en Networking and Resourcing for Multiplication http://www.plantingchurches.com © Copyright 2000 - 2010Church Community Builder. All Rights Reserved. http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=10 Our Mission is to bring pleasure to God by seeing new churches develop committed to making disicples that make disciples and reproducing healthy churches. Our Motivation is the gospel and making disciples that make disciples. Too many times the church has been ineffective in making disciples and loving people while contextualizing the message of Christ to the surrounding community.  The church is loosing many of its children raised in the faith to the world system.  Research says it is because they haven't experienced transformational churches.  We need faith communities that intentionally incarnating missionally into a community. Whatever the reasoning now is the time for the church to be more intentional in it's strategies and the efforts to make dsiciples that make disciples.  We need churches to get back on mission, the mission Jesus gave the church.  We need churches focused on a healthy Christology allowing the Ecclesiology to come from a focus on Christ. As a district we are NOT about starting churches for convenience sake or simply to begin another Evangelical Free Church either.  We need life giving and transformational churches where lives are changed and communities are impacted for Christ.  The mission of the church is clear and starting new churches is still one the of the best methods to establish a healthy DNA of multiplication personally and corporately. Our Vision  through God's grace and His leading is to seek to see 1000 new churches begin.  In the EFCA Southeast we are seeking the Lord on timing and new structures in launching new churches.  These churches will be committed to intentionally making disciples and as God leads reproducing new churches.  We feel that this will be like planting a franchise system not an addition system to assist church planters.  Workers are needed, people of faith from every tribe and color.  The time is now so please prayerfully consider joining us! Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:58:17 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1 In these last years we have seen Church Planting take bold and aggressive faith steps throughout our areas of influence.  We see denominations working together, sharing resources and the landscape of church planting efforts in our country has changed for the better.  The EFCA is experiencing an 87% success rate in launching new churches. There is still much more that needs to be done toward the transformation of lives and seeing disciples reproduce disciples. We believe in a missional, incarnational and attractional focus in launching new faith communities. We believe the Spirit of God is raising up workers from the harvest field to begin new churches. This is true especially if we desire to see movement.  We are experiencing all different kinds of strategies, different kinds of people, different kinds of visions and in all sizes of communities. The one single concern we have is the spread of the gospel through making disciples that make disciples and reproducing healthy disciple making churches. If God is tugging at your heart we'd encourage you to contact us, take a look at the pages and resources here and begin to see how God may want you to play a part in what He is doing as Christ builds His church.  Check out our "Hot Opportunities" list for the 12 states we can network you toward. We desire to do our best to connect, equip and coach church planting couples toward being successful in launching new disciple making churches that reproduce.  We want NO church planting couple left alone in the process! Our New Ministry Affiliation: The EFCA SouthEast District is a fellowship of Evangelical Free Church of America located in Louisana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennesse.  To learn more about our new ministry check out www.sed-efca.org and www.efca.org.  Join us in the Southeast because there is much to do and no state has over a 23% church attendance of its population and most states have a lot less church attendance.  The days of the Bible belt are declining.  Inidividuals now say we are baptist or raised baptist but not practicing. That says a lot doesn't it?Besides religious people need Jesus! Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:55:25 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=15 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=15&article_id=6 The Seven Support Systems for launching a church planting movement in the EFCA Southeast District. LAUNCHING: Creating Strategy Summits as a catalytic event to mobilize current EFCA churches into a church planting movement. RECRUITING: Aggressively networking with potential planters through dependent prayer and developing a farming system where church planters can be equipped. ASSESSING: We desire to see all potential church planters properly assessed. COACHING: We need pastors who will tithe their time to equip, empower and encourage our planters. TRAINING: We desire to equip all church planters through the Church Planter's Boot Camp. FINANCIAL SUPPORT: We desire to develop a district Church Planter's Start Up Fund that will be able to sustain future movements within the SED. REPRODUCING: We desire to see churches naturally reproducing themselves into healthy daughter churches committed to promoting a disciplemaking lifestyle. Thu, 4 Dec 2008 19:25:02 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=6 