Workbook: Church Planter Training Intensive, Minneapolis MN, March 9-14, 2016

Church PlanterTraining Intensive

March 9–14 2016 Minneapol is, MN�

CHURCH PLANTER TRAINING INTENSIVE MARCH 9-14, 2016 • MSP

Overv iew o f Week

Schedule & Topics

PAGE WEDNESDAY NIGHT1

• Start and Stop on Time • Minimize Electronic Distractions • Fully Participate - Work Hard, Play Hard!

WED Night: Dinner, In t ros, & Or ientat ion, then a fun & fu l l week ahead!THU FRI SAT SUN MON

S T A R T E A C H D A Y P R O M P T L Y A T 9 : 0 0 A M

Morning Devotional Morning Devotional Morning Devotional Church Plant Visit: 8:45a Departure

Catalyst Cov. Church Pastor Jeff Olson catalystcovenant.org

See behind the scenes, join in worship together, and see a new Covenant Church Plant in action!

Morning Devotional

Prayer andSpiritual Warfare Review & Teach-Back Review & Teach-Back Church Multiplication:

Multiply Churches that are healthy, missional, and also reproducePreReqs for Covenant

Agreement Signing: 30 Adults, 3rd Stream Funding, 1 Support Church, Well-Conceived Project Plan

“Normal & Natural Pathways” and 10 Missional Markers

Four-Stage Launch Overview: Your first 12 months planting

Leadership: reproduce leaders that effectively lead, serve, & multiply

Stage 1: Launch Team DevelopmentPanel: Launch Team Stories & Strategies

Consecration, Commissioning, & Communion

1 0 : 4 5 - 1 1 : 1 5 M I D - M O R N I N G B R E A K Wrap-Up & Send-Off

Culture: Discovering Your Identity, Creating Culture

Evangelism: leading people one step closer to Jesus

Stage 2: Preview & Doing the ‘W’

Rides to AirportStage 3: Soft LaunchStage 4: Hard Launch

1 2 : 3 0 - 1 : 3 0 L U N C H

Culture: Structuring & Communicating Your Church Culture

Fundraising: enlisting patrons & supporters to advance the mission

Fruitfulness & Sustainability

Debrief: Church Plant & Worship Service Observations

Travel safe, thanks for being together

this week :)

We’re praying for you, your people, and the

thriving church God has called you to plant!

Stewardship: instilling a culture of generosity, sacrifice, & faithfulness

30-60-90 Project Revitalization Process Children's Ministry

2 : 4 5 - 3 : 1 5 A F T E R N O O N B R E A K

Context: Understanding Your Missional Context

Discipleship: making disciples that are maturing in Christ

CovTalks:Facilities, Legal & Admin, Financial Systems, Worship Arts, and more

Personal Care & Development

Lab Time Lab Time DCP Panel Discussionand Q&A Time

6 : 0 0 D I N N E R

Concert of Prayer & Worship Service Special Fun Night Free Evening Free Evening

THU FRI SAT SUN MON

http://catalystcovenant.org


Gett ing Around

Key Locations [ goo.gl/CMhIoa ]


Oak Ridge Hotel & Conference Center 1 Oak Ridge DriveChaska, MN 55318 oakridgeminneapolis.com

Catalyst Covenant Church Olson Campus Center1490 Fulham StSt Paul, MN 55108catalystcovenant.org

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) 4300 Glumack DriveMinneapolis, MN 55111www.mspairport.com

http://oakridgeminneapolis.com

http://catalystcovenant.org/

http://www.mspairport.com

https://goo.gl/CMhIoa

http://oakridgeminneapolis.com


http://www.mspairport.com


Wednesday N ight

Intros & Orientation Getting to Know Your Covenant Church Planting Family DCPs (Newest to Most “Seasoned”) 1. Alex Rahill, Great Lakes PT, CP

2. David Swanson, Central PT, CP

3. Glenn Peterson, Canada PT, PS

4. Brian Johnson, Midwest FT

5. Jason Condon, East Coast FT

6. Mike Brown, Northwest (+AK) FT

7. Dave Olson, Pacific Southwest FT(+South East & Midsouth)


11 Conferences Comprise the Larger Missional Regions of the Evangelical Covenant Church

KEY: PT=Part-time DCP, FT=Full-time, CP=Church Planter, PS=Pastor

Start and Strengthen Churches covchurch.org/what-we-do/strengthen-churches

“We are committed to start and strengthen healthy, missional churches, much like the Apostle Paul started and continued to strengthen churches in the New Testament. We believe the local church is God’s basic strategy to carry out mission in the world. Through planting new churches and providing resources to strengthen existing congregations, these ministries seek to reach more people with the hope of Christ.”

National Church Planting Team • Mike Brown, NWConf DCP,

Training [email protected]

• Jason Condon, ECConf DCP, Assessment [email protected]

• John Teter, National Team [email protected]

http://www.covchurch.org/what-we-do/strengthen-churches/

mailto:[email protected]



http://www.covchurch.org/what-we-do/strengthen-churches/





Our Values: The “Four ALs”Two historic questions early Covenanters asked one another:

• Biblical: “Where is it written?” • Devotional: “How goes your walk?”

As they formed in the US, they chose the name “Mission Friends”:• Missional: “Are we pursuing Christ’s purposes?”• Connectional: “Are we together in Christian community?”

Our Beliefs: Covenant Affirmations www.covchurch.org/who-we-are/beliefs/affirmations 1. We affirm the centrality of the word of God 2. We affirm the necessity of the new birth 3. We affirm a commitment to the whole mission of the church 4. We affirm the church as a fellowship of believers 5. We affirm a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit 6. We affirm the reality of freedom in Christ

Our Mission: What We Do as the Covenant www.covchurch.org/what-we-do • video: Covenant Mission & Ministry 2013 [vimeo.com/50717463]

Five Strategic Priorities 1. Make and Deepen Disciples2. Start and Strengthen Churches 3. Develop Leaders 4. Love Mercy, Do Justice 5. Serve Globally

Table Discussion • Which of these “family characteristics” resonates most with you? • Why is it important to be connected with a larger family of faith? • What are the challenges of not just being “independent”?

Staying Connected • Take advantage of the many opportunities for connection, encouragement, and development! • Examples: Fall Pastors Retreat, Midwinter, Conference Annual Meeting, Covenant Annual

Meeting, Cohort meetings (in some Conferences), Exponential Conference, and more • Your conference should have an events calendar you can visit (and, even better, possibly subscribe to)


http://www.covchurch.org/who-we-are/beliefs/affirmations/

http://www.covchurch.org/what-we-do

http://vimeo.com/50717463


Why Are We Here? What Do You Hope to Learn this Week?

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•

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Our Shared Learning Objectives By the end of training, planters will understand and be able to implement:

• Self-Care Plan: Develop a perspective and plan for self-care and a healthy family life

• Normal & Natural Pathways: in this new church, what the normal & natural pathways are to… • Make Disciples that are maturing in Christ • Evangelize People so they come to a transforming faith in Jesus • Reproduce Leaders that effectively lead, serve, and multiply • Instill a Stewardship Culture of generosity, sacrifice, and faithfulness • Multiply Churches that are healthy, missional, and also reproduce

• Four-Stage Launch Process: what it is, why it matters, how to follow and adapt for increasing momentum in planting a healthy, missional, thriving, reproducing Covenant church

• Well-Conceived Project Plan: develop a strategic timeline and detailed planning calendar for the first year that includes the four stages, special events, and key milestones

• Others:



NOTES:



Thursday 9:00 AM

Morning Devotions

Prayer & Spiritual Warfare

BREAK | 10:45 AM ~ 30 Min PAGE THURSDAY7

“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”

~ Lord Alfred Tennyson

“I gird myself today with the power of God:

God’s strength to comfort me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me,

God’s eye to look before me,God’s ear to hear me,

God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to lead me,

God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,

God’s angels to save me

From the snares of the devil, From the temptations to sin,

From all who wish me ill, Both far and near,

Alone and with others.

May Christ guard me today…

I arise today Through the power of the Trinity, Through the faith in the threeness,

Through trust in the oneness, Of the Maker of earth,

And the Maker of heaven.”

~ from St. Patrick’s Breastplate


NOTES:

PAGE THURSDAY8


Sample Prayer Covenant Mike Brown, Nor thwest Conference DCP

The [Church Name] Covenant Church Prayer Covenant We will pray for the [Church Name] Covenant church planting team regularly, remembering their need for:

• God’s protection from the evil one. John 17:15 - “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should guard them from the evil one.”

• God’s direction through His Word. John 17:17-18 - “Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.”

• God’s provision for all their needs. Philippians 4:19 - “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

• Open doors to share Christ. Revelation 3:7 - “He opens doors, and no one can shut them; he shuts doors, and no one can open them.”

• Unity and love for each other. Ephesians 4:1-3 - “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

We will pray for the people in the {City, Town, Neighborhood] area so that they: • Would be released from Satan to follow Jesus as Lord. 2 Corinthians 4:4 “Satan, the god of

this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them.”

• Would give favor to and receive the ______________ Team members. Acts 2:47 “Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Prayerfully signed,

_________________________________________________ [Church Name] Covenant Church Prayer Partner

*************

Thank you so much for partnering with us in prayer. People follow Jesus Christ as a direct result of faithful believers talking to God on their behalf (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Praying the truth of the Bible is our most effective weapon against evil in this world (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Please remember us continually because we know that we will face spiritual warfare. Our prayer partners are the Most Valuable Players on our team.

PAGE THURSDAY9


Developing a Prayer Warrior Network Ar t ic le by John M. Ba i ley Church P lant ing Group Nor th Amer ican Miss ion Board

Intro Recently, while reading the first chapters of the book of Acts, I noticed something rather strange. First, I noted that the disciples, while waiting in the upper room, prayed. And prayed. And prayed. In fact, it seems they prayed for days. I noted that Peter preached a very short sermon to the residents of Jerusalem... maybe 15 minutes at best. The result? Three thousand were saved. As I reflected on my own ministry, I noted that I tend to preach a long time, pray little, and see just a few saved. Sound familiar? Through prayer, God greatly multiplies our efforts. As a church planter, there is no greater need than the establishment and communication with a prayer support team.

Who? This may not be as easy as you think. Your prayer warriors will need to know specific prayer requests. Some of those requests may be about specific people in your ministry or on your leadership team. I suggest strongly that you enlist individuals to serve on your team who know you personally but who do not live in your area of service. This gives you the freedom to speak openly and honestly without fear of your requests becoming local gossip. I would suggest that you recruit as many people as possible to serve on your team. Start with a minimum of 50 and grow from there. I would also include your sponsoring and partnering churches. As you have opportunities to share your vision for your plant, it is crucial that you carry with you a way to enlist prayer warriors. Even a legal tablet will work as long as you use it. Never stop enlisting prayer warriors! It might not hurt; however, to establish a local prayer network which includes your church members and local pastors. Naturally, you would not include sensitive subjects, but I believe that the creation of this second team will benefit both your plant and those praying for you. It reinforces the importance of prayer and allows them to participate in your ministry.

PAGE THURSDAY10


What? I am a big believer in being very specific with your prayer requests. Asking the Lord to bless the missionaries is wonderful, but blessings come in a variety of forms! Be specific with your requests. I would also make sure that I stay balanced in my requests. Your prayer requests might include the following: 1. Specific requests for you and your family. Be honest about your struggles and needs 2. Prayer for your vision and values. Include updates and be honest about your struggles 3. Prayer for your leadership and financial needs. Be specific 4. Prayer for upcoming events and speaking opportunities 5. Prayer for your strategy. Keep them updated 6. Prayer for the lost by name 7. Prayer for your sponsoring churches 8. Prayer for your mentor or coach 9. Prayer for your vision, that you would see the community as God sees it. 10. Prayer for resources. Be specific about your needs

Not only would I send out my prayer requests, I would also send out praises as well. Those praying for you want to know what God is doing in your midst. Testify of His greatness! Don’t forget to send pictures or direct them to a web site where you post pictures. I would also ask them to send to you prayer requests. Pray for them even if they do not send you requests. It would be advantageous to include with each prayer letter a short section on how to improve your prayer life. Coach them in their praying, teaching them how to pray using Scripture. Suggest books on prayer. Not only will this help them in their praying on your behalf, I believe that it will add value to your letter.

When? I would send out a newsletter each month unless something urgent comes up.

How? There are many ways to send your requests. My personal preference is via email, but would send a minimum of two communications a year via regular mail. I believe that this shows you value their partnership, and could be included with a Christmas or thank you card. There are a number of ways to create your database, just keep it accurate and up-to-date.

Resources • Maxwell, John (1996), Partners In Prayer, Thomas Nelson Publishers. • Sanchez, Daniel R. (2002), Church Planting Prayer Strategy, North American Mission Board (visit

www.churchplantingvillage.net, click Church Planting Resource Library, scroll down to prayer section)

PAGE THURSDAY11

http://www.churchplantingvillage.net


During our training I remember hearing from a couple church planters who were a year or more ahead of where we were that "you will be broken." I always thought that meant we would reach a place of burn-out and that we would realize that we could not do this "church thing" in our own power, but through the power of God. And that is definitely true and we have experienced that variety of physical and/or mental brokenness both individually and corporately at Artisan. What I did not expect however is a brokenness of heart.

Over the past month and a half our Staff, Leadership Team, and church family have been praying and fasting for God's heart and vision for the future. Specifically, we were asking if we should go to multiple services and multiple venues for our gathered worship. We expected direction, a firm "yes" or "no" to the question, "Should we go to multiple services." What we experienced, however, was more akin to the experience of Nehemiah as he heard the report of the state of Jerusalem. The people in Jerusalem were living in disgrace and shame (Neh 1:3), and up to this point, did not see a way out of their predicament. Nehemiah, much like our Leadership Team "sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven (Neh 1:4)." God broke Nehemiah's heart for the people of Jerusalem and he broke ours for our own people.

God revealed our failings as a Leadership Team and a church. We wept and mourned because of our own "functional atheism." We were acknowledging God exists with our minds, but our actions showed we had little need of Him. We wept for the hundreds of lives that are in disgrace and shame, many of whom may not even recognize it, and need godly leadership to restore them to a place of honor and glory in God's kingdom. We wept because of our fear of the unknown and our lack of faith to move us forward. We wept because we realized that God wants to do incredible things through frail people like us. And we prayed.

Through our prayer we realized that this brokenness and humility is exactly where God wants leadership born from. Nehemiah started there, Jesus started there as the Creator humbled himself to be baptized by John the Baptist (one of the creation!). We recognized our need to be continually in prayer.

When Nehemiah faced Sanballat and Tobiah he prayed. When there was murmuring within the ranks that they were rebuilding the wall, he prayed. When he cast vision, he prayed. When the wall was completed, he prayed. After Jesus was baptized and before he began his public ministry, he spent 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness fasting and praying. It is in this continued prayer that God moved us to the place of vision.

God has inspired the Leadership at Artisan to move forward with the plan to begin multiple service times and venues. The reasons for doing so are a bit different now than they were before we started this journey. Now we are propelled forward by the brokenness for the things and people that break God's heart. We realize that our neighbors and the students on the college campuses all around us are in disgrace and shame. We are moved by the idea that we could pour the grace and love of God through the Holy Spirit into these lives, no matter how short a time they are here (we estimate the average time a person stays at Artisan is two years because many are college students). We have a vision for raising up the next generation of godly leaders and sending them out to new neighborhoods where they will share the restoration that can only be found in God through His son, Jesus.

A friend recently shared a prayer with us. This prayer is attributed to Sir Francis Drake who wrote one of the most motivational prayers ever written in that it both breaks and inspires the reader at the same time. The prayer is titled "Disturb Us." While uncomfortable and, at times, painful, we thank God for our brokenness. This experience has reaffirmed that it is the foolish (weak/broken) things of this world that God uses to confound the wise (1 Cor 1:27-28). We are nothing but cracked pots, but we carry an immeasurable treasure "to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us (2 Cor 4:7)". Disturb us, Lord, I pray!

Discussion questions for you & your team: 1. Insights and applications from the article? 2. How God is breaking your heart for those

who are far from God in your mission field? 3. Discuss ways have you and your can seek

God for this church plant

PAGE THURSDAY12

Prayer & Brokenness: Plant After the Plow The Test imony o f a Covenant Church P lanter Br ian E. Haak, Ar t isan Church Found ing Pastora l Team

http://www.fitzroy.org.uk/articles/francis_prayer.html


Thursday 11:15 AM

Discovering Your Identity, Creating Culture Goal:

• Understand and be able to communicate how the important pieces of the model fit together to bring to life the big God-given vision

What is a Brand? (and what is it not?) • A Brand is not a logo, slick packaging, or a marketing campaign • Branding starts on the inside. It is determined first by a clearly articulated statement of mission,

vision and values.

Process: • The process starts by clearly articulating Vision, Mission and Values.

Answers the Question: “What makes our church unique?”

• Vision, Mission and Values are the elemental pieces of Culture in a healthy church.Answers the Question: “Who are we?”

PAGE THURSDAY13

“Mission, Vision and Strategy typically focus on

products, services or outcomes, but culture is always about people.”

~ Samuel Chand, Cracking Your Church’s Culture Code

Vision&

Mission&

Values&

Culture&

Marke0ng&

Program&Development&

Experience&


Theme Verse andVision, Mission, Values Theme Verse: ( = “inspiration”)

Vision: ( = “destination”)

Mission: ( = “road map”)

Values: ( = “guardrails along highway”)

Poster Activity • Write out your vision for the church plant (even if it’s still really rough) • Give and Receive Feedback from other church planters

Mission • What are the markers to help you know you’re moving toward vision? ••

Values • Interactive Exercise • Critique 3-5 other planters vision, mission, values •

PAGE THURSDAY14

EXAMPLE: CITADEL OF FAITH, DETROIT MI

www.citadeloffaith.org

Theme Verse: “You are the salt of the earth. You are

the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

– Jesus (Matthew 5:13-16)

Vision: A church where hurting people from all

races can find answers from God's Word. Where we can be God's light as we serve the community, connect with

individuals, and see God's power transform communities and the world.

Mission: Mission statement:

“Change Starts Here” Annual actions based on these elements

Values:Reverence God, Reach People,

Raise Disciples, Release Leaders

http://www.citadeloffaith.org

http://www.citadeloffaith.org


Culture What creates culture?

• Culture is the “personality” of the church

Dreaming Exercise: Letter from the Future • On the next page, write a letter back to Your Church,

assuming you are now living in the year 2018 • Describe what the church and its ministries are like five

years from today. Describe your dream of what the church has become. Be specific. Take 10 minutes

Define the culture you wish to create. Ask questions like:

• What is good?: celebrate and cultivate

• What is wrong?: name, confront, stop

• What is confusing?: clarify and compel

• What is missing?: identify and start

In Pairs • Share one story of the culture you hope to create, or are seeing birthed in this new church.

