"So how do you actually plant a church?" This question has come up often in my conversations lately, and it's a great question. Every unique church plant involves a lot of details and specifics, but let me lay out the big picture plan of how we are planting a church. Our plan involves three stages: 1) Cohesion & Confirming, 2) Vision & Structuring, 3) Launch & Partnering.
1. The Cohesion & Confirming Stage
For any project a well-laid foundation is key. The Cohesion & Confirming stage is the relational foundation between the sending church and the church plant. The purpose of this stage is to build cohesion between the sending church and the church planter, and for the sending church congregation and leadership to confirm the relationship fit and the church planter's calling. This stage is where we are right now. In this stage my primary focus is on serving Fellowship Church and building relationships.
2. The Vision & Structuring Stage
The second stage is all about the specifics. Right now (in Stage 1) we just know we're planting a church. The details of the church plant—name, location, organizational structure—are all undetermined. The purpose of the Vision & Structuring stage is to develop and communicate the specifics of the church we are planting, with the most important specific being "the who." Who is God calling together to join the Core Team to be the founding members of the church plant? In this stage my primary focus will be on developing and leading that Core Team.
3. The Launch & Partnering Stage
The last stage begins when the new church is born. In the first two stages the church plant has been functioning as part of the sending church. But at the time of the launch the church plant Core Team will be commissioned and sent out. The purpose of the Launch & Partnering stage is to have a new, full-fledged church carrying out all the functions of a local body of believers. As the new church learns how to support itself, the sending church will continue to be a partner, but two distinct churches will exist. In this stage my primary focus will be pastoring the new church.
That's the roadmap. I'll be sharing more about these stages as we go, but I hope this helps you see better where we are going. Thanks for following the story and joining the journey.
-Stephen Anderson