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=6&article_id=9 EFCA Southeast: Hot Opportunities...Louisana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, Tennesse and Kentucky. There are two groups of people north of Knoxville looking for leadership to establish a new church. Contact me at 719-331-2729 and we can begin a conversation on these community opportunity. One of them is a smaller community with a college. Crisis Church Planting Teams Presently we are looking for teams of people committed to serving for 1 to 2 years in establishing new faith communities in the Gulf States and Louisana. As work teams come down people have been led to Christ but there are few churches that can disicple others to disciple others. Prayerfully consider this...we would train and provide ongoing coaching on how to walk through the process. Also, we want to be ready for the next crisis being faithful to Jesus' mandate. Finally, we are looking to begin 5 new Church Planting Training Centers across the southern states. No state has over 23% church attendance and the need is great but workers few. We desire to strategically launch these centers to provide ongoing traning and coaching for lay man to stepout and begin new faith communities of reproducing disciples. It is time for a New Culture of Permission releasing the church to be the church and create the church in dependence on Christ's help! Email me...this could be very fun and fruitful! ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Rocky Mountain District : One Hot Opportunity...Colorado, 2/3's eastern WY and South Dakota Frisco-Silverthorne, CO We have two families desiring a church planter to lead them in beginning a new church. These couples say they are able to pull other families together quickly. These communities are bedroom communities for Breckenridge resort area. Most of the individuals living there are young and like the recreational lifestyle so flexibility and creativity would be important. The people that could feed a new church would come from Keystone, Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne which are all connected. The area is in need of a church that can reach the residents who are more edgy and yet desire a relationship with God. _____________________________________________________________________________ Parker, CO This community of 100,000 people is in need of a healthy disciple making church. There are two large EFCA churches in the nearby community of Aurora and the need is great for an additional church. The Denver area is expanding east rapidly. The area we are praying about is south of E470 and they are experiencing a new building boom with apartments and town homes. Many have tried to plant in parker in Douglas County and have not made it go. So whoever comes here must have the ability to gather and lead people. Douglas County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country and Colorado. Alamosa, CO This community of 15,000 people has a regional airport for jet transportation, a medical center and a four year college. The community includes Hispanic and Asian populations. This is a central community to the San Luis Valley which is home for a large Mormon population, early retirees and young people families. The retirees are relocating from Texas, California and New Mexico. The altitude is about 7800ft. and the valley is one of the largest mountain valleys in the nation. You must be able to work with middle class and AG people as well. This valley is one of the critical areas in Colorado without healthy churches or churches at all. Six smaller surrounding communities within an hour drive of Alamosa do not have any church of any kind. They need the gospel and it will have to be contextualized in a cross cultural way at times. We'd encourage a new church here to consider beginning with a multicultural staff and English speaking. Naturally being able to speak some Spanish would be great. There is a new free church 1 1/2 hours away that would help out in practical ways. Woodland Park, CO This city calls itself the city above the clouds and is a bedroom community of Colorado Springs. There are 8,000 people living in the city limits and another 10,000 people living near by in the county. Woodland Park is fast becoming the place to live if you enjoy mountain living and desire to live close to a major city. We have several couples that may be interested in discussing the possibility of a new church. Denver, CO The city has been changing because singles and young families are moving back into the city from the suburbs. The people tend to be more middle class, and they need Jesus Christ! Check out Denver Community Church at http://www.dcc.org/ or http://www.larkridgechurch.com/. Contact one of our church planters to find out more. A church plant in Denver will need a team of people coming together to make a difference for the gospel. Then the some of the surrounding communities like Thornton are in need of a new church for the transitioning young families. Check out these communities online and get back to me. We have some contacts in the south Thornton area. Arvada, CO This north suburb of Denver is poised and ready for a church plant. It has been there quite awhile, but like most of the Denver area, it is experiencing a transition as thousands of new families move into the area trying to find affordable housing. Apartments, town homes, and single family dwellings are springing up. Green Valley, CO The community of Green Valley is a growing community that is racially and economically