Lay Initiated Church Planting
An Approach Growing Out Of
The St. Andrew's Church, Little Rock Experience
Initial Discernment
(Do I feel "called" to join God in planting a new church
and if so, why?)
A group of people having a general sense of "call"
examine their motivation for planting a new church. This is a
time of honest self-examination of the variety of desires that
group members have which motivate them to consider planting a
new church. One person will need to take the lead in organizing
these meetings.
- Time line- 4-6 sessions approximately 2hrs.
in length held over 2-3 months
- Setting- home Bible study and informal worship
- Resources- Bible, counsel from and material
produced by Anglican Mission in America. Depending upon the
circumstances, "counsel" may be by telephone,
e-mail and/or in person. Support "material" may include
Bible study guides and worship forms.
Launch Team Development
(Understanding and "owning" God's unchanging values
for His church and how they might be expressed in the context
of a particular new church plant)
Assuming that the "Why?" question of
the initial discernment process is answered in a manner consistent
with God's desire for planting new churches, the group will begin
a period of refinement and development as the "launch team."
The focus will be upon values and vision. A "coach"
from or recommended by the Anglican Mission in America will facilitate
these meetings.
- Time line- 6-8 sessions approximately two hrs.
in length held over 2-4 months
- Setting- home Bible study and informal worship
- Resources- Bible, counsel from and material
produced by Anglican Mission in America ( see reference to "counsel"
and "materials" above), a "coach" from or
recommended by Anglican Mission in America
Worship & Small Group
Development
(Informally expand "circle" of people participating
in worship and establish pattern of small group meetings)
The group establishes a regular, though less than
weekly, pattern of worship which is increasingly used as a vehicle
to introduce others to the vision of the new church. Invitation
is by "word of mouth" and worship services are not advertised
publicly. These services may be lay led, but with creative scheduling
(e.g., midweek), can also allow the new church to invite clergy
to provide leadership. Worship will begin expanding from the home
setting to more public places.
The group will recruit assistance with their worship
music from resources such as other churches that are willing to
provide some support. Small groups are established as the vehicle
for additional informal worship, pastoral care, discipleship and
leadership development . "Coaching" begun in the Launch
Team Development phase continues and "coach" is a resource
that the group can use to help cast the vision for the church
to newcomers.
- Time line- 6-12 months of worship/meetings,
3-4 weeks out of each month
- Setting- home Bible study and worship in more
public settings
- Resources- Bible, counsel from and material
produced by Anglicans in America mission team (see reference
to "counsel" and "materials" above), a "coach"
from or recommended by Anglican Mission in America, visiting
clergy arranged with the assistance of the Anglican Mission
in America
Search for Clergy
A search team appointed by the new church works
with the Anglican Mission in America to identify clergy. "Coaching"
continues and "coach" guides the group through the search
process. This phase will require some travel on the part of search
team members and will also require a much more significant financial
commitment. The church will begin the development of an early
budget. "Coaching" through this budget development may
also be provided.
Clergy Led Pre-public
Launch Phase
Clergy, "launch team" and new church prepare together
for the public launch of the church. Worship and teaching opportunities
increase which allow others to informally become more acquainted
with vision of the new church. Small groups continue. Clergy identifies
other staff necessary prior to public launch. Clergy and some
launch team members attend a "boot camp" for church
planters. The "boot camp" is designed to solidify the
foundation which has been laid for the new church, provide help
in avoiding "trouble spots" and prepare for anticipated
and unanticipated details which attend launching a public worship
service.
Public Worship
As public worship begins, "coaching" continues on an
"as needed" basis.
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