Introduction Critical Milestones for Planting Healthy Churches By J. David Putman J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 1 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Introduction Defining Moment A common mistake made in church planting is to be driven by calendar instead of milestones. Lyle Schaller Milestones A milestone in a church plant is the achievement of a major result signaling that a turning point has been reached. Milestones are essential for ensuring the launch of a healthy church are non-negotiable in that they have to be achieved to ensure a healthy church plant. serve as an organizing principle for facilitating the healthy church plant. measure progress and determine the appropriate time for launching a healthy church plant. are transferable from one healthy church plant to the other, while other milestones are unique to a specific context. Schaller Critical Milestones 1. 30 to 40 Adult Investors 2. Small Group Structure 3. Worship Leader 4. Meeting Place 5. Vision Communicated 6. Ministry Target and Niche Identified J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 2 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Introduction Putman s Critical Milestones include 1. Determine church planting readiness. 2. Develop an intercessory prayer team. 3. Select and define the church planting context. 4. Develop a partnering church network. 5. Arrange financial support. 6. Develop a core group. 7. Develop a planting team. 8. Discover a shared vision. 9. Establish community presence and evangelistic penetration. 10. Launch public ministry. 11. Develop and implement an assimilation process. 12. Mobilize and multiply the body. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 3 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Determine Church Planting Readiness Determine Church Planting Readiness The church planter s leadership capacity is the single most critical issue in the success or failure of a church plant. 1. Have you experienced a call to church planting? 2. Do you have the competencies for church planting? 3. Do you have the character for church planting? J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 4 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Determine Church Planting Readiness 4. Do you have the comprehension for church planting? 5. Is your wiring compatible with church planting? J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 5 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop an Intercessory Prayer Team Prayer and Church Planting 1. Church planting is primarily spiritual in nature. 2. Church planters are subject to spiritual attack. Distractions Discouragement Dysfunctions Indiscretion Spiritual Pride Family 3. Prayer is essential to effective spiritual leadership. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 6 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop an Intercessory Prayer Team Intercessory Prayer 1. Understand the role of intercession in church planting. 2. Identify your intercessory prayer team 3. Recruit your intercessory prayer team 4. Communicate with your intercessory prayer team 5. Celebrate with your intercessory prayer team J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 7 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Select and Define Church Planting Context With the exception of the church planter s leadership ability, identifying the church planting location/people group may be the single most important decision a planter makes. Selecting a Church Planting Context (External Factors) 1. Look for growing population 2. Look for changing population 3. Look for unreached population 4. Look for receptive population 5. Look for compatible population The Alignment Factor Core Planter Context J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 8 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Select and Define Church Planting Context The greater the compatibility the greater the potential impact! Church Planting Potential An exception to the principle is when the planter has apostolic or missionary gifts. This is often found in the sequential or catalytic planter, but seldom in the founding pastor. Selecting a Church Planting Context (Internal Factors) 1. What does the church look like that God is creating in your heart? 2. Can you plant this church where you are? 3. Is God calling you to stay and plant or go and plant? 4. Where are the places that need the type of church you envision? J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 9 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Select and Define Church Planting Context 5. Where do you have emerging networks or open doors? 6. Are those closest to you in agreement? Practical Consideration in Selection of a Church Planting Context 1. Involve your intercessory prayer team. 2. Talk with church planters and church planting leaders. 3. Research key areas that you are drawn toward. 4. Visit areas when feasible. 5. Delay making a decision until you have a clear sense of calling from God. 6. Involve your family at every point. Strategic Questions for Defining Context 1. Where are the unchurched? (Geographical Consideration) J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 10 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Select and Define Church Planting Context 2. Who are the unchurched? (Demographical Consideration) 3. Why are they unchurched? (Psychographical Consideration) 4. What is being done to reach the unchurched? (Ekklegraphical Consideration) Define Your Context 1. Define your context in terms of spiritual condition. 2. Define your context in terms of barriers. 3. Define your context in terms of needs. 4. Define your context in terms of generational differences. 5. Define your context in terms of cultural differences. 6. Define your context in terms of regional difference. 7. Define your context in terms of spiritual openness. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 11 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Partnering Church Network Partnering Church A partnering church is a church that enters a formal or informal relationship with a new church start in order to provide support and resources otherwise not available to a new church in order to accomplish the common purpose of evangelizing and congregationalizing a geographical context or a people group. Partnering Churches Provide... 1. Accountability 2. Identity 3. Financial Support 4. Encouragement 5. Mentoring and Coaching 6. Leadership Resources 7. Prayer Support J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 12 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Arrange Financial Support What Do I Need? 1. Start-up Budget 2. Operational Budget 3. Salary Support How much will it cost? It depends 1. It will cost more than you think. 2. On the type of church you plant. 3. On your vision. 4. On the type of launch. 5. On the context of your ministry. 6. On your shaping as a planter. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 13 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Arrange Financial Support Who will pay for it? 1. The vision you write you must underwrite. 2. People give to people. 3. Vision attracts resources. 4. Resources are in the harvest. 5. You have not because you ask not. 6. People need a reason and opportunity to give. 7. Resources are easier to raise prior to moving to the field. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 14 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Core Group Core Group A core group is an initial group of investors, generally gathered by the church planter, that are committed to the values, vision, mission and strategy of planting a new church. Potential Places to Find a Core Group 1. Sending church or partnering church 2. Community 3. Relational networks How do you build the core? 1. Build it relationally. 2. Build it around task. 3. Build it through small groups. 4. Build it through informational meetings. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 15 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Core Group What do you do with a core group? 1. Build relationships 2. Life development 3. Servant evangelism 4. Small groups 5. Discover where they best fit 6. Mobilize them for relational evangelism 7. Worship 8. Pray together J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 16 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Core Group What do you want your core group to do? 1. To share your values Agenda Harmony 2. To discover and share the vision 3. To understand the new church paradigm Positive Signs that they are buying in They are inviting their friends They are using the we word They are contributing to the cause by: Showing up Giving Serving wherever They are putting forth extra effort They are taking initiative 4. Develop and implement the strategy 5. To assume responsibility and leadership 6. To invite you into their relational networks J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 17 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Core Group The Other Side of Core Groups Signs that there is not agenda harmony They always have a better way The church where I came from Complaining Not showing up for key events Going from front row to back row About Losing Your Core Group Why many will depart within the first two years They are starters Agenda disharmony Feel less important as you grow They get transferred Cannot break relational ties from the sending church Values versus Methods J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 18 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Planting Team A Biblical Pattern 1. Team 2. Mentor 3. Sending Church Practical Advantages of a Team Plant 1. You have other people on your side to help you out 2. You can strengthen each other s weakness 3. You can pray for one another 4. You have a listening ear for decisions 5. You can accomplish more 6. You have instant accountability Who Are Potential Team Members? 1. Those who can raise their own support 2. Those that you can bring on once you have an income 3. Those who can serve part-time 4. Lay people 5. Retired ministers 6. Those you raise up from the body J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 19 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Planting Team Build your team based on 1. Self-awareness/gift mix 2. Your values 3. Your strategy and model 4. Your leadership philosophy 5. Your contextual realities (urban, suburban, rural, college/university) 6. Your significant relationships Team Member Selection Process Should Include 1. Job Description 2. Know what you are looking for 3. Establish criteria for selection 4. Application include the following areas Vision Values Philosophy of Ministry Spiritual Gifts List of references Education Experience J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 20 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Planting Team 5. Phone Interview Write out a standard set of questions to ask each candidate. Make good notes of your conversation. Maintain control of the interview and keep on track with the questions. 6. Behavioral Description Interview Past behavior is the best predictor of their future performance. Profile look for team members who: Deal with conflict positively Good team builder Good relational skills Ability to create structure from nothing Ability to delegate responsibility Good administrative skills Good decision maker Open Ended Ask open ended questions that focus on the applicants past behavior. You are interested in what they have actually done in their experiences not how they feel about them. You are also not interested in what they would do if they get this job. You want to know what they have done in the past and those behaviors. If those behaviors are consistent, that will most likely be how they will perform in the future. Follow Up Probe Make Prediction 7. Cross-check with phone assessments with references J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 21 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Planting Team 8. Background checks (financial, criminal) 9. Pray, Pray, Pray 10. Decision making Building Your Team The First Week on the Job Put together an employee packet Have pay and benefits issues ironed out Do a Welcome Lunch Spend significant time with them Be specific about their job assignments Be tougher on the front end Let them know your expectations Write out some objectives (help them be successful) About Objectives 1. Be measurable 2. Be attainable 3. Be specific J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 22 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Planting Team Communication 1. E-Report Every Monday by 3 p.m. E Reports What is going well? What could be better? How can I pray for you? How is your family? What decision do you need from me? What do I need to know? 2. Weekly 30-minute meeting with each staff member that you directly supervise. 3. Weekly staff meeting (even if it is short) Prayer Books Taking care of details Work on strategy Take a look ahead 4. Community mission projects (monthly) 5. Go to lunch as a staff together J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 23 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop a Planting Team Encouragement Pray for them Have them enlist a prayer team Write notes to them telling them of your appreciation Phone call on their machine Buy them books and music Hang with them Recognition Always speak positively about them in public Encourage them publicly Discipline them in private Have a high trust relationship Conflict / Discipline They need to know the baseline You are on their side You love them no matter what You have their best interests at heart Deal with conflict one on one J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 24 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Discover a Shared Vision Vision 1. Vision is discovered 2. Vision is shared 3. Vision is holistic 4. Vision is pursued Elements of a Shared Vision* 1. Envisioned Future/Vivid description A vivid description is a vibrant, engaging, and specific description of what it will be like to achieve the BHAG. 2. Envision Future/B.H.A.G A B.H.A.G. is a 10 to 30 year Big Hairy Audacious Goal 3. Core ideology/values Core values are the organization s essential and enduring tenets a small set of timeless guiding principles that require no external justification; they have intrinsic value and importance to those inside the organization. 4. Core ideology/purpose Core purpose is the organization s fundamental reason for being. *Vision dialogue based on Built to Last by James Collins and Jerry Porras. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 25 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Discover a Shared Vision Five Key Questions 1. What are the intrinsic values that draw us together as a team? (Values) 2. If God had his way in the life of this church plant what would it look like in the year 2021? (Vision) 3. How do we get there or what is our business? (Purpose) 4. How do we conduct business? (Strategy) 5. How s business? (Evaluation) J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 26 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Discover a Shared Vision We are a Biblical Community Relational Community Missional Community Our Vision We envision a Biblically functioning community of changed lives changing lives. Our Mission To journey with others into a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ We accomplish this by Searching and deciding relationships and worship Belonging and becoming small groups Impacting ministry in the church and mission to the world J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 27 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Discover a Shared Vision Impacting Commitment to ministry and mission Barrier: Structure Becoming Commitment to a renewed life Barriers: Thinking and lifestyle Belonging Commitment to relationship with other believers Barriers: Acceptance and Awareness Deciding Commitment to relationship with God through Christ Barrier: Gospel Searching Commitment to being open to spiritual matters Barriers: Image and Culture J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 28 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Establish Community Presence and Evangelistic Penetration Evangelistic Principles 1. God is at work in the lives of the unreached and invites us to join Him. 2. Many unreached people are open to spiritual matters. 3. Many unreached people begin their journey toward Christ with their backs toward the Gospel. 4. Unreached people have to overcome identifiable barriers in their journey toward the Gospel. 5. Prayer is essential in the unreached conversion process. 6. Those who are unreached need a safe place and safe people in their journey toward faith. 7. Unreached people are most often reached relationally. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 29 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Establish Community Presence and Evangelistic Penetration The Engel Scale -8 Awareness of a supreme being -7 Initial awareness of the gospel -6 Awareness of the fundamentals of the gospel -5 Grasp of the implications of the gospel -4 Positive attitude toward the gospel -3 Personal problem recognition -2 Decision to act -1 Repentance and faith in Christ 0 The person is regenerated and becomes a new creature +1 Post-decision evaluation +2 Incorporation into the body +3 A lifetime of conceptual and behavioral growth in Christ From What s Gone Wrong with the Harvest? By James F. Engel & Wilbert Norton, Zondervan 1975. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 30 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Establish Community Presence and Evangelistic Penetration Target Model Image Culture Gospel Total Commitment Adapted from How to Reach Secular People by George G. Hunter III, Abingdon 1992. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 31 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Establish Community Presence and Evangelistic Penetration Agnes Liu s Triangle Scale Attitude Experience Theological Knowledge Adapted from How to Reach Secular People by George G. Hunter III, Abingdon 1992. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 32 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Establish Community Presence and Evangelistic Penetration Gospel Presentation Comparison Teaching Confrontation Relational Convert 35 36 169 Drop-Out 25 209 6 Non- Convert 180 58 2 Flavil R. Yeakly Evangelistic Realities 1. The power is in the gospel 2. The gospel has to be heard 3. In order for the gospel to be heard the field has to be prepared J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 33 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Establish Community Presence and Evangelistic Penetration Two Types of Church Planting Fields 1. Sowing field 2. Harvest field Evangelistic Processes 1. Determine the spiritual climate and read the culture 2. Create a positive image 3. Build credibility 4. Penetrate social and relational networks 5. Build personal relationships 6. Invite people into a Biblically functioning community 7. Baptize new believers J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 34 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Establish Community Presence and Evangelistic Penetration New Church Evangelism Determine the Spiritual Climate and Read the Culture Create a Positive Image Build Credibility Penetrate Social and Relational Networks Build Personal Relationships Invite the Unreached into a Biblically Functioning Community Baptize New Believers J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 35 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Launch Public Ministry Basic Philosophy 1. Crowd to core 2. Core to crowd Worship Launches 1. Grand Opening 2. Preview Method 3. Ministry Evangelism Start 4. Core Launch Worship Philosophy 1. Seeker Focused Targets unbelievers 2. Seeker Sensitive Targets believers, but is sensitive to unbelievers 3. Believer Focused Targets believers and can be insensitive to unbelievers 4. Christ Centered Targets unbelievers by focusing on the fact that we are the body of Christ and when people experience Christ in that context they are drawn toward Him. J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 36 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Launch Public Ministry Patterns of Ministry that Impact a Launch Program based Ministry based Purpose based Seeker based Affinity based Relation based Key Components to Launching a Ministry Where you gather Quality of worship in relationship to context Pastor s ability to communicate effectively The quality of care for children The way you extend hospitality The way you approach follow-up and assimilation J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 37 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop and Implement an Assimilation Process Assimilation Principles 1. Attraction Factor 2. Pace Factor 3. Grace Factor Assimilate Around 1. The table 2. Fellowship 3. Task 4. Newcomers orientation 5. Small groups 6. Relationships J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 38 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Develop and Implement an Assimilation Process 7. Life development processes 8. Values 9. Responsibilities The Big Four 1. Hospitality Ministries 2. Newcomers Orientation Ministries 3. Small Group Ministries 4. Follow-up Ministries J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 39 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Mobilize and Multiply the Body Mobilizing the body involves 1. Understanding the call to make disciples 2. Designing a process for making disciples 3. Identifying specific barriers that hinder discipleship 4. Developing specific commitments for overcoming barriers 5. Modeling what it means to be and build disciples J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 40 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Mobilize and Multiply the Body Impacting Commitment to ministry and mission Barrier: Structure Becoming Commitment to a renewed life Barriers: Thinking and lifestyle Belonging Commitment to relationship with other believers Barriers: Acceptance and Awareness Deciding Commitment to relationship with God through Christ Barrier: Gospel Searching Commitment to being open to spiritual matters Barriers: Image and Culture J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 41 - Church on the Edge, 2002
Mobilize and Multiply the Body Multiplying the body involves 1. Reflecting the value of multiplication at every level 2. Multiply from the first day Talk about it Tell about how you are modeling it Teach them how to multiply 3. Be a multiplying leader Be intentional with discipling relationships Model, share, observe, evaluate and let go Develop a relationship with a newer than you church planter 4. Allocate resources toward multiplication Put missions in your budget from day one Teach new church about how we give 5. Empower your leaders to multiply And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2 NIV 6. Develop structures that can multiply naturally 7. Partner with others in multiplication J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 42 - Church on the Edge, 2002