diverse. The location is near Denver International Airport and home to thousands of new homes, young families, and new businesses. It is located north of I-70 on both sides of Tower Road, north to 64th and eats 4 miles. This community used to have an EFCA church, so there might still be some contacts available. Near this location is another new community developing called Reunion, CO. Check out the chamber of commerce for this area, and contact our office. The community has many young families and we have contacts with several that would be interested in joining a new ministry. Thu, 4 Dec 2008 19:23:57 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=18 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=18&article_id=11 We are presently praying for you and your wife as you work through the process of determining where the Lord would want you to serve. We hope you will find our time of getting to know each other and our communication based in integrity and relevant to what you are personally processing. We would encourage you to ask questions and please do NOT assume anything. The steps we will follow through the process will begin with phone calls and using email to get to know each other. Our style in the SED focuses on a relational style and cultivating a healthy interdependence between pastors and churches in establishing healthy disciple making ministries. After we have received a resume these steps are followed by the SED Church Planting Team: Step 1: Begin to communicate and to understand where the potential planting couple is coming through, their vision, past experiences and simply to begin a relationship. Three issues are critical as we proceed through "Step 1”. Are you called to a church plant as a couple? Is your ministry partner (wife) on the same page? Are there people that may want be a part of your team, to follow your vision and move here to begin a new church? (Later when a candidate completes a final interview the candidate will need to still affirm that God is calling him to a specific target area.) Step 2: Several Things need to come to the SED Church Planting Office Receive a list of references from the candidate and permission to call the references. We are sensitive and aware of the need for possible clarification and instructions that will may need to be communicated before anyone is called. Receive 2 sermons tapes or videos. Receive the Personal Assessment Inventory completed and emailed back to the SED before we proceed with the form signed to be able to share the assessment with our team and the future coach. Step 3: A Behavioral Assessment will be completed by a SED Assessment Team. The team will provide all candidates with a written review of the assessment interview with suggestions for possible next steps. With the assessment will be specific recommendations for next steps toward seeing the candidates visions realized. For instance, the assessment may only encourage planting a church as a team, others will be encouraged to do a pioneer church plant. A pre-assessment questionnaire will need to be filled out before a face to face assessment takes place with a SED Assessment Team. A permission form will need to be signed so the final written assessment can shared with others. Step 4: A final interview will be completed with the SED Church Planting Team, the SED Superintendent (if available) or the Director of Church Planting. During the time the candidate is in the SED for the final interview there will be set aside to explore, confirm and affirm the potential community being targeted for a new church. Remember being called to a specific community is critical for a church planter and his family. Step 5: After final acceptance and a completed written assessment the candidate will receive a letter of call to begin a church plant project under the oversight of the SED Church Planting Team. At this time it would be important to send a letter out to friends, family and previous people you may have served to begin to bring together a prayer team of 100 people. This an excellent opportunity to begin to cast vision for what the Lord may be doing in the candidate's life. Step 6: The candidate can go ahead and download the credentialing files necessary to follow through with the licensing process. We ask each candidtae to agree to pursue the process at some point in their ministry. The preparing of a doctrinal paper for the licensing council must be completed before anyone begins there ministry. The 3 year license leading to ordination is suggested and encouraged for each candidate. The licensing council will NOT be scheduled until the SED Ministerial Team leader has received all the papers and referrals necessary to call a council. Follow the guidelines sent to you with the file. If a candidate had not attended Trinity Seminary for his education than 5 books will be required to be read before the licensing council takes place. The credentialing files can be downloaded from our district web site at www.sed-efca.org . Step 7: The church planting missionary will be encouraged to attend the next Boot Camp and begin communicating with his assigned coach. The goal is for a healthy transition for the entire family. Thu, 4 Dec 2008 19:10:59 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=21 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=21&article_id=14 In the last years we have seen over 18 new churches begin without a church planter or pastor but each of these churches did eventually seek leadership out. The inital formation of these churches has been developed by lay