The second stage of our cycle is dedicated to the Starters. The practitioners. The ones who have done the work of discernment and have begun the work of starting a new church.
While the call of starting a new church is very exciting, the day in and day out activities of starting a new church can be exhausting. We developed two essentials for all our church starters.
Firstly, we invite you into one of our Starters Dinners. Commit to a monthly meal with other church starters and receive the highest level of training around our Core Covenant Values. Please send us an email if you are interested in attending.
- Secondly, we invite you to start or continue your relationship with a coach. Meet once a month with your coach to discuss the day to day decisions that need to be made as a Starter. From work-life harmony to practical insights, coaches are essential partners in the church starting journey.
THE CHURCH STARTING PROCESS
1) GATHER A CHURCH STARTING TEAM
Church starters do not do the work of starting a new church alone. Church starters gather a group of people to courageously embody the vision of the church with one another.
2) FINALIZE AN INITIAL VISION FOR MISSION
In coordination with the church starting team, the vision for how the church will embody the mission of God for their particular context should be finalized prior to the beginning of public worship.
3) FINALIZE AN INITIAL VISION FOR ADMINISTRATION
The church starter, along with the church starting team should articulate a fitting series of frames for the church to embody its mission in its context.
4) FINALIZE AN INITIAL VISION FOR PERSONAL HEALTH OF THE STARTER
The personal health of the pastor is essential for a new church. Finalizing a plan for the health of the pastor should be articulated prior to beginning public worship.
5) BEGIN PUBLIC WORSHIP
The worship of the church should be opened to the community once the church starter and the church starting team have the contextually fitting processes in place to embody the mission of the church.
6) MOVE TOWARD SUSTAINING THE CHURCH
While the initial vision for mission, administration and the personal health of the starter should be finalized prior to beginning public worship, these elements are fluid as they move toward sustainability. The new church becomes a church once these elements are sustained.