual financial plan.
Six months in, they’re working three jobs, their family is suffering, and the dream is dying on the vine.
Urban ministry is very expensive, and hope is not a financial strategy.
Avoid This Mistake
Create a realistic budget. Then add 30% to it, because everything will cost more than you expect. Your budget needs to include:
Your personal salary (Yes, you need to get paid)
Meeting space costs (which are higher in cities)
Equipment and tech needs
Outreach and community engagement
Marketing and communication
A contingency fund for unexpected expenses
Diversify your funding sources from day one.
Don’t rely exclusively on:
Denominational support (which often decreases after year one over three years)
Core team giving (which fluctuates more than you think)
Your personal savings (which will run out fast)
Instead, build a financial model that includes:
Individual supporters outside your launch community
Partner churches that commit for 3-5 years (minimum)
Micro-enterprises that generate supplemental income
Strategic grants for specific community initiatives
Bi-vocational approaches where appropriate
Talk about money openly and honestly.
From the beginning, create a culture of financial transparency. Share the real costs of ministry and invite people into meaningful partnerships.
Mistake #4: Relying Too Much on Outside Support—The Outsider Dependency Trap
Many church planters get caught in a dangerous cycle:
They secure funding from networks or denominations based outside their context, but that support often comes with expectations that don’t align with urban realities.
The hard truth: Many church planting networks give funding but lack strategy for urban contexts.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Partner wisely. Choose networks that actually understand urban ministry challenges and have realistic expectations about pace, growth, and metrics.
Develop local sustainability from the start. Your goal should be financial self-sufficiency within 3-5 years. This means investing heavily in developing local leaders and givers from day one.
Set clear expectations with outside supporters. Help them understand what success actually looks like in your context.
Build a diverse support team. Include people who understand urban ministry challenges and can advocate for you when traditional metrics don’t tell the whole story.
Pro Tip: Beware of taking every speaking engagement in larger suburban churches. While this is a helpful strategy for raising support, having a “platform” bigger than the congregation you’re building can lead to questioning your calling, resentment, and a disconnect from the mission.
Mistake #5: Neglecting Your Own Soul
This might be the most important point of all.
The hard truth: You cannot pour from an empty cup.
Urban ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Build rhythms of rest from the beginning. Don’t wait until you’re burned out to establish:
A true Sabbath practice (a full 24 hours disconnected from church work)
Regular retreats for prayer and reflection
Boundaries around family time
Exercise and sleep routines that sustain your energy
Find your own pastor. You need someone who can minister to you, someone you don’t have to lead or impress.
Create accountability outside your plant. Surround yourself with other planters and mentors who will ask you the hard questions about your health and sustainability.
This is why Maroon House exists, most urban planters don’t have a community of other urban pastors who truly understand their struggles. If you want community, lock in with us.
Measure success differently. Reject the metrics that will destroy you (attendance, giving, social media engagement) and embrace the ones that actually matter:
Faithfulness
Community transformation
Discipleship depth
The Way Forward: Building Something That Lasts
If you avoid these common mistakes, you won’t just survive, you’ll build something deeply rooted that can serve your city for generations.
Remember:
Your specific calling is your strength.
Your cultural awareness is your credibility.
Your financial plan is your runway.
Your sustainability is your legacy.
The urban church doesn’t need more flash-in-the-pan church plants that burn bright and fade quickly.
We need deeply rooted communities that understand their neighborhoods, serve consistently over time, and bring authentic hope to hurting communities.
You got this.
4. Get the Bag: Fund Your Church Without Selling Your Soul
The church planting world is obsessed with size and speed.
Grow fast. Get big. Be “successful.”
But that narrative?
It’s breaking pastors, bankrupting ministries, and burning through resources that could actually be transforming communities.
I’m here to flip the script.
What if I told you that your small church could be financially stable, impactful, and…get this…sustainable?
Not through some miracle offering or a secret donor pipeline, but through strategic thinking and counter-cultural financial wisdom.
Let’s talk about how to actually fund your church for the long haul, without burning yourself out in the process.
Your 4+1 Money Streams
Every full-time church planter needs these four key funding streams—and one extra.