teams we have trained and coached. A suggested reading for this effort would be "Big Dreams Small Places" by Tom Nebel. We provide assessments, a lay boot camp and and ongoing personal coaching to see new church stay missional and relevant. If you would be interested in discussing how this can work send me at email or call me! God does want to use you and your gifts to extend His Kingdom in your community. Example: Our last realtor (Kurt) began a church to reach the homeless disadvantaged families feeding them and ministering to them in a variety of ways. All lay led, team built and a healthy ministry in a community that hosts 16 prisons. Kurt is a man who heard God, had a passion to do something and stepped out in faith. Today there is a strong ministry to the poor because of it. Church meets on Thursday and Friday night and has small groups for connecting people. Thu, 4 Dec 2008 19:04:51 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=12 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=12&article_id=4 These are the developmental steps and policies we follow in bringing a church to the place where it is self supporting and reproducing. Purpose of these statements: "to clearly define the guidelines, steps and the SED-EFCA involvement into a church plant becoming a full participating member of the EFCA.” Classification and the Process... Church Plant Project: Church Planter or a Lay Team begins the new church. The Church planter or Lay Team begins with a signed covenantal commitment to the SED-EFCA and the process followed in the SED for establishing a new church. The commitments are listed in the covenant. The Church Planter or Lay Team agrees to use the Articles of Incorporation as specified by the SED-EFCA. The SED-EFCA or the mother church will handle the finances until a treasurer is chosen, the 501 3c is obtained and the new church is incorporated with the state. The process is limited to 6 months for the final transition for the time the church planter begins or the lay team begins services. The planter or church chairman will file state incorporation papers. SED-EFCA and mother church will stop handling the finances at that point. The Church Planter or Lay Team (if the planter is not on sight) will appoint a Provisional Leadership Team of people for the purpose of assisting the lead planter to carry out the responsibilities of developing a new church. The Church Planter (or Lay Team Chairman until there is a pastor) can remove people at their discretion if they do not support the vision, values and the "person” of the planter. The people do not necessarily need to be elder qualified but should be believers of good standing among others in the community. Church Plant: Church Planter with a Provisional Leadership Team 18months into the process, the church planter appoints elders; If the new church is a lay driven start then the people can choose to choose it's elders before a pastor comes; If a planter comes early in the process then the lay team is encouraged to allow the pastor to take the leadership in this process. Church Planter prayerfully chooses new elders (5 page paper; interviews; examples as to why the man should be considered an elder (Acts 6)); Church Planter presents new elders to SED representative or a Steering Committee Team if one exists; SED Representative lays hands on the men as elders during a church service; New elders conduct membership classes (Welcome to the Family); The superintendent is called and asked to come and meet with the elders to discuss "affirmation voting”. This is critical to the leadership understanding how to function in meetings! Roberts Rule of Order is NOT encouraged. Biblical congregationalism is not democracy but God's people seeking God(Acts 1:14; Phil 2:2). New Elders present new members to SED representative. Church Status in the SED-EFCA: Once members have been through classes, signed a membership covenant, they are then presented to a SED Staff member for approval. Once members are finalized, they should be recognized at the first congregational meeting; a season of prayer, a time of celebration and a few agenda items are encouraged; all the names and the addresses of first members shall be turned into the SED offices. The names are put into the churches file in case the process is called into question. The superintendent shall present the new church to the SED Board and the Annual Conference. Financial Support and Participation in the SED The pastor and leaders shall participate in SED conferences, Regional Network Meetings as spelled out in the covenant and work along other EFCA's church to accomplish kingdom work. Once the pastor is paid fully by the church plant or the church the tithing process will begin. The covenantal agreement is tithing 10% of the general offering after the pastor is fully being paid. The areas where the funds go to are (1%) the National Office, and then (2%) to the SED general fund; and that leaves another 7% to come alongside church planting initiatives and other multiplication ministries. The primary idea behind all of these steps and policies is to see a healthy reproducing cooperating church extending the kingdom of God. We can do more together then we can a part. Thu, 4 Dec 2008 18:52:09 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14&article_id=5 There are 12 to 14 models for beginning new churches and we have discovered through the creativity of God and His people that the possibilities are unlimitied. The procedures described below have been a faithful method for a church planter not having a