Moravian Church, Northern Province
New Church Strategy Committee

Description and Creation The new church strategy committee (ncsc) was created according to a directive from the 1998 Synod, Moravian Church, Northern Province, Second Partial Report of the Evangelism and New Church Development Committee (15): “The PEC shall form a new church strategy committee to develop and implement a province-wide strategy for planting new congregations, its focus to include a concerted provincial effort to pool leadership, financial resources and expertise. The function of this committee will be advisory to the Provincial Elders’ Conference as to initiation of new church development strategies and to District Executive Boards and congregations as to implementation of those strategies…” Members of the new church strategy committee have been: The Rev. Dr. Darryl Bell, convener Philip Lythcott (through 12/02) The Rev. Sherwin Alleyne (through 12/02) The Rev. Melissa Johnson Mr. Vernon Bartz The Rev. Amy Gohdes-Luman (through 1/01) The Rev. David Bennett The Rev. Leslie McKoy (beginning 1/03) Mr. Paul DeTilla  Ms. Jan Schanck The Rev. Dr. Barry Lehman (beginning 1/03) The Rev. David Wickmann (beginning 10/02) (top)

Mission Statement Intending to clarify and articulate its mission, the ncsc developed the following mission statement: “As advisory to the Provincial Elders’ Conference, the mission of the new church strategy committee is to implement a province-wide church planting strategy focused on identifying, equipping, and supporting church planters who are called by Christ to develop mission-based, reproducing churches.” While this statement includes all aspects of “a province-wide strategy,” it puts the emphasis on planters, not places. It also calls us to aim from the very beginning to plant reproducing churches. The direction and focus of the committee is based on a “people before places” philosophy, believing that it is our task to identify and develop pastors who may be called to be church planters, rather than selecting a location for a new church, and then looking for someone to start a church at that location. (top) Intercessors The new church strategy committee seeks and depends upon prayer support for its efforts from throughout the province. To this end, intentional efforts have been made to develop a corps of prayer partners in all congregations. These prayer partners are updated regarding new churches, church planters and their families, and possibilities for future churches. Bulletin inserts and posters encouraging people to consider becoming church planters, inviting more prayer partners, and giving updates on current new church starts are supplied to congregations. These remind members of the need for ongoing prayer support for the ministry of church planting. (top) Church Planter Development Process A summary of the steps involved in planting a new church follows as a guide for church planters. Items may occur in a different order than presented, depending on circumstances and calendars, but all steps should be shared and communicated with the appropriate district board and the PEC. The entire process shall be under girded in prayer. (top) 1. Communication to the appropriate District Executive Board or the ncsc of a person’s indication of interest in planting a church (top) 2. Completion of an introductory questionnaire Following are the components of an introductory questionnaire which is sent to any person who shows interest in the possibility of becoming a church planter. The answers to the questions are reviewed by the ncsc and shared with the appropriate district board. Please describe your personal biographical and spiritual background. Tell how you came to know Jesus as central in your life. Why do you think God is leading you into church planting? What do you perceive church planting to be? What is your vision for church planting? What strengths do you bring to church planting? What experience have you had that is related to evangelism and church planting? (top) 3. Interview with the ncsc (top) 4. Recommendation regarding assessment is made by the ncsc to the PEC (top) 5. Initial meeting with appropriate district board This meeting will allow the DEB to grant preliminary approval of the church planter so that the following steps may be taken. (top) 6. Complete Assessment Process The ncsc has several assessment processes available. Some include phone interviews, such as the Gallup Interview. Some require several days at a training facility such as Ashland Theological Seminary. The candidate and the ncsc will determine together which choice will work best in each situation. Results and recommendation from the assessment will be reviewed by the ncsc with the candidate, and a recommendation will be forwarded to the PEC by the ncsc. Pending PEC/DEB approval the process will continue. (top) 7. Study Leave A pastor approved by the PEC/DEB will receive a study leave for a period of four to six weeks to complete specialized training and demographic studies on a potential location for the new church. The appropriate DEB will be responsible for all of the pastor’s current congregation’s pulpit and pastoral needs, supported by provincial church planting funds. The pastor will continue in his/her current housing location during this preparation phase of the process. (top) 7a. Complete Specialized Training Many opportunities exist for the thorough training of church planters. The ncsc has investigated several and will help determine the best choice by working with the candidate and his/her spouse. Some of the choices include Ashland Theological Seminary, TEAMerica, and the Church Multiplication Center, to name a few. Most offer week-long training programs several times each year. (top) 7b. Do field research and develop a proposal according to the recommended format for review by ncsc and approval by PEC & DEB’s The ncsc does not prescribe a set amount of time for this work to be completed. It will be different in each situation and location. If a satisfactory proposal is developed a recommendation by the ncsc will be made to the PEC that a call be issued to the pastor to start a new church utilizing provincial church planting funds. The PEC will then issue the call to the pastor to plant a new church. (top) 8. Accountability/ Partnering with a Coach The ncsc strongly believes that a church planter should be partnered with a coach/mentor throughout the early stages of the church planting process. The ncsc, in consultation with the church planter and with the approval of the DEB, will select the coach/mentor. This person needs to have an understanding and appreciation for the Moravian Church. The two should have conversation at least monthly. The coach/mentor will be a resource person, a sounding board, give emotional support and be a mentor for the church planter. A relationship with an accountability partner or group is also encouraged. (top) 9. Develop core values and write mission statement The ncsc believes that establishing a mission statement for the new congregation and setting core values is essential to the planting process. The church planter may need to establish and develop partnerships with other congregations and/or individuals for ongoing support. The church planter may also seek opportunities for bi-vocational employment. (top) 10. Build a core group The church planter should build a core group of people who will be the leaders of the new congregation. (top) 11. Launch new worship community and hold grand opening At a time mutually determined by the pastor, DEB, and leaders of the new church, an official “grand opening” worship service will be held. There is no prescribed time for this to occur. (top) 12. Submit on-going reports The church planter should submit monthly reports to the appropriate district board and the ncsc, reporting on growth, problem areas, concerns, and joys. The reports should indicate how the church planter is following the flow chart and what developments can be reported. (top) 13. Continuing the ncsc Relationship During the early years of the development of a new congregation, the ncsc will have ongoing contact with the pastor for guidance, support, and mutual learning.(top) 14. Plant a new reproducing church Believing that part of the purpose of a church is to multiply, the ncsc will encourage the new congregation to anticipate taking an active role in the planting of another new church. (top) Length of Stay/Pastoral Succession Care and consideration should be given to the length of time the planting pastor will stay with the new church plant. The ncsc recommends 5-7 years as a minimum. (top)

How will the Moravian Church Northern Province plant 20 churches by the year 2020? EVERY WAY WE CAN!

The ncsc believes that the heart of the gospel is helping people to find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is introducing people to Christ as growing disciples and becoming part of a growing community, the body of Christ. We believe the most effective means to accomplish this is planting churches!

The vision of the ncsc is to plant more churches! The dimensions of our plan are 20x20. Twenty new churches by the year 2020!

How will we do this?

We will fulfill this vision through…

• praying - a corps of intercessors
• identifying and equipping planters - “people before places”
• encouraging daughter churches with local congregations taking the lead
• initiating denominational starts - ncsc and DEB’s
• facilitating regional clusters planting churches
• new churches planting churches - reproducing churches

….Every Way We Can (top)