LUNCH | 12:30 PM PAGE THURSDAY15

“The fact is, culture eats strategy for lunch.”

~ Dick Clark, CEO of Merck Pharmaceuticals

“Culture–not vision or strategy–is the most powerful factor in

any organization.”

~ Samuel Chand, Cracking Your Church’s Culture Code

Vision&

Mission&

Values&

Culture&

Marke0ng&


Experience&


PAGE THURSDAY16

Dear Church,

Older & Wiser,Future Me (2021)


Thursday 1:30 PM

Structuring & Communicating Your Church Culture Process continued:

• The culture of the church should determine Program Development (programs, staffing, resourcing, etc.) and Marketing (how you communicate the church)

• Application Questions • How will you incarnate your culture? • What will you need in terms of staffing, resources, and budgeting to live out your key ministries?

Experience • Your Identity is the sum of all Experiences anyone and everyone has with your

church • What can you do to create a positive experience for those who will attend your church?

• The programs, resourcing, staffing and marketing should inform the Experience people have at your churchAnswers the Question: “What is the reality in our church?”

• The culture should inform the experience and experience should reinforce the culture

�

Vision&

Mission&

Values&

Culture&

Marke0ng&


Experience&

PAGE THURSDAY17


Poster Activity (in groups) • Structure: Make list of structure necessary to live into culture:

• What?

• Who?

• Where?

• Experience: What things influence how people will experience your church?

On Your Own

• Communicate: How will you communicate your church? (Story as the glue)

Discussion (in groups) • What words do people use to describe your church or

what words would you use to describe the church you hope to plant?

• How will you communicate the stories inside and outside your church

Action Steps (stats and measuring progress) • create task list and timeline for next couple of months,

include who will be accountable and by what time frame

BREAK | 2:45 PM ~ 30 Min PAGE THURSDAY18


Thursday 3:15 PM

Understanding Your Missional Context MissionInSite www.missioninsite.com

• Share with someone who is planting in a similar missional context • what do you see? • what one need will you meet in Jesus’ Name? • what will your church do?

• Add to your Ministry Calendar (monthly or quarterly)

Community Assessment A way to help you survey your community to find a Strategic Match:

• fit between the gifts and calling of God • unique to our congregation or team • relevant to the critical needs in our community

PAGE THURSDAY19

“An essential part of the ordination exam ought to be a passage from some recognized

theological work set for translation into vulgar English—just like

doing Latin prose. Failure on this part should mean failure on the

whole exam. It is absolutely disgraceful that we expect

missionaries to the Bantus to learn Bantu, but never ask whether our missionaries to the Americans or

English can speak American or English. Any fool can write

learned language: the vernacular is the real test. If you can’t turn your faith into it, then either

you don’t understand it or don’t believe it.”

~ C.S. Lewis

http://www.missioninsite.com/


NOTES:

PAGE THURSDAY20


Thursday 4:00 PM

Afternoon Lab Time Individual work on Theme Verse, and Vision, Mission, Values

Group Presentations & Critique Color Dot "Votes"

= Nope. (weak, missed the mark)

= Maybe? (vague, needs clarity)

= Yes! (I get it and it speaks to me)

$

Red

Yellow

Green

Post-It Notes:

• write brief helpful suggestions

• slap on giant sheets near the related item

PAGE THURSDAY21

EXAMPLE: ARTISAN CHURCH,

ROCHESTER NY www.artisanchurch.com

Theme Verse:“For we are God’s masterpiece,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance to be our way of life.”

– The Apostle Paul (Ephesians 2:10)

Vision: “encounter God,

embrace people, engage culture, in the Way of Jesus.”

Values: Awe, Beauty, Roots,

Community, Justice

Mission: 3 Circles: Worship, Guilds, Groups.

Ministry Calendar: strategic rhythms of outreach, evangelism,

discipleship, and deployment; Quarterly Members “Gallery”; etc.

(www.artisanchurch.com/about)

http://www.artisanchurch.com

http://www.artisanchurch.com/about

http://www.artisanchurch.com

http://www.artisanchurch.com/about


NOTES:

PAGE THURSDAY22


Thursday 5:45 PM

Teach-Back & Debrief of Day •

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•

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DINNER | 6:00 PM

Af te r D inner

Concert of Prayer & Worship Service ( then f ree even ing a f te rwards)

PAGE THURSDAY23


Fr iday 9:00 AM

Morning Devotions

Review & Teach-Back of Previous Day •

•

•

•

PAGE FRIDAY24


Fr iday 9:30 AM

Normal & Natural Pathways 5 vital functions of a healthy missional church

• “Normal” - ordinary; the consistent, regular way something happens (though God can surprise!)

• “Natural” - indigenous; fitting the particular church plant’s vision, values, and missional setting (though the supernatural trumps everything!)

Five Vital Functions 1. Make Disciples that are maturing in Christ 2. Evangelize People so they come to a transforming faith in Jesus 3. Reproduce Leaders that effectively lead, serve, and multiply 4. Instill a Stewardship Culture of generosity, sacrifice, & faithfulness 5. Multiply Churches that are healthy, missional, and reproduce (full document on next page or at: www.bit.ly/normalnaturalpathways)

Example: “Our Stewardship ‘Normal & Natural Pathway’ includes… ” • Financial Peace University 2x/year, completion is a Membership/Leadership/Staff requirement • Messages: one quarterly message and one yearly series on financial discipleship and stewardship • Worship Service: Receive Tithes & Offering near end of service

• each week: brief testimony of life-change locally, regionally, or globally • each time: clear explanation connecting with church’s mission and vision, include instructions on

Info Card, which will also be collected in offering • pass basket with enclosed top with fabric slit, also provide locked dropbox at back of sanctuary for

those who need more time with offering and info cards • Online Giving & Giving Kiosk: attractive, easy to use, integrated into website & enews • Transparent Communication: bulletin/enews lists monthly budget need, weekly-to-date giving,

remaining need, worship attendance, # of people giving that week (adjusted for families)

Table Read & Discussion: • Instructions

• using full list on next page, go around your table, each person reading one of the 5 Vital Functions • always start with “In this new church, what are the ‘Normal & Natural Pathways’ to…”, read the

vital function, then continue reading the bullet points listed immediately below • take turns until all 5 Vital Functions are read

• Questions: Each person share… • Which one of these will be easiest for you? • Which one will be the most challenging?

PAGE FRIDAY25

http://www.bit.ly/normalnaturalpathways


Normal & Natural Pathways Critical Questions for New Church Development

The following five questions will help you think strategically about what you hope to accomplish in the lives of people as a result of your ministry. Take time to pray as you work through these questions.

In this new church, what are the “Normal & Natural Pathways” to…

1. Make Disciples that are maturing in Christ • What will the disciple making process look like in this new church? • What are the characteristics of a Christ-follower that you want to see produced in people who are a

part of your new church?

2. Evangelize People so they come to a transforming faith in Jesus • What kinds of experiences do people need in order to become fully-devoted followers of Christ? • How will you use training events, small groups, mentoring, worship, etc. as part of an overall strategy? • For a call to decision, will you use “altar calls”, have people raise their hands, mark an info card,

visit a special area in the worship space for prayer, resources, and follow-up, write their name on a “decision wall”, or some other tangible response?

3. Reproduce Leaders that effectively lead, serve, and multiply • What leadership gifts and skills do you possess and how do they relate to your vision for training for

training up new leaders? How will you augment your skills and gifting? • What specific kinds of experiences (training, mentoring, coaching) do you need to have to become

the pastor/leader you desire to be? What do your leaders and potential leaders need? • How will leaders be encouraged & trained in your church? What kind gifts or skill sets are needed?

4. Instill a Stewardship Culture of generosity, sacrifice, and faithfulness • How will you cast vision from the beginning for being generous, sacrificial, and joyful stewards? • How will you present and practically handle tithes & offerings during worship? • How will you address issues of stewardship in preaching, including targeted message series? • What practical methods will you use to help people in their giving? (passing a basket, drop-box,

online giving, giving kiosk, etc.) What systems will you put in place for handling money well?

5. Multiply Churches that are healthy, missional, and also reproduce • How will you cast vision from the beginning for being a church-planting church? • What cultural values and strategic components need to be in place to Parent a new church or

Partner with other churches in planting your first church by the end of your first 3 years?

After you’ve reflected on these questions and outlined your initial thoughts, talk about them with your Coach. Work on specific plans to implement your ideas and incorporate them into the life of the church

Original doc also available at: www.bit.ly/normalnaturalpathways

PAGE FRIDAY26

http://www.bit.ly/normalnaturalpathways


Healthy Missional Markers covchurch.org/vitality/healthy-missional-markers

1. Centrality of the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) • We believe that the Bible is the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine and conduct. • Our preaching and teaching in all settings reflects careful preparation, relevance, and creativity. • Our people are equipped and growing in their ability to study and apply Biblical truth in ways

that lead to a scripturally integrated life.

2. Life Transforming Walk with Jesus (John 3:3,30; Phil. 1:6) • We teach our people how to be attentive to Christ in all circumstances. • Our people understand the radical nature of the message and mission of Jesus that continually

deconstructs and reconstructs a person’s life. • Our people are equipped and growing in their ability to use a variety of spiritual growth

resources, experiences, and settings.

3. Intentional Evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20) • We are burdened for the spiritual condition of those who do not yet know Christ. • We have identifiable pathways for evangelism to take place in our ministries. • Our people are equipped and growing in their ability to build spiritual friendships and know

how to share their faith as God-birthed opportunities arise.

4. Transforming Communities through Active Compassion, Mercy and Justice Ministries (Micah 6:8) • We are burdened for the hurting people in our community and beyond. • We have identifiable pathways for compassion, mercy and justice ministries to take place. • Our people are equipped and growing in their ability to see and address the hurts and the causes

of hurt in our community and beyond.

5. Global Perspective and Engagement (Acts 1:8) • We raise the sights of our members beyond our congregation and community by developing a

Biblical worldview and often pray for and reference global matters. • We have identifiable pathways to support the cause of Christ globally. • Our people are equipped and growing in their ability to participate in the global dimensions of

our ministry.

PAGE FRIDAY27

http://covchurch.org/vitality/healthy-missional-markers


6. Compelling Christian Community (Acts 2:42-47) • We understand that our love for one another is a powerful testimony to the deity of Jesus. • We love each other as we are, not as we should be. • We share life together beyond the worship service.

7. Heartfelt Worship (Psalm 138:1a; John 4:23) • We exalt and celebrate God for who he is, what he has done,

what he is doing and what he will do. • Worship reflects careful preparation to help give voice to many dimensions

of response to God such as adoration, praise, contrition, lament, and commitment. • People leave worship knowing something more about the heart of God

and about their own hearts.

8. Sacrificial and Generous Living and Giving (Romans 12:1-8) • We help people discover, develop and deploy their spiritual gifts. • We regularly, graciously, and unapologetically teach on the importance of financial stewardship

in the spiritual growth of the Christian. • We have many examples of lifestyle choices being made on the basis of stewardship and the

priority God plays in the lives of our members.

9. Culture of Godly Leadership (Hebrews 13:7) • Our leaders at all levels serve with character, competence, and conviction. • A spirit of collegiality pervades, with our people trusting our leaders and

our leaders trusting our people. • We continually identify and train godly leaders for all dimensions of our ministry.

10. Fruitful Organizational Structures (Exodus 18:13-26, Acts 6:1-7) • We can articulate a compelling, Christ-honoring vision for our church. • We embrace evaluation as normal and natural and work through conflict constructively. • Our organizational structures are designed to be efficient at making decisions while at the same

time building congregational ownership for those decisions.

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NOTES:

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NOTES:

PAGE FRIDAY30


Fr iday 10:00 AM

Leadership Reproducing leaders that effectively lead, serve, and multiply

2-2-2 Principle* (from 2 Tim. 2:2) 1. 1st Generation: Paul → Timothy 2. 2nd Gen: Timothy → “Reliable People” 3. 3rd Gen: “Reliable People” → “Others” 4. 4th Gen: “Others” → ...

Recognizing Potential Apprentices The Must-Haves:

• Spiritual Velocity (what’s their movement/direction, not just position in relation to Jesus?) • Teachability (are they open to being developed and sharpened?) • Relational Intelligence (do they get people, and do people like them?)

The Bonuses: • Missional (are they willing to sacrifice for God’s mission?) • Discerning (can they wisely discern things in people and situations?) • Inclusive (do they love to bring people alongside them?) • Biblically Knowledgeable (do they have a strong grasp on God’s Word?)

5 Steps of Leadership Development 1. I do. You watch. We talk. 2. I do. You help. We talk. 3. You do. I help. We talk. 4. You do. I watch. We talk. 5. You do. Someone else watches. You talk…

* Ideas and highlights on this page adapted from Apprentice Field Guide, created by Community Christian Church. Highly recommended. $10 at www.lulu.com/shop/apprentice-field-guide/paperback/product-13387075.html

PAGE FRIDAY31

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses

entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others”

~ Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:2)

“The best leaders are not those who have the most followers but those

who develop and deploy other leaders. The true test of a leader’s

influence is to look at what is left behind once the leader is gone.”

~ Neil Cole, Journeys to Significance (recommended book)

3 Question at each debrief (“We talk.”)

• What worked? • What didn’t work? • How can we improve?

http://www.amazon.com/Journeys-Significance-Charting-Leadership-Jossey-Bass/dp/047052944X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351993155&sr=1-1


http://www.lulu.com/shop/apprentice-field-guide/paperback/product-13387075.html


Six Christian Leadership Styles Created by Dave Olson

• All three legs are required • The seat provides strength and stability • legs should be near the same length

Spirituality: • “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your

soul and with all your mind.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 22:37) • commitment to deep spiritual transformation that

brings about the life-changing work of God in people • Biblical insight and passion • Devotions and intimacy with God • Authentic self-revelation • “PRAY”

Chemistry: • “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 22:39b) • an inviting relational atmosphere within your church that connects people to God’s community • Personal relationships • Small group dynamics • Leading large gatherings • “PLAY”

Strategy: • “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” ~ Jesus (Matthew 22:19a) • process of sequential actions that produce fruitful ministry in line with God-directed goals. • Ability to anticipate tomorrow • How to get from point A to point B • Delegation and administration • “PLAN”

NOTE: every church planter can request codes to utilize a special online Leadership Stool testing tool for lead pastor, staff, and church teams by contacting [email protected] or your DCP

Group Activity: self-select into the three groups in different parts of room • Joined by a leader representing your group’s Leadership Style • Leader with own group: What are our strengths & weaknesses? • Leader rotates and asks:

• What about us annoys each other? :-) • How should we communicate with you and show we value your style? • How can you do the same toward us?

Covenant Resources: www.covchurch.org/what-we-do/develop-leadersPAGE FRIDAY32


http://www.covchurch.org/what-we-do/develop-leaders


Understand Your Leadership Style There are Six Leadership Styles 1 (see diagram next page) 1. Relational Leader

• Leadership Sequence: CHEMISTRY - Spirituality - strategy

• APEST 2 Type is often: Shepherd (Pastor) - interpersonal intelligence helps them connect to people in a warm and caring manner.

2. Inspirational Leader • CHEMISTRY - Strategy - spirituality • APEST: Evangelist - social intelligence helps connect with

people, especially in crowd context

3. Sacred Leader • SPIRITUALITY - Chemistry - strategy • APEST: Teacher - their greatest gift to the church is

communicating to people the deep things of God

4. Imaginative Leader • SPIRITUALITY - Strategy - chemistry • APEST: Prophet - like to look to the future and call the

people of God to become who God created them to be.

5. Mission Leader • STRATEGY - Spirituality - chemistry • APEST: Apostle - ability to lead the mission of God into

the future, through the development of ministries, ministers (both professional & lay), and mission endeavors

6. Building Leader • STRATEGY - Chemistry - spirituality • APEST: Apostelist (hybrid of an Apostle & Evangelist) -

primary love is growing the church or organization they serve, while simultaneously making it better and stronger. Pragmatic visionaries that focus on strategy and structure, they typically stay in a location for extended times, never tire of creating “more” and “better”

1 There is a four page detailed report available for each style that will help you understand how God has created you to lead. Go to www.leadershipstool.com/sixstyles for a copy of your Leadership Style.

2 APEST = shorthand for five-fold gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd (Pastor), & Teacher

PAGE FRIDAY33

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets,

the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to

equip his people for works of service, so that the body of

Christ may be built up.”

~ Paul (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Implementation in a church context

• Mission Leader (Apostle) sets the Agenda

• Imaginative Leader (Prophet) analyzes the Target (the Culture)

• Inspirational Leader (Evangelist) leads People to Christ

• Relational Leader (Pastor) disciples the Converts

• Sacred Leader (Teacher) lays (reinforces) the Scriptural foundation

• Building Leader (Apostelist) grows the Church

~ Johannes Reimer,New Testament Scholar

http://www.leadershipstool.com/sixstyles


PAGE FRIDAY34

Complem

entary,Styles

Complem

entary,Styles

Complem

entary,Styles

SacredLeader

InspirationalLeader

ImaginativeLeader

Mission

LeaderBuildingLeader

RelationalLeader

The Im

agin

ative Leader is gifted

by God to interact powerfully w

ith an innovative vision from

God, then lead people to step out in faith and live out that new

way of being the

people of God.

Strongest7inSpirituality

Strongest7in7Chem

istry

Strongest7in7Strategy

The B

uild

ing

Leader is gifted by

God to strategize for growth,

enlist other leaders, and then together lead the w

ay in enlarging the m

ission of God.

The In

spiration

al Leader is gifted

by God to connect powerfully w

ith a crow

d, and motivate them

to follow

Jesus, by encouraging them to

engage in the mission of God.

The R

elational Lead

er is gifted by God to connect em

otionally with individuals,

and inspire them as a group to follow

Jesus and love each other.

The S

acred Lead

er is gifted by God to connect spiritually w

ith people, and encourage them

to grow deeper

with God, w

hile bringing attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Mission

Leader is gifted by God w

ith spiritual vision to foresee w

hat is needed in the im

mediate future. M

ission Leaders call people to follow

a deeper Gospel, w

hile multiplying disciples, expanding

ministries and starting new

ventures.


The Six Primary Roles of Christian Leaders 1. Relational Leader Love ...........2. Inspirational Leader Motivate ........3. Building Leader Grow ..............4. Mission Leader Multiply .............5. Imaginative Leader Create ........6. Sacred Leader Deepen..............

The Six Hidden Needs of Christian Leaders 1. Relational Leader Need for attention, Need for affirmation ...........2. Inspirational Leader Need for power, Need for attention ........3. Building Leader Need to over-work, Need for power ..............4. Mission Leader Need to over-innovate, Need to over-work .............5. Imaginative Leader Need to be right, Need to over-innovate ........6. Sacred Leader Need for affirmation, Need to be right..............

