Frequently Asked Questions
About MinistryPlace
What is MinistryPlace?
MinistryPlace is a free resource site for small and rural churches. We provide over 640 free and affordable ministry resources including Sunday school lessons, youth ministry tools, bi-vocational pastor resources, church leadership guides, and more. Everything is built specifically for churches with fewer than 100 in attendance.
How much do MinistryPlace resources cost?
Most MinistryPlace resources are completely free with no email required and no sign-up. Paid resources are priced for small church budgets, typically $19-$39. There are no subscriptions and no hidden fees.
Do I need to create an account to download resources?
No. Most free resources can be downloaded immediately with no account required. Some paid resources require a WooCommerce account for order management, but browsing and downloading free resources requires nothing.
What size churches does MinistryPlace serve?
MinistryPlace is built specifically for churches with fewer than 100 in attendance, bi-vocational pastors, and volunteer-led ministries. According to the National Congregations Study (2025), the median American church has 70 people in attendance. That is who we build for.
Sunday School Curriculum
How many free Sunday school lessons does MinistryPlace offer?
MinistryPlace offers 444 free Sunday school lessons covering the Old and New Testaments for every age group from nursery through high school. Each lesson is available in 6 age-group versions: Nursery, Pre-K & Kindergarten, 1st-3rd Grade, 4th-6th Grade, Junior High, and High School.
Are the Sunday school lessons aligned with the ESV Bible?
Yes. All MinistryPlace Sunday school lessons use the ESV (English Standard Version) translation throughout.
Can I use these lessons with a mixed-age class?
Yes. The lessons are designed to work for mixed-age classes, single-age classes, and everything in between. Volunteer teachers in small churches often teach multiple age groups together.
Bi-Vocational Ministry
What percentage of pastors are bi-vocational?
According to Lifeway Research (2025), nearly half of all Evangelical pastors in the United States work a second job in addition to their ministry. This number has nearly doubled since 2001.
How do bi-vocational pastors prepare sermons?
Effective bi-vocational pastors spread sermon prep across the week in small increments rather than trying to do it all in one sitting. A typical rhythm: read the passage Monday, research Tuesday, identify the main idea Wednesday, develop structure Thursday, gather illustrations Friday, final prep Saturday. Total: 2.5-4 hours per week.
What is the housing allowance for pastors?
The housing allowance allows pastors to exclude a designated portion of their compensation from federal income tax when used for qualifying housing expenses. It must be designated by the church board before the year begins. It is still subject to self-employment tax. Consult a CPA familiar with clergy tax law for your specific situation.
Pastor Search
How long should a pastor search take?
Most healthy pastor searches in small churches take 6 to 18 months. Searches that take less than 6 months are usually rushed. Searches that take more than 18 months are usually stuck. The most common mistake is confusing urgency with wisdom.
Do we need an interim pastor?
Not always, but often yes. An interim pastor stabilizes the congregation, handles pastoral care, and gives the search committee time to work without pressure. If your church is in significant conflict, has experienced a moral failure, or is in a period of significant transition, an interim pastor is strongly recommended.
What should a church profile include?
A church profile should honestly describe your church’s history, community context, theology, worship style, strengths and challenges, what you are looking for in a pastor, and your compensation package. Honest profiles attract better candidates and repel poor fits.
Youth Ministry
How do you run a youth group with only 3-5 students?
Small youth groups have significant advantages: every student gets personal attention, relationships are deeper, and discussions are more honest. Focus on consistency, genuine relationships, and equipping students to share their faith rather than growing attendance numbers.
What is the best youth ministry curriculum for small churches?
MinistryPlace offers free youth ministry resources including discussion guides, icebreaker games, service project ideas, Bible studies, and volunteer training guides, all designed specifically for small church youth groups of 3-15 students.
Missions
How can a small church support missions?
Small churches can support missions by adopting a missionary through their denomination’s sending agency, giving consistently to missions offerings, hosting short-term trips, praying for unreached peoples, and building a missions culture through consistent storytelling and celebration.
What is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering?
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is collected every December and funds international missionaries through the International Mission Board (IMB). It is one of the largest missionary offerings in the world and was built on the faithful giving of small churches.