core team or only having a few families in place. Five Non-Negotiables as you plant:Every planting missionary must go through several assessments, including a written Behavioral Assessment. The Behavioral Assessment takes at least 3 hours by a group of trained assessors in are district. These people have church planting experience. Every planting missionary must be willing to go through the process of being licensed or ordained. Every planting missionary must attend the EFCA's Church Planter's Boot Camp before beginning their new ministry. Every planting missionary must be coached by an experienced church planter. We do not want anyone planting a church alone. Those days are over! Every planting missionary must sign a Church Planting Covenant before allowed to plant a church. Procedures and Process for Beginning New Churches: These pages were complied to help people understand the steps being taken in our region for beginning new churches. Our experience has witnessed successful starts for these new churches. Please read through the information, and then ask questions and the missionary church planting pastors are available if you would like to talk to them. The reality most church planting couples will go to an area where there are not a lot of people so we have developed a process we feel God has led us to do that has been used in over 30 new starts. It is kind of a "modified" Pioneer planting experience. The process for developing a so called "Pioneer" Plant: There are several steps we have developed and have followed over the last 7 years to ensure healthy beginnings for the pastor and their family as they begin a new church. The process for beginning new pioneer church plant projects has followed these steps as much as possible. In the Church Planter's Tool Kit written by Bob Logan and Steve Ogne, it discusses the "Farming and Networking” methods of beginning new pioneer churches. We are using a combination of both in each church start to gather people to build the initial launch team. Critical mass at we call the public launch is important. The public launch service has been happening about 10 to 12 months after beginning to gather people for the new church. Here is what we have experienced and God seems to be blessing these steps right now.Identifying the Pastor: The pastor's resume, the self assessments, references, and a behavioral assessment interview are collected and conducted before a pastor and his family are given the green light to begin a new church. Healthy churches begin with healthy pastors and families. Pastors must be credentialed through licensing or ordination transfer before beginning their ministry. The pastor must agree to some foundational principles and signs a Church Planting Covenant. The purpose behind all these steps are to ensure consistency, agenda harmony, ease in coaching and recognizes each new church as an EFCA plant project from the beginning. The final approval for the church planters is the responsibility of SED staff and the Director of Church Planting. Transitioning the Family and Gathering Interested People: We have been able to transition the pastors over a time span of several months with good success. Two of the pastors have been able to help their previous ministries locate another pastor to replace them before they left. This is a wonderful process, which leaves the established church with a good experience when their pastor feels called to move on. The pastor is flown to the planting area over a 4 to 5 month period. Each month the pastor comes for 4 days, prior to moving his family to the site, so he can gather the names of interested people. The gathering of people has been primarily through the consistent monthly distribution of brochures door to door and networking with other believers in the community. Referrals from others that know people living in the targeted area helps allot. During this time of transition the planting pastor is able to raise the needed financial and prayer support. We encourage 12 to 18 months of finances to be raised, but most of the families are off of support within the first 10 months after they arrive. The pastor and his wife is required to attend the EFCA's Church Planter's Boot Camp for fine tuning their skills before they begin the process. Identifying and Establishing a Proper Foundation Before Gathering People: Establishing the new church plant's mission statement, core values, the distinctives that will define what the new church will look like and the strategy for beginning the new church are developed by the planting pastor before he begins gathering people. This step enables the pastor or the launch team to encourage people to commit in harmony. If there isn't harmony then the people are encouraged to attend elsewhere. The purpose of having the pastor on the planting site first is primarily preventive and it has cut down on potential conflicts as the church develops. This process has worked well, with the pioneer church starts and mother daughter plants. The church plant will transition to a congregational rule/elder led gov't at the 2 year mark. Training and Resources for Skill Development Being Used: Church Planter's Boot Camp: The primary training vehicle for church planting coaches and planting pastors has been the EFCA's Church Planter's Boot Camp. This four day, 9 to 6 training equips the pastors and their wives with the practical skills to see a new church begin. The EFCA conducts this training throughout the USA. You can visit the National web site www.efca.org/churchplanting to register on line. Church