The Six Intelligences of Christian Leaders 1. Relational Leader Interpersonal Intelligence ...........2. Inspirational Leader Social Intelligence ........3. Building Leader Organizational Intelligence ..............4. Mission Leader Strategic Intelligence .............5. Imaginative Leader Cultural Intelligence ........6. Sacred Leader Intrapersonal* Intelligence .............. (*definition: occurring within the individual mind or self)

BREAK | 10:45 AM ~ 30 Min PAGE FRIDAY35


NOTES:

PAGE FRIDAY36


Fr iday 11:15 AM

Evangelism Leading people one step closer to Jesus www.covchurch.org/evangelism

The “72” vision is based on these ideas: 1. God is already at work in evangelism therefore we must

engage the mission 2. Communication training to move relationships from secular to sacred 3. Every ECC member becomes really good at telling the story of Jesus 4. Training resources developed in the field that are simple to use 5. Pastoral leadership anchors evangelism into the annual calendar 6. We use the evangelism gift effectively at harvest events 7. Follow-up to give new disciples strong foundations in the local church

ASK the Lord of the Harvest…

Every Pastor Guides the Mission

Every Christian Tells the Story

Related Downloads: Videos

• Welcome & Intro to 72: covchurch.tv/72-welcome-video • Evangelism in the Church Calendar:

covchurch.tv/church-calendar

Docs • Planning Calendar:

covchurch.org/resources/files/2012/01/72-church-calendar.pdf

• Evangelism and the Fruitful Pulpit: covchurch.org/resources/files/2012/01/72-leadership-fruitful-pulpit.pdf

PAGE FRIDAY37

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story

inside you.”

~ Maya Angelou

“Bring to Me all humankind, especially all sinners… All devout and faithful

souls… those who do not believe in God, and those who do not yet know Me

… and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.”

~ from the Novena to the Divine Mercy

http://www.covchurch.org/evangelism

http://covchurch.tv/72-welcome-video/

http://covchurch.tv/church-calendar/

http://www.covchurch.org/resources/files/2012/01/72-church-calendar.pdf

http://www.covchurch.org/resources/files/2012/01/72-leadership-fruitful-pulpit.pdf


Your Conversion 1. How did you convert/come to adult faith?

2. Your story will likely be your default method of evangelism 3. How will you train your people for effective evangelism?

The Sending of the 72 (Luke 10:1-12) 1. Who were the 72?

2. What do we know about them? 3. What did Jesus train them to do?

The Conversion Process

PAGE FRIDAY38 CHURCH PLANTER TRAINING INTENSIVE

7. Evangelism and New DisciplesThe Conversion Process


Commitment

Questions: 1. When is the last time you asked someone to follow Jesus?

2. When was the last time someone in your church asked someone to follow Jesus?

3. What will your church plant be like if people actually asked people to follow Jesus?

LUNCH | 12:30 PM

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NOTES:

PAGE FRIDAY40


Fr iday 1:30 PM

Fundraising Enlisting patrons & supporters to advance the mission

Fund Development 1. Clarify the Vision:

• Create a vision statement • Determine what the “win” looks like • Create dynamic presentation materials

2. Set a Realistic Goal • (See worksheet at the end of this

document)

3. Create an Initial List of Contacts

4. Pray over the list

5. Set up initial meetings with potential donors • Start with large gift donors • Host group gatherings of other potential

donors • Host “Meet the Church Planter’s”

gatherings for potential donors

6. Prepare a presentation • Heavy on vision (people give to vision,

not to need) • Not overly technical or detailed • Be enthusiastic and zealous

7. Meet and ask donors to prayerfully consider a gift • Resist the urge to take a gift at that first

meeting, it will almost always be smaller than if you are patient.

• Clearly define the ask • Offer only one option in the ask (don’t

give a list of choices, after all you are there to ask for money)

8. Set a time to follow up and answer any questions

9. Make the ask, and be specific. (ASK BIG!!!)

10.Provide cards, envelopes, or electronic giving tools as a reminder, especially if the gift is to be made in installments

11.Create and send out regular newsletters sharing progress and answered prayer • Always give God the glory • Use a consistent medium to

communicate

12.Create a fund raising letter and donor list for those who might give small gifts

13.Celebrate and thank those who give in an appropriate way

14.Network other potential donors

15.Create a church support opportunity

PAGE FRIDAY41

“In every nonprofit with which I have ever worked, at the top of the job

description for their executive director is fund-raiser… whoever is

perceived to be in charge must be the number one vision caster and fund-raiser for that vision. All nonprofits

know this except the church.”

~ J. Clif Christopher


Fundraising Data & Rules Of Thumb 1. $240 billion was given to NPO’s in 2003

• 85% was given by individuals (living & bequest) according to “Giving USA – 2004” pub by the American Association of Fundraising Council

• 80%+ was given to religious organizations

2. 20% of the individual donors give 80% of the gifts • The other 80% give the other 20% • (actually 30% give the other 20% and 50% give next-to-nothing)

3. “Rule of Thirds” • 10 donors account for the first 3rd of funds raised • Next 100 account for the next 3rd raised • All the remaining donors account for the final 3rd

4. Rule of Thumb: • “donors in the lowest income levels give the highest % of their income • donors in the highest income levels give the lowest % of their income.”

5. For every $1 a person gives through the mail • They will give $10 over the phone • And $100 in person • On-line Giving - While still small, is the fastest growing area of giving. On average, people give

20% more than what they’d give by mail when people have an opportunity to plan, they always give more

6. Have an advisory committee • The chair should be able to give generously and ask others to do the same • Ask board members to give and to give names of others who could give • Give feedback to the plan and process

7. Sort potential donors by 3 types: • Suspects: have not given in the past bur are thought to have the ability if interested and involved

For every 3 suspects, you’ll find one good prospect • Prospects: have given in the past but not at the major gift level. For every 3-4 suspects, you’ll find

one major gift • Leads: have given a major gift in the past and have the ability to repeat

8. Understand the “Life Cycle of Donors” • Age 25-50 – participate in annual gifts • Age 50-70 – participate in major gifts • Age 70+ -- participate in planned gifts

PAGE FRIDAY42


9. Fundraising Plan – Documents: • Mission Statement • Vision Statement • Long-Range Plan • Case Statement – why this mission merits donor support • Fund-raising Plan for 1-3 years • Ethics statement

10. How to talk with potential donors: • LISTEN – to their story, ask open-ended questions, listen to their passions and interests…

- Relationship building should be 75% of your time with them - Build trust

• Communicate – give correct information and let them know how they will stay informed about their giving and the impact of their gift

• Engage them - have them visit to see and experience who and what they’re investing in • Set up an appointment by saying:

- “I’d like to visit with you about your level of involvement with our organization… - I’m available at ____ and ______ on [day] – would one of those times work for you?”

• Invite them to special events (all the better if it’s directly related to what they’re investing in) • Thank them frequently (and in various appropriate ways) • Plan – what next steps need to be taken with them • ASK

- after determining their interest in your mission, engaging them in what they’ll be investing in, building a personal relationship, and determining what they’d be able to give, be specific and

- Ask: “Would you be willing to give a gift to planting a new church at the $10,000 level?” • After you ask, BE SILENT and let them speak next… (Whoever speaks next, loses)

11. Reasons for Failure in Fund Raising (Public Management Institute, 1978) • Not asking for the gift • Not asking for a large enough gift • Not listening – talking too much • Not asking questions • Talking about the organization and its approach rather than about the benefits to its clients • Not being flexible, and not having alternative to offer the prospect • Not knowing the prospect before the solicitation • Forgetting to summarize before moving on • Not having prearranged signals between solicitation team members • Asking for the gift too soon • Speaking rather than remaining silent after asking for the gift • Settling on the first offer that a prospect suggests, even if it’s lower than expected • Not cultivating the donor before soliciting • Not sending out trained solicitors

PAGE FRIDAY43


NOTES:

PAGE FRIDAY44


Fr iday 2:30 PM

Stewardship Instilling a culture of generosity, sacrifice, & faithfulness Table Discussion: What are some clichés we hear about the Church and Pastoring in relation to Money?

On Your Own: Letter grade for yourself in these areas: • ____ : personal theology and practice of financial

discipleship in your own and your family’s life • ____ : preaching & teaching on financial discipleship • ____ : financial systems and procedures in church • ____ : one-on-one counseling and soul-care for financial discipleship (think of how you do this with

individuals in areas such as ministry placement, struggles, relationship issues, etc.) • ____ : fundraising and resource development beyond regular tithes and offerings

In Pairs: Each share one you’re really good at and why you think that’s so… then share one you’re really bad at :)

Top 3 Reasons People Give * 1. A Belief in the Mission (people want to make a difference, help to change lives) 2. Regard for Staff Leadership (giving is a often an issue of trust, respect, and inspiration) 3. Fiscal Stability of the Institution (people do not want to waste their investment)

3-Person Discussion: • What do you think of these reasons? • If you’ve had experience in non-profit world outside the church, how do the two worlds compare? • What has been your experience in your church planting project with these reasons? Any insights?

* Ideas and highlights on these next two pages adapted from Not Your Parents' Offering Plate, J. Clif Christopher. Highly recommended. Comprehensive outline and notes, definitely read: bit.ly/notyourparentsofferingplatenotes

PAGE FRIDAY45

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and

whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should

give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful

giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all

times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

~ Paul (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)

http://www.bit.ly/notyourparentsofferingplatenotes


The Three Pockets of Giving The Earned-Income Pocket (regular personal income)

• Church often does a decent job of encouraging people to consider this “pocket” through offering during worship, sermons, courses

• Churches are the envy of the nonprofit world when it comes to the earned-income pocket • Problem: we try to meet too many of our needs out of this pocket and leave out the other two…

The Capital Pocket (accumulated wealth) • This is the pocket that stores our accumulated resources such as stocks, bonds, pieces of property,

insurance policies, savings accounts, and inheritances we may have received and put away

The Estate Pocket (what we leave behind) • Religion receives almost 33 percent of all charitable donations in America, however only 8 percent

of all the estate gifts in America, and the ones it gets are much smaller than the gifts to other causes. • Why? We do not ASK for it.

• Less than 10 percent of all the churches in the United States market for planned gifts. • The vast majority of clergy never speaks about it or teaches about this responsibility

• “In so many ways, planned gifts are the easiest, not the hardest, funds to raise for your church, because someone else will do 90 percent of all the work for you.” (e.g. www.covenanttrust.com)

3-Person Discussion: • What do you think of these “three pockets”? • How do they relate, show up, or not even seem to fit in your context? • If you’ve had experience in non-profit world outside the church, how do the two worlds compare? • How would you grade your church plant project with engaging each of these “pockets”? • How much detailed information should a pastor know about giving in the church?

(read the book or outline and notes for a challenging perspective, excerpt below)

Controversial Issues: What happens when a pastor does not know people’s Giving? • “when choosing leadership, pastor often selects people whom he or she perceives to be good

leaders and stewards, but they may just have big mouths…frequently seen finance committees where the chair and the majority of participants were nowhere close to leading the way in giving.”

• “prevents the pastor from ever extending a personal thank-you to those who may have given generously… we are competing with one million nonprofits, all of whom readily thank their donors.”

• “most important, it denies the pastor insight into what is happening within a person's soul.”

3-Person Discussion: • What are your thoughts on the author’s perspective? • What would you add or subtract? • If you’re comfortable sharing, what is your (planned) practice at your church and why?

PAGE FRIDAY46

http://www.covenanttrust.com


Excerpt from “The Top Ten Things I Would Do Now” (from the author, J. Clif Christopher) 1. Pray, Study, and Get My Act Together First 2. Build a High-Expectation Culture 3. Have Weekly Testimonies (best: during worship, immediately before offering; next best: newsletter) 4. Have Regular, Ongoing Christian Financial Planning Classes (e.g. www.daveramsey.com/fpu) 5. Preach Directly on Money Four Times a Year. Recommendation:

• first Sundays in January, which is the time when people are rethinking priorities for the year • once during Lent (season before Easter) • once in the Summer • once in mid-November as persons are thinking about Thanksgiving

[…]* 8. Write Ten Thank-You Notes a Week

• As a part of the ten, you can count any thank-you note you send to someone who has just made an extraordinary gift to the church

• Advise the treasurer that you want to be notified no later than Monday morning of any gift that was out of the ordinary so you can personally thank the giver in a letter and later in person

9. Review Individual Giving Once a Month • We have very few insights into the hearts of people. Giving is the closest thing we have on a daily

basis to getting a true picture of a person’s character • can also help evaluate ministry programming […]*

* READ the Rest: detailed outline & notes at www.bit.ly/notyourparentsofferingplatenotes

Covenant “Mission Giving” as Whole Church Stewardship • Written into each Church Planter Covenant Agreement is the expectation and requirement that each

church plant practices the discipline of “tithes and offerings” through their 15% Mission Giving • Recent History: 10% Covenant + 5% Conference (with other potential variations)

Half of the Covenant amount can also be directed toward a Covenant Missionary of your choice • Great opportunity for vision-casting and to lead by example (for instance, Highrock Brookline

monthly has a leader introduce the offering, also explaining their commitment to the shared mission of the Covenant, first check placed in the offering is the church’s Covenant Mission Giving)

Practical Application Write down one thing for each timeframe that you can do:

• Next Sunday: • Next Month: • By the New Year: • Next Year:

What resources do you need to increase likelihood that these are actually accomplished?: ••PAGE FRIDAY47

http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu

http://www.bit.ly/notyourparentsofferingplatenotes


Stewardship & Financial Discipleship Ideas and Resources Covenant Resources: www.covchurch.org/resources/category/stewardship

Tithes, Offerings, and Planned Giving • Christmas Offering for a special ministry emphasis or new initiative (inside or outside the church) • Offering Time during Worship: evaluate how your frame this time, the actual way it’s received. Is it

unclear or unhelpful? Are there any barriers to appropriate participation? • Invite Covenant Trust to work with you and your people (free service)

Good Systems • Set up Online Giving: Church Management Systems online software offer modules; research • Quick Books Online, ChMS, & Book-Keeping Service: (Northwest, Great Lakes, and the East

Coast Conferences all offer these for the start up phase of a church plant, ask your DCP)

Preaching & Teaching • Launch Team: stewardship bible study or message series before you fully launch • Plan Stewardship Series: example: www.artisanchurch.com/series/money_mavericks

[Support Materials: 1) Pre-Series Survey, 2) Simple Budget Form, 3) “Try the Tithe” form] • Incorporate “money message” as part of larger series: example: Life 2.0 Series: “Money 2.0” • Ongoing Discipleship: Regularly offer stewardship courses such as Financial Peace University

Communication: • Clearly communicate vision, make it “normal & natural” to engage stewardship • Simple communication pieces: search for “bulletin” at bit.ly/marketingmaterials for example • Quarterly Members and Friends Gatherings: example: “The Gallery” at Artisan Church

• Simple format: potluck dinner, celebrate and honor particular servants and volunteers, debrief recent ministry efforts, highlight finances, discuss future plans, cast vision

• www.slideshare.net/jasoncondon/the-gallery-at-artisan-church-080509

When is a “Money Problem” not (just) a “Money Problem”? Don’t assume “money” is the issue: Capacity issue? Outreach issue? Generosity issue? Systems? Vision?

• Rough Math: Ave. Monthly Offering ÷ Ave. Monthly Worship Attendance = Ave. Giving per Person • Example: $10,000 ÷ 100 people = $100/person/month ($120k Annual Budget)

But what if Monthly Budget Need is $12,000 to accomplish Mission? ($144k Annual Budget) • Increase Giving $20 more per person : 100 people × $120 = $12,000 • OR Grow by 20 more people : 120 people × $100 = $12,000 [Hint: this is usually the easier one] • OR Cut Budget by $2,000/mo (e.g. fire part-time worship leader, go part-time, downgrade rental

space… yes, those are the actual choices you will face)

www.LifeChurch.tv at open.lifechurch.tv (give away all their resources for FREE) • Strapped - recent finance series • Money Matters - small group video sessions • YouVersion bible reading plans: Debt: A Biblical Exploration; Undying Commitment: A 14-day

study in Stewardship; Money Matters; • Kids & Students Series: Money Street & Wasted

PAGE FRIDAY48

http://www.covchurch.org/resources/category/stewardship

http://www.artisanchurch.com/series/money_mavericks

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwGTnlBENRUANjIzODQxYjgtNjE1OC00NGFhLWJhZDUtZTY5ZTdjYWExMTg3

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwGTnlBENRUAYWFjOWUwMzgtM2M3ZS00OTJjLWFjMGMtNmRkOGMwMTllMzJm


http://bit.ly/marketingmaterials

http://www.slideshare.net/jasoncondon/the-gallery-at-artisan-church-080509

http://www.LifeChurch.tv

http://open.lifechurch.tv

http://open.lifechurch.tv/message_groups/1662-strapped

http://open.lifechurch.tv/message_groups/1665-money-matters

http://youversion.com

https://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/118-debt-a-biblical-exploration

https://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/154-the-commitment-to-stewardship

https://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/341-money-matters

http://open.lifechurch.tv/message_groups/1362-money-street

http://open.lifechurch.tv/message_groups/1375-wasted


NOTES:

BREAK | 2:45 PM ~ 30 Min PAGE FRIDAY49


Fr iday 3:15 PM

Discipleship What is Discipleship?

