church planting handbook - antioch movement...life-on-life discipleship and living on mission...

HANDBOOK

U.S. CHURCH PLANTING

Antioch Network Resources

Thank you! One of the greatest strengths of this handbook is the number of Antioch familymemberswhocontributedtomakeithappen.Thishandbookwouldn’tbewhatitiswithout all of you, and especiallywithout the broader AntiochMovementwhichinspiredustowriteit.Myprayer isthatthishandbookhelpsAntiochprepareandlaunchchurchplantersbetterthaneverbefore,andthatyouasachurchplanterfeelconfidently equipped for your calling. Blessings as you embark on an amazingjourney!Project Manager JennMayhew,AntiochU.S.ResourceCoordinatorThank you to these contributing editors: BrandonPerry,prospectivechurchplanterDrewSteadman,AntiochDirectorofU.S.ChurchPlantingJohnLux,AntiochBoston,researcherandeditorKendallLaughlin,AllPeoplesChurchandU.S.OversightTeamTravisNicholson,AntiochU.S.NetworkOperationsManagerThank you to these Antioch leaders for their stories and insights: AndrewBach,MosaicChurchAndrewZnachko,AntiochIndianapolisAndySalsky,AntiochPhoenixBillySeih,TheDoorandAntiochHoustonChrisRattay,NewLifeCommunityChurchFredNelson,AntiochHoustonMarkSpeeter,AntiochFullertonRobertHerber,AllPeoplesChurchTylerHardy,AntiochCollegeStationZachDaniels,AntiochDallasPublished2017.thishandbookisthesecondeditionofAntioch’sU.S.ChurchPlantingStrategyGuide,2015.

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Antioch U.S. Network Resources 254.754.0386 | [email protected]

TABLE OF CONTENTS FORWARD............................................................................................................3

HOWTOUSETHISHANDBOOK.............................................................................5

PREPARATION......................................................................................................9Character...................................................................................................................10AntiochCalling...........................................................................................................11YourCalling................................................................................................................14Experience.................................................................................................................17

FOUNDATIONS....................................................................................................23Culture.......................................................................................................................25Vision.........................................................................................................................27Context......................................................................................................................29MinistryPhilosophy...................................................................................................31

MINISTRYMODELS..............................................................................................355CirclesofaHealthyChurch......................................................................................37CommonMinistryModels..........................................................................................39

LAUNCHSTRATEGY..............................................................................................43FirstYearFocus..........................................................................................................44LaunchStrategies.......................................................................................................46SundayServices..........................................................................................................47

STAFFING............................................................................................................55LaunchTeam..............................................................................................................55OrganizationalGrowth...............................................................................................58TeamBuilding............................................................................................................63

SUPPORTSTRUCTURES........................................................................................65FinancialPlanning......................................................................................................65Branding....................................................................................................................67ChurchOversight........................................................................................................69

CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................73

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FORWARD In 1989 Jimmy and Laura Seibert began a discipleship training school. Trainingschooloutreaches led to the firstofAntioch’schurchplants inSiberia,withmorechurchplantingtofollowinEurope,Asia,theMiddleEastandAfrica.Earlyon,GodspokethatAntiochwouldbeapeoplewithapassionforJesusandHispurposesinthe earth, summarized in Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:14: “This gospel of thekingdomshallbepreachedinthewholeworldasatestimonytoallthenations,andthentheendwillcome.”Thisgreatpassionandpurposebeganmotivatingwavesofyoungpeopletomoveoverseasandbeginministeringtotheunreached.After 10 years of church planting and international outreach throughdiscipleshiptrainingschools,AntiochbeganfeelingcalledtoplantchurchesintheUnitedStates.Acts1:8makesitclearthatthechurchiscalled,notonlytotheuttermostpartsofthe earth, but to cities, regions andplaces nearby.Not only did Siberia need thegospel,buttheUnitedStatesaswell.Soin1999,Antiochplanteditsfirststatesidechurch inBoston,Massachusetts. SeanandLauraRichmond led this initial churchplantingteam,andarestillleadingandservinginBostontoday.Yearslater,AntiochnowhasanetworkofchurchesaroundtheUnitedStates.Notonlyarethesechurchesreachingthelostinourcountry,butGodhasalsospokentousthattheyaretobehubsforreachingandsendingmorepeopletothenations.Antiochchurchesarecommittedto livingoutthevaluesofthekingdom.Wehearandobey, doing the things that Jesus spoke and acting on thewordswe read inScripture. This culture of biblical living can be summarized as Encountering God,Life-on-LifeDiscipleship and livingonMission together, three coreministry valueswe’lltalkalotaboutlaterinthishandbook.Throughout our history, Isaiah 54:2-3 has been a guiding prophetic word for us:“enlargetheplaceofyourtent,stretchyourtentcurtainswide,donotholdback;lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For youwill spreadout to the rightandtotheleft;yourdescendantswilldispossessnationsandsettleintheirdesolatecities.”Godhasusedthisscripturetoconfirmthatwewillcontinuetoenlargeourreach,plantinginnewcitiesandnationsandestablishingHiskingdomontheearth.OurU.S.churchesplayavital role in theKingdomand inAntioch.Weareexcitedthatyou’reconsideringbecomingapartofthispurpose.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabout thecontentsorpurposeof thishandbook,pleasereachout tous.We lookforwardtowalkingwithyouonyourjourney!InHim,TheAntiochU.S.NetworkOffice

