MCC Church Planting Initiative Module III Ways to Successfully Plant a Healthy Church Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman Lyle Schaller writes: “If you are interested in reaching new people, by far the most effective way to do this is through church planting.” Ways to Successfully Plant a Healthy Church In this module you find an overview of MCC’s Church Planting Initiative. This is the third of three modules. This module looks at the regional church plant and the parish extension as the two models for church planting. It also shows the role of the Regional Elder in the church planting process. 2 Ways to Plant a Healthy Church 1. Regional Church Plant * Church planting pastor appointed by the Regional Elder and accountable to Elder * Financial Plan approved by Regional Elder or designee * Support coordinated by Region 2. Parish Extension – Parent Church Plant * Church planting pastor is on staff at the parent church * Church plant adheres to the bylaws of the parent church * Church planter maintains regular contact with Regional Elder * If local church serves as parent church, they will provide: – Regular financial resources – Regular prayer support – Regular personal and spiritual support for the church planter(s) – Resources such as teachers, musicians, speakers, copying, etc., as needed – Financial management Three Steps for Birthing a New Church The three steps to church planting are: * Conception - the start of the idea for a church plant * Prenatal Development -helping the church plant to grow and develop * Birth - approval for public worship Developing a healthy church takes time! Step One: Conception Approximate time needed: 3 - 6 months * MCC clergy person/Church planting team is called and authorized by Regional Elder * Determine target location * Develop funding plan * Get Elder authorization for feasibility study (please see the Feasibility Study Teaching Module) * Maintain list of contacts – especially e-mail addresses * Set up prayer team Do not “over promise” – under sell and over deliver Step Two: Prenatal Development Approximate time needed: 6 - 12 months Gathering and Organizing the Launch team: * Regional Elder has approved Feasibility Study * Gather and organize launch team * Prior to building launch team obtain appropriate insurance, as agreed with Regional Elder * Name the new church plant Definition of a launch team member: – Someone seriously interested in seeing an MCC in his or her community – Willing to commit time and talents – Make a financial investment Commitment is more than just a name on a list Finding Launch team Members: – Hold events – Homosexuality & the Bible workshops – Pride Celebrations – History of MCC Workshops – Open House – Hold informational gatherings – Advertise – lgbt press, press releases – One to One contacts – Webpage If a parish extension, launch team members may also include a small group from the parent church – committing to one year or more. This small group should not be compose more than Ό of the launch team and should reside in the target area. Developing a Launch Team: – Small groups/cell groups – Relationship building – Develop a culture of stewardship – Establish Ministry Teams (pastoral care, prayer team, music team – etc.) before beginning worship – Establish basic infrastructure – Develop a culture of healthy relationships – Infusion of the vision, mission and core values A regional plant should complete the items below prior to beginning regular worship. A parish extension that is ready to apply to become a separate MCC from its parent church should also complete these steps: * Incorporation or its equivalent * Financial accounting process established * Counting and handling of money process established * Standard Operating Procedures developed * Appropriate insurance purchased * Complete the Risk Management Audit provided by the Regional Elder Step 3: Birth Approximate time needed: 2 - 3 months Do You Think You Are Ready for Regular Worship? Obtain Approval to Give Birth from Regional Elder: – Are there at least 35 people present who view themselves as part of the launch team? (or the number agreed with the Regional Elder) – Invite the Regional Elder for a visit - through dialogue the Regional Elder or designee assesses: – Why do they wish to be a part of this church? – How will they support it? – In what ways are they already involved? – What are their hopes for the future of the church? Once you have obtained approval in writing from the Regional Elder, you may proceed and begin preparing for worship Preparing for Worship * Delay worship services until the launch team is built and Regional Elder has given approval! * Train all worship leaders for the first service and beyond * Host a dress rehearsal * Advertise – Advertise – Advertise * Are the ministry teams ready to follow up with first time guests? Worship Begins - Questions * How will you integrate the new people into the life of the church? * What events and activities will be planned following your first few worship services? * Have you developed small groups ready to receive new people? Next Steps to Growing Up Do Not Rush This Step! * For regional church plants and parish extensions that wish to be recognized as a voting congregation within MCC, several important issues need to be addressed * Some parish extensions may choose to remain as part of the parent church and therefore come under the organization of the parent church Become a New Voting MCC Contact Your Regional Elder asking to apply to become a new voting MCC. The following issues will need to be addressed: * Develop proposed bylaws for approval by Regional Elder * Complete membership classes * Meet all other affiliation criteria as established by the Board of Elders When the Regional Elder has confirmed the recognition of the church as a voting congregation within MCC, hold a congregational meeting to: * elect the pastor * elect the local church administrative body - “board” * elect the lay delegate * approve the local church bylaws Congratulations!! If you have reached this stage, you are now a voting MCC. * The next challenge is to continue to grow in faith, maturity and service. Role of the Regional Elder - An Overview The Elder may choose to establish a Church Planting Team to assist in: * Establishing a church planting culture * Recruiting church planters * Approving funding plans * Giving approval to feasibility studies * Coaching regional church planters * Appointing a Mentor * Approving Risk Management Audit * Determining with church planter if it will be a parish extension or a regional church plant * Ensuring that the launch team is built * Approving commencement of regular worship * Approving the proposed local church bylaws * Learning from every plant * Championing the Church Planting cause Church Planting Essential Reading Ramey Jr., Robert H. The Pastor’s Start-Up Manual - Beginning A New Pastorate Abington Press, 1995 Hauk, Kenneth C. Antagonists in the Church – How to Identify and Deal with Destructive Conflict. Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1988. Schaller, Lyle The Small Membership Church Abington Press, 1994 Special thanks to Rev. Stephanie Burns and Rev.Elder Cecilia Eggleston and the Church Planting Education Team for the development of this series of training modules. 1