If you don’t have a side hustle, fundraising will be your other full-time role besides planting the church.
1. A Sending Church (The Main Sponsor)
If you have a Sending Church it can serve as your home base. “Sending Church” meaning, the church that’s taking responsibility for you and your plant.
They often:
Handle finances and legal oversight
Provide mentorship and coaching
Offer practical support (staff help, volunteers, etc.)
Give direct financial backing
Pro Tip: Choose a Sending Church that’s invested in your success, not just one that throws the biggest check at you.
You need Commitment over Cash.
2. Denominational or Network Support (Your Tribe)
This is the group of churches that align with you theologically and methodologically. They typically:
Offer funding for 3-5 years, usually on a decreasing scale
Provide training, coaching, and pastoral care
Expect financial updates and accountability
Most networks give anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000, mostly in the first two years.
Know the Rules Before You Play the Game.
Every funding source has different expectations:
Some networks require specific theological alignment.
Some denominations expect rapid growth.
Some funders won’t support you if you don’t fit their model.
Do your homework before you start fundraising.
3. Supporting Churches (Your Pit Crew)
These are churches that aren’t your official Sending Church but still want to see you win.
Some planters lock in:
5-10 churches giving $200-$500/month
30-40 churches giving smaller amounts
Even small commitments add up to consistent, long-term sustainability.
4. Individual Supporters (Your Personal Network)
Your family, friends, and ministry connections can become a powerful financial base.
Most individual supporters give $25-$100/month and they often turn into your most passionate advocates.
Don’t underestimate this. These folks:
Spread the word about your church.
Pray for you regularly.
Often become your first core members.
5. A Side Hustle (Nobodies Business Money)
Your side hustle is using your unique skills and abilities to cover personal bills or provide extra financial security.
Let’s be real:
The church doesn’t need to be all up in your pockets about everything.
Want to buy Jordans? Hustle for it.
Want to take your wife on a nice date? Side hustle.
Need extra financial cushion? Find a way to make money outside the church.
Some planters teach, write, consult, or invest—others drive Uber or do freelance work.
Whatever it is, keep it rolling.
The Lean Start-Up Method
When we planted in Baltimore, we had few connections and even fewer resources. We had to get creative about how we launched and built a community from scratch.
The Blue Truck, Epiphany Baltimore 2017
Applying Lean Startup Principles to Church Planting
Instead of blowing your entire budget on a huge launch, take a Lean Start-Up approach:
Create-Measure-Learn Cycle
Create (Experiment): Start small and strategic instead of launching with a full-scale Sunday service.
Examples:
A weekly community dinner
A Bible study in a coffee shop
A service project for local needs
A pop-up worship gathering
Measure (Gather Data): Track real engagement, not just attendance.
Ask these questions:
How many new relationships did we form?
How many people came back?
What are the felt needs of the people attending?
Learn (Iterate & Pivot):
Adjust based on feedback.
Move Quickly
Expand what works.
Drop what doesn’t.
Stay flexible.
Why Small Churches Can Be Financially Stable (If Done Right)
Let me say this loud for the folks in the back:
Small does NOT mean broke.
Small does NOT mean ineffective.
Some of the most financially stable churches I know have under 150 people.
The Small Church Advantage
Lower overhead costs (no need for a massive building or staff)
Agility to pivot quickly (adjust finances as needed)
Deeper community connections (people give to relationships, not just organizations)
Creative & efficient with resources (no wasteful spending)
The problem?
Most small churches struggle financially because they try to act like a megachurch.
Right-Sizing Your Ministry
Staff appropriately (first hires should multiply capacity, not drain finances).
Find flexible meeting spaces (don’t lock into high-rent buildings too soon).
Leverage partnerships (share resources with other churches instead of duplicating costs).
“F” The 3-Year Rule: You Need a Long Financial Runway (5-7 Years)
Forget the 3-year funding model. It’s built for suburban churches that have different economic realities.
Here’s an actual timeline for urban ministry:
Years 1-2: Build community and trust.
Years 3-4: Develop leadership and financial sustainability.
Years 5-6: Establish strong local giving.
Year 7+: Reach full self-sufficiency.
