Our church-planting process is designed to set church planters up for success. We try to think about that success not in terms of five-year
plans, but in terms of 50 years. We want to have something meaningful to hand over to the next generation. Gospel success means gospel
transfer—that the good news of Jesus Christ would be shared with the members of every church plant, and with the generations to come.
That's why our church-planting process takes time. Here's an overview. It won't look the same for everyone, but every church planter goes through these
essential stages in some way.
- Assessment of gifting, character, and calling, guided by the qualifications Scripture provides for elders
- Training through our ten-month Pastors College program and church-planting residencies
- Launch support, both from nearby Sovereign Grace churches and from our Church Planting Group
- Care for the church planter as he leads the church
Assessment
Our first step is to lead a potential church planter through a biblical assessment of his gifting, character, and calling.
Within Sovereign Grace Ministries, elders in local churches identify and evaluate men who may be called to church planting. The elders give particular attention to a series of biblical criteria that can be markers of a call to ministry, with a specific emphasis on preaching and leadership gifts.
Men who are not part of a Sovereign Grace church can begin the assessment process by filling out a personal profile. This will connect you with our Church Planting Group and with a Sovereign Grace regional leader for ongoing assessment.
Training
Men identified as church-planting candidates enter a leadership development track in preparation for attending our Pastors College. For members of our churches, this usually involves ministry leadership under the evaluation of a pastor. For candidates from outside Sovereign Grace Ministries, it is more likely to take the form of a formal, funded church-planting internship at one of our regional base churches.
Church-planting candidates then apply to attend our Pastors College for ten months of strategic training. This includes not only theological curriculum, but also a dedicated church-planting track. In addition, students assist with and observe ministry at Covenant Life Church, which hosts the Pastors College, for the duration of their enrollment.
During these months the leadership qualities and preaching gift necessary for church planting become increasingly obvious. The man gains invaluable experience in loving and serving a church effectively. And perhaps most important, his values and character are biblically molded—a profound asset for his family, ministry, and personal life, wherever God may take him in the future.
Launch
After graduating from the Pastors College, church-planting candidates enter a residence program at a Sovereign Grace church. In addition to other ministry responsibilities, residents continue their preparation through our Church Planting Group's training program, completion of a church-planting plan, and use of our church-planting guide. The resident may also attend a regional church-planting training program.
During this time church-planting candidates also work with Sovereign Grace leaders to build teams, research locations, work on their initial budgets, and complete other critical preparation.
When all this is complete, the church planter and his team begin public meetings and local outreach.
Care
Every new church planter receives care, guidance, and support from Sovereign Grace Ministries. Early support may take various forms:
- financial grants designed to carry a new church through its inception and first months of operation
- gifted members of existing churches relocating to help establish the new church
- administrative tools and training to ease the paperwork burden
- evangelism teams from nearby churches helping in local outreach efforts
- ongoing counsel, assistance, and training for the pastor from Sovereign Grace's regional leaders