Church Planting

Central District, Evangelical Free Church of America

	Jesus Christ said, "I will build my church" Matthew 16:18 kjv

CHURCH PLANTING STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

Project: Approved by District Staff

Plant: Approved by Church Planting & District Boards

New Church: Approved by District Conference

A. Project: Approved by District Staff (Conception Stage of Development: Approximately 6 months)

The Church Planting Missionary (CPM) should be involved in a continuing stage of prospecting where he explores new sites and contacts. He should cultivate relationships and networks that God may use to establish a new EFC. The CPM decides to begin the work of starting a new EFC when he has identified a specific need, such as:

A community or area is targeted that would benefit by the strong evangelical witness of an Evangelical Free Church.
A person or a group of people presents the need for an EFC in their community or area.
A person presents his desire to be a pioneer planter and work in cooperation and in an accountability relationship with the Central District to plant a new EFC.
A church or group of churches presents their desire to sponsor a church plant and to work in cooperation with the Central District to plant a new EFC.

Approval of a Project occurs when:

If applicable, a formal request for a meeting in writing should be made by the CPM to each EFC within a 15-mile radius from the proposed church site. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the project, to receive healthy feedback, and to open opportunities for partnerships. Significant disagreements from an affected local church must be presented to the Church Planting Board “in writing” as to what is the “just cause” to stop or slow down the development of the project. This letter of disagreement should represent the official position of the congregation or governing board.
The application for project approval should be filled out by the CPM. The application must include a brief written description of the project and a rationale for why the CPM believes that he and the Central District should invest time, energy and financial resources into the development of this project.
When a Church Planting Pastor (CPP) is involved the following expectations will be met:

1.       A Behavioral Interview Assessment

2.       Thorough reference checks with a written report

3.       Approval by any initial core group or partnering churches

4.       An interview by two (or more) Church Planting Board members and their written approval

5.       Agreement with the CPM on a planting target

6.       Holds an appropriate and current EFCA Ministry Credential or has special interim approval through the Pastor/Church Relations Committee.

7.       A written covenant for coaching and accountability between the CPP and the CPM. The covenant must include:

* A commitment by the CPP to regular attendance at district events, such as District Conference, Pastoral Ministry Staff Refreshers, Hidden Acres retreats and the EFCA Leadership Conference.

* A pro-active relationship by the CPP with the district coach.

* The CPP understands and agrees to the financial requirements of the Central District.

* The CPP is encouraged to be involved with Free Church ministerial small groups that may be available in his area.

* The CPP adopts the district values of being a team player, accountability and an interdependent spirit.
When a church or group of churches is involved there must be a written covenant between the Central District, CPM and church or churches clarifying the expectations and roles of each.
The District Staff, after proper review, recognizes this group as an “Approved Project”. top of page

B. Plant: Approved by District Planting Board (Prenatal Stage of Development: Approximately 12 months)

At project approval the CPM should move the group project to the planting stage. This involves core group development and the launch of public worship. Prior to application for “Approved Plant” status the following steps should be completed:

Statements of mission, vision and values are adopted by the project core group and approved by the CPM
Constitution and By-Laws are adopted by the project core group and the CPM
Incorporation (non-profit status) with the state in which the project is located is completed.
Public worship has started or a plan is in place to begin public worship.

Approval of a Plant occurs when:

The CPM completes the application for Approved Plant Status and includes the signatures of individuals committed to this church plant. The application must also include a Church Planting Proposal, which includes (minimally) a plan for ministry development, a plan for leadership development, a plan for finances, a plan for prayer and a plan for outreach. The application is presented to the Church Planting Board and if it is approved by this Board the project becomes an “Approved Plant”. top of page

C. New Church: Approved by District Conference (Birth Stage of Development: Approximately 6 months

The Central District has a goal of moving through the process of Project, to Plant, to New Church within 24 months. If it is necessary to extend this period of time, permission must be granted from the District Church Planting Board. Prior to application for New Church status the following steps must be completed:

Public Worship services have been initiated and there is a sufficient track record of these services to demonstrate the healthy progress of the plant.
The initial (charter) church membership has been established.
Qualified church leadership has been elected by the membership according to the guidelines of the plant’s constitution and by-laws.
An annual budget has been adopted by the membership.
A pastor has been selected or the search process initiated (if there is not a CPP already in place). This pastor must hold an EFCA Ministry Credential or be qualified for the EFCA Ministry Credential and make a specific commitment to pursuing the credential. If the search process has started, a specific commitment must be made by the plant’s leadership that they will only call a pastor who holds an EFCA Ministry Credential or is qualified and willing to obtain an EFCA Ministry Credential.

Approval of a New Church occurs when:

The plant leadership completes the Church Plant Application for Official Membership and returns it to the CPM at the appropriate time for presentation to the Church Planting Board.
The CPM answers the Questions for the CPM portion of the application for Official Membership and presents it to the Church Planting Board along with the plant’s application.
A CPB member is requested to make a personal evaluation of the plant and is able to make a positive recommendation to the Church Planting Board.
If the Application for Official Membership is approved by the Church Planting Board, it is forwarded to the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors approves, then a recommendation is presented to the District Conference at their annual meeting.
The District Conference will vote on the recommendation and if a majority vote according to the requirements of the Central District By-Laws is cast then the plant becomes a New Member Church and will hold Official Membership in the Central District of the Evangelical Free Church of America and in the Evangelical Free Church of America.

Additional Responsibilities of a CPM

At the appropriate time during the stages of development, the CPM will:

Obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for the project or plant.
Obtain tax exempt status for the project or plant.
Be sure that the proper insurance is in place (according to the insurance procedures described on page 18).
Assist the plant’s leadership in understanding and adopting an appropriate credentialing policy and sabbatical policy for their pastors that agrees with the policies and values of the Church Planting Board. top of page

Phone: (515)432-9175

Central District, EFCA
PO Box 607
Boone, IA 50036

mail toE-mail: office@efcacentral.org