•

•

•

What are you measuring? Discipling Relationships:

• Those who are intentionally receiving discipleship

• with the commitment to disciple others when ready

• for the ongoing reproduction of disciple-making disciples (this Simple Definition is used in Covenant Agreements on the East Coast Conference as a healthy missional metric to measure)

Examples from the Field Discipleship Strategies Amongst ECConf Plants Online Folder: goo.gl/UJW2Rx

• collection of various resources and materials from ECConf Cohorts “Discipleship Series”

Video: youtu.be/y9SEgNaSI0I • “Bootleg Video” from a Greater Boston/New

England Cohort Gathering • Broadcast and recorded live

Covenant Resources: www.covchurch.org/resources/category/discipleship

Other Resources Alex Absalom: alexabsalom.com especially relevant categories:

• alexabsalom.com/category/discipleship-2

• alexabsalom.com/category/missional-communities

Mike Breen & 3DM: weare3dm.com • Building a Discipling Culture • Multiplying Missional Leaders • Launching Missional Communities • Leading Kingdom Movements

Other Related Books: • T4T: A Discipleship Re-Revolution by Steve

Smith with Ying Kai • The Permanent Revolution: Apostolic

Imagination and Practice for the 21st Century Church, Alan Hirsch and Tim Catchim (anything by Alan Hirsch is excellent)

• Creating a Missional Culture: Equipping the Church for the Sake of the World, JR Woodward

• Exponential Ebooks: www.exponential.org/ebooks (particularly related to their DiscipleShift theme from 2015)

PAGE FRIDAY50

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the

Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything

I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

~ Jesus (Matt 28:19-20)

http://goo.gl/UJW2Rx

http://youtu.be/y9SEgNaSI0I

http://www.covchurch.org/resources/category/discipleship/

http://www.alexabsalom.com

http://www.alexabsalom.com/category/discipleship-2

http://www.alexabsalom.com/category/missional-communities

http://weare3dm.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Building-a-Discipling-Culture-ebook/dp/B005HQDUK4

http://www.amazon.com/Multiplying-Missional-Leaders-ebook/dp/B0082EZAOC

http://www.amazon.com/Launching-Missional-Communities-Mike-Breen-ebook/dp/B005FSSQK8

http://www.amazon.com/Leading-Kingdom-Movements-ebook/dp/B00BNWKYEQ

http://www.amazon.com/T4T-A-Discipleship-Re-Revolution-ebook/dp/B005OS3PK0

http://www.amazon.com/Permanent-Revolution-Imagination-Jossey-Bass-Leadership/dp/0470907746/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351991848&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J4CHDW

https://www.exponential.org/ebooks/


Framework for Leading Change Influencer | Leading Change Even When Change is Very Difficult short url to book outline and notes: www.bit.ly/influencernotes

• “An Influencer motivates and enables others to change” • what most of us lack is not the courage to change things, but the skill to do so

Two Questions Everyone Asks Before They'll Change • 1st: “Is it worth doing?” (if not, why waste the effort?) • 2nd: “Can I do this thing?” (if not, why even try?) • Best-kept secret: over past half century a handful of behavioral science theorists

and practitioners have discovered the power to change just about anything

Six Sources of Influence Two Categories: Motivation & Ability | Three Domains: Personal, Social, & Structural

• Each reflect separate and highly developed bodies of literature: psychology, sociology, and organizational theory

• Personal Motivation & Ability relate to sources of influence within an individual that determine their behavioral choices

• Social Motivation & Ability relate to how other people affect an individual’s choices & behavior

• Structural Motivation & Ability encompass the role of nonhuman factors, such as compensation, systems, space, and technology

Influencer Model | Use 6 Sources ⇆ Find Vital Behaviors ⇆ Clarify Measurable Results • simple solutions for complex problems almost never work, yet people bet on single-source

strategies all the time. • Those who succeed where others

routinely fail overdetermine success - they bring more than the minimum influence strategies to bear and leave nothing to chance

• A few behaviors can drive a lot of change; enormous influence comes from focusing on just a few vital behaviors. Influence geniuses focus on behaviors

• Then make sure results are clarified and measurable; if it can’t be tested, it doesn't really exist

PAGE FRIDAY51

Motivation Ability

Personal1. Make the

Undesirable Desirable

2. Over-Invest in Skill Building

Social 3. Harness Peer Pressure

4. Find Strengthin Numbers

Structural5. Design Rewards

and Demand Accountability

6. Change the Environment

http://www.bit.ly/influencernotes


Scripture Exercise | Discipleship-Related Excerpts from the Book of Acts Acts 2:1-12, 41-43 (NIV)

• 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

• 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

• 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

Acts 5:42 (NIV) • Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the

good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Note the Various “Sources of Influence” in these Passages (write in corresponding box): Motivation Ability

Personal

1. Make the Undesirable Desirable 2. Over-Invest in Skill Building

Social

3. Harness Peer Pressure 4. Find Strength in Numbers

Structura

l

5. Design Rewards and Demand Accountability 6. Change the Environment

PAGE FRIDAY52


Exercise | Application to Your Current Discipleship Strategy Affinity Groups: Map Your Churches’ “Normal & Natural Pathways” for Discipleship

• .GREEN : Note what you’re doing that’s positively influencing discipleship (in that “source”) • .RED : Note what you want to remove because it’s influencing the wrong behavior

• .BLUE : Note what you want to add to help influence better discipleship behaviors (whether you’ve already been thinking and planning, or based on today’s discussions)

• On your own: capture your details and insights for your Well-Conceived Project Plan

Motivation Ability

Personal

1. Make the Undesirable Desirable 2. Over-Invest in Skill Building (Surpass Your Limits)

Social

3. Harness Peer Pressure 4. Find Strength in Numbers

Structura

l

5. Design Rewards and Demand Accountability 6. Change the Environment

PAGE FRIDAY53


Six Sources Strategy Matrix

• Companion Article: How to 10x Your Influence.pdf (http://goo.gl/sXbJ5q)

Source 1: PERSONAL MOTIVATION Questions to Ask

• In a room by themselves would people (staff, volunteers, team, family, etc.) want to engage in the behavior?

• Do they hate it or enjoy it? Do they find meaning in it? • Does it fit into their sense of who they are or want to be?

Strategies • Identified unpleasant, noxious, or disagreeable aspects of

the change and found ways to either eliminate them or make them more pleasant

• Found ways to connect the need for change with people’s core values—for example, had people meet with the individuals who would benefit from the change

• Motivated people by creating a mission and purpose about the need for change

• Took great pains to get people’s personal buy-in rather than issue mandates

Source 2: PERSONAL ABILITY Questions to Ask

• Do the people have the knowledge, skills, and strength to be able to do the right thing?

• Can they handle the toughest challenges they will face?

Strategies • Gave people guided practice and immediate feedback

until they were sure they could engage in the new behaviors in the toughest of circumstances

• Designed learning experiences to help people successfully manage any emotional and interpersonal hurdles they’d face in changing their behavior

• Had people participate in real-time drills or simulations that tested whether they could perform as required under challenging circumstances

Source 3: SOCIAL MOTIVATION Questions to Ask

• Are other people encouraging the right behavior or discouraging the wrong behavior?

• Are people others respect modeling the right behaviors at the right time?

• Do people have good relationships with those who are trying to influence them positively?

Strategies • Enlisted the support of organizational opinion leaders to

serve as role models, teachers, and supporters of change • Had all members of management teach, model, and

coach people toward new behavior • Identified people who would be most concerned about

change, and involved them early • Made it clear to everyone that these behavioral changes were

something top management strongly supported & modeled

Source 4: SOCIAL ABILITY Questions to Ask

• Do others provide the help, information, and resources required — particularly at critical times?

Strategies • Identified the toughest obstacles to change and made

sure people had others to support them whenever they faced these obstacles

• Used mentors or coaches to provide just-in-time assistance to overcome these obstacles

• Created “safe” ways for people to get help without feeling embarrassed

• Provided everyone with the authority, information and resources needed to step up to new behaviors as easily as possible

Source 5: STRUCTURAL MOTIVATION Questions to Ask • Are there rewards: pay, promotion, performance reviews, perks? • Are there costs? Do rewards encourage the right behaviors and

costs discourage the wrong ones?

Strategies • Adjusted formal rewards to ensure people had incentives

to adopt the new behaviors • Made sure people had “skin in the game” by tracking their use

of new behaviors & linking it to rewards & punishments they cared about

• Used a “carrot and stick” approach to make sure people knew the organization was serious about demanding change

• Made sure everyone understood that even the most senior managers would be held accountable if they failed to support these changes—there were no exceptions

Source 6: STRUCTURAL ABILITY Questions to Ask

• Does the environment (tools, facilities, information, reports, proximity to others, policies, work processes, etc.) enable good behavior or bad behavior?

• Enough cues & reminders to help people stay on course?

Strategies • Reorganized workplaces to remove obstacles and make the

change convenient and easy • Provided new software, hardware, or other resources to make

the change simple and automatic • Used cues, regular communications, and metrics to keep the

need for change “top of mind” for everyone in the organization. • Created potent ways to give all levels of management feedback

about how successful/unsuccessful they were leading change

PAGE FRIDAY54

http://goo.gl/sXbJ5q


Fr iday 4:00 PM

Lab Time & Journaling Normal & Natural Pathways Work

• More fully develop your “Normal & Natural Pathways” for your church plant • Put down one clear and concise idea for each, then go back and more fully develop a couple

Journal • Reflect on what you've learned today (or this week) • What was your primary take-away, something you were encouraged by, convicted by? • List one or two things you're doing well • List one or two topics you need to tackle with your Coach or DCP

PAGE FRIDAY55


NOTES:

PAGE FRIDAY56


Fr iday 4:45 PM


•

•

•

DINNER | 6:00 PM

Af te r D inner

Free Evening PAGE FRIDAY57


Saturday 9:00 AM

Morning Devotions

Review of Previous Day •

•

•

•

PAGE SATURDAY58


Saturday 9:30 AM

Pre-Launch (“Stage Zero”) 3 Key Prerequisites for Covenant Agreement Signing

• 30 Adults: initial Launch Team of 30 adults in place

• 1/3rd Funding: fundraising pledges of $50-75k, with $15-30k received beforehand (“matched” 2:1 by ECConf & Covenant)

• 1 Support Church: at least one church in place as a Parent, Partner, or Mission Friend Church

Working Definitions for Support Churches

Misc. • Incorporation, EIN, Tax-Exempt Status, & Covenant Certificate of Fellowship • CovConnect Profile, Pension, Benefits • Conference-specific administrative pieces

Room Activity: 3 Groups, 3 Minutes, 3 Bullet Points Each Group takes on One Key Prerequisites

1. Take three minutes 2. Construct three bullet points 3. Convince the other two groups your prerequisites is the most important one!

PARENT CHURCHES PARTNER CHURCHES MISSION FRIEND

DEFINITION: Provide initial core of at least 30 Launch Team members and “third stream” funding of $50-70k over 3-4 years. Significant relational connection between both churches

Provide substantial portion of initial Launch Team members and some of the “third stream” funding over 3-4 years, equivalent to roughly 1/2 to 1/5 of a “parent church” commitment

Commit as entire church or through individual members to tangibly support through prayer, resources, volunteering, and the occasional celebrated Launch Team member

FEATURES: primarily nearby mission field, full support, fishing license for Launch Team, baby shower for start-up equipment, blessing and celebration. Think “Mom & Dad”

Nearby or regional mission, seek to “tithe” members, tangible support & encouragement, “baby shower”, short-term missionaries. Think “grandparents and siblings”

Opportunity for measurable healthy missional efforts, picture on the fridge, care packages, project volunteers. Think “aunts, uncles, and cousins”

PAGE SATURDAY59


Saturday 9:40 AM

Four-StageLaunch Process Your first twelve months of church planting

Purpose of Four-Stage Launch: • Build missional momentum and effectiveness • While having “permission” to focus and pace yourselves accordingly

Overview of Four-Stage Launch: Timing & Benchmarks: Each stage is 3-4 months with clear healthy, missional benchmarks 1. Stage 1 | Launch Team Development: gathering like-minded, diversely gifted,

missionally motivated people into a cohesive team 2. Stage 2 | Preview Worship/Ministry Development: reaching and gathering more people

to the new church, developing effective ministry systems, practicing what you’ll become 3. Stage 3 | Soft Launch/“Full” Weekly Worship: continuing to reach and gather,

refining the ministries, getting the systems right, acting “as if ” 4. Stage 4 | Hard Launch/“Grand Opening”: launching for accelerated growth and impact,

unfettered outreach & evangelism, robust ministry systems

Four Scenarios for Adaptation 1. New Church Plant: from scratch, not pre-existing 2. “2.0” Church Plant: pre-existing ministry, new to Covenant, from soft relaunch to hard reset 3. New Campus: extending church’s pre-existing ministry to a brand-new location or venue 4. New Worship Service: multiplying worship services (new times, different rooms, new styles, etc) 5. Discipleship-Centric/Missional Multiplication: heavily adapted, leveraging the principles,

applying for the “launching” of various components and initiatives

Cautions & Common Mistakes• New Church Plants (sometimes others):

• go too fast, skimp on key components • downplay or ignore benchmarks

• “2.0” Church Plants (sometimes others): • assume “regular attenders” = Launch Team • don’t make the “hard asks” • don’t revisit foundational principles

• Discipleship-Centric (sometimes others): • downplay or disregard role of “gatherings”

and medium- to larger-group dynamics • subdued or absent pursuit of faithful &

fruitful “sustainability” within the model • confusing “organic” with lack of structure,

goals, and godly effort

PAGE SATURDAY60


Table Discussion • what scenario (or blend) best represents your project? what are its advantages? disadvantages? • what caution or mistake resonates most? (you made it, avoided it, don’t believe it, etc!) • what do you loathe (or just dislike, for the polite) about the Four-Stage Launch idea? • what’s just one way it might be extremely helpful?

Four Key Metrics (each a blend of qualitative & quantitative measures) 1. Discipling Relationships: Those who are intentionally receiving discipleship, with the

commitment to disciple others when ready, for the ongoing reproduction of disciple-making disciples (Note: this is a newer metric we’re intentionally tracking, still developing best-practices)

2. Launch Team Members: Specifically asked to commit to the church plant launch, the reliable leaders and workers, count on each other (balance of quality and quantity)

3. Worship Attendance: Through prayer, evangelism, invitation, events, marketing, follow-through, and more, reach or surpass goals for each stage (emphasis on quantity, care for quality)

4. Key Ministries: Deploy Worship, Children, Hospitality, Follow-up & Connection, Small Groups, Evangelism & Outreach (or others). Improve “letter grades” throughout each stage (emphasis on quality, care for quantity/capacity)

Examples of Suggested Timeline & Benchmarks: Sunday-Centric/Launch Large Model (Traditional/Majority Approach in ECC)

Discipleship-Centric/Missional Multiplication Model (Newer Experiments in ECC)

KEY: DR = Discipling Relationships, LT = Launch Team Members, ER = Evangelistic Relationships, WA = Worship Attendance, KM = Key Ministries Grade, Ext$ Rec’d = External Fundraising Received-to-Date (cumulative), Int$/mo = Internal Giving/month (local tithes)

* Benchmarks take precedent, anticipate 4-8 months needed to achieve goals, for approx. 6 months per Phase. If achieved, Appropriations may be released as early as month 4 or 5, resetting timeframe

Discussion & Questions• • •

STAGE: 1. Launch Team Development

2. Preview Worship/Ministry Development

3. Soft Launch/ “Full” Weekly Worship

4. Hard Launch/ “Grand Opening”

Post-Launch 1: Depth & Stability

Post-Launch 2: Outreach & Growth

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct NovDR: 6 8 10 12 14 20 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?LT: 30 40 50 55 60 65 70 70 75 75 75 75 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

WA: N/A N/A N/A 80 90 100 120 90 110 125 150 130 130 130 135 135 160 140KM: N/A N/A C C+ B- B B B+ B+ B+ A- A- A- A A A A A

PHASE: Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6~ 6 months* Apr 15 – Sep 15 Oct 15 – Mar 16 Apr 16 – Sep 16 Oct 16 – Mar 17 Apr 17 – Sep 17 Oct 17 – Mar 18

DR: 6 9 12 20 30 40ER: 12 18 24 40 60 80

WA: N/A 22 29 48 72 96KM: C B- B B+ A- A

Ext$ Rec’d: $15,000 30,000 42,500 55,000 65,000 75,000Int$/mo: $1,800 2,700 3,600 6,000 9,000 12,000

PAGE SATURDAY61


Notes:

PAGE SATURDAY62


Saturday 10:00 AM

Stage 1: Launch Team Development Activity: Preparing the Table

• Discuss: What are some of the “tables” we’re setting for people to experience Jesus and his community?

What is a Launch Team? Simplest Definition: The ones who show up and get it done.

• Highly committed leaders and hard workers who will pray, sweat, laugh, cry, grow, and bleed together for the church planting mission to which God has called them

• As the pastor, you can rely on them. As the Launch Team, they can rely on each other

Purpose: build, assist, provide, raise up, become, create, protect

Gathering: Where will these people come from? • Pray, Pray & Pray some more! (Ask the Lord of the harvest…) • Work, Work, & Work some more! (faithful with the little things…) • Support Churches (Parent, Partner, & Mission Friends) • Strategic Networks (para-church, non-profits, professional organizations, and more) • Find Opportunities: tap into, partner, and network with existing churches & organizations • Create Opportunities: organize and execute well targeted gathering events

(vision desserts, open house, picnics/bbqs, service projects, etc.)

Team Mix • Roughly 1/3rd each: Committed Christians, Unchurched Christians, New Christians/Seekers • reflective of your target (multi-ethnic, 18-30 yr-olds, etc.) • balanced gifting (musical, kids, hospitality, admin, etc.) • from a variety of social networks (not all from same parent church, extended group of friends, etc)

Training Best Practices • Teach the Vision – “T-Shirt Test” (succinctly communicate its essence) • Key Ministries Teams – break the group into your 5 or 6 teams • Pray and Practice – reduces fear, builds skills, increases success

PAGE SATURDAY63

“People are God’s method. The church is looking for

better methods; God is looking for better people.”

~ E.M. Bounds,Power through Prayer, p. 13


Launch Team Landmines • “tasks not titles” (proven faithfulness and effectiveness)

[related for staff: “hire slow, fire fast”] • “process not promises” (leadership development path) • faithfulness and fruitfulness need to be demonstrated • Three “highly” people:

• Highly Controlling • Highly Needy • Highly Missional

• Extra Cautions for “2.0” Church Plants: “regular attenders” ≠ “Launch Team”, you must make the “hard asks”; you must recruit, enlist, and infuse new Launch Team members into the existing mix

Agenda Harmony: How do we keep this group together? • critical to have clearly defined DNA, mission and vision that are Biblically based (cf. earlier session) • planting pastor must be the champion, custodian, and defender of the mission, vision, and values • Out-counseling poor fits is a necessary leadership task

Benchmarks • initial minimum of 30 committed, gifted adults before signing Covenant Agreement • 50% of Launch Team from new contacts • continually adding, growing, and maturing to 50-75+ through entire 4-Stage Launch • planter is seen as the legitimate leader of the group • increasing number of people contacted, coming, and connecting with the group with growing

enthusiasm and commitment

PAGE SATURDAY64


Saturday 10:15 AM

Panel: Launch Team Strategies & Stories Notes:

Table Activity: How do I gather 50-75 people? [table groups develop how-to list]

• Evaluate: Current make-up of your Launch Team (if any)? (demographics, skills, maturity etc.) • Strategize: Create initial strategy for reaching 50-75 people total

• often a 4:1 ratio or more, so probably need to connect with 120-150 people at least • Put real names and real networks on list (could even start contacting this week)

• Pray: Pray with a partner for your lists • Plans: If you have time, start brainstorming what you’ll do with your Launch Team

BREAK | 10:45 AM ~ 30 Min

PAGE SATURDAY65


Saturday 11:15 PM

Stage 2: Preview Worship/Ministry Dev. Question: What’s one big mistake Planters & Launch Teams often make early on?

