Episode: What 25 Years of Church Planting Taught Me
Starting in 2026, Bishop Jeff Bailey is taking the host chair, curating conversations with targeted insights on three areas shaping our diocese: clergy care, leadership development, and church planting.
Episode Summary
Starting a new church is a daunting task, especially when you’re passionate about making an impact in your community. Kris McDaniel, rector of Trinity Anglican in Atlanta, embodies this journey as he reflects on nearly 25 years of growing his church from a small group to a thriving congregation. In this post, we’ll explore Kris’s insights on church planting, the challenges of growth, and the lessons learned along the way.
Episode Highlights
The Early Days of Trinity Anglican
Kris McDaniel started Trinity Anglican in October 2002 with a deep passion for Jesus and a vision for reaching the city center of Atlanta. Reflecting on those early days, Kris emphasizes the chaos and excitement that characterized their initial years.
The Passion Behind the Planting
At just 26 years old, Kris and his team were driven by a zeal to create a church that not only catered to their desires but also filled a significant gap in the community. “We wanted to plant something that we would want to attend,” Kris recalls. The desire to address the lack of churches reaching diverse populations in the city spurred their mission.
Lessons from the First Years
Kris shares that the early years were marked by a fiery passion but also some naivety. “We were in a fire-ready-aim posture rather than a ready-aim-fire approach,” he explains. While this enthusiasm was essential, it also led to missteps that highlighted the importance of strategic planning in church planting.
Key Success Factors in Church Growth
One of the most important decisions Kris made was to plant the church as a team. “We did it together,” he emphasizes. The camaraderie and shared vision among the team members were crucial for the church’s foundation. This collaborative spirit helped foster a strong community and culture that would support growth over the years.
Long-Term Vision
Kris and his team adopted a long-term view of their mission. They committed to being present in the community for at least five years, allowing time to understand their neighborhood’s needs. This approach helped them build a sustainable foundation for growth. Kris believes that a long obedience in the same direction is vital for church planting success.
Challenges of Rapid Growth
As Trinity Anglican grew, Kris encountered challenges that many church leaders face.
Balancing Growth and Structure
With growth came the need for structure, which was initially met with hesitation. “We were a little allergic to structure,” Kris admits. He learned that as a church grows, the systems that once worked may become inadequate, leading to chaos if not addressed.
Understanding Church Size
Kris reflects on the misconception that bigger is always better. He encourages church leaders to discern what size their church is meant to be and to avoid moralizing church size. “Some churches are meant to be smaller, and others are meant to be larger,” he states. This perspective helped him and his team navigate growth without losing their identity.
Navigating the Transition from Small to Large
Kris outlines key lessons he learned about transitioning from a small to a larger church.
For more insights and practical advice, be sure to check out Kris’ full conversation with Bishop Jeff about church planting and growth strategies.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Kris is the founding pastor of Trinity Anglican Church, located in Atlanta, Ga. He has a heart for spiritual renewal, church planting, and developing leaders. In addition to his work at Trinity, Kris serves C4SO in the arena of church assimilation, church planting and leadership development. Kris holds a master’s degree from Richmont Graduate University, as well as a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary. Contact Kris.