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HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK Interested in planting a U.S. church? This handbook is for you. Antiochhasbeenplantingchurchesgloballyforover25years.Since2015,wehavebeendevelopingatrainingmodelspecificallydesignedforU.S.churchplanters.Thismodel focusesprimarilyonexperiential learning throughministry internships, jobshadowingor other experiential opportunities. Additional traininghappens in theclassroom where prospective church planters like you can learn and discussimportantideasaboutchurchplanting.Attheendofyourtrainingtimeandbeforelaunching,you’llbeaskedtopresenta“Church Planting Prospectus.” Prospectuses are standard requirements for mostlargerchurchplantingorganizations,andmanyexamplescanbefoundbysearchingonline.TheprospectusisthecapstoneprojectforyourtrainingandisthebestwayforAntiochleadershiptoapproveanewchurchbeforeitlaunches.

Church Planting Prospectus Aprospectusislikethebusinessplanforanewcompany,orthemanifestoofaneworganization.Theprospectusdescribesandbringstolifethevisionofthechurch.Itshouldinspirereaderstoseeandbelievethatthechurchisreadytolaunch!Writingthe prospectus gives church planters the opportunity to put everything they’velearnedthroughclasstimesandexperiencesintoafinalproduct.Theprospectusissomethingtobeproudof,andsomethingtoreferencemanytimesinthefutureofyourchurch.This handbook is designed to be the guide for thoseworking on a prospectus. Itexplains the best strategies and ideas we’ve learned on topics which should beaddressed.Someofthesetopicswillbeaddressedinclassroomconversations,andothers you’ll only find here. The handbook follows the same general flow that aprospectus should, based on Antioch’s “church building blocks.” There are threemainbuildingblocksweusefortalkingaboutchurchlife:Foundations,ministry,andsupport.Foundationsreferstothosethingswhichsetthefoundationofachurch.Theseareoften intangible and are sometimes referred to as your church’s “DNA.” Beforestarting yourministry, setting strategies, or hiring staff, the foundation is alreadybeing laid. See the graphic below to see some important concepts which helpcreatethefoundationsofyourchurch.

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Ministry isdividedintotwocategories,relatedtostrategyandstaffing.Ministry isrelatedtowhatyoudo,orhowyouminister,andthepeoplewhoareinvolved.Finally,support iseverythingelsewhichneedstohappentoallowyourchurchlifetobesustainedandgrow.Manyofthese“behindthescenes”supportsystemsarecrucialtoyourchurch’sflourishing.Beforeeverythingelse,weknowthatJesusistheHeadofourchurchesasdeclaredin Colossians 1:17-18. Under his leadership the foundations are formed. Thefoundations should determine the way we do ministry, and our ministry shoulddetermine the supportwe need. Arrows flow down in the graphic, showing howareaslistedontopinfluenceareaslistedbelowthem.

