It was an honor for me to speak at the Zero conference this year. We don’t have any disciples making disciples yet so in a lot of ways I felt me sharing was a little premature. For my friends who skipped the workshop for someone better, here are the notes you requested. These are nine costs that we paid that required zero money, but a big price.

1. Calling cost
-This must be a calling, not a career choice.
-If you are doing it because you disagree with the way your pastor does church or no one else is taking your resume seriously, think again. If your eyes are wandering on other opportunities, it won’t stick.
-You are about to give birth to a baby and it will take EVERYTHING for her to survive.

2. Prayer cost
-Prayer is a non-negotiable. The month long fast and Monday morning prayer times with our team keeps us grounded to the heart of Jesus, vision white hot, and a heart that beats for our community.

3. Team Cost
- The relationship you have with your team will determine the fruit of your ministry. Serve and love them.
-God breathes on things that are united.
-Act like your church is double in size.
-Hire and train leaders before the growth occurs and measure your progress.
-”If someone can do it 80% as good as you, give it away.” John Maxwell

4. Relational Cost
– Church planting is about three things: relationships, relationships, and relationships.

5. Jesus Cost
-Our first 18 messages were centered around Jesus because if people remember how nice we are or how the music sounds…we fail.
– Embody what you are teaching as humanly possible. Our generation is sick of people just talking.
-Worship passionately
-Give generously
-Invite others to church

6. Discipleship cost
– How do you help people grow spiritually? If we really have a value, we must put a mechanism in place.
-We have done a great job with the first half of our mission in 2008, in 2009 we will make disciples. I’m ready to play ball and nothing has captured my heart like this.

7. Marketing cost
-A website gives street cred in an educated community that treats it like the front door.
–Thankfully this was free for us because we have a talented graphic designer in our back pocket.
-Although Drew has zero time to do any more websites, he will deliver a 1,000 first touch pieces to your front door. Click here to learn more about this shameless plug.

8. Missional cost
– 19% of our income has been given back out to missionaries and needy projects.
-Giving money and agressively meeting unmet needs in our community is becoming part of our d.n.a.

9. Systems cost
–We learned a lot from Andy Stanley and Simple Church.
-We started by not doing all the complex programs and ministries, but did a few things well.
–Keep the discipleship process simple – 6 T’s