Faith & community · Public Speaking
How to propose a new ministry: practice with a skeptical treasurer
Bring a one-page plan: the need (with a number if you have one), what the ministry will do, how it fits the church’s mission, what it costs, who will lead it, and how you’ll know it’s working. Present it in three minutes, ask for a specific decision such as a six-month trial, and be ready for questions about money, volunteers and liability. Practice with Treasurer George Lindqvist, who has watched projects fizzle before.
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Updated October 2026
Who it's for
Who this practice is for
- A lay leader who wants to start a food pantry but freezes when the treasurer asks about money.
- Church staff who need to present a ministry idea to a board of seven members.
- Anyone who has a good-hearted plan but no budget yet and wants to practice saying it honestly.
- A volunteer who has three minutes in a meeting and wants to use them well.
What happens
How a session goes
- You speak first. You give your pitch out loud: the need, the plan, the $3,000 a year, the 10 volunteers, and the fellowship hall two mornings a month.
- Treasurer George Lindqvist reacts. He is about 75, has seen projects fizzle, and asks you hard questions about the numbers.
- You answer his questions. You can type instead of talking at any time.
- The session ends. He says what he will remember.
Real lines from a test session
What Treasurer George Lindqvist said in a test session
“Thanks for the presentation. … What exactly is that number based on, and have you priced out commercial-grade food handling regulations or insurance for this?”
“George, I appreciate you being honest that you haven't priced those things yet, but a ministry plan that doesn't include insurance or health code costs isn't ready for a board vote.”
“I've seen similar good-hearted proposals collapse when the real numbers came in double what was guessed.”
From a test session of this practice in the app, lightly trimmed. Your session goes its own way: the character reacts to what you say.
You go first
Ways to open
- “Thank you for hearing me. Last month, 40 families from our own zip code went to the county food bank.”
- “I'm asking for three things tonight: $3,000 a year, ten volunteers, and the fellowship hall twice a month.”
- “We talk a lot about loving our neighbors. Here's a way to do it two Saturdays a month.”
Example first lines to adapt. Fill in the brackets with your own details.
The scorecard
What the scorecard looked like for Pitching a Food Pantry
“I think we're looking at around three thousand dollars a year to cover basics like shelf-stable food and some supplies.”
You used 'I think' and 'around' without a single dollar figure for a specific item, making the estimate feel vague.
Try instead: “Three thousand dollars a year covers the cost of boxes of food from and for bags and storage; I'll confirm the exact list with the treasurer.”
What went well: You admitted honestly that you had not priced insurance and regulations, which preserved credibility rather than bluffing.
Real scorecard output from one of our test runs. In test runs the practice answers are written by a test script, not by a customer.
What good looks like
What a strong answer does here
- You name the need with a number, like 40 families from your zip code using the county food bank last month.
- You give the plan, the cost and who does the work: $3,000, 10 volunteers, the hall twice a month.
- You say the honest risks, like insurance or health code costs you have not priced yet.
- You make a specific ask and stay calm when George pushes back. No hedging, no defensiveness.
Scored on:
- Structure
- Clarity
- Handling questions
- Presence
Common mistakes
Weak lines, and what to say instead
Weak: “I think this would be a really good thing for our church.”
Better: “Last month, 40 families from our own zip code went to the county food bank. I am asking for $3,000 a year, 10 volunteers, and the fellowship hall two mornings a month.”
A specific need, cost, and ask beats a vague feeling.
Weak: “We can figure out the insurance and health code stuff later.”
Better: “You are right, I have not priced insurance or health code costs yet. I will bring those numbers to the next meeting before we ask for a vote.”
Admitting a gap and naming a next step builds trust.
Weak: “But other churches have food pantries and they work fine.”
Better: “Other churches do run pantries. Ours would start small: two Saturdays a month, with a budget we can track.”
Comparing is weak; a small, trackable plan answers the worry.
Weak: “I just feel like God is calling us to do this.”
Better: “I believe this is where we are called. Here is what it costs and who does the work, so you can decide with real numbers.”
Vision with no budget gets penalized; pair it with facts.
Pitch a New Ministry to the Church Board: start talking in a few seconds. Your own side stays yours to fill in.
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Your public speaking practice plan
- Make your main point clear
- Use examples and a logical structure
- Handle audience questions
Start with a free worksheet, then test your own response with a voice or text roleplay. Your first complete coaching report is free once across all areas. Create a free account to save your goal, actual words, and downloadable notes.
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FAQ
Questions about Pitching a Food Pantry
Who will I be talking to in this practice?
You will talk to Treasurer George Lindqvist, a 75-year-old board treasurer who has seen projects fizzle. He listens to your three-minute pitch, then asks hard questions about the numbers. He is not a real person; he is a 3D face with a matching voice. He plays the skeptic on the board. Try it free →
Can I practice without talking out loud?
Yes. You can type instead of talking at any time. You still give your pitch first, then George reacts and asks questions. The scorecard works the same way. Try it free →
What questions does a church board ask about a new ministry?
Expect: What will it cost each year and where does the money come from? Who will lead it, and what happens if they step away? How many volunteers do you need, and do you have them? What are the safety or liability risks? How will we know it’s working? Try it free →
How do you find volunteers for a new ministry?
Ask people personally rather than only from the pulpit, give each role a clear task and time commitment, and start with a small core team who can recruit others. Telling the board you already have names on a list makes your proposal much stronger. Try it free →
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