Planter's Took Kit: This audio series is a must and every planter is required to listen to the series by Steve Ogne and Bob Logan. The instruction is very practical and helpful in understanding how to begin a new church. It offers allot of resources in beginning a new church. Check it out at NEXT STEP RESOURCES at 1-800-745-2202 and the cost is $71.25. Church Planting Workshops: This workshop was developed for people who want to begin a new church when they have not identified a pastor yet. The first field testing of the workshop was completed in the fall of 1999 and it went well. The EFCA traditionally has begun new churches through groups of people in communities over the years. This training can help build a foundation for building harmony within the launch team of people and identifying a first pastor. Coaching and Networking: We are able to offer coaching and networking among church planting pastors and needed fellowship for their wives. This facilitates accountability, creativity, and resources for the new churches in various stages of beginning. Planters are called weekly, emails; we try to meet monthly with each missionary. Mentoring opportunities are available through the district staff. Church Planting Web Site: This site offers resources, information for potential pastors and people interested in beginning a new church in their community. All the plant projects have web sites for gathering people. (I.e. aspenridge.org; graceinpagosa.org; founatincreekchurch.org; larkridgechurch.com; blueskychurch.com; mesaviewchurch.org; these are just a few for you to check out). Also, check out our district's web site for more links at www.rockymountaindistrict.org. If you have questions, please call me at 719-331-2729 or email me at brjrred@msn.com. God's blessings as you seek Him for direction. Bruce Redmond, Director of Church Planting Thu, 4 Dec 2008 18:47:37 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=3 The Evangelical Free Church of America is an association of autonomous churches united around these theological convictions: God 1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory. The Bible 2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. The Human Condition 3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God's saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed. Jesus Christ 4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel's promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. The Work of Christ 5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation. The Holy Spirit 6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. The Church 7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. Christian Living 8. We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God's Word, the Spirit's power, and fervent prayer in Christ's name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ's commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed. Christ's Return 9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission. Response and Eternal Destiny 10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen. Thu, 4 Dec 2008 18:41:20 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16&article_id=8 EFCA Southeast District Church Plant Covenant Recognizing that there exists an interdependency among churches affiliated with the EFCA, and that those who attend EFCA churches must exhibit a spirit of humility, mutual support and accountability among the association of other EFCA churches. I wish to openly state our commitment to work within the following guidelines: I am unreservedly in agreement with the EFCA Statement of Faith. I am in agreement with implementing a congregational form of government with in the two-year time frame after "Prevue Services” begin. I fully agree to the process of developing leaders for the new church. Beginning with the Provision Leadership Team and eventually appointing elders for the new church recognizing the process may take 2 years or more. I fully agree to be credentialed (license or ordination) before beginning official meeting for this new ministry. Each additional staff pastor will be encouraged to be credentialed. I will demonstrate a spirit of harmony in working with my brothers and sisters in Christ (even across denominational lines), with the SED representatives, and with the Regional Steering Committee assigned to us. I agree to use the Articles of Incorporation approved by the EFCA Southeast District as proposed by the Director of Church Planting. Any by-laws written prior to the new church functioning congregationally must receive final approval by the SED-EFCA Superintendent. I fully agree to have the new church plant support financially the EFCA, the EFCA Southeast District, the SED's Church Planting efforts and missions, as the agreed upon in Articles of Incorporation state. The pastor must be receiving his full salary from the church before it begins tithing. I will attend the Church Planter's Network Meetings, Coaching Sessions, the Regional EFCA Pastor's Gatherings, and the SED-EFCA Annual Conference. signed: ______________________________ date: ____________ phone:_________________ email address:___________________________ Wed, 3 Dec 2008 14:51:35 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=13 OUR ABC's! Our Church planting processes begin through Assessment, Boot Camp and Ongoing Coaching. Assessment for the planting couples and their teams. The Church Planter's Boot Camp focuses on principles and the non-negotiables of the process of launching a new church. We have seen this boot camp used in