Theseblockshelpchurchleadersunderstandthelifeoftheirchurches.Leaderscanusetheblockstohelpidentifyareaswhicharehinderinggrowth.Oncethoseareashave been identified,we can see how they allwork together andwhat needs tohappentoremedythesituationandbringnewlife.Since thesebuildingblocks are a fundamental partof the languageweusewhentalkingaboutchurchlife,theyarealsothewaywe’vestructuredourtraining.Yourclassroom experiences, this handbook and your prospectus all reflect thisfundamental concept. Tomake this handbook flow clearly, we’ve split it into six

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differentchapters.Thesixchapterscoordinatewiththethreebuildingblocks.Seethegraphicbelowtoseethetitlesofeachchapterinthishandbookandhowtheyrelatetotheconceptofbuildingblocks:

We’vealsoincludedreflectionquestionsattheendofeachchapter.Weencourageyou to read, reflect and discuss these ideas with someone else. Then use theProspectusTemplateatthebackofthishandbookasaguidetohelpyouwriteyourprospectusasyougo.

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Thishandbookisdesignedforsenior leaders,asapartofourU.S.churchplantingtraining. However, we share this book with anyone! If you know someone whowouldbenefit fromusing thishandbook, feel free topass iton.This isourgift toanyonewho is interested.Wehope it’s a blessing and inspires you to take somestepsforwardinyourchurchplantingjourney.

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PART ONE:

PREPARATION

“Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.” - 1 Timothy 3:1 Webelievethechurchisthehopeoftheworld!Notthechurchasabuilding,orabrand–but thechurchas thepeopleofGod.When thepeopleofGodare livingaccording to His will, they become an unstoppable force for change. By buildinghealthy communities of disciples devoted to Jesus, churches become thegreenhouseforthischangetotakeplace.ChangethatbringstheKingdomofGodandredemptiontothelost.Whatanobletaskwe’vebeengiven.WhenAntiochplantsnewchurches, thefirst thingneeded isa leadertopavetheway.Thoughwemighthaveanicelocationinmind,someattendeesralliedorevenabuilding,thechurchwon’tmakeitwithouttherightleadership.Theleaderisthe“crux,”thecrucialpiecewecan’tmoveforwardwithout.You,ifyou’reconsideringplantingachurch,arethatcrucialpiece.In section one, we’ll discuss the season of “preparation” that happens beforedecidingtoplantanewchurch.Sinceyouarethecrucialpieceatthisstageinthejourney,theseasonofpreparationislargelyaboutyou.Thegoalofsectiononeistohelpyouevaluateyourreadinessasa leaderandtodevelopagrowthplanwhichwill help youprepare. The growthplan focuseson four areasof life andministryleadership:

1. Character:Thequalityofyourpersonalcharacter,theintegritywithwhichyou’veinternalizedkingdomvalues,whichwillpervadeeverythingyoudoanddeterminethecultureyoucreateinyourchurch.

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2. Antioch’sCalling:Thedoctrine,beliefsandfewdistinctivequalitieswhichallAntiochchurchesadhereto.

3. YourCalling:ThesenseofguidanceyoufeelbytheVoiceandWordofGod,withaffirmationfromimportantpeoplearoundyou.

4. Experience:Thediversityofexperiencesyou’llneedandskillsdevelopedtobepreparedforchurchleadership.

We suggest reading this section and taking time to reflect after each area. Evenbetter,dothispartwithamentororyourspouse.Bytheendofthefourareas,youshould have a personal growth plan to help you continue to grow and moveforward.Oncethatgrowthplanisinplace,youcanmoveontoparttwo,whichisaboutestablishingthevisionandfoundationforyourchurch.Character

“The thing that changes a person’s life and makes a church come alive is not agreeing with

basic values – it’s living them.” – Jimmy Seibert, Passion and Purpose Many Christians in the world today agree with the basic values of evangelicalChristianity, but it’s our ability to internalize these values that sets us apart.Wemeasure character by how deeply we’ve internalized kingdom values. And as aseniorleader,youarethegreatestinfluencerinsettingthecharacterstandardforyourchurch.Thevaluesyoulivebypersonallywillbecomethestandardsbywhichtheotherleadersandmembersofyourchurchwillliveaswell.Beforeplantingachurch,evaluateyourownlifeasadisciple:AmIgrowinginthevalues Jesus taught? Am I seeing the fruit of them in my life and relationships?CouldIconfidentlysay,asPaulsaidtohisfollowers,“Followmyexample,asIfollowtheexampleofChrist”?(1Cor.11:1).AtAntioch,thesearethekindsofleaderswelookfor.Otherfactorsareimportant,butcharactercomesfirst.WelookforthefruitoftheHolySpirittobemanifestintheir personal lives, relationships, families and communities.Oneof thewayswedefinethesestandardsisbyourAntiochcorevalues.The Core Values Yearsago,Antiochleaderssetouttoclarifythecorevaluesofourmovement.Thatprocessledtoalistoftwentyvalues,organizedintothreecategories:LovingGod,LovingEachOtherandReachingOut:LoveGod

