Starting New Resort Churches

Bo Simms

A majority of the people in the United States are lost and  do not have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Why Do We Need New Churches In Resort Areas?

1. Christ commands us to go into all the world. The  biblical command to make disciples is our primary  motivation. As Christ's followers, we must be obedient to  Him. The Church will multiply as we follow His commands.

2. America has more than 180 million lost people. Resort  communities are often areas of high population growth. All  around us are people who are unaware of Christ's love and  salvation. Resort communities are but one mission field  that needs Christ's love and salvation.

3. Many areas have little or no Southern Baptist witness.  Many resort communities are isolated from other Southern  Baptist churches and many have no strong Southern Baptist  witness.

4. America's ethnic population is growing. The great  cultural diversity within our country demands that  thousands of churches be established so people can hear the  gospel in their native languages and cultural settings.  Resort settings offer many job opportunities that appeal to  a diverse ethnic population.

5. The complexity of our society dictates the need for new  churches. Resort communities share some church starting  factors, which are common to resort communities. These will  be discussed later.

6. New churches usually grow faster than older, established  churches.

7. Cults and other religions are increasing in America.  This is especially true in resort communities.

8. People are often open to a Christian witness in a resort  setting.

Sam Worley of Tahoe Resort Ministries has identified some  key factors that are common to resort areas that might be  helpful in understanding the church starting needs of  resort communities.

Key Factors:

1. Resort areas are by nature, transient. People come and  go in a matter of days, weeks, or months; usually the  shorter time period is the rule.

2. Ministry to the permanent locals is the base for  starting a church in a resort area. Church starting efforts  must be open to reaching different lifestyle groups that  are found in the resort community.

3. Flexible time of worship. Typical times often do not  meet the needs of people in a resort area. Other than  normal times and multiple times need to be considered. This  is true of other ministries besides worship, like Bible  study.

4. Location. There needs to be an openness to meet  anywhere, under almost any condition. If you have the  choice, then ministry points with visibility are most  important. Generally people have a shorter time in which  they are willing to travel to ministries in a resort  setting.

5. Worship/Programming. Resort churches are often based  upon worship. Programming should only be instituted as  membership provides the leadership. Do not overextend the  resort church just to have traditional church programs.

6. Know and relate to the resort community. Build  relationships with resort-based businesses, chamber of  commerce, tourism and planning councils, and so forth.

7. Promotion. Promotion is a key. Get the word out. Flyers,  brochures, ads, radio, television, and cable TV are some  ways to promote. Prime targets for promotion should be  hotels, time-shares, multi-housing units, property  management groups, and the chamber of commerce. Use the  Yellow Pages but think of both traditional placement and  non-traditional placement of ads (also true of the phone  directory).

8. Timing is everything. Note the seasonal patterns of the  resort area. The resort-based church will experience ups  and downs in attendance and finances. Plan for the seasons  and remember that the locals are at their busiest during  the resort area's prime time.

9. International/ethnic diversity. Ministry to  internationals and other ethnic groups should be provided  in a resort area because of the tremendous growth in the  population of these groups in resort areas.

10. Needs. Identify and address the church's outreach to  real needs not "perceived" needs (examples: Parents Night  Out program, employees early Bible study, etc).

11. Longevity. Being committed to minister over a long  period of time will make a difference in the resort area.  Being an "old timer" will make a tremendous difference in  the resort area. Stay with it.

12. Multi-denominational ministry. Resort areas offer a  cross-denominational opportunity for ministry. An  understanding of other denominational backgrounds will be  helpful.

Steps to Starting New Resort Churches

I. Define your target.

Three key questions:
1) Where are the unchurched?
2) Who are the unchurched?
3) Why are they unchurched?

II. Develop a strategy.
Remember there is more than one way to skin a cat.

A. Models

1) Cell groups (Paul Cho)
2) Sunday School (Andy Anderson)
3) Lay ministry (Frank Tillipaugh)
4) Networking (Bill Hybill)
5) CAMEO (Rick Warren)
6) FAITH (Johnny Hunt) Every Strategy Should Focus On The Unchurched If we are to develop resort churches that reach the  unchurched then it is essential that we understand them.

B. Key Components

1) Minister to real or felt needs. Find a need and fill it, find a hurt and heal it.
2) Minister to people who are experiencing change.
3) Understand the lifestyle systems in resort settings.
4) Focus on quality programming, not quantity programming.
5) Major on relationships.

Focus on the Unchurched in Worship

1. Quality childcare.
2. Atmosphere of acceptance.
3. Positive and practical sermons.
4. Celebrative worship.
5. De-emphasize money.
6. Clear gospel presentation.

Ways to Get the Unchurched into Church in Resort Settings

1. Telemarketing
2. Direct mail
3. Newspaper
4. Radio
5. Relationships
6. Big events
7. Lay ministry

Based on an article by Bo Simms in the 1993 National Resort  Ministries Conference notebook. Used by permission.