Are MinistryPlace resources really free?

Many MinistryPlace resources are completely free — free, email required at checkout. Free resources include 643 Sunday school lessons, the Rescue Gospel framework, AI policy templates, and dozens of ministry guides. Paid resources are clearly labeled with their price before checkout.

What kinds of resources does MinistryPlace offer?

MinistryPlace offers resources for Sunday school and children's ministry, bi-vocational pastors, pastor search and transition, church AI tools, Spanish-language ministry, youth ministry, senior adult ministry, outreach, and small group curriculum. Resources include free downloads, paid guides, and complete toolkits.

Who are MinistryPlace resources designed for?

MinistryPlace resources are designed for small and rural churches — the 91% of churches with fewer than 100 in attendance. Resources are written for volunteer teachers, bi-vocational pastors, and lay leaders who need practical tools without large budgets or full-time staff.

Do I need to create an account to download free resources?

No. Free resources at MinistryPlace require no account, no email address, and no credit card. Add the free resource to your cart and check out — the download is immediate.

Free Ministry Resources for Small and Rural Churches

Free and paid tools for pastors doing ministry with limited time and limited budget. See the price before checkout; there are no subscriptions.

Browse All Resources
Sunday School
Ministry Jobs
En Español

Sunday School Curriculum

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361 resources

Old Testament Lessons

Sunday school lessons from Genesis through Malachi, organized by age group.

Browse OT Lessons →

📚

304 resources

New Testament Lessons

Sunday school lessons from Matthew through Revelation, organized by age group.

Lecciones de escuela dominical en español para todas las edades.

Ver lecciones →

Youth & Children

🎯

87 resources

Youth Ministry Resources

Games, devotions, service projects, and curriculum for small youth groups.

Browse Youth →

✍

17 resources

Children’s Ministry Training

Volunteer screening, training, and retention for children’s ministry leaders.

Browse Training →

🎉

2 resources

Vacation Bible School

Complete VBS curriculum built for small churches with 3–5 volunteers.

Browse VBS →

Church Leadership

☐

Free printable

Rural Church Health Scorecard

Notice where leadership, volunteers, discipleship, community trust, and pastor sustainability need attention.

Start the scorecard →

☐

Free printable

Lay Leadership Quick Assessment

Answer 15 questions and choose a practical next step before inviting a potential leader.

Take the assessment →

★

Start here

Find and develop a willing leader

A practical free worksheet that leads into the 90-day plan and leadership pipeline kit.

Open the worksheet →

📅

Paid continuation · $12.99

Build a leader in 90 days

A printable 12-week plan with weekly exercises, mentor conversations, checkpoints, and reflection prompts.

See the 90-day plan →

📋

Paid toolkit · $24

Create a leadership pipeline

A facilitator-led six-session kit for helping ordinary church members share real responsibility.

See the starter kit →

🏛

311 resources

Church Leadership

Guides, training tools, and resources for small church pastors and lay leaders.

Browse Leadership →

🔍

14 resources

Pastor Search & Transition

Church profiles, interview guides, search timelines, and onboarding resources.

Browse Pastor Search →

✍

13 resources

Deacon & Elder Training

Biblical qualifications, training guides, and governance for small church leadership.

Welcoming, assimilating, and discipling new members in a small church.

Volunteer applications, background check forms, child registration, and more.

Recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers in a small church.

Browse Volunteer →

Outreach & Evangelism

🤝

106 resources

Outreach Ministry

Servant evangelism, community outreach, and gospel-sharing tools.

Building a missions culture in a small church without a large budget.

Training your congregation to share the gospel in everyday life.

Browse Evangelism →

🍽

17 resources

Rescue Gospel Resources

Sermon series, small group studies, youth and children’s resources, and conversation guides. Built on the Created-Broken-Rescued-Respond framework.

Browse Rescue Gospel →

🌿

3 resources

Church Planting & Replanting

Resources for planting and replanting churches in rural and small-town contexts.

Browse Planting →

Bi-Vocational Ministry

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61 resources

Bi-Vocational Ministry

Tools and guides for pastors who work a second job. Time management, finances, boundaries, and more.

Marriage & Family

Resources for strengthening marriages and families in a small church.

Browse Marriage & Family →

👥

13 resources

Women’s Ministry

Bible studies, mentoring guides, and leadership resources for women.

Browse Women’s →

Church Finances & Administration

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26 resources

Church Finances

Budgeting, stewardship, giving culture, and financial policy guides.

Newsletters, social media, websites, and communication tools.

Browse Communication →

Senior Adult & Special Needs

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39 resources

Senior Adult Ministry

Programming, pastoral care, and community resources for older adults.

Browse Senior Adult →

♿

10 resources

Special Needs Ministry

Including people with disabilities in the full life of the church.

Browse Special Needs →

Ministry Jobs Board

👔

Free to browse

Ministry Jobs Board

The only job board built exclusively for small and rural churches. Post or browse openings.

Browse Jobs →

Also: The Rescue Gospel framework — a simple, memorable gospel tool any church member can learn and use in everyday conversations.

Need the complete version?

Need a complete church planning system? Church Annual Planning Kit — $9.99

Building your digital presence? Digital Ministry for Small Churches — website, social media, AI tools, and online giving.

Want to increase giving? Church Stewardship Campaign Guide — a simple 4-week process that typically increases giving 10-20%.

Dealing with church conflict? Church Conflict Resolution for Small Churches — a biblical, practical guide.

Training new deacons? Deacon Training for Small Churches — biblical qualifications and practical responsibilities.

Need church security guidance? Church Security for Small Churches — practical, affordable security guidance.

Looking for men’s ministry resources? Men’s Ministry Resources for Small Churches — simple, relational, effective.

Need to help people in need? Benevolence Ministry for Small Churches — how to help people wisely, generously, and sustainably.

Looking for marriage ministry resources? Marriage Ministry Resources for Small Churches — free resources for supporting marriages.

Building a prayer culture? Church Prayer Ministry for Small Churches — simple, sustainable prayer ministry ideas.

Books by Brent Lacy

MinistryPlace is the ministry home of Brent Lacy, author of books on small church leadership, rural youth ministry, and children’s gospel resources. All available on Amazon.

This is NOT DiY: Renovating the Local Congregation — practical church revitalization for small churches. Also available in a Small Group Edition.
Rural Youth Ministry: Expanded Second Edition — the definitive field guide for youth workers in small towns and rural communities.
Tree Rat and the Chautauqua — a funny, story-shaped way to share the Rescue Gospel with elementary children.

See all books by Brent Lacy →

Practical Ministry Guides

Free Ministry Resources for Small and Rural Churches

Books by Brent Lacy

Start with the ministry need in front of you.

Free Ministry Resources for Small and Rural Churches

Books by Brent Lacy

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