Rushing this process doesn’t speed up growth. It short-circuits it.
Building Your Extended Runway
Negotiate for longer funding timelines (staggered support over more years).
Build a partner church coalition (5 churches giving moderately for 5 years > 1 church giving big for 3 years).
Cultivate a “sustainability squad” (15-20 individual supporters committed for 5+ years).
Design giving expectations that scale up over time.
What to Stop Wasting Money On:
Irrelevant Merch. Nobody needs another black t-shirt with your church logo.
Make merch that people actually want to wear and use.
Create hyper-local designs that rep your neighborhood.
Unnecessary Tech
That $20,000 lighting rig?
Not bringing anyone closer to Jesus.
Buy only what you need.
Upgrade only when absolutely necessary.
Outdated Marketing Strategies
Postcards, door hangers, and generic social media ads? FOR WHAT??? Wasting your money.
Invest in relationship-building events.
Build an authentic digital presence.
Use targeted digital ads strategically.
The Path to Financial Health: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
You must pace yourself.
Small churches CAN thrive financially. But it doesn’t have to be a constant struggle with the right game plan in place.
Don’t play someone else’s game. Be exactly who and what God called you to be no more, no less.
That’s not just good ministry. That’s good financial stewardship.
Keep going. Your city needs you.
Need Help With Your Church Plant or Ministry?
Maroon House exists to coach urban leaders like you. Book a session or join the community today.
🔗 Book a Coaching Session
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5. Squad Goals: Who to Build With (And Who To Stiffarm)
Trevor Chin, Carl Felton III, Charlie Mitchell (Baltimore, 2022)
Urban church planters start with limited resources and personnel, so building the right team is crucial.
You don’t need a full worship band on day one BTW, what you need is a lean, strategic team that can scale as the church grows.
The key is to maximize impact with minimal personnel, avoiding ministry potholes while setting up a sustainable structure for growth.
Strategic Roles for a Lean Church Planting Team
1. The Planter (Visionary & Lead Communicator)
Your primary job: Cast vision, preach the gospel, and build people.
Key Responsibilities:
Vision Keeper – Keeps the team aligned with mission and values.
Discipleship Developer – Creates clear pathways for spiritual growth.
Lead Communicator – Handles preaching, teaching, and relational connection.
How to Avoid Common Pitfalls:
Skill Potholes: Keep ministry simple and replicable, don’t overcomplicate your processes.
Pastoral Potholes: Care for your team. Valued leaders stick around.
Communication Potholes: Clarify expectations and keep everyone in the loop.
Pro tip: To learn more about “Volunteer Potholes” where folks fall off in the church. Check out this article here 🔗
Practical Strategies:
Weekly team huddles to reinforce vision.
Simple leadership pathways for onboarding new leaders.
Use clear communication tools (Google Calendar, Facebook groups, etc.).
2. The Operations Partner (Systems & Execution Leader)
Handles logistics, administration, and execution, keeping the church running smoothly.
Key Responsibilities:
Creates schedules and systems to avoid confusion.
Ensures alignment across ministries (no silos).
Structures volunteer roles to fit real-life capacity (so people don’t burn out).
Practical Strategies:
Use Planning Center, Excel, or a simple Google Doc to organize schedules.
Implement a yearly calendar to handle volunteer rhythms.
Develop system to follow up with volunteers and new attendees (texts > mass emails).
3. Core Leadership Team (3-5 Trusted Volunteers)
These leaders take on specific areas of responsibility to support the church’s day-to-day function.
Key Roles:
The Shepherd (Pastoral Care Lead)
Focus: Keeps volunteers spiritually and emotionally healthy.
Role: Monthly check-ins with team members, prayer support, and community-building.
The Host (Hospitality & First Impressions Lead)
Focus: Creates a warm, welcoming culture for guests and volunteers.
Role: Manages setup, refreshments, and guest engagement.
The Worshipper (Worship Lead)
Focus: Guides the musical direction.
Role: Works with singers/musicians to set the tone for worship gatherings.
The Recruiter (Engagement & Outreach Lead)
Focus: Helps new people get involved and matches them to roles.
Role: Hosts quarterly volunteer interest meetings and keeps the team connected to the vision.
The Innovator (Growth & Development Lead)
Focus: Trains and develops new leaders.
Role: Hosts skill-development workshops and ensures volunteers feel equipped.
How to Spot Potential Leaders in Unlikely Places
Your future team is already around you. They just don’t know it yet.
Look for These Traits:
They show up consistently.
They naturally bring others with them.
They’re excited about what’s happening.
Many church planters waste time searching for the “perfect” leader—someone with a polished résumé, charisma, and influence.
That’s a trap.
Urban church planting requires vision-based recruiting. You have to see potential in people before they see it in themselves.
Use the “I see in you…” strategy:
“I see in you the ability to make people feel at home. Have you thought about leading our hospitality team?”
“I see in you a passion for outreach. Would you be willing to help us connect with the community?”
Real Example:
A brother had been coming to our church for a while, and every time he greeted me in the mornings, it was a strong dap and a hug that even I couldn’t shake loose.
It hit me… this guy is a host. He makes people feel seen and valued.
Leaders aren’t always loud, confident, or upfront. Sometimes, they’re the quiet, faithful ones who just need someone to call out the greatness inside them.
The skill you must develop as a planter is the art of people-raising.
Red Flags: People to Watch Out For
The “Needy Folks”
Ministry is about serving people, but some folks just want you to fix their problems, without any real investment in the mission.
Warning: They’ll drain your time, energy, and resources without ever stepping up to serve.
The “Know-It-Alls”
They have all the answers—before they’ve even been part of the process.
Warning: They’ll try to dictate how your church should run instead of building with you.
The “Worship Dude” (With a Trail of Exes)
You know the type.
Always has the latest fashion.
Always has a following.
Has somehow been at every church in the city.
Warning: They’re often more about the platform than the people.
The Church Hopper Trap: Why It’s a Mirage
Attracting church hoppers won’t build a real movement.
At first, it feels good to see new people coming in—especially if they bring energy or finances. But here’s the truth:
They’re Consumers, Not Builders.
Church hoppers shop for churches that fit their needs. They aren’t invested in your vision.
They’re About the Moment, Not the Movement.
They get excited about what’s new but leave as soon as the hype fades.
They create superficial growth.
It might look like your church is blowing up, but if it’s built on hoppers, it’s a house of cards.
Protect Your Vision
Your church doesn’t need more spectators. You need builders.
Your team doesn’t need more complainers. You need committed leaders.
Your church doesn’t need hype. It needs people who will plant roots and grow.
You are building something that will last.
That means you must be discerning about who you let into key roles.
It’s not about being harsh or judgmental, it’s about guarding what God has given you.
Be wise. Be strategic. And build a strong team.
6. Preaching That Hits Different: Reaching a Digital & Distracted City
David Rosa Jr, Hollywood, FL (Cruciform Church)
Urban preaching demands authenticity, cultural fluency, and theological depth, all delivered in a package that resonates with today's listeners.
The old-school "whoop" style has its place, but connecting with today's audience requires a fresh approach that honors both tradition and current cultural context.
The Cultural Landscape
Today's urban congregation has been shaped by multiple influences:
Digital immersion and shortened attention spans
Hip-hop's narrative power and cultural critique
Prosperity gospel fatigue and skepticism
Post-war-on-drugs community trauma
Fatherlessness and disrupted mentorship chains
The Three Levels of Urban Preaching
1. Engage the Skeptic
You must cutting through cynicism and distrust. Urban listeners have finely-tuned authenticity detectors.
Address doubts before they're raised: "I know some of y'all thinking, 'How does this text speak to my situation?'"
Respect intelligence: Don't oversimplify or talk down
Establish credibility early: Show you understand both scripture and streets
Create space for questions: "It's okay if you're not sure about this yet."
2. Equip the Hungry
Many urban believers are starving for substance beyond emotional hype.
Connect dots between theology and daily struggle: "Justification by faith means you don't have to perform to be accepted."
Use scaffolding: Build complex ideas on familiar foundations
Emphasize practical wisdom: Scripture as life navigation tool, not just rules
Create memory hooks: "God's grace is like oxygen, you can't earn it, you just breathe it in!"
3. Empower the Mission-Minded
Every sermon should send people out with concrete action.
Community application: "This week, how might this truth change how we treat our neighbors?"
Personal challenges: Specific, achievable next steps
Kingdom vision: Connect individual actions to broader transformation
Follow-up mechanisms: Create accountability for sermon application
Keeping It Dope & Deep
As Busta Rhymes borrowed from Mary Poppins: "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down."
The dopeness gets attention while the depth creates transformation.
Dopeness Tactics:
Cultural references that resonate: "Like Kendrick said in 'Alright'..."
Contemporary language: Translate theological concepts into current vocabulary
Visual elements: Use images that speak to visual learners
Storytelling excellence: Narrative connects when arguments don't
Rhythmic delivery: Leverage the cadence of urban speech patterns
Depth Essentials:
- Theological precision: Get the gospel right first
- Contextual interpretation: Show how original meaning speaks today
- Exegetical integrity: Don't twist scripture to make your point
- Intellectual challenge: Push beyond comfort zones
- Counter-cultural truth: Some gospel truths will always confront dominant narratives
Practical Delivery Tips
1. Aim for 30-35 minutes: Urban attention spans reward concision
2. Start with connection, not content: Earn the right to be heard
3. Use media and props strategically: Support, don't replace, the message
4. Create dialogue, not monologue: Interactive elements keep engagement
5. End with clear takeaways: "If you remember nothing else..."
Finding Your Voice
You don't need to imitate the whooping preachers. Your authenticity is your greatest asset. The most powerful urban preaching happens when you:
1. Know your people: Their struggles, language, dreams
2. Know your scripture: Deep study transcends trends
3. Know yourself: Leverage your unique voice and story
4. Know your culture: Speak its language without being defined by it
Remember that preaching in urban contexts isn't about performance. It's about translation. You're building bridges between eternal truth and current reality, helping people see their stories within God's bigger story.
Your congregation doesn't need another entertainer. They need a truth-teller who respects their intelligence, understands their context, and believes in their potential to transform communities through gospel living.
Urban preaching at its best is prophecy, speaking God's truth into complex realities with love, wisdom, and cultural fluency.
This is the heritage you're building on and the future you're creating for the next generation of urban believers.
7. Don’t Lose Yourself: Keeping Your Faith and Family Intact
Charlie Mitchell, Deep Creek, MD
Hang in There
I get calls almost every week about another urban pastor who's crashed their life. Another family shattered. Another community left wondering what happened to the person they trusted. Another ministry with potential now sitting empty.
And the most devastating part?
None of these brothers and sisters ever thought it would be them.
Nobody wakes up and plans to have an affair. Nobody intends to burn out so bad they can't get out of bed. Nobody thinks they'll be the one dipping into church funds when bills pile up. Nobody imagines they'll be so spiritually empty they're preaching from fumes while dying inside.
But we are all, every single one of us, just one decision away from losing everything we've built.
Let that sink in.
The Weight of Leadership Is Real
Urban ministry comes with unique pressures:
You're carrying the weight of community trauma
Resources are scarce, while needs are overwhelming
Your people are fighting battles most seminaries never prepared you for
The spiritual warfare in neglected neighborhoods hits different
When I talk to fallen pastors, it's rarely one catastrophic choice that took them out. It's a slow fade: prayer gets shorter, scripture becomes just sermon prep, rest becomes a luxury you "can't afford," and isolation creeps in disguised as busyness.
Reality Check: If you're not spiritually grounded, you won't last. Period.
Here's what spiritual grounding looks like in the concrete jungle:
1. Raw, unfiltered prayer—You need space to tell God when your ministry is trash, when you're angry, and when you're empty. David kept it real in the Psalms; you should, too.
2. Non-ministry scripture time – If the only time you're in the Word is for sermon prep, you're starving yourself. You need bread, you're not serving to others.
3. Confession community—You need at least 2-3 people who know your real struggles, temptations, and doubts. Not your congregation, not your staff, not your family. People who love you enough to call you on your mess.
4. Regular silence—Urban life and ministry are noisy. Your spirit needs regular quiet to hear God's voice over the sirens, demands, and notifications.
5. Accountability with teeth – Soft accountability doesn't work. You need people authorized to ask about your porn habits, your finances, your marriage tensions, and your hidden resentments.
Family First: Your First Ministry
I don't care how fire your church plant is; if your family is burning down, you've failed.
Too many urban planters sacrifice their families on the altar of "kingdom work," not realizing their first ministry is at home. You can plant another church. You can't get another family.
Let me put it plainly:
- Your spouse didn't sign up to be a ministry widow/widower
- Your kids won't understand why strangers got your best while they got your leftovers
- Your church will survive if you take a day off; your marriage might not survive if you don't
Practical Family Protection:
1. Put boundaries in your calendar first—family dinner nights, date nights, kid events, and vacations should be scheduled BEFORE ministry commitments, not after.
2. Create tech-free zones – Your home needs spaces where the phone doesn't come in. Your family deserves undivided attention.
3. Involve without overwhelming – Your family should be part of your ministry, but not swallowed by it. Let them serve by choice, not obligation.
4. Protect your spouse from church drama – They need to know general challenges but shouldn't carry the emotional weight of every ministry crisis.
5. Regular family check-ins – "How is everyone doing right now?" should be a normal conversation, not a crisis discussion.
Finding Your Ride-or-Die Support System
Derrick Parks, Trevor Chin, Charlie Mitchell, Ernest Grant III, Camden, NJ
Urban ministry is too heavy to carry alone. Full stop.
The most dangerous phrase in urban church planting: "I got this." No, you don't. And pretending you do is pride that comes before destruction.
Your support system needs multiple layers:
1. Professional support – A good therapist who understands ministry but isn't impressed by your title is worth their weight in gold. Mental health isn't a luxury; it's maintenance.
2. Pastoral covering – You need a pastor too. Someone further along who's navigated what you're facing and won't judge your doubts and struggles.
3. Peer community – Other urban planters who get the unique challenges without competition or comparison. People you can text "This week is trash" and they'll know exactly what you mean.
4. Cross-cultural mentoring – Someone outside your cultural context who can give perspective when you're too deep in your own situation.
5. Non-ministry friends – People who knew you before "Pastor" was your title and will check you when ministry success starts messing with your head.
When ministry gets heavy—and it will—these are your lifelines. Set this up BEFORE you need it, because when crisis hits, it's too late to build this network.
Sabbath & Rest: Your Revolutionary Act
In urban contexts where urgency never stops, choosing rest is a radical act of faith.
Grinding 24/7 isn't a badge of honor; it's a countdown to collapse. The same hood mentality that says "hustle hard" will destroy your ministry if you apply it uncritically.
The Urban Planter's Rest Revolution:
1. Weekly Sabbath – A full 24 hours when you don't do ministry, check emails, or solve problems. This isn't negotiable. It's the commandment, not a suggestion.
2. Quarterly retreats – Get completely away, even if just for 48 hours, to breathe, pray, and remember who you are beyond your role.
3. Annual sabbaticals—Even a two-week break during which someone else preaches and handles crises can prevent years of burnout recovery.
4. Daily rhythms – Urban intensity requires daily decompression. Find your reset button, whether it's running, creating art, or silent meditation.
5. Sleep discipline – Martyring yourself to sleep deprivation doesn't make you spiritual; it makes you vulnerable to temptation when your defenses are down.
Remember: Jesus stepped away from healing people to pray. If the Son of God needed breaks, what makes you think you don't?
When You Feel It Slipping
Let's talk warning signs that your spiritual foundation is cracking:
Prayer feels like a chore rather than connection
You're irritated by people's needs instead of compassionate
You're envious of other ministries instead of celebrating them
Your preaching has fire but your private worship feels cold
Minor criticism creates major emotional reactions
You fantasize about quitting or running away regularly
Your spouse is raising concerns about your emotional availability
You're finding escape in food, shopping, porn, or social media
When these signs appear—not if, when—it's not weakness to pull back. It's wisdom.
The Restoration Plan
If you're already in the danger zone, here's your emergency protocol:
1. Confess immediately – To God and trusted accountability. Secrets grow in power when hidden.
2. Get professional help – Therapy, coaching, or counseling isn't optional at this point.
3. Restructure responsibilities – What can be delegated or paused while you rebuild your foundation?
4. Retreat and reassess – You need extended time to reconnect with God beyond ministry functions.
5. Rebuild margins – What boundaries need to be reinstated or strengthened?
Urban church planting isn't a sprint! It's an ultra-marathon through rough terrain. Your endurance depends not on your hustle but on your rootedness.
The streets don't need another casualty. Your family doesn't need another statistic. The kingdom doesn't need another gifted leader who crashed because they thought the rules of human limitation didn't apply to them.
Stay grounded. Stay humble. Stay connected.
And remember, the God who called you is more committed to this work than you are. You can rest because ultimately, the weight is on His shoulders, not yours.
What’s Next? Building Your RHINO Church
Charlie Mitchell & City Takers SWFL
You’ve made it through The Urban Church Planter’s Survival Guide. Now it’s time to put it into action.
Urban church planting isn’t about well-thought-out theories. It’s a risk, a calling, and a spiritual move of God. Your next steps will determine whether you build a church that lasts or burn out trying.
Reflection Questions: Evaluating Your Church Plant Strategy
Before you move forward, take a moment to assess where you are. These questions will help you refine your approach and avoid the common pitfalls we covered.
Mission & Vision Clarity
Can you clearly articulate your church’s mission in one sentence?
Who is your specific target community, and what are their deepest needs?
Are you trying to reach too many different groups at once?
Financial Health & Sustainability
Do you have a clear 5-7 year funding plan, or are you relying on short-term support?
What funding sources (sending church, network, donors, side hustle) are strongest, and which need work?
Are you spending money on what actually moves the mission forward, or are there expenses you can cut?
Team & Leadership Development
Do you have a small, committed core team, or are you trying to build too fast?
Have you identified potential leaders in unlikely places?
Are you avoiding red-flag people who will drain or derail your church?
Spiritual & Personal Health
Is your own spiritual life thriving, or are you running on fumes?
How are you protecting your family from ministry burnout?
Do you have a strong support system of mentors, peers, and accountability partners?
Preaching & Cultural Connection
Are you engaging skeptics, equipping believers, and empowering them for mission?
Is your preaching contextualized without compromising theological depth?
Are you relying too much on style, or are you consistently preaching transformational truth?
Resources & Further Reading
Want to go deeper? Here are practical tools to help you build a RHINO church that lasts.
1. Planting in Gotham Book
If this guide hit home, my book Planting in Gotham will take you even further into the grit, strategy, and faith it takes to plant an urban church, through the lens of The Dark Knight Trilogy.
2. The Harmonious Hustle Book
If you feel like your back is against the wall and rest is a luxury for others and not for you, I dare you to grab David Rosa’s book, The Harmonious Hustle, and allow him to challenge your assumptions as a recovering hustler on a mission for God rather than on a mission with God.
2. Coaching & Consulting: Get Personalized Help
Every church plant is unique. That’s why one-size-fits-all strategies don’t work.
Need help crafting a prospectus?
Need guidance on building your launch team?
Need a strategy session to get clarity on your mission?
Book a Coaching Session with me, and let’s create a plan that works for your context.
Schedule a session here: Get Coaching Session
3. Maroon House: A Home for Urban Leaders
You don’t have to do this alone.
Maroon House is a community of urban planters and leaders who get it.
Coaching & Leadership Development
A Network of Like-Minded Urban Pastors
Resources & Retreats for Sustainable Ministry
If you’re serious about building a movement in your community, not just a moment, Maroon House is for you.
Learn more & join here: www.bemaroon.com
Take the Next Step
You’re here because you’re called.
You’ve got the vision, now let’s make sure it lasts.
Here’s what to do next:
Download the discipleship tools & implement one in your church.
Pick one resource above and go deeper.
Book a coaching session if you need a personalized game plan.
Don’t just read this, take action!
The future of urban ministry isn’t about finding unicorns.
It’s about raising up RHINOS.
Let’s build something that lasts.