Goals • accelerating growth while continuing to build momentum • more fully express what your church is becoming through public worship and expanded

attractional & incarnational ministries (“come & see” + “go show & tell”)

Benchmarks • 75-125 at each monthly worship service (build momentum from “low” to “high”) • 50 new people attending each preview service • strong word-of-mouth: over half of guests from personal invitation and investment • roughly double the size of the initial Launch Team

The ‘W’ Wisdom behind the ‘W’ Rhythm

• for most, gathered worship is the high-bandwidth High Point of their experience of God and his community at a new church

• but there’s a tension, especially early on, they also need Greater Depth with Launch Team development, training, and small- to medium-sized group experiences

• yet both “extremes” can overshoot many people you’re called to reach, so also need some more accessibleMiddle Ground to make friendly connections

Repeating Cycle: • each type of gathering is “open” (preview worship, launch team meeting, gathering event, etc) • purposefully invite people to each type of gathering (may invite different people, different

ways, for each portions) • at each type of event also invite people to the other upcoming events - always be casting

vision, calling to commitment, and inviting each time, adjusting appropriately to setting & audience • Note: See Benchmarks from Suggested Launch Timeline under “Four-Stage Launch Process"

Temptations, Cautions, and Common Mistakes • Rushing/Demanding Weekly Worship Services: succumbing to internal & external pressures

and expectations (real or imagined); “When will we be a real church?!”, “Can’t we just worship?!” • Fake/Anemic ‘W’ Rhythm: do some of everything every time, nothing done with purposeful focus,

resulting in ineffective “mushy middle”; doing everything poorly at same time vs. one thing done well • Short-Sighted/Short-Term Thinking vs. the long view over generations and eternity; are you

planting a centuries-long church or a worship service now? (especially when the “wait” is only weeks!)

PAGE SATURDAY66

Wk 1: Preview Worship

Wk 2: Launch

Team Mtg

Wk 3: Connection

Event

Wk 5:PreviewWorship

Wk 4: Launch

Team Mtg

MONTH 1 MONTH 2 …


Example ‘W’ Rhythm 1. Worship: music, message, related key ministries, vision casting, a vital invite opportunity to the

following weeks (invite at each) 2. Launch Team Mtg 1: orientation, bible study, vision-casting 3. Gathering Event: picnic, bbq, service project, bowling, etc. 4. Launch Team Mtg 2: prep key ministries teams for next Preview 5. Worship: restart cycle (like Week 1), only improved upon, more new people, etc. (rinse, repeat!)

Note: these principles can be applied to either condensed or stretched-out time-frames

Applications Brand-New Church Plants & Campuses:

• fairly straightforward, though variations are possible • e.g. Preview Worship every other week, stretch out over summer lows, etc.

“2.0” Church Plants: • Soft Reset:

• Turn weekly meeting time into a feature, leveraging the existing structure and strengths… but still honor the principles!

• Build the rhythm and emphases into your weekly gathering, treat each gathering purposefully • others:

• Hard Reset: • strategically “shut down” weekly public worship for a season (4-8 weeks) • clear opt-in process for Launch Team members (with other open activities for everyone) • others?:

Discipleship-Centric: • very adaptable to “launching” and rolling out various phases, key components, and initiatives • others:

Launch of Any New Ministry Area: • principles really works across a wide variety of applications • examples: launching new youth ministry program, building up to annual outreach season, etc.

PAGE SATURDAY67


Activity: Affinity Groups ‘W’ Posters Instructions

• gather around the room into groups along the lines of your ministry setting (as much as possible)

Groups: 1.2.3. 4. 5.

Discussion • What struggles will you face with the monthly worship concept and execution? • Done well, what benefit will it bring?

‘W’ Posters • Put up three sheets on wall, side-by-side to create three months of Ws (heading toward Stage 3) • Write ideas on sheets (or use post-it notes) following the suggested rhythm, building each month • it’s ok if you have wide variety of items (even mutually exclusive) as you do this as a group project

PAGE SATURDAY68


Saturday 12:00 PM

Stage 3: Pre-Launch Weekly Worship Natural continuation of Stage 2, with freedom still to tweak, improve, & over-haul as needed (plus, people are far more forgiving when it’s labeled “Pre-Launch” :)

Goals: • move from monthly to weekly rhythm of public worship services • develop more strength and structure through vital ministry teams and effective systems • strengthen and improve your Key Ministries • strengthen gathering and growing prior to Hard Launch/“Grand Opening” • develop leadership and volunteers • finalize Grand Opening Launch Strategy

Benchmarks • minimum of 80 in the now weekly worship services (75 is the enemy!) • then reach or surpass 120 in weekly worship services before Hard Launch/“Grand Opening”

(Note: easier to get people “once a month” than “every week” - need to work harder with larger pool) • improve quality of Key Ministries from B to B+/A- • increasing number and percentages of people serving in ministry teams • 50% of adults in “small groups”

Stage 4: Hard Launch/‘Grand Opening’ Culmination of the first three stages, with church plant ready to go “fully public”

Goals: • Launching Strong (Qualitative) • Launching Large (Quantitative) • Letting the Entire Community know we’re here! • Help assure sustainability and growing Missional Impact for future generations

Benchmarks • Launch past 125 in Worship, stay above 125 throughout • Key Ministries with letter grades in B+/A- range • Great facility that can accommodate growth to 200+ • Seeing increasing #s coming to Christ and connecting • Healthy Mix: 1/3 mission-minded, 1/3 formerly de-churched, 1/3 formerly un-churched

(these are rough generalities, not hard-and-fast percentages. YMMV :)

PAGE SATURDAY69


Helpful Congregational Growth Equation Net Growth = [Visitor Flow × Retention Rate] – Backdoor Loss Visitor Flow = how many first-timers experience the church Retention Rate = percentage who become regulars at least for awhile Backdoor Loss = how many eventually leave for any reason

• pay attention to each of those variables so you know what’s working & what needs improvement; this applies to worship services, small groups, etc. - any “ministry” that should grow through people

• easy to focus on the wrong thing, so get beneath the “numbers” • BIG Caveat: these are people, not soulless numbers; the “numbers” are merely a tool for fruitful

accountability and ministry insight. They are essential, but not sufficient to tell the whole story.

Scenario 1:• [10 visitors/mo × 20% Retention] - [2 leave/mo]

= [2 stay/month - 2 leave/month]= 0 Net Growth• Possible Interpretation: 20% is actually a fairly good

retention rate and 2/month departing isn’t bad either, therefore increasing the number of visitors (through prayer, invitation, evangelism training, hospitality, etc.) will likely increase Net Growth

Scenario 2: • [20 visitors/mo × 10% Retention] - [2 leave/mo]

= [2 stay/month - 2 leave/month]=0 Net Growth• Possible Interpretation: 10% isn’t great for retention,

though 2/month departing isn’t bad. For some reason people aren’t coming back and getting connected. Evaluating hospitality, facility, spiritual vitality, quality of programming, etc. might reveal ways to improve that retention rate to increase Net Growth

Scenario 3: • [10 visitors/mo × 50% Retention] - [5 leave/mo]

= [5 stay/month - 5 leave/month]=0 Net Growth• Possible Interpretation: Might be an urban area or

college town with very transitory population and lots of “churn” AND/OR church is great at “first impressions” but lacks depth and growth opportunities. Depending on issues, may need to really increase visitor rate while also working on back door loss

LUNCH | 12:30 PM PAGE SATURDAY70

Looking Ahead Key Missional Milestones in Your First Five Years Stewardship & Sustainability 1. Year 1: 130 in worship

attendance, 33% progress to financial self-sufficiency

2. Year 2: 160, 66% towards financial self-sufficiency

3. Year 3: 190, 100% financially self-sufficient by time Appropriations end

4. Year 4: 220, 105%, preserving or using surplus for parenting or partnering in church planting

5. Year 5: 250, 110%, using surplus for parenting or partnering in church planting

Multiplication & Membership • Years 4-5 Church Planting:

Parent or Partner with other churches in the planting of your first church plant

• Full Member Church: With demonstrated missional vitality, complete process to become a full member congregation in the ECC


Saturday 1:30 PM

Fruitfulness & Sustainability Activity: 3 Minute Disasters! (because that’s all it takes :) Get into 2 groups around the room

• You have 10 minutes • to create a 2-3 minute skit • of a possible (likely?) “disaster” resulting from a missed benchmark.

Create your own scenario (or spark off one of these disturbingly true-ish ideas :) … • “We’ve Got Each Other (and That’s Alot)”: About to hold first Monthly Preview Worship, you

only have 15 actual Launch Team members, all old friends from the same Christian high school • “Raised by Wolves”: Awesome house band for worship, no children’s ministry leaders or plan

(“eh, we’ll give ‘em activity sheets during the message time”), Weekly Pre-Launch starts next month • “Living in Mom’s Basement (or Over Dad’s Garage)”: Parent/Partner churches have been

providing 3/4ths of your worship team and 1/2 the kids workers, they cannot (and will not) keep doing it once you start Weekly Worship… which is scheduled in two weeks

• “III Corinthians (Smarter than Paul)”: You’ve done a beautiful job with personal evangelism (not really worrying about the “less important” stuff), you now have a Launch Team of 35!… 27 of which are brand-new believers (what could possibly go wrong)

Notes:

PAGE SATURDAY71

“No tree bears fruit for its own use. Everything in

God’s will gives itself.”

~ Martin Luther


Launching Large, Launching Healthy Discussion

• What would launching large look like in your context? Share with two other people what it would mean to launch large in your context.

• Discuss Around Your Table: What you can do to launch large enough and healthy enough to have a missional impact in your community.

• Action Steps: What specific action steps still need to be done to launch large in your setting? Who will be responsible? Add them to your timeline.

Related Resource: Planting Fast-Growing Churches, Stephen Gray

PAGE SATURDAY72

“A few weeks before he took his life, former Methodist preacher

Vincent van Gogh painted a picture of a church. It emanated

a dimly eerie light from the inside, but it had no doors. There was no way in. Van

Gogh's The Church at Auvers gets my vote as the most haunting

painting in the history of religious art.”

~ Leonard Sweet(Soul Salsa, p. 87)

http://www.amazon.com/Planting-Fast-Growing-Churches-Stephen-Gray/dp/1889638692/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351703222&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Stephen%20Gray&ie=UTF8&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank


An Addendum in our newer Covenant Agreements…

30-60-90 Project Revitalization Process With a shared commitment to a thriving and flourishing church plant, and a belief in the faithful stewardship of kingdom resource, we put in place this process. When a church planting project falls significantly short of healthy missional benchmarks (qualitative, quantitative, or both), the following process is in place with the prayerful hope of fully restoring the project to its missional vitality.

A. Initiating | Missed Benchmarks & Missional Renewal When the DCP or Coach determines that any crucial benchmarks have been missed for two (2) consecutive months, they and the church planter will prayerfully and purposefully initiate the following project revitalization process

B. 30 Days | Action Plan for Healthy Recovery of Project

1. Planter has 30 days to create an action plan that has a credible chance for success

2. The DCP, Coach, and a select group of church planting peers will meet with the planter to develop, review, and approve the initial action plan

3. Progress Milestone a) If a suitable plan is not developed and approved, the church planting project will conclude b) If a plan is approved, planter and project will continue with next stage of the process

C. 60 Days | Measurable Progress toward Missional Goals

1. Having successfully completed the first 30 days of the plan, the planter now has 60 days to demonstrate significant progress towards the specified benchmarks and missional markers

2. The DCP, Coach, and select group of church planting peers will review implementation, provide encouragement and resourcing, and determine if suitable progress is being made

3. Progress Milestone a) If measurable progress is not on track to reach renewed goals, the project will conclude b) If measurable progress is on track, planter and project will continue with final stage of process

D. 90 Days | Full Recovery of Healthy Missional Vitality

1. Having successfully completed the previous 60 days of the plan, the planter now has 90 days to reach and maintain the outlined requirements of the renewed project goals

2. The DCP, Coach, and select group of church planting peers will review implementation, provide encouragement and resourcing, and determine if renewed goals have been reached and sustained

3. Progress Milestone a) If the renewed goals are not reached and sustained, the church planting project will conclude b) If the renewed goals are achieved and sustained, the planter and project will have successfully

demonstrated healthy missional leadership and the continued growth and sustainability of the church planting endeavor to which God has called them

Signatures:

[Church Planter, Coach, DCP]

PAGE SATURDAY73


Notes:

PAGE SATURDAY74


Resource:

21 Insights on Fast-Growing Church Plants Dr. Stephen Gray Dr. Gray is Director of Church Planting for the General Association of General Baptists and consults with New Church Specialties. Based on his doctoral research through Asbury Seminary of 2,285 church plants from 5 denominations, only 168 (7%) qualified to be counted as “fast-growing”. A fast-growing church plant is defined by its ability to achieve an average attendance of 200 and be self-supporting over a 3-6 year period.

1. Assessment is a must. The Ridley assessment is the one he refers to and they find a positive correlation between fast-growing church plants and above-average planters.

2. Adequate financial support is a must. A combination of funds from a supporting organization and funds raised by the planter works best. They find a balance is needed between too-much and too-little support.

3. A majority of fast-growing plants were led by full-time planters.

4. A majority of planters leading fast-growing plants received salary support for 2 years or less. 85% of fast-growing churches received salary support for 2-3 years. 80% of planters in struggling church plants received salary support for 3-5 years.

5. A majority of fast-growing plants received additional financial support beyond salary support. Generally this was a one-time start-up grant.

6. The start-up grants for fast-growing plants were $50,000 or less. Start-up grants for struggling plants were over $50,000.

7. Planters of fast-growing plants were personally involved in support-raising.

8. The vision for the church plant must be birthed in the heart of the church planter.

9. The church planter must choose the target audience.

10. Planters of fast-growing church plants were free to spend their funding as they saw fit.

11. The more successful the church plant, the less control the sponsoring agency exercised over the plant.

12. Fast-growing church plants have planters who have adequate emotional support.

PAGE SATURDAY75


13. Sponsoring agencies must develop a quality training program – generally 1 or more weeks – true for 77% of fast-growing plants. Planters of struggling plants received less than a week of training – true of 74% of struggling plants.

14. Fast-growing plants started with two paid staff. This was the case in 88.3% of fast-growing plants. On the other hand, 88.5% of struggling plants had a solo church planter.

15. Fast-growing plants had a larger adult core [“Launch Team”] – generally over 40 adults.

16. Fast-growing plants had 3 core ministries from the start: worship, kids, and teen ministries.

17. Fast-growing churches used both preview services and small groups to build the core group.

18. Fast-growing plants used 5+ preview services on a bi-weekly basis. They find waiting a month before doing another preview is too long to develop connections.

19. Fast-growing plants launched with larger attendance than struggling plants – generally over 100..

20. Fast-growing plants taught about finances and stewardship within the first 6 months.

21. Fast-growing plants kept their ministry outward-focused. This included mission giving from the start. Fast-growing plants tended to give 10+% to mission.

Additional Insights: • Amount of Ideal Support for “Average Church Plant” (will vary by region, cost of living, etc.)

• Both fast-growing and struggling church plants had • Similar prayer networks • Similar level of coaching • Similar commitment to a one-day a week facility

BREAK | 2:45 PM ~ 30 Minute

FOR: 1 PASTORAL STAFF 2 PASTORAL STAFF

$50k salary × 2 yrs 100k 200k

Start-up grant yr 1 50k 50k

additional fundraising by planter 50k 50k

Total: $200k $300k

PAGE SATURDAY76


Saturday 3:15 PM

CovTalks Var ie ty o f Focused Presenta t ions

Notes:

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Notes:

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Notes:

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Notes:

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Individual Lab Time Time for planters to work individually or with Coaches, DCP, and others on strategic plan, normal & natural pathways, ministry planning calendar, launch team development, etc.

Notes:

PAGE SATURDAY81


Saturday 5:45 PM


•

•

•

DINNER | 6:00 PM

Af te r D inner

Free Evening

PAGE SATURDAY82


PAGE SATURDAY83


Sunday Worsh ip

Church Plant Visit Catalyst Covenant ChurchPastor Jeff Olson

• Olson Campus Center1490 Fulham StSt Paul, MN 55108

• catalystcovenant.org

Use “Worship Service Observation Guide” in the end of this workbook or online (you’ll receive an email with the link)

PAGE SUNDAY84

“On the day called Sunday there is a meeting in one place of those who live

in cities or the country, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writing

of the prophets are read as long as time permits. Then we all stand up

together and offer prayers. And when we have finished the prayer, bread is

brought, and wine and water, and the president similarly sends up prayers and thanksgivings to the best of his

ability, and the congregation assents, saying the Amen; the distribution and reception of the consecrated elements

by each one takes place and they are sent to the absent by the deacons. . . .

We all hold this common gathering on Sunday, since it is

the first day, on which God transforming darkness and

matter made the universe, and Jesus Christ our Savior rose from

the dead on the same day.”

~ Justin Martyr2nd century



Debrief: Worship Service Observations Without the Pastor present : )

Notes:

PAGE SUNDAY85


Notes:

PAGE SUNDAY86


Sunday Af te rnoon

Children’s Ministry

PAGE SUNDAY87

“Let our emblem be a dove, or a fish, or a ship running before the

wind, or a musician’s lyre, or a ship’s anchor. And if there be a fisherman, he will remind us of

an apostle, and little children being drawn up out of the water.”

~ Clement of Alexandria c. 150 – c. 215


Personal Care & Development Question:

• What could disqualify you from ministry?

Wholeness • “Fuel Gauges” on monthly reports

and why that is so important

“Personal Care Kit” • pull out an item and share how it might help you stay healthy and not get disqualified in ministry

Personal Development Plan • begin creating plan to be completed and shared with Coach or DCP at home within the next month

Health on the Home-Front Discussion • “What your spouse wishes you knew about being married to a church planter”

PAGE SUNDAY88

“Get away from your worldly occupations for a while, escape from your tumultuous thoughts. Lay aside your burdensome cares and put off

your laborious exertions. Give yourself over to God for a little while,

and rest for a while in Him. Enter into the cell of your mind, shut out

everything except God and whatever helps you to seek Him once the door

is shut. Speak now, my heart, and say to God, ‘I seek your face; your face,

Lord, I seek.’”

~ Anselm of Canterbury, c. 1033-1109


Resource:

Ten Best Practices for Health and Wellness Mike Brown, Nor thwest Conference DCP Adapted f rom Un i ted Method is t Se l f Care Resources 1. Love God and worship Him regularly

2. Love others; treat others the way you would like to be treated

3. Keep a regular Sabbath; keep it holy by being intentional about rest and renewal

4. Honor your body as a gift from God and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Feed it healthy food, get enough rest, and get enough physical exercise to keep it running in peak form

5. Honor your mother, father and family members. Show them respect, love, and give them your time

6. Use the gifts God has given you for ministry for the good of the church and the Kingdom of God

7. Develop healthy rhythms so you can live a well-ordered life and be fit for ministry

8. Be Salt and Light. Proclaim Christ and live out the message of the Gospel

9. Practice and seek forgiveness

10. Pray daily

PAGE SUNDAY89


Covenant for Self-Care For the stewardship of the life I’ve been given and the ministry to which I’ve been called in Christ Jesus… 1. I will develop the weekly habit of observing the following spiritual disciplines (beyond sermon prep

and teaching opportunities). List at least 3: •••

2. I will regularly set aside time to be present with my family for meals and family activities. 3. I will schedule and use all of my vacation time, and any other holidays and days off I am given each

year, as approved by my Covenant Agreement or Letter of Call. 4. I will attend retreats and continuing education opportunities each year as outlined by the

Department of Ordered Ministry and my Conference coach. 5. I will strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This will include regular check-ups with my Dr., and

maintaining a healthy weight (unless such conformity is deemed to be risky by my physician). 6. I will engage in some form of exercise regularly (at least 3 times a week), at a level approved by my

physician. List your intended exercise plan: •••

7. I commit to a healthy nutrition plan that will allow me to maintain the proper weight. 8. I will strive to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. 9. I will order my personal affairs regarding the proper documents (insurance, wills, power of attorney

and guardianship for my minor children). I will make known the location of these documents to the following individuals. (list at least two) •••

10. I commit to a regular accountability relationship and/or spiritual direction. (list those individuals): •••

I covenant all of the above with my Director of Church Planting, and/or my coach, with whom I will share a mutual accountability relationship for our self-care as clergy.

____________________________________ ____________________________________Church Planter Coach

PAGE SUNDAY90


Sunday 4:15 PM

Panel Discussions and Q&A Time NOTES:

PAGE SUNDAY91


NOTES:

PAGE SUNDAY92


Sunday 5:45 PM


•

•

•

DINNER | 6:00 PM

Af te r D inner

Free EveningPAGE SUNDAY93


Monday 9:15 AM

Morning Devotions

Review of Previous Day •

•

•

•

PAGE MONDAY94


Monday 9:45 AM

Church Multiplication Planning and partnering to plant healthy, missional, reproducing churches Video: Mission to Plant (Northwest Conference)

Discussion (stand & find 4 others) • what grabs you from the video? • how will you build the church plant so you can plant another church in year 4-5 and so it “doesn’t

end with you”? • each group present an insight to whole group

What and When • Multiplication and Movement • ECC history • Suggested Resource: Movements that Change the World, by Steve Addison

Discussion & Application • What have you thought about being a church planting church?

About being a church that plants churches that plant churches, and so on? • How can you build this into your culture and “dna” from the very start? • What are practical, strategic elements you can build into your church to help this become reality?

Examples: • Missional Home Groups that have as their charter to be the nuclei for future Launch Teams • Hosting church planting interns and residencies • Partnering with an established church in the funding and seeding of a Launch Team • Missions Giving (with a new opportunity!)

PAGE MONDAY95


From Covenant Agreements: Expectation & Encouragement Mission Giving:

• “15% of local income will be contributed to our shared mission in the Covenant Church. • This commitment is a requirement to receive monthly appropriations, shall continue for the life of

the church, and must be fulfilled prior to the church adopting additional mission commitments • The 15% calculation applies only to your church’s regular tithes and offerings, not to designated

giving, special gifts, fundraising, or appropriations”

• One Month Example: $10,000 in Local Tithes & Offerings,Church sends two checks: 10% for Covenant, 5% for Conference: • 10% = $1,000 check made out to Evangelical Covenant Church

Optional: 50% General = $500; 50% Directed = $500 to particular Covenant Missionary • 5% = $500 check made out to your Conference

Years 1-4 • Attendance: Average 225 in worship attendance by the end of year three

(by year four in some cases, may also vary according to particular project and context) • Finances: Financially self-sufficient by the time the church goes off appropriations

Years 4-5 • Church Planting: Parent or Partner with other churches in the planting of your first church plant • Membership: Upon meeting the necessary criteria and missional viability requirements, complete

the process for becoming a full member congregation in the Evangelical Covenant Church

PAGE MONDAY96


Consecration & Commissioning “Lord, this day I commit to not let it end with me.”

“Let us go forth, In the goodness of our merciful Father,

In the gentleness of our brother Jesus, In the radiance of his Holy Spirit,

In the faith of the apostles, In the joyful praise of the angels, In the holiness of the saints, In the courage of the martyrs.

Let us go forth, In the wisdom of our all-seeing Father,

In the patience of our all-loving Brother, In the truth of the all-knowing Spirit,

In the learning of the apostles, In the gracious guidance of the angels, In the patience of the saints, In the self-control of the martyrs.

Such is the path for all servants of Christ,

the path from death to eternal life.”

– The Rising (A Celtic Christian Prayer)

PAGE MONDAY97

“Domine Ivimus” (Latin, “Lord, we went”)

The words which begin Psalm 122, the psalm of pilgrimage and the inscription

beneath a red and black graffiti of a small Roman sailing vessel found on a wall beneath the Church of the Holy

Sepulcher in Jerusalem (c. 300 AD)

To the 4th Generation & Beyond “And the things you have heard me say

in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also

be qualified to teach others.” – Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:2)


Wrap-Up & Send-Off • Gather All Your Stuff • Say Your Good-Byes “See You Later!”s • Confirm Rides to Airport

LUNCH | on your own, but on us !

PAGE MONDAY98

Go with God and travel safe.

Thanks fo r be ing together and mak ing th is a great week : )

We’re pray ing for you, your peop le, and the v ib rant church God has ca l led you to p lant !


NOTES:

PAGE MONDAY99


NOTES:

PAGE MONDAY100


Evangelism and the Church Calendar Church Leadership Evangelism Resource

John Teter, Evangelism Team Leader for the Evangelical Covenant Church [original doc available at covchurch.tv/church-calendar]

My friend and mentor Darrell Johnson first introduced me to the church calendar. I was a young Christian. I had just converted at age 22 through a campus ministry and I never knew the church calendar existed. Today, I cannot imagine my life without the annual calendar of the church. When I first began attending Glendale Presbyterian Church, Darrell was the senior pastor. Pastor Johnson possesses a remarkable teaching gift and uses it powerfully in his preaching ministry. As I listened and grew from his sermons every week, I began to realize that he utilized the church calendar for deeper impact within his local congregation. Even as a young minister in training, I realized that leaders can use the church calendar for the growth of the church. While Darrell would regularly preach through large sections or even entire books of the Bible, he often framed his preaching with an amazing blend of biblical text and church tradition.

A second friend and mentor, Ray Bakke, introduced me to living out the church calendar in a personal way. On a visit to his home in Seattle, I saw how Ray and his wife, Corrine, decorated their home with colors, music, and smells that signified the season that we were in. Darrell used the church calendar to frame the feeding schedule of an entire congregation. Ray and Corrine used the church calendar in a deeply personal and private way for their own spiritual growth at home. From both of these experiences I learned the practical functionality of the church calendar.

As an evangelism leader, I have discovered that using the church calendar can bring about much evangelistic good to the local church!

PAGE EVANGELISM AND THE CHURCH CALENDAR101

http://covchurch.tv/church-calendar/


Let us first define the seven seasons of the church calendar.*

* Adapted from Darrell W. Johnson, “The Glory of Preaching” (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academics, 2009) 208-209

Two Evangelism Anchors As a senior pastor who guides the mission, here are the practical ways I use the church calendar to lead my flock into evangelism. I already use the church calendar to form my preaching schedule. This helps me stay at least one year ahead of the current preaching schedule. Using the seasons, helps my preparation, my prayer, and ensures a steady feeding schedule for the flock. The calendar keeps me honest, and helps me preach texts or topics that I would otherwise not be naturally drawn towards. Knowing that the preaching schedule for the church is set, I will then look at the year and make sure that evangelism is “in the calendar.” As the pastor who guides the mission, we must never assume that church-wide evangelism will just happen. It must be scheduled! As I survey the calendar for a given year, I immediately put two anchors as evangelistic harvest events. The first anchor is Easter. The second anchor is Christmas. (Due to our congregation’s travel and hectic holiday schedules, our big evangelistic event for Christmas takes place two weeks before Christmas. If it works in your context, Christmas eve or Christmas day on a Sunday might be preferable. But we like our event a bit out from the actual holiday, while enjoying the growing anticipation of the Christmas season. We usually combine the event with a performance of our children’s choir to help more folks come out and experience our church. After putting the “harvest events” in the calendar, I will then highlight six to eight weeks of preparation time on the front and back end for each evangelistic event. At Fountain of Life Covenant Church, we establish five weeks of follow-up for each evangelistic event. We want to make sure any new births the Lord brings are given proper care and attention.

SEASON LENGTH DESCRIPTION

Epiphany Five to Eight Sundays beginning on the first Sunday after Jan 6 (Epiphany)

A time to focus on and celebrate the earthly ministry of Jesus

Lent Ash Wednesday through five Sundays leading up to Holy Week

(traditionally includes Palm Sunday)

A time to focus on the death of Jesus and embrace the pattern of losing life to save our lives

Holy Week Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (traditionally doesn’t include Palm Sunday, but helpful for planning

purposes)

Palm Sunday celebrates the unexpected King and Easter celebrates the resurrection and the death of

death (week includes other Holy Days such as Maundy Thursday and Good Friday)

Eastertide Six weeks following Easter Sunday A time to focus on the life implications of the Resurrection

Pentecost Fifty days after Easter A time to focus on the third person of the Trinity and the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives

Advent Four Sundays before Christmas day A time to focus and celebrate Jesus’ First and Second coming

Christmas Christmas Eve and Christmas Sunday A time to focus directly on the Incarnation and promises of God



Outreach By doing this simple exercise, you have now insured that there will be at least two evangelistic events. Each willing participant in your church, now has a focused time period of 12-16 weeks of personal evangelism and ten weeks of follow up and integration new disciples into your church. We have found that clarity is a great need in regards to evangelism leadership. The congregation is more flexible and willing to risk and grow when expectations and calling are clear. Having all of your people going hard as witnesses for 12-16 weeks of the year is reasonable, doable, and will likely help them engage in a personal way. If the communicated expectation is zero weeks a year, that is likely the result you will enjoy. Clarity and building training into the church calendar creates momentum for evangelism. And we all know what a great friend momentum is for church leadership! During the minimum of six to eight weeks before the harvest event, the pastor guides the mission in a variety of ways. The pastor prays from the pulpit for our evangelism relationships to take off in this outreach period. The church organizes prayer in the congregation for lost people in a corporate crying out to God. The pastor can encourage the congregation from the pulpit to run the triangle and try and meet as many people as possible to find out if they are interested in Jesus. Some will certainly be interested and personal Bible studies with non-Christians can begin immediately. The more non- Christians are exposed to the Bible and their thinking formed by it, the better convert they will make at the harvest event. (Please see our “God Search” evangelism resources at covchurch.org/72. The goal of every Christian during this six to eight week outreach sprint is to include as many people as possible into the process of conversion funnel. The harvest event then be a logical next step for the non-Christian, and not the place where they are starting from scratch. A seeker who is familiar with church and enjoys a trusting relationship with a mature Christian can commit to Jesus. We have found that the unbeliever is more ready for commitment then we might think they are.

Follow-Up Leading another sinner to faith in Christ is not the end goal. A decision for Jesus, while exciting and inspiring, is a very fragile moment. The real work has just begun. For new parents, while the birth is incredibly significant, the next fifty days are vital to the survival of any new child. So it is with our friends who have chosen the new birth. For follow-up we like to take our most friendly/evangelistic leaders and have them lead a foundations life group. These life groups run five weeks and begin the week after the harvest event. They are the central commitment that we call for from the new believer. The groups are designed to build community with other new Christians, while establishing the basics of faith in Jesus. Every convert needs a strong foundation and must be taught how to become a lifelong disciple of Jesus in the local church.

Closing Exhortation As a pastor who guides the mission or a Christian who tells the story, may the church calendar help you bear evangelistic fruit! While the Holy Spirit is always moving and evangelism can be creative and spontaneous fruitful, we have found this to be most true with individuals gifted for witness. What we are proposing is a vision where the church does not have people fishing with poles, but the church itself is the ship that fishes with a net. In this model, we have found it is much easier for people to understand their roles and put evangelism into their calendars. Luke 15 describes evangelism as a process of increasing joy. As you incorporate the Christian calendar in your evangelism plan, may God give you great joy, and may the Shepherd give great joy to your local church.



Worship Service Observation Guide Dona ld Rob inson, Nor th Pac i f ic Conference Use this guide to look at every aspect of the worship service from the perspective of a first-time visitor. (Don’t be concerned about marking everything, just use guide to help you be alert to what is happening.)

SIGNAGE Yes No Comments

Several signs approaching worship location?

Church name on signs?

Worship time on signs?

Worship location on signs?

Web address on signs?

Large banners outside worship location, clearly indicating entrance?

GREETING & WELCOME Yes No Comments

Greeters present and visible in parking lot and/or outside entrance to facility?

Welcome table with information?

Name tags?

Snack table available before, during and after worship service? (Healthy alternatives available?)

Signage with clear directions to restrooms, nursery and childcare?

Did the congregation seem to be aware of and responsive to visitors and newcomers?

WORSHIP SETTING Yes No Comments

Ascetically appealing, with color & plants?

Religious symbols? (Cross, candles, open Bible, etc)

Good lighting?


Screen for projector?

PAGE WORSHIP SERVICE OBSERVATION GUIDE104


WORSHIP COMPONENTS Yes No Comments

Did worship style match church’s target group?

If baptism, child dedication or communion was included in the worship service, was the meaning clearly explained?

Was the worship theme clear and evident?

Did all aspects of worship relate to theme?

Were the transitions smooth?

Are the leaders identified? Leaders genuine?

Stick to time schedule?

Music inclusive, celebratory, participatory?

Friendly; newcomers greeted and welcomed?

Bibles provided? Bibles used?

Scripture read?

Were several types prayer included? (pastoral, congregational, confession, intercession, thanksgiving, etc.)

Testimony/Interview?

Offering introduced as an act of worship?

SERMON Yes No Comments

Was the sermon theme, topic, or main point clear?

Could non-believer understand or relate to sermon?

Was the sermon’s teaching linked to scripture?

Were real life issues confronted with Gospel and God centered, Bible- based solutions presented?

Was the sermon insightful and compelling?

Did the sermon challenge listeners to respond?

Assumed Biblical knowledge or Christian jargon used that may be confusing to a pre-Christian?



PRINTED MATERIALS Yes No Comments

Worship folder easy to understand?

Vision, Mission, Core values included?

Printed materials help you understand culture, climate and nature of this church?

Information included on how you could get involved and connected?

Clear connection with ECC communicated?

NURSERY & CHILDREN Yes No Comments

Clear signage directing parents to childcare areas?

Volunteers present 5-10 minutes before children arrive?

Written information on how children are cared for?

Worship service accessible to children? Are they included?

Is the sign-in process welcoming?

Is the childcare area safe, secure, and sanitary?

Is there a clear process for contacting parents during the worship service if they are needed?

VISION, MISSION, VALUES Yes No Comments

Was the church’s vision stated?

Were the core values of the church linked to a specific part of the life of the church?

Was it communicated on how you could get involved and connected?

COMMITMENT & RESPONSE Yes No Comments

Were people called to a specific commitment or action? What was it?

Clear explanation of the Gospel and how a person could become a Christian?

Was an invitation extended to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?

For the confessing believer was a next step identified to strengthen their commitment as a disciple of Jesus?



Overall Impressions Take a few minutes to reflect on your visit: 1. What about the church appealed to you or made you feel welcome and relaxed?

2. What bothered you or made you uncomfortable?

3. What caught your attention or stood out to you in either a positive or negative sense?

4. If you were looking for a church home, what particular qualities do you most care about and would especially look for? Which of these qualities did the church possess? What did it lack?

Final Observations Possible Reasons Why a Visitor WOULD Attend this church again... 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Possible Reasons Why A Visitor WOULDN’T attend this church again... 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Recommendations & Suggestions 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.



Worship Service Observation Guide Dona ld Rob inson, Nor th Pac i f ic Conference Use this guide to look at every aspect of the worship service from the perspective of a first-time visitor. (Don’t be concerned about marking everything, just use guide to help you be alert to what is happening.)

SIGNAGE Yes No Comments

Several signs approaching worship location?

Church name on signs?

Worship time on signs?


Web address on signs?

Large banners outside worship location, clearly indicating entrance?

GREETING & WELCOME Yes No Comments

Greeters present and visible in parking lot and/or outside entrance to facility?

Welcome table with information?

Name tags?

Snack table available before, during and after worship service? (Healthy alternatives available?)

Signage with clear directions to restrooms, nursery and childcare?

Did the congregation seem to be aware of and responsive to visitors and newcomers?

WORSHIP SETTING Yes No Comments

Ascetically appealing, with color & plants?

Religious symbols? (Cross, candles, open Bible, etc)

Good lighting?


Screen for projector?



WORSHIP COMPONENTS Yes No Comments

Did worship style match church’s target group?

If baptism, child dedication or communion was included in the worship service, was the meaning clearly explained?

Was the worship theme clear and evident?

Did all aspects of worship relate to theme?

Were the transitions smooth?

Are the leaders identified? Leaders genuine?

Stick to time schedule?

Music inclusive, celebratory, participatory?

Friendly; newcomers greeted and welcomed?

Bibles provided? Bibles used?

Scripture read?

Were several types prayer included? (pastoral, congregational, confession, intercession, thanksgiving, etc.)

Testimony/Interview?

Offering introduced as an act of worship?

SERMON Yes No Comments

Was the sermon theme, topic, or main point clear?

Could non-believer understand or relate to sermon?

Was the sermon’s teaching linked to scripture?

Were real life issues confronted with Gospel and God centered, Bible- based solutions presented?

Was the sermon insightful and compelling?

Did the sermon challenge listeners to respond?

Assumed Biblical knowledge or Christian jargon used that may be confusing to a pre-Christian?



PRINTED MATERIALS Yes No Comments

Worship folder easy to understand?

Vision, Mission, Core values included?

Printed materials help you understand culture, climate and nature of this church?

Information included on how you could get involved and connected?

Clear connection with ECC communicated?

NURSERY & CHILDREN Yes No Comments

Clear signage directing parents to childcare areas?

Volunteers present 5-10 minutes before children arrive?

Written information on how children are cared for?

Worship service accessible to children? Are they included?

Is the sign-in process welcoming?

Is the childcare area safe, secure, and sanitary?

Is there a clear process for contacting parents during the worship service if they are needed?

VISION, MISSION, VALUES Yes No Comments

Was the church’s vision stated?

Were the core values of the church linked to a specific part of the life of the church?

Was it communicated on how you could get involved and connected?

COMMITMENT & RESPONSE Yes No Comments

Were people called to a specific commitment or action? What was it?

Clear explanation of the Gospel and how a person could become a Christian?

Was an invitation extended to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?

For the confessing believer was a next step identified to strengthen their commitment as a disciple of Jesus?



Overall Impressions Take a few minutes to reflect on your visit: 1. What about the church appealed to you or made you feel welcome and relaxed?

2. What bothered you or made you uncomfortable?

3. What caught your attention or stood out to you in either a positive or negative sense?

4. If you were looking for a church home, what particular qualities do you most care about and would especially look for? Which of these qualities did the church possess? What did it lack?

Final Observations Possible Reasons Why a Visitor WOULD Attend this church again... 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Possible Reasons Why A Visitor WOULDN’T attend this church again... 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Recommendations & Suggestions 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.



Church Planting Mistakes Mike Brown, DCP Nor thwest Conference Too little time spent developing a Launch Team • The church is about people who matter to God. Don’t

be lured into thinking that great systems, structure, and programs will be the most important part of planting.

• You can never have too many people in the core group or launch team

• You can’t do this on your own. You’re not that smart, talented, or gifted

• Lots of hands will mean less burn-out and frustration • Host lots of dessert meetings, dinners, lunches, coffee

meetings, informational meetings, especially in the early stages. You can’t over-communicate the vision God has laid on your heart

• Many people will need some one-on-one time with the planter before committing to this new church

• It takes time to get to know people and the gifts they bring

• Developing leaders and ministry teams takes time • Moving too quickly into weekly worship can stunt the

growth of the new church • Allowing controlling or needy people to take over the

launch team can cause the new church to lose sight of the original mission and vision

• Creating a healthy culture is about investing in people, not programs

Not Focusing on Discipleship from the beginning • Discipleship must be a part of the DNA of the church • Leaders must remember they are planting a church, not

a worship service • Your discipleship plan must be systematic and organic at

the same time. It must have structure and be highly relational at the same time

• Leaders must focus on growing a handful of key disciples who will then disciple others

• Make sure you are modeling what you want the church to become

• You must take a long term view of this process. It will start slow and then accelerate as others “get it.”

Not following the plan • Church planting is a series of hundreds of details.

Without a plan you will miss or overlook something • Create a plan. It’s worth the investment of your time. It

allows you to have something to communicate to those who will join you and will provide a roadmap of where you’re going

• Having a clear plan will help you to develop a healthy church culture from the beginning

• Follow the schedule you set • Don’t give in to the pressure to begin worshipping on

Sundays ahead of schedule, no matter how hard your launch team lobbies for it. Church planting is a slow process, it can’t be microwaved

• Host as many events and meetings as you possibly can squeeze in that are consistent with your identity as a new church. Get creative

• Have a crystal clear ministry plan in place as you move forward or you will wander and get lost

• God is a God of order, so don’t be afraid of a little structure

• If you don’t have a plan, those who show up at your church will try to convince everyone else to implement their plan. This will create disunity, dysfunction and disharmony

• Develop a good roadmap so everyone on your team knows where they’re going and when things are likely to happen. The pastor shouldn’t be the only one who has a clue what’s going on. No one wants to follow someone when they have no idea where they’re going

• Remember that plans keep us focused and on track. • “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises

and hopes…but no plans.” - Peter Drucker

Neglecting to clearly define mission, vision and values • Always have a strong Biblical basis for everything you do • DON’T GIVE IN TO FEAR!!! Put away the wimpy,

weak, fit for public consumption, vision that you think is safe. Look into your heart and lay out the big, bold, audacious vision that God is really calling you to. Dream big. Invite people on an exciting adventure

• A vague idea of what you hope to do is not adequate. Your God-given dream must be clear and understandable

• Key question to ask are: “What will this new church look like?” or “Who are we as a church?” “What are the non-negotiables in this church?” “Where are we going?”

• Every person on the team needs to have a clear grasp of the vision, mission and values and a real sense of how they fit into all of it

• Everyone who connects with you and this new church must be introduced early and often to these pieces. It’s all about identity

• These pieces are the basis for the culture that will begin to develop. Wrong, weak, or unhealthy mission, vision and values will contribute to the development of an unhealthy culture

• How will we know if we’re on track? There must be some way to determine if your church is still moving in the right direction. Acts 2 offers several benchmarks

• Filter every decision through the mission statement. What you’re doing is laying the foundation for everything else that is to come

PAGE CHURCH PLANTING MISTAKES112


Not Focusing Enough on the Developing Culture of the Church • Culture—not vision or strategy—is the most powerful

factor in any organization • Culture is the personality of the church. • “Vision and strategy usually focus on products, services,

and outcomes, but culture is about the people—the most valuable asset in the organization.” Dr. Samuel Chand

• Culture is an amalgamation of the church’s stories, rituals, priorities, celebrations, shared goals, communication patterns, etc.

• A church’s culture begins at the top. “The leader’s integrity, competence, and care for others create the environment where people excel…or not.” Dr. Samuel Chand

• A healthy culture will inspire people, help them grow to be committed disciples of Christ, allow them to develop their leadership gifts, and learn healthy ways to deal with setbacks

• “Toxic culture is like carbon monoxide: you don’t see it or smell it, but you wake up dead.” Dr. Samuel Chand

• Culture is the soil where vision and strategy can take root and grow…or be planted and die

• When people are not rallying behind the vision of the pastor and leadership the problem is not with the vision, it’s with the culture of the church

• A healthy culture is the catalyst that will move a church toward fulfilling the vision

• The goal is to create an inspiring culture where everyone feels valued, where there’s open and honest communication, where there is trust, where big goals are set and people are given the responsibility and the authority to make them happen, where pastors invest in key ministry leaders, where the whole organization is focused on celebrating people and giving God the glory

Underestimating Spiritual Warfare • Prayer is not preparation for battle, prayer is the battle • If you’ve said yes to church planting you are already 20

miles behind enemy lines • The evil one doesn’t want you to succeed • The evil one will try to distract, confuse, or derail you

with an endless array of activities or options along the way to starting this new church. Not listening to God and taking a fork in the road will result in a crash

• The evil one is subtle; he rarely comes at you in his red jammies holding a pitchfork, in a full frontal assault

• Prepare yourself for criticism, often from people you love and trust. If there is truth, receive it, but if there is not, move on

• Two other key ways that spiritual warfare is waged are through leaders becoming prideful and stubborn. Both of those attitudes will destroy community. The Bible says that God hates both of these attitudes

• Develop, as soon as possible, an intercessory prayer team • Pray God’s protection over your family and pray

together as a family

• Don’t forget to lean into God’s power and stay dependent on Him…especially when things seem to be going well!

• Develop strong dependency on prayer throughout the church. A church community is built on its knees

• Remember, Jesus has already won the battle! The very power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead is available to you as a child of the King

Ignoring the needs of your family and friends • It’s easy to get so wrapped up in doing this new work

that we forget that our first mission field is at home • God gave you key relationships in your life and it’s

critical you keep them in the proper order • You will be completely ineffective if your own house is

not in order • You will lose your passion for this new work if you are

fighting battles at home • Isolation opens the door to moral failure

Ignoring your personal relationship with God • Church planting is first and foremost a spiritual exercise • Read, meditate on and memorize God’s Word. Become

a Bible-Centered Leader (see Bobby Clinton resource by the same title)

• Receive forgiveness…you will need it • Listen to the Spirit and follow His leading even when it’s

risky, scary, or seems a little on the edge. • You can’t take the church anywhere you haven’t been

yourself • While you may have a vibrant relationship with God, it’s

easy to let it slide in the busyness of doing church • Don’t sacrifice the important for the urgent. Prayer,

reading God’s Word, and growing in your own faith are the most important things you can do.

• Remember the Sabbath • Get away and be quiet so you can hear from God. This

world is a noisy place

Not taking care of your personal well-being • Dr. Bobby Clinton, professor of leadership at Fuller

Theological Seminary says, “Many start well, but few finish well.” Don’t be one of the casualties

• Be careful not to rationalize behaviors that can end your ministry

• Remember the airline safety briefing, “put on your own oxygen mask before trying to assist others.”

• Self-care is never selfish • Create a Covenant with your coach that outlines the

steps you are taking to be healthy in every area of your life

• Work on maintaining emotional health by loving, giving, and resting

• Take care of your physical body. You can’t lead if your body is fighting you

• Get adequate sleep and down time. Sabbath will set you up to succeed in ministry



• Protect your personal and family time. Build a wall around it

• Be a life long learner…you’re not that smart. Don’t start believing your press clippings

Not developing relationships with the other churches in your community • Talk to all the pastors and meet with them regularly to

pray for their churches and ministries • Assure the other churches in the area that you are not

into “shuffling the sheep” • Partner to do Kingdom work with other area pastors

and churches • Share your passion and vision with the other pastors in

the community • Pray each week in your worship time for the other

churches in your community • Never bad mouth another pastor or ministry. You can’t

make your light shine brighter by trying to blow someone else’s out

• Envy can be deadly • Develop strong relationships with the other Covenant

Churches in the area • Always remember that this is a Kingdom thing

Neglecting the work of Agenda Harmony • Focus on being a healthy church • Spend lots of time as a church being quiet and listening

to God • Practice being a church that admits that it’s only by

God’s grace that any of us can gather. Fight legalism and the urge to pretend

• Be authentic. Nothing creates tension faster than phoniness

• Nothing will derail a church faster than competing agendas. Lead when necessary, listen when you should

• Recognize when there seems to be a drift in the focus of the church and address it

• Prepare yourself for criticism. Receive the loving, honest critique of friends, but reject the legalistic, divisive, gossipy critique of those who can’t get along unless things are done their way

• If you’re a strong, visionary leader prepare to be called a control freak, manipulative, a dictator, or worse, by those who have agendas not in harmony with the church

• Vision leaks…repeat it at every opportunity • Don’t compromise on key values • Work with those who don’t seem to be on the same

page, but don’t be afraid to invite people to move on if they can’t get on board with where the church is going

Not developing key leaders • You can’t do it all. You shouldn’t be doing it all.

You aren’t gifted to do it all • Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us our job is to equip God’s

people for works of service • God has gifted others to lead in various areas…let them • Offer training to those who have gifting and potential • Learn to let go

• This isn’t about getting from point A to point B as fast as you can. It’s about taking as many people with you as possible on the journey. To do that you will need a team

Not making evangelism a priority • Remind yourself continually that this is about a

relationship with Jesus first and foremost. • You must lead by doing evangelism yourself. Tithe of

your time to invest in people who are far from God • Don’t wait to focus on evangelism. If it isn’t a part of

the DNA at the beginning it will most likely never be a priority

• You might not have the gift of evangelism, but you are called to do the work of evangelism

• Teach your people how to love and care for others • Remember that reaching those who have been far from

God is messy • Teach your church how to share their personal stories of

faith • Don’t stop doing the things that got you started • You can’t build a strong church without seeing people

come to faith and grow in that faith • Focus on holistic evangelism…we’re called not to make

converts, but disciples • Make sure your church is ready for new believers • Be intentional as a church about spending time with

those who don’t know Jesus yet. Get out and worship by serving others, loving, and giving yourselves away

• Establish from the beginning a culture that places a priority on others and not on meeting the needs of those already there

• You can’t build a healthy church by “shuffling the sheep.” The majority of growth should come from people who are new to church

Not addressing the issue of money • Don’t obsess about it, but talk about it early and often • Realize right away that being a church planter means

you will also be a fund raiser. • Don’t focus on tithing, but on sacrificial giving.

Someone making $500,000 a year is probably not living sacrificially on $450,000

• Let people know what it takes to do church and live in community

• Find someone to handle the finances as soon as possible. • Build good systems for collecting, depositing, reporting,

budgeting, etc. • You need to become self-supporting, so communicate

the need • God has promised blessings surrounding how we handle

our resources…don’t let your people miss out on a blessing God wants to give them

• Growing ministries will always see the needs outpace resources

• New attenders don’t always give, teach them to give • Realize that new people are rarely offended by money

talk. They know the church relies on gifts to operate. Typically the people who are offended by money talk are Christians who feel guilty because they know they are not living into what God would have them do



• Make sure the church doesn’t miss a blessing by honoring the church’s giving commitment to the denomination and the conference.

• Model faithful giving as a church family. You can’t ask individuals to give sacrificially if the church as a body is unwilling to do the same

• Give and support missions from day one • Pastors should never handle money…never ever

Letting mediocrity slip in • Always bring in the best leadership for worship, etc. that

you can find • Never compare your ministry with any other. You and

your church are unique…just as God intended • Always evaluate everything with the eyes of a guest • Never settle • Buy the best equipment, training, and resources you can

afford • Check yourself whenever you are tempted to just get

something done • Remember that God expects our First Fruits • God doesn’t ask us to be the best, but to give Him our

best • Time is short. Go for it with a passion

Not creating ownership in the growing church • Cast vision, but let others help you develop the plan to

live into that vision • Give away the parts of leadership you’re not gifted in • Give responsibility and hold people accountable • Ask frequently for feedback • Go on retreat with your leaders to plan, pray and dream • Invite the whole church to dream with you, plan, and

reach out

Staffing without a careful plan • Don’t hire staff when volunteers can do the job…you

steal an opportunity for someone to serve. • Be careful in handing out titles. Not everyone is ready

for leadership. Give people tasks not titles until they prove themselves ready to lead.

• Be a church filled with grace by allowing people to try ministry positions and move on if they find it to be a bad fit.

• Never place people who are deeply wounded in any position of leadership.

• Always set clear time limits on positions of volunteer leadership

• In key areas, hire the best person you can find. Spend as much as necessary to hire people more gifted than you

• Hire generalists first and then specialists as growth and finances allow

• As one pastor wrote, “Hire slowly, fire quickly.” Don’t allow a bad fit to become a divisive situation. Lovingly confront, correct, and if necessary let them go

Not asking for Commitments • Don’t be afraid to ask people to join you • Ask for big commitments. Become a high-commitment

church

• Invite people to dream big dreams and walk with you on a God sized adventure

• Get people used to taking a “leap of faith.” • Write budgets that are only possible if everyone steps

out in faith • Focus on what God can do, not what you can’t • “You have not, because you ask not.”

Forgetting the Mission • Build intention from the beginning for your church to

plant more churches. Set time frames and stick to them • See the needs around you and find ways to meet some • Compassion, mercy and justice are not optional. “Good

deeds result in good will that will open up the opportunity to share Good News.” Ray Johnston

• Meet the community, visit local government, schools, police, fire departments and drop in on local business leaders. Find out what the needs are in your community and then select a couple that God has uniquely equipped your church to meet

• Be an active part of your community. If your church were to close would anyone grieve?

Allowing breakdown in communication • Share what God is doing constantly • Celebrate what God is doing each week • Provide regular forums for people to input and be heard • Make sure that as a pastor you never isolate yourself

from the voices of your congregation • Recognize volunteers often and publicly • Meet often, not to conduct business, but to talk and

share what God is doing, how He’s leading, and what others are hearing from Him

• Share stories of what God is doing with the local media. • Create a way to dialogue with your leadership on a

regular basis (at least once a week) • Communicate frequently with the local schools, local

government, the Chamber of Commerce, Service clubs, etc. and see if you can partner with them on projects

Not celebrating the wins • Publicly celebrate every time a life is impacted • Find time to celebrate as a staff • Publicly recognize your volunteers and do it often • Have fun! Play together • Be the church where good things are celebrated • Look for the God-cidents that happen every day • Give God the glory every day

Losing flexibility • Remind everyone frequently to hold things loosely. • Create space for new people to move into ministries • Take calculated risks. If it works do more of it. If it

fails, never do it again. Remind everyone frequently that we are not writing on stone tablets

• It only takes a short time for people to say, “But we didn’t do it that way last week.” Avoid letting, “the cement to set up too quickly”. Change is the currency of church planting



• Mix things up regularly. Trying to find the best way to do what you are called to do can take time and some experimentation

• Create a culture that encourages everyone to try serving in various ministries, and extends grace to move from one thing to another if a particular ministry is a bad fit

Having inadequate equipment • Buy the best equipment you can afford. Never skimp on

microphones, speakers and other sound gear • Broken, dirty, or unsafe toys will tell parents you are not

ready to care for their kids • You will lose sound tech after sound tech if they have to

fight the equipment each week • Worship done well is invisible, but if the equipment

fights you and creates distractions it will pull everyone out of worship

• People love good coffee, so get good gear for your hospitality team

Moving into the wrong space • As realtors are fond of saying, “the 3 most important

things are location, location, and location.” A good space can really help and a bad location can really stifle your ministry

• You need a space you can grow in. Starting in too small a space will force you to move early, and when you move you risk losing people on the journey

• You must have space that is safe, adequately sized, and accessible for your children’s ministry

• Worship space should have decent acoustics, adequate seating, and allow for simple set-up and tear-down

• Adequate parking is a must as you look at space • Space that is “neutral” to those who will attend will

definitely help. This is why schools often are good locations

• Make sure the building you rent is in the area you are called to do ministry

• A space that is cold in the winter and hot in the summer will not allow people to settle into worship

• Forgo a really “cool” space for one that is functional • A bad landlord can make even the most attractive space

unmanageable • A space with onsite storage is a huge bonus

Not understanding your mission field • Do your homework and know the neighborhood or

community you feel called to plant in • Get good demographic data that will either confirm

your dream or cause you to look at another area • Utilize a community needs analysis tool to affirm what

the demographics are telling you • Find out what other ministries, non-profits, or churches

are already doing in your area. Don’t duplicate ministries if someone is already doing it well. Partner with them if you feel called to address that particular issue or meet that particular need

• Contextualize everything. Every neighborhood or community is unique

• Avoid trying to copy another church. Imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, but it can be death to a ministry. Make sure you do the hard work of discovering who you are and what God wants to do through you

Not being coachable or teachable • Pride cometh before the fall • Your coach or DCP has experience that you need • Listen to the voice of other planters, mentors, and your

spouse as you make decisions. God often speaks through others

• Don’t isolate yourself. Take advantage of cohorts, training, and other opportunities to hear more about what others have learned

• Become a life-long learner. You are not so smart that you don’t need to keep growing

• Surround yourself with wise council

Making poor decisions in structuring the new church • NOT BUILDING ADEQUATE PRAYER SUPPORT! • Trying to plant in the wrong location. Just because you

have a passion for a neighborhood or community doesn’t make it the right place to plant

• Picking a church name that is overly cryptic, or that communicates something you weren’t really trying to communicate. Don’t try to be too cute. It’s better to be clear rather than clever

• Using overly churchy language as you try to reach out. The Christian community has its own sub-culture and language that most people don’t understand, so don’t use it

• Not having adequate children’s ministry from the beginning

• Not placing adequate emphasis on evangelism • Placing the wrong people in leadership. Go slow…and

be careful who you entrust with leading this new baby church

• Expecting your coach to do things for you. You were called to plant, your coach is called to coach you as you walk through the process

• Developing a vision that appeals only to people who are already believers

• Trying to be just like some other church. Imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, but in church planting its suicide. Be who God is calling you to be

• Not understanding the people you’re trying to reach • You can’t reach everyone, so know who it is you can best

reach and then go for it • Not dealing with conflict • Trying to be too edgy or innovative. This may seem

“cool”, but it will make things unnecessarily complicated • Too much time planning and not enough time doing • Trying to start too small or without adequate resources • Having the lead pastor not commit adequate time to the

new church during development • Avoiding these mistakes can simplify new church

development and may allow you to be a part of a healthy, thriving new church plant. Don’t neglect the details. God has called you to lead, pastor…so lead



Potential New Church Timeline Mike Brown, DCP Nor thwest Conference October-December Pre-Assessment is happening

January-May Church planting pastor is recommended by assessment center.

• Pastor attends a church planting training event

• Pastor begins meeting with the NW Conference Director of Church Planting to develop a “well-conceived project.”

• Continue to develop parenting/partnering churches

• Fund raising is happening • Church name is selected and plan created • Mission, Vision and values statements are

created • Analysis is done of the area where the

planting will happen

May-June: Planting Pastor signs a Covenant Agreement.

• Legal documents are submitted by the NWC • Initial financial procedures are put in place

with The Counting House and the NWC • Liability insurance is obtained with the help

of the NWC • Pastor’s insurance, Covenant Orientation,

and Pension are set-up with the help of the NWC office

June Intercessory Prayer team is developing.

• Create monthly prayer update for intercessory prayer team and your parent church

• Logo design, website, and printed resources are happening

• Developing community engagement strategy • Begin Launch Team Development • Continue to recruit launch team from within

and without the parent church • Launch team begins to meet on Sunday

afternoon or evenings • Begin site search (if not already underway) • Gathering events begin • Focus on personal evangelism/justice

ministries begins • Begin serving the community • Office space may be found, if needed

July Gathering events continue.

• Prayer team and leaders prayer walk the community

• Launch team development continues • Agenda harmony issues are addressed • Ministry teams begin to form and plan for

public worship • Pastoral Advisory Team is formed • Pastor and key leaders host vision desserts • Create opportunities for service in the

community • Begin to purchase/acquire all the equipment

and resources needed for public worship gatherings

August Vision casting continues.

• Prayer ministry continues to meet and new people are recruited.

• Some communication pieces are in place to get into the hands of launch team members.

• Secure meeting space if this hasn’t already happened

• Continue launch team development • Keep building ministry teams and preparing

for public worship • Agenda harmony work continues • Continue to fill the calendar with gathering

and serving events • Finalize equipment purchases

PAGE POTENTIAL NEW CHURCH TIMELINE117


September First preview worship service is held. (mid--late Sept)

• Prayer ministry is reinforced. • Gathering events continue. • Work networks. • Assimilate new people into launch team. • Ministry teams are refined, trained, and

equipped. • Team is visiting other church plants on the

weeks when public worship is not happening. • The goal is to double the size of the launch

team in the next 3 months. • Good financial and reporting systems are

developed.

October Second preview worship service is held.


equipped. • Team is visiting other church plants on the


team in the next 3 months.

November Third preview worship service is held.


equipped in preparation for weekly worship. • Team is visiting other church plants on the


team in the next 3 months.

December–February Church transitions to an every week worship schedule.

• Prayer continues to be a priority. • The Goal is to increase to 110 or more in

worship. • Launch team is preparing for G.O. (Grand

Opening) phase. • Key ministry areas continue to recruit, train,

and equip new volunteers. Ministry teams refine and improve the quality of what they are doing.

• Part-time and full-time staff are recruited and trained.

• Assimilation continues. • Gathering events continue. • Launch team volunteers are honored.

March–May Grand Opening, Going Public or Launch.

• Prayer remains a key priority. • Every week worship schedule continues. • Some marketing or broader communication

is used to let the community or neighborhood know that you are there.

• Assimilation of new attenders is in high gear. • Small groups are working to connect people. • Ministry teams are working well and

recruiting new people. • Pastoral Advisory team is meeting regularly. • A continued emphasis is placed on

communicating the vision, mission and values.

• Focus is made on spiritual growth. • Identify new leaders. • Develop stewardship models. • Pastoral Advisory Team assumes the

governance role of the church.

PAGE POTENTIAL NEW CHURCH TIMELINE118


Equipment Needs for Public Worship Mike Brown, DCP Nor thwest Conference

This list will vary wildly depending on the context and style of your worship gatherings, the location you meet at, and the size of the group you hope to reach. This list is a rather general list of the items most new churches will need to get started.

Trailer: $5,000 • This is dependent on the amount of

equipment and the storage available at the meeting site.

• Be sure to buy a trailer large enough for growth (at least 16 ft. long)

• Lettering for trailer • Carts or crates on wheels to haul, and safely

store, equipment

Sound Gear: $10,000-15,000 • Speakers (buy the best you can afford to get) • One lapel microphone and at least 4 corded

microphones ( don’t skimp here either, but good quality mics can be purchased at reasonable prices)

• Drum mic • Guitar pickups • CD player/recorder • Equalizer • Amplifier (unless the speakers have built in

amps) • Portable cabinet or rack for the components • Subwoofer • Power conditioner

• Digital recording device • Cables (mics and speaker) • Snake (not for “handling” :) • Speaker stands • Lots of extension cords and power strips. • Mixer and a case to transport it in. • Monitors (4) • Cases or storage tubs for all the smaller gear • Folding tables or carts to operate from • Table covers • Recording equipment • Label making equipment

Worship Equipment: $4,500 • Drum kit (electronic or acoustic) • Cases for drums • Keyboard (buy a professional quality

instrument) and storage case. • Cables for keyboard and other instruments • Mic stands (4) • Music stands • Stools for the musicians and pastor • Totes or bags to carry stands, cables, etc. • Duct tape (buy it by the case) • Batteries for the mics and other equipment

(get rechargeable) • Plastic storage tubs are the cheapest storage

device • Communion serving cups, plates, cloths,etc. • Bibles

Instruments: $5,000 • Most musicians will provide their own, but

the church may need to purchase the drums and keyboard.

PAGE EQUIPMENT NEEDS FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP119


Worship Space: $3,000 • Drapes and poles used by rental stores for

conventions can be purchased and will help create both backdrops and also help close a large space and make it more intimate until the church grows into the bigger space. The drapes, plates and poles can simply be pushed out to enlarge the worship space.

• Artificial plants (the more of these the better). They are great for hiding cords, and creating more warmth in an otherwise sterile space like a school gym.

• Additional lighting depending on the space rented.

• Lightweight pulpit or music stand for the pastor

• Table to use for communion and baptisms • Portable Baptistry

(www.portablebaptistry.com) • Chairs (depending on how many are available

where you’re meeting)

Video Equipment:$7,500-10,000

• Video Projector (buy the most powerful projector budget will allow or it will look washed out in spaces where there is no control over the lighting)

• Video screen (fully portable screens of all sizes are available through companies like Shepherd Ministries)

• Extension Cords • A cart to operate the projector from. • Software to create video presentations • Laptop computer dedicated solely to the

visual arts • DVD player for use when showing movie clips

or short videos the church may create. • Video cameras • Video editing software & equipment • Plastic storage tubs, or professional crates

Hospitality Ministry: $2,500 • 2 large coffee makers and a bunch of air pots • Large cold beverage cooler or pitchers • Cold drink cups • Coffee cups and lids (can be purchased at

“Warehouse Clubs”) • Good coffee • Napkins, stir sticks, sugar packets, creamer,

etc. • Coffee bar sign • Folding tables and table cloths • Information Center tables and table covers • Literature stands • Brochures • Storage tubs • Signs identifying bathrooms, nursery, Sunday

school rooms, worship space, etc. • Velcro, hooks or easels to hold signs • Ladder to hang signs • Exterior signs and banners • Parking lot signs • Umbrellas for parking lot greeters • Name tags and pens • Communion bags or plates • Name tags and pens • 1st time guest gift bags (post-it pads, magnets,

a New Testament) • Extension cords and power strips • Labels • Cookies, bagels, etc


http://www.portablebaptistry.com


Nursery & Children’s Ministry:$2,000

• Changing table • Portable rocking chairs • Diapers and wipes • Cleaning supplies (disinfectant wipes for toys

and surfaces) • Disposable gloves • Bags to dispose of dirty diapers • Kleenex • Juice, crackers, cheerios, etc. • Age appropriate toys • A porta-crib or two • Blankets and sheets for crib • Baby seats and chairs • Small tables and chairs • Rolls of carpet if the floors are tile • Doorway security gate • Baby swing • Table for checking in babies • Pagers for parents of infants in nursery • Name tags for nursery children with tear off

numbered tag for parents • Sign-in sheets for parents of infants to list any

special needs children might have. • Name tags for staff on lanyards • First aid kit • Rolls of drawing paper • Magazines • Blocks • Play doh • A vacuum • CD player and CD’s of children’s music • Plastic bags • Storage tubs • Rocking chair • Curriculum for children’s ministry • TV, DVD player and cart • Videos (veggie tales or similar content)

• Tables • Small chairs for children • Water container for drinks • Classroom supplies (crayons, colored paper,

glitter (if you feel daring), glue sticks, tape, hole punch, etc.)

• Puppets and stage • Musical instruments (maracas, tambourines,

bells, etc.Information Center: $1,500 • Tables • Table covers • Brochures • Pens • Extra Bibles • Children’s worship bulletins • Busy bags for younger children • Response cards • Gift bags for guests • Guest packets • Map of the facility • Devotionals • Extra newsletters • Announcements & sign-ups for events

Education Ministry: $1,500 • Curriculum for children and adults • TV, DVD player, cords, carts • White boards, markers • Extension cords • CD player and music CD’s, MP3 player • SEE NURSERY AND CHILDREN’S

MINISTRY LIST

Total Estimated Cost for Start of Public Worship:

$42,500 - $50,000 (This figure does not include facility rental,

insurance, staffing, lighting, or storage costs)



Book & Resource Recommendations Some of the best. Highly recommended by DCPs. Rough categories, lots of overlap

Church Planting • Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers, Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird • Exponential: How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement, Dave Ferguson

and Jon Ferguson • Church Planting Landmines, Rohrmayer • Planting Fast-Growing Churches, by Stephen Gray

Congregational Vitality & Ministry Models • Transformational Church: Creating a New Scorecard for Congregations, Thom Rainer, Ed Stetzer • Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church: Mandate, Mark Deymaz • Hybrid Church, Dave Browning • Deliberate Simplicity: A New Equation for Church Development, Dave Browning

Missional-Incarnational Ministry • The Permanent Revolution: Apostolic Imagination and Practice for the 21st Century Church,

Alan Hirsch and Tim Catchim • Resources from Mike Breen & 3DM (www.weare3dm.com), such as Building a Discipling Culture

and Multiplying Missional Leaders • AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church, Hugh Halter & Matt Smay • On the Verge: A Journey Into the Apostolic Future of the Church, Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson

Leadership • Cracking Your Church's Culture Code, Samuel Chand • Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Ruth Haley Barton • Journeys to Significance: Charting a Leadership Course from the Life of Paul, Neil Cole • Influencer: The Power to Change Anything [notes: bit.ly/influencernotes] • Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High,

Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler [notes: bit.ly/crucialconversationsnotes] • Blue Ocean Strategy, W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne [notes: bit.ly/blueoceannotes]

Coaching • TransforMissional Coaching: Empowering Leaders in a Changing Ministry World, Steve Ogne • The COACH Model for Christian Leaders: Powerful Leadership Skills to Solve Problems, Reach

Goals, and Develop Others, Keith E. Webb

Financial Stewardship • Funding Your Ministry, Chris Morton • Not Your Parents' Offering Plate, J. Clif Christopher [notes: bit.ly/notyourparentsofferingplatenotes] • The Total Money Makeover, Dave Ramsey (+ Financial Peace University, www.daveramsey.com/fpu)PAGE RECOMMENDED BOOKS122

http://www.amazon.com/Viral-Churches-Planters-Jossey-Bass-Leadership/dp/0470550457/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324671840&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Exponential-Friends-Missional-Church-Movement/dp/B005HKM4MK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324672000&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Church-Planting-Landmines-Nebel-Rohrmayer/dp/1889638501/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351991328&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Planting-Fast-Growing-Churches-Stephen-Gray/dp/1889638692/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324672037&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Transformational-Church-Creating-Scorecard-Congregations/dp/1433669307/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351993656&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Building-Healthy-Multi-ethnic-Church-Congregation/dp/0787995517/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351991731&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Hybrid-Church-Intimacy-Jossey-Bass-Leadership/dp/0470572302/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351991528&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Deliberate-Simplicity-Equation-Church-Development/dp/0595402445/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351991627&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Permanent-Revolution-Imagination-Jossey-Bass-Leadership/dp/0470907746/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351991848&sr=1-1

http://www.weare3dm.com

http://www.amazon.com/Building-a-Discipling-Culture-ebook/dp/B005HQDUK4

http://www.amazon.com/Multiplying-Missional-Leaders-ebook/dp/B0082EZAOC/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

http://www.amazon.com/Gathered-Scattered-Church-Exponential/dp/0310325854/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351991439&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/On-Verge-Journey-Apostolic-Exponential/dp/0310331005/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1351992010&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Your-Churchs-Culture-Code/dp/0470627816/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351991793&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Strengthening-Soul-Your-Leadership-Crucible/dp/083083513X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351991403&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/Influencer-The-Power-Change-Anything/dp/007148499X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351992862&sr=8-1

http://www.bit.ly/influencernotes

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Edition/dp/0071771328/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351992939&sr=8-2

http://bit.ly/crucialconversationsnotes

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ocean-Strategy-Uncontested-Competition/dp/1591396190/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351992636&sr=1-1

http://www.bit.ly/blueoceannotes

http://www.amazon.com/TransforMissional-Coaching-Empowering-Changing-Ministry/dp/0805447814/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351993762&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/COACH-Model-Christian-Leaders-Leadership/dp/1470131366/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351993807&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Funding-Ministry-Discipleship-Journal-Bible/dp/0972902376/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351991250&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Parents-Offering-Plate/dp/068764853X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351992182&sr=1-1

http://bit.ly/notyourparentsofferingplatenotes

http://www.amazon.com/Total-Money-Makeover-Financial-Fitness/dp/159555078X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352042671&sr=1-1



Web Resources Conference Resources (available to anyone)

• East Coast Conference: www.jasoncondon.com/search/label/churchplanting • Northwest Conference: nwc-cov.org/church-planting/about-us-our-church-plants

and nwc-cov.org/church-planting/resources-links • Great Lakes Conference: greatlakes.cc/index.php/church_planting

Covenant Resources • CovChurch.org - denominational website • www.LeadershipStool.com - created by Dave Olson. Every church plant will receive codes to utilize a

special online testing tool for lead pastor, staff, and teams

www.ChurchPlantingWiki.com • simple resource site compiled by DCPs across the Covenant - ain’t pretty, but tons of good content! • Search here first. Includes entire Church Planting Resource Manual from former Training Center.

www.ChurchMetrics.com • created by LifeChurch.tv, an Evangelical Covenant Church, free for any church • easily collect, track, and visualize key missional metrics (some Conferences are starting to use this as

part of monthly reporting)

Church Management Systems (each have online tours and webinars before purchase) • Church Community Builder (churchcommunitybuilder.com/church-plants) - simple, powerful,

well-loved by plants on ECConf (some switched from The City to this) • The City (www.onthecity.org) - social-media-like, simple, mixed reviews from plants on ECConf • FellowshipOne (www.fellowshipone.com) - robust, powerhouse, complex, user-friendliness improving

Worship Presentation Software (each available for both Mac and PC) • ProclaimOnline.com: slick, cloud-based, app integration, simple and elegant (from makers of Logos) • ProPresenter.com: serious powerhouse, can start small and keep adding more advanced features • MediaShout.com: long-time PC standard, fully updated for Mac

Note on PowerPoint & Keynote: sometimes all you got, but usually best to avoid “business presentation” software in a worship setting (especially PowerPoint) for a more user-friendly experience for your volunteers and higher quality experience for the congregation

Hosting & Sharing Online Content: You’ll put a lot of effort into creating great content (messages, media, classes, etc.) Don’t use it once and “toss it!” Put Your Content Online. Provides everywhere/always access, gives content longer shelf-life. A “best practice” for better resourcing your people & leaders and blessing other churches & pastors.

• Docs/Files: drive.google.com, dropbox.com, slideshare.net, box.net, archive.org (good App a bonus) • Posting Options: Facebook, Twitter, own blog, etc., with a short description or full write-up, with

organized links to relevant resources and files (www.bit.ly good service for url shortening) • Example: www.jasoncondon.com/2012/03/launch-teams-training-march-2012.html - a blog post

with linked Facebook photos, embedded Slideshare for slides and handout, embedded Archive.org player for audio, embedded Flickr in sidebar (poke around blog/website for even more examples)

PAGE ONLINE RESOURCES123

http://www.jasoncondon.com/search/label/churchplanting

http://nwc-cov.org/church-planting/about-us-our-church-plants

http://nwc-cov.org/church-planting/resources-links

http://www.greatlakes.cc/index.php/church_planting/

http://CovChurch.org

http://www.leadershipstool.com

http://www.churchplantingwiki.com/

http://www.churchplantingwiki.com/index.php/wiki/Church_Planting_Resource_Manual/

http://www.churchmetrics.com/

http://www.churchcommunitybuilder.com/church-plants/

http://www.onthecity.org

http://www.fellowshipone.com

http://proclaimonline.com/

http://www.propresenter.com/

http://www.mediashout.com

http://drive.google.com

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fdropbox.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEE3_Tho3hSvOliQP2RsMGp4_AwLA

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slideshare.net%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFMj2WFV29dCes0FT5R2ywqj7-vRg

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbox.net%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGHusrVtlsE6hsTCkY7PFDJ4T4MVA

https://archive.org

http://www.jasoncondon.com/2012/03/launch-teams-training-march-2012.html


Top Tens! Top Ten Church Planting Maxims 10. You will be broken

9. Plant behind the plow. Prayer is the plow.

8. People are “polite” (*cough* lie) - don’t believe them :-)

7. 75 is the enemy

6. You can’t plant from behind a desk (or computer screen!)

5. There’s no magic bullet

4. God is in the vision – the devil is in the details (so don’t ignore the details and derail the vision)

3. Its the relational – not the technical

2. Isolation kills – connection gives life

1. It’s a God thing!

Reflection: Which of these maxims are hardest for you to embrace? Most encouraging?

Top Ten Reasons for Starting New Churches 1. New churches needed because vast majority of Americans don’t attend church

2. New churches are more effective at conversion growth

3. New churches are the only truly effective way to reach the growing ethnic populations in America

4. New churches are needed to stem tide of ideological moral erosion in America

5. New churches have historically been the best method for reaching each emerging new generation

6. New churches give a group of connected churches “market share” and greater influence in their community

7. New churches grow exponentially faster than established churches

8. New churches are a test laboratory for church leadership development

9. New churches are the research & development unit of God’s Kingdom

10. New churches provide excellent on-the-job training for energetic young pastors

Reflection: Which of these reasons resonates most with you?

PAGE TOP TEN LISTS124


NOTES:

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