INTRODUCTION: 2016 2018 ROUND MAKING DISCIPLES THROUGH PLANTING CHURCHES TOGETHER ACROSS NORTH AMERICA **INITIAL APPLICATIONS FOR 2016 18 DUE APRIL 15** The vision of the Soma Family of Churches is to see gospel saturation, so that every man, woman, and child has a daily encounter with Jesus in word and deed. We believe the best way to pursue this vision is to establish a family of churches around the world who are committed to making disciples who make disciples to the glory of God. But starting a church is a difficult calling. Management consultant Peter Drucker said that church leadership was the most difficult and taxing profession he was aware of. The apostle Paul said of ministry, For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death (2 Cor 1:8 9). Many churches especially young ones like many in our Soma family have great zeal for church planting, but lack the capacity to fully develop leaders who will plant healthy churches and run the race well for the next 50 years. Soma Sending wants to do just that: raise up and send out healthy leaders, who start healthy churches and make gospel-saturated disciples, across North America and beyond. Over the course of two school years, Soma Sending combines the personalized experience of immersion into a local church family (or externship coaching), with unified expert training and coaching in various church planting competencies, to create unified, quality training, that s customized to each planter and his context. somasending: 2016 2018 Intro, 1
>> PLANTING CHURCHES, TOGETHER Far more than just a knowledge-focused classroom or school, Soma Sending is comprised of three components, which work in tandem to holistically train and assess potential planters head, heart, and hand competencies: Local Church Immersion/Soma Externship, Soma Sending Summits, and a Hub. PERSONALIZED COMPONANT: LOCAL CHURCH IMMERSION/EXTERNSHIP For most residents, the customized component of Soma Sending the Local Church Immersion you ll dwell in the life, mission, and ministry of a Soma Family Church. Residents who are already in their mission field and are already in the process of planting, or are involved in a church whose primacy is missional communities, complete an Externship: we connect you with a church leader within the Soma Family. He will work with your local leadership for your personal development, visit your mission field and/or bring you into his occasionally, and coach you in your pursuit of leading a Soma Family church. The Immersion or externship primarily focuses on a resident s head and heart. Immersion Leaders and Externship Coaches are equipped and resourced, to develop a personalized plan for each resident, in areas of growth and need. Over two school years, you ll receive equipping and assessment in various church-planting themes and widely-accepted competencies within each theme. You ll gain practicum experiences based on your unique needs, and form a plan to be sent out, during or after the two years. UNIFIED COMPONANT: SOMA SENDING SUMMITS The unified component Soma Sending Summits primarily focuses on the resident s hands, providing potential planters across the Soma Family with hands-on training in eight more themes, and the related competencies within each. Through seven regional three-day Summits over two school years, potential or new planters learn from experts in each theme, with small-group, ask anything time with some of the best-noted practitioners in church leadership. Residents participate in cohort coaching, walking through Soma Sending with four to six other potential planters, and carry out handson assignments, to both build camaraderie and gain experience beyond what many local churches can provide on their own. Residents wives join us for three of the seven summits, and receive coaching throughout the process as well. RESOURCING COMPONANT: HUB The Hub is a final, resourcing component, eventually led by a Soma Area Team. During a planter s two-school-year residency, as well as before their residency and after they plant, each area s leaders and churches can provide planters with resources like church-based theological education, training in coaching, materials for various areas of life and ministry, and so forth. Until Hubs/Area Teams are established, Soma North America s Servant Leadership Team will fill this role. somasending: 2016 2018 Intro, 2
>> HOW DOES SOMA SENDING WORK? As a general rule, Soma Sending runs for two school years (Aug July Yr 1; Aug May Yr 2), with the Immersion or Externship flexing to more or less time as recommended by the Local Immersion Leader or Externship Coach (ex: if you re ready to plant before Summit 7, your church will send you out. If you need to multiply your MC before being sent, you may stay an extra summer. If you need significant theological training, several extra months may be added). IMMERSION/EXTERNSHIP DETAILS This varies depending on Immersion Leader and resident schedules, resident needs, etc. However, here are general components of a resident s Immersion/externship: Annual completion of Personal Development Plan (based on assessments, application, etc. customized areas of head/heart/hands growth, with learning modules to guide you through each) Growth and assessment in applied pastoral theology, shepherding skills, gospel/spirit-ledness, communication, personal and team leadership, delegation, follow-ability, etc. Regular meetings with Local Immersion Leader, for coaching/development/etc. as well as interaction between the resident s wife and family and the Immersion Leader s wife and family Missional Community leadership training, development, apprenticeship, sending, and transitioning Shadowing, serving alongside, and learning from various local elders, deacons, and other leaders Leading events, ministries, meetings, team(s); chances to preach, train, and cast vision; and more Missional living, mission field analysis, serving, and local church/ministry involvement, in the context of a family of missionaries and servants SUMMIT DETAILS Each of seven 10-week* classes starts with about three weeks of prep work in specific church planting themes. You ll then come together for a long-weekend Summit, where noted experts join local Soma leaders, to equip you (through teaching, practice, and ask-anything Q&A) in various planting competencies. Experts change every round, but past experts include Jeff Vanderstelt, Matt Carter, Elliot Grudem, Bob & Nikki Roberts, Dr. Gerry Breshears, Chris Marlow, and others. After each Summit, you re sent home to complete assignments and receive cohort coaching/assessment in competencies/skills, for the remaining weeks of each class. [**=wives join for that class s Summit/trip] YEAR 1: AUGUST 2016 JULY 2017 Aug 1 Sept 30 Class 0 Immersion+Preparation N/A (Virtual intro s) Oct 3 Dec 9 Dec 12 Mar 3* Class 1 Foundation+Overview Oct 27 29, Ft Worth, TX Class 2 Soul+Family** Jan 19 21, San Diego, CA (Summit 2 is intertwined with the Soma Family s Annual Retreat) Mar 6 May 26* Class 3 Vision+Partnerships Apr 6 8, Ft Worth, TX AUG 7 SEPT Recon Trip**, Church Vision, & 1 (Midterm) Midterm Assessment YEAR 2: SEPT 2017 MAY 2018 Sept 4 Nov 10 5 Self-Awareness+Leadership Sept 27 29, city TBA (Summit 6 is Wed-Fri) Nov 13 Feb 2* Feb 5 Apr 20* Class 6 Preaching+Ministry Tentatively Dec 7 9; city TBA Class 7 Care+Sustainability** Tentatively Feb 28 Mar 3; city TBA (Summit 7 is Wed Sat) May 29 Aug 4 Class 4 Mission+Core Team** June 22 24, city TBA Apr 23 - May 18 Final Assessment & wrap up Immersion/Externship *December classes include a 2-week Christmas break; Spring classes include a 1-week Spring Break somasending: 2016 2018 Intro, 3
>> IN WHAT AREAS/COMPETENCIES AM I TRAINED? IMMERSION/EXTERNSHIP: Through about 2 school years of regular interaction, each resident is equipped in areas of Head & Heart, such as Theology: Biblical understanding, basic/ systematic theology, pastoral theology Soma Distinctives: identities, rhythms, 4G s, Story of God, etc. Followability : ability to gather, lead, and multiplying leaders Family life: marriage, parenting, planting readiness, household management Godly character: gospel application, Spirit-ledness, generosity, speaking truth in love, humility, hospitality, stewardship, submission to authority, elder qualifications, Areas of gifting/need: in the right seat on the bus? Engagement with not-yetbelievers Praxis: practice in areas such as personal discipleship/ mission/community, preaching, team leadership, leading meetings, planning/coordination, visioncasting, etc. SUMMITS: Through seven Summits and monthly coaching, Summits equip cohorts of residents in areas of Hands, such as A gospel-centered, Spirit-led church Missional community & Being Soma Self-awareness: personal gifting, soul care, sustainability Soul and family: marriage and family in ministry, spiritual formation, personal discipleship and community, spiritual warfare Leading on mission: gospel worldview, disciple-making, mission field analysis, cultural engagement, ministry in the margins Vision development: visioncasting, budget, fund-raising, bi-vocation, core team development Creating a church culture: gospel-centered preaching, organization and structure, gospel shepherding, kids and students, complimentarianism Leadership: personal and team leadership, leader development, conflict resolution HUB*: Through the existence of each Hub, Soma Area Teams can provide residents with supplemental resources in all areas Head, Heart, and Hands before, during, and after their residency, such as Church-based Theological Education: varying by area and by resident need Soma documents/ resources: a growing database, with an array of documents and resources Need-based coaching: partnering with Soma leaders to further develop skills Familial relationships: each Hub & Area Team are the residents primary point of connection to the larger Soma Family, other than their Local Immersion Leader Strengthening: As part of the ALT s commitment, Soma s strengthening team will check in on residents once they plant And more *Until a Hub, & area leadership team, is established, Soma s Servant Leadership Team fills this role OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENTS Starting at the application, and continuing through Soma Sending, you ll complete formal and informal, objective and subjective, and theory- and practice-based assessments. Examples: Personality, behavioral, and planting inventories An annual Personal Development Plan, with customized areas of growth Prep work and assignments for Summits, +a comprehensive Theological Vision for your plant Objective midterm and final assessments, with various Soma Sending Leaders somasending: 2016 2018 Intro, 4
>> WHO IS SOMA SENDING DESIGNED FOR? To use sports imagery, Soma Sending is for AA AAA guys : you re not ready to play in the majors yet (and there s a chance you may not), but you re no longer playing high school ball either. Your wife and other leaders must have affirmed your calling to plant, and you must be committed to pursuing a gospel-saturated Soma DNA. In general, a potential Soma planter is a man over the age of 25, who Displays evidence of character, competency, calling, capacity, and chemistry to plant Displays gifting and experience in crucial aspects of starting/leading a church. Previous involvement in some level of church leadership is required. A history of starting, building, and leading things is a plus. Is teachable. Soma Sending will evaluate and assess, point out areas of growth, equip, and likely frustrate them at times. Humility and openness are keys for healthy leadership. Remains committed to all elements of both the Local Church Immerse and the Soma Sending Summits. It s carefully designed to build on itself from the first step through its conclusion. Becomes/remains actively involved with your church family. Be involved with, supportive of, and submissive to your leaders and local church family Abides by the Lausanne Covenant (bit.ly/1qpr2te) and Soma s distinctives (bit.ly/1qtey9f) Successfully completes the application process with no significant red flags, including displaying appropriate planting potential on initial personality/behavioral inventories Soma Sending is a true, multi-faceted training, for you to pursue rigorous, holistic learning, practice, and assessment. Thus, we offer two types of residencies: IMMERSIONS: for potential planters within a Soma Family church whether you re home-grown or move to a Soma church specifically for your residency, you ll carry out the Immersion component of your residency in that church family, as well as participating in all Summits. EXTRNSHIPS: for those in a different church, and coached by a Soma Family leader maybe you ve already planted but are early enough in the process to significantly shape the vision for your new church (generally less than two years in). Or maybe you re leading in a non-soma church family who a) affirms you as a planter, b) lets you carry out assignments in the your church, and c) commits to send you and support you once you finish Soma Sending. If these describe you, you ll pursue the externship option and be coached by a Soma Family leader, who works on your personal development alongside leaders in your current church, as you participate in the Summits. >> WHAT S THE TIME COMMITMENT? While it varies between local churches, Soma Sending is designed for the working man: its core can be completed in about 8 hours per week (including prep work and assignments for Summits, meetings, coaching, and practical day-to-day elements of Immersion, living on mission, leading, and serving as part of a Soma church family). You can work a normal job, and complete Soma Sending within the normal amount of time most churches expect members to give to ministry and mission. Of course, some local churches may support a resident part-/full-time, to give more time to training. For your Local Church Immersion, your wife participates in the normal life of the church, joining you in serving, leading, and living as a family of servants and missionaries. Each Immersion Leader considers how they can best support and equip residents wives and families during your time in their church family. For Summits, wives receive resources and quarterly group coaching during the two-year residency, from an experienced Soma leader s wife. And while family dynamics prevent this at times, we hope that wives (no kids unless nursing) participate through prep work, assignments, and attendance at four of the seven Summits. somasending: 2016 2018 Intro, 5
>> HOW DOES MONEY WORK? Through the generosity of the Soma Family of Churches, and strongly-encouraged fund-raising, residents can participate in Soma Sending for <$89/month, only about 22% of the total cost. RESIDENTS ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SOMA SENDING FOR AS LITTLE AS $1,953 TOTAL AVG. COST OF SOMA SENDING: $8,690/RESIDENT Summit logistics $2,592 Coaching, admin, contingency $1,425 Summit expert costs $1,650 Soma SLT costs $2,308 Books, materials, supplies $300 Immersion/Externship training $415 Soma Sending costs cover all Summit expenses once you re on-site (training, activities, food, lodging, etc.), all administrative, coaching, and SLT expenses, and all resources, assessments, and supplies needed for Summits. Immersion Churches cover the cost of transport to Summits, and provide residents a small monthly stipend for resources and meetings. While some churches financially support residents (part-/full-time), this isn t guaranteed, but local leaders do our best to help residents find jobs. [*NOTE: The cost doesn t cover moving costs to your Immersion Church if applicable, or optional seminary credit (see pg. 7 8)] SOMA SCHOLARSHIP: 27% OF THE COST The generosity of each Soma Church s contribution to the Soma Family covers $2,337, or ~27% of each resident s Soma Sending cost. This is true whether you re immersed into a Soma Family Church or carry out an externship, as one way that Soma lives out our Family ID. (This includes all costs of Immersion Leader/Externship Coach training, and resource development/compilation.) FUND-RAISING: 51% OF THE COST We strongly encourage planters to raise at least $4,400 ($200/mo) of your cost of Soma Sending on many levels, this is a helpful part of your training toward church planting. Funding Soma Sending Remainder 22% Fund- Raising 51% Soma Scholarship 27% REMAINDER: 22% OF THE COST After the Soma Scholarship and fundraising, your cost for Soma Sending is only $1,953 (~$89/mo). PAYMENT OPTIONS While residents are welcome to pay all at once, we welcome you to submit the 73% you pay/raise, either annually ($3,220/yr, due in August of Years One and Two), or in seven installments ($920/installment, due in August, November, and February of both years, as well as May of Year One). somasending: 2016 2018 Intro, 6
>> IS ACADEMIC CREDIT AVAILABLE? Through a unique partnership with Western Seminary (based in Portland, OR), two options exist for academic credit through your participation in Soma Sending: 16 HOURS OF MASTER S-LEVEL CREDIT: Successful and approved completion of all Soma Sending components (applications, assessments, prep work, summits, assignments, Immersion/ externship work, etc.), as well as Western Seminary admission requirements, can result in 16 hours of Master s-level credit, which can be applied toward Master s Degrees within Western Seminary, or transferred to other institutions as independent study/elective credit, upon approval of the specific institution. A 16-HOUR CERTIFICATE IN CHURCH PLANTING: Successful and approved completion of all Soma Sending components (applications, assessments, prep work, summits, assignments, Immersion/externship work, etc.), as well as Western Seminary admission requirements, can result in a 16-hour Graduate Studies Certificate in Church Planting. Western s certificate programs offer those with specific ministry interests a way to maximize their seminary training with a minimal commitment of time and the credits can later apply to Master s Degrees, should you choose to pursue that. FAQ S REGARDING CREDIT COST & CREDIT: We are finalizing details with Western by April 2016 for the cost per credit. The 2015 17 cost was $185 per credit hour. The change in cost for 2016-18 will not be significant. Western s standard tuition rate for accredited graduate training is $550 per credit (2015-2016). Therefore, the Soma Sending students are receiving approximately a 65% reduction for these Soma Sending courses. The number of credits for each Soma Sending course will depend on the amount of assignment work and classroom time for each course. Most Soma Sending courses (per the outline in your Welcome Packet) will be offered for 2 credit hours for a total cost of $370. TRANSFERRING CREDIT: Western Seminary is accredited nationally by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) the highest accrediting authority in North America for seminaries as well as regionally with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) the institutional accreditor for universities and colleges in the northwest region of the US. Any course for which Western grants credit is eligible for transfer to any other school in North America according to their institutional transfer policies (transferability of credits earned at Western and transferred to another institution is at the discretion of the receiving institution). Per Western, Soma Sending courses will be considered Independent Study courses at the number of credit hours mentioned above. Whatever institution to which you transfer these courses would likely accept them as elective credits. WESTERN SEMINARY APPLICATION PROCESS: Once accepted into Soma Sending, participants pursuing credit will need to apply separately to Western Seminary. Deadline to apply for Fall 2016 is July 11, in order to receive all 16 credits. If you do not plan to receive all 16 credits, you can apply at other times throughout the year. See this page for ongoing deadlines: http://www.westernseminary.edu/apply-masters o To apply to Western (for either the Certificate program or for Masters' credit)...go to our application page: http://www.westernseminary.edu/apply-masters o If you plan to receive individual credits not for a degree program with Western, please apply as non-degree. You will need to complete all parts of the application, including a listing of your prior education. You do not need to send in pastoral recommendations or transcripts. somasending: 2016 2018 Intro, 7
o If you plan to go on for a Master s degree program with Western in the future, please apply as a degree student and fill out all parts of the application, including recommendations and transcripts. For more info on receiving credit for Soma Sending: bit.ly/1mqvlla. With further questions, email Derek Hiebert: dhiebert@westernseminary.edu FOR MORE DETAILS ON SOMA SENDING, AND TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD APPLYING FOR THE 2016 2018 ROUND OF SOMA SENDING, HEAD TO SOMASENDING.COM **INITIAL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE APRIL 15, 2016** f somasending: 2016 2018 Intro, 8
SOMASENDING.COM somasending: 2016 2018 Intro, 9