What is Expected of Me?
Rarely is there a one-size-fits-all process that works in every situation. That is most definitely true in the world of church planting and the development of new congregations. However, there are a few steps that we would anticipate will be helpful for most leaders.

As it relates to planting a brand new, stand-alone congregation in a community:

  1. Assessment process: We have partnered with various Church Planting organizations. If you have a desire to “plant” a church, we will arrange for you to go through an interview and assessment process that will reveal strengths, growing edges and suitability for church planting.

  2. Church Planter Covenant: We have a covenant that clearly lays out what you can expect from the CABC family in terms of the various means through which we can support you. As well the covenant identifies expectations of you. In most new start-ups the assessment process and covenant will add increased strength.

  3. Team Building: Once a person is deemed to be suitable candidate to start a new congregation, the leader will be expected to build a strong core lead team.

  4. Partner Congregation: In most cases, it would be expected that a “partner congregation” is found that can serve as a “mother” church to this new congregation.

  5. Fundraising: There will be certain expectations placed upon a leader in terms of raising some of your personal support. That could mean leading bi-vocationally, as well as raising support personally from friends, family and supporters.

As it relates to a merger or multi-site planting situation:

You will simply be invited to work with the leadership team or the staff of the existing church that is leading the merger, multi-site, etc … The CBAC welcomes conversations and is willing to consult, cheerlead and offer financial assistance in these creative ventures.

As it relates to starting “a new kind of church”

(egs. Dinner church, café church, house church etc …):

In most situations these kinds of congregations will be launched as a new congregation that is “tethered” to an existing church. The leadership of the existing church will provide the oversight for the team that is assembled to build and launch the new congregation.

The “staff” of these “new kinds of churches” are often co-vocational or volunteer.

For more information on launching a “new kind of church” check out the Launch Course and the New Kind of Church Pilot Project.