● WeloveGodthroughdailyDevotion(Matthew22:36-38)

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● WeloveGodbycommittingtothetruthofHisWord(2Timothy3:16-17)● WeloveGodbybeingfilledwiththepoweroftheHolySpirit(John16:7-15,

Acts2:1-12)● WeloveGodbychoosingObedience,evenwhenithurts(Luke6:46-49)● WeloveGodbywalkinginHoliness(1Thessalonians4:1-12)● WeloveGodbyperseveringinPrayer(Luke18:1-8)● WeloveGodbyhonoringHimwithourFinances(Luke12:13-34)

LoveEachother● WeloveothersbyestablishingFamilyasourfirstpriority(Ephesians5:21-

6:4)● WeloveothersbyHonoringpeopleinourwordsandactions(Romans12:9-

21)● WeloveothersbychoosingHumility,Himandthemaboveourselves

(Philippians2:1-11)● WeloveothersbycommittingtoaRelationalCulture(1John3:11-20)● WeloveothersbylivingAuthenticlives(Luke18:9-14)● WeloveothersbyalwaysForgiving(Matthew18:21-35)● WeloveothersbykeepingaTeachableheart(Proverbs9:1-18)

ReachOut● Welovetheworldbycommittingtolife-on-lifeDiscipleship(Matthew28:18-

20)● WelovetheworldthroughEvangelism(2Corinthians5:14-21)● WelovetheworldbycommittingtotheLocalChurch(Hebrews10:23-25)● WelovetheworldbycaringforthePoor(Luke10:25-37)● WelovetheworldbyembracingDiversity(Ephesians2:11-22)● WelovetheworldbyblessingthelargerBodyofChrist(1Corinthians12:12-

30)Evaluate Which3-5doyoufeelarethestrongestinyourlife?What3-5areasdoyoufeelyouneedthemostgrowthin?Discussthiswithamentororfriend.Beforereadingon,identifyafewvaluesyou’dliketogrowinpersonally,andcreateclearactionstepstohelpyoudoso.

Antioch Calling As amovement, there are a few things which distinguish our calling from otherchurchesandmovements.Whileourchurchesarediverseinmanyways,thesearethe things which hold us together as one family. Our calling is manifest in fourareas: Doctrine, ministry philosophy, leadership and church planting. These fourthingsarewhatmakeyoufeelathome,nomatterwhatAntiochchurchyou’rein.ChurchesplantedwithintheAntiochmovementshouldreflect thesesameuniquequalities.

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1. Doctrine and Beliefs Doctrines are truths that we have chosen to assume are true, based on ourunderstandingof Scripture.Webelieve thatdoctrine is tobeapplied ina specificway to our lives. Therefore, our doctrine determines our beliefs. The values welistedearlieriswhathappenswhenweliveoutthatdoctrine.For example, doctrine says, “all Scripture is final authority.” Beliefs say, “allscripture is final authority, thereforemy lifewill be submitted to its commands.”Ourcompletedoctrinal statementcanbe found inanappendixat theendof thishandbook, andaddresses these core topics: TheBible, TheGodhead (Father, Sonand Holy Spirit), Man and Salvation, The Lord’s Commands, The Family and TheChurch.TaketimetostudyAntioch’sdoctrinalstatement.Lookupthescripturereferences.Ask yourself questions like:Do I completely agreewith these truths? If you havequestions,discussthemwithamentororpastor.Antiochpastorsshouldbeabletoclearly and biblically articulate each one of these doctrinal points. Choose a fewyou’d liketounderstandbetterandfindaresource(likeabook,sermonseriesorcommentaries)youcanreadtoyouhelpyougrow.2. Ministry Philosophy Antioch’s ministry philosophy is defined by our three “core ministry values”:EncounteringGod,Life-on-LifeDiscipleshipandMissionsthroughtheLocalChurch.Theactivitiesofeachchurchshouldbecenteredaroundgrowingdeeperandwiderinthesethreevalues.EncounteringGod references our value for helping individuals come face to facewithJesus.WhetherthisbethroughSundayservices,personalevangelism,prayerministry or personal devotional times, we believe that this is what people trulyneed.TheyneedtoencounterJesus,theFatherandtheHolySpirit.Notjustonce,butoverandoