I recently sat down with Pastor Dino Rizzo, one of the most experienced church planting leaders in the country. Through ARC (Association of Related Churches), Dino has helped launch over 1,100 churches. When someone with that kind of track record agrees to share what he’s learned, you listen.
We talked about what’s actually working in church planting today, what’s changed since COVID, and the mistakes he sees new planters make over and over again. If you are planting a church or thinking about it, this conversation will save you years of trial and error.
Why Church Planting Still Matters
Dino made a point early in our conversation that stuck with me. He said church planting is still one of the best forms of evangelism. New churches tend to reach new people at a higher rate than established ones. The energy, the hunger, and the intentionality of a church plant creates an environment where unchurched people feel welcome.
Some people wonder if we really need more churches. Dino’s answer was clear. He pointed to how many people in any given city still have no church home and no connection to a faith community. The need is massive, and established churches alone can’t fill it.
What Changed After COVID
The pandemic forced every church to rethink how they operate. For church planters, it was an even bigger shift. Dino shared how the pre-COVID playbook of gathering large crowds through events and personal invitations had to be completely reworked.
Digital presence became essential. Churches that had strong social media and online outreach weathered the storm better than those that relied solely on in-person strategies. The planters who adapted quickly were the ones who thrived coming out the other side.
Big Launch Sunday vs. Small Launches
One of the biggest debates in church planting is whether to go big on launch day or start small and grow organically. Dino has seen both work, but he shared some wisdom on the topic that I found really helpful.
A big launch Sunday creates momentum. It gives your team a win early on and sets the tone for what’s possible. But Dino warned that launch day is just the beginning. “The real work starts the Monday after launch,” he told me. What matters more than the number on day one is whether you can sustain and grow that number week after week.
Chris Moore from Valley Church in Phoenix is a great example. He launched with over 500 people on his first Sunday by combining prayer, start-up parties, and strategic digital ads. But the key was his follow-up plan that kept people coming back.
Long-Term Church Health
Dino stressed that healthy churches are led by healthy leaders. He’s watched planters burn out because they chased numbers without taking care of themselves or their families. Soul health, team building, and rest are not optional extras. They are the foundation.
He also talked about the importance of having a network or community of other pastors around you. Church planting can be isolating, and the planters who make it long-term are the ones who stay connected to mentors, peers, and organizations like ARC that provide coaching and accountability.
Navigating Cultural Tensions
We live in a time where churches are constantly navigating sensitive cultural conversations. Dino’s advice was practical. He said pastors need to focus on what they are for, not just what they are against. Leading with love and clarity, while staying rooted in Scripture, is how you build trust with your congregation and your community.
He reminded me that the church has always existed in tension with the surrounding culture. That’s nothing new. What matters is how leaders respond, with grace, humility, and conviction.
Common Mistakes Church Planters Make
Dino has seen thousands of church plants up close, and he’s watched some fail. Here are the patterns he sees most often:
- Underestimating the financial cost. Church planting takes more money than most people think. Dino encouraged planters to raise more than they think they need and to have a clear financial plan before launch.Skipping the relationship-building phase. Too many planters rush to launch day without investing in their community first. Building genuine relationships in the city where you’re planting is what creates a foundation that lasts.Trying to be someone else. Dino told me that every planter needs to find their own voice. Copying another church’s model without understanding your own calling and your own city leads to frustration and burnout.Neglecting focus. He called focus “the secret weapon most church planters ignore.” Instead of trying to do everything, successful planters zero in on a few things and do them exceptionally well.
How to Find Your Church’s Unique Voice
Every city is different, and every planter brings a different set of gifts and experiences. Dino’s counsel was to spend real time in your city before you launch. Learn the rhythms of the community. Meet people. Understand what’s already there and where the gaps are.
Your church doesn’t need to look like the big church down the road. It needs to look like the church God is calling you to build, in the place He’s calling you to build it. That authenticity is what draws people in and keeps them.
Final Thought
Talking with Dino reminded me why I started ChurchCandy in the first place. There are so many pastors and planters doing incredible work, and they just need the right tools and the right guidance to reach more people. If you’re in the early stages of a church plant, or if you’re trying to break through a growth plateau, I’d encourage you to watch the full conversation above.
And if your church needs help getting more guests through the door with Facebook and Instagram ads, schedule a free discovery call with our team. We’d love to help you reach your city.
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