many cultures around the world. Then coaching by experienced church planters/pastors is critical for the entire process. Numberous workshops are offered by district staff to develop leaders to help each new church be successful through the process. We desire that every church planter is individually coached. Lay Driven Teams Our district strategy includes a true commitment to the priesthood of believers. We have been very successful in empowering lay teams to begin new churches without a pastor and most of those we have coached are active and healthy. Recognizing that God has specifically gifted each of His children, we desire to come alongside those of you seeking to use your giftedness to reach your community and region for Jesus. So how has God been speaking to you? We offer the same resources, coaching and networking for lay starts as we do church planting missionary pastors. Contact me if you sense God may be leading you this way! Consider a lay driven team church start. Where ever you live, work and play God may be calling you to consider beginning a new church committed to principles of multiplication. The older saints used to say "bloom where you are planted"! I wonder what would really happen in America if the church (God's people) became the church for this century, the new generations and beyond until Jesus returns. It's Jesus' church not ours! So the question that faces all of us who know Christ is, what is God asking of me today to make a difference for tomorrow? Be a part a changing future, begin or be a part of new church team that will take us deep into this next century for the cause of Jesus Christ. Feel free to contact me! This is all for the glory of God! Wed, 3 Dec 2008 14:49:12 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=26 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=26&article_id=15 Whether you have a launch team, core group or a couple of families I'd suggest you back off a little on starting services and suggest starting here. This process creates a sense of anticipation and excitement about a new church start. I. First 4 to 5 months: Distribute Fliers & Gather People - Best case when NOT already living in target area. 1. Complete web site and establish cell phone for voice mail before starting. 2. Distribute fliers not necessarily speaking to people - have them make contact first because it shows interest on their part. 3. Prayer Walks as you grow your team. 4. Keep making relational connections every month you come to visit...contact the contacts! II. Two Informational Meetings: Visiting Contacts, Networking, and Set DirectionSecure a place to meet for 200 people; can use another meeting place for informational meetings; recommend not using homes. 1st informational meeting: Cast Vision, explain ethos and EFCA connections and commitments. You do not want any surprises in the processes. Invite back in two to three weeks; then visit people that came out inviting them to stay with the new vision and church. 2nd informational meeting: Cast vision, explain timeline, present values and process for disciple making. Must answer the question, "why another church is needed?" What makes you different then other churches? Answer the "what's and where's!" III. Training Services: Casting Vision & Foundational Truths (8 to 12 weeks) 1. Teach Values for understanding 2. Begin gathering events by fun events. 3. Begin light worship when you meet weekly 4. Define critical ministries 5. People encouraged to invite 6. Talk about Mission often! 7. Explain process for making disciples - what is your defined pathway? 8. Equip attendees to function with the pathway toward reproducing their lives. IV. Preview Services: Relational Networking & Establishing Ministry Activities (6 to 9 months) 1. Ministries develop and in place. 2. Weekly or monthly preview services but meet every week on Sunday morning. Lost people believe church is Sunday morning. 3. Continue flier distribution, prayer walks, and people continue inviting people. 4. Ongoing fun events for gathering. V. Public Launch: Launching & announcing the new church 1. Begin to work the plan and pathway continuing and seeing lives transformed. 2. Continue gathering and connecting events. Have fun! 3. Make sure the pastor/planter is delegating and releasing others to "do" ministry as God leads them. (Public Launch let's the community know you are here. Continuing to develop ministries & Develop People through Disciple Making Pathway) Tue, 2 Dec 2008 13:25:59 MST http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2 http://www.plantingchurches.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2&article_id=7 Our Mission The Evangelical Free Church of America movement exists to glorify God by multiplying healthy churches among all people. Our Vision Our church planting vision is to bring pleasure to God by using proactive, servant leadership to mobilize a church planting movement in the United States of America, where every healthy EFCA church will become a reproducing church, and no EFCA church planter will be left alone. Our Values We envision planting Healthy (Great Commandment), Disciplemaking (Great Commission),Reproducing (Multiplying Churches),EFCA (Interdependent) churches. Our Strategy To accomplish this vision, we will develop a national church planting strategy and the strategic support systems to sustain a church planting movement that will last. Our EFCA districts are in process of developing seven systems: Launching, Recruiting, Assessing, Coaching, Training, Funding, and Reproducing. Fri, 16 Sep 2005 09:38:35 MST