RESIDENCY LABS » EARLY YEARS LABThe Early Years Lab
Navigate the Challenges of
Early Church Planting
he 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.
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 through prayer and reflection.
• Opportunities for spiritual renewal and discernment
02
Ministry Training & Hands-On Experience
• A local church residency (3-4 hours/week of practical ministry)
• Exposure to different areas of church leadership (preaching, discipleship, pastoral care, etc.)
03
Lifelong Resources
• Strengthened leadership and communication skills
• A ministry action plan outlining next steps for service
• Lifelong connections with mentors, trainers, and peers
• Greater confidence, spiritual depth, and readiness for ministry
One-time payment or split the total into three separate payments$ 1,665 USD
Can’t afford that price?
Following TEG’s “pay-what-you-can” policy, let us know what you can pay here.
That Includes
✓ Online and print materials
✓ 7 Monthly Gatherings
✓ 2 Retreats lodging & meals included)
✓ 2 one-on-one coaching sessions + availability as needed
Additional Costs
Travel costs to Lab Weeks (covered by residents/churches)
Note:
Participants are also asked to invest in monthly mentoring, of someone a few steps behind you in their process, such as a current resident or someone earlier in planting: simply answer questions, share your experience, pray, etc.
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.
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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Tuesday mornings, monthly dates TBD Oct - Apr, 9:30a - 12:30p and include lunch. One of these months we’ll move to an evening and dinner, where spouses join for a unified conversation.
There is an option for a Tuesday afternoon cohort (in Fort Worth, in Dallas, or online - details TBD)
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 our “Church Planting Primer” course.
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.
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Price includes prep work/follow-up materials; exclusive content; 2 retreats (incl. lodging & meals) & 7 monthly cohort gatherings; 2x one-on-one coaching + availability as needed)
Participants are also asked to invest in monthly mentoring, of someone a few steps behind you in their process, such as a current resident or someone earlier in planting: simply answer questions, share your experience, pray, etc.
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 “Explorers” 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 …
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Church Planting Residency Lab
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Ministry Discernment Residency Lab
-
Church Planting Primer
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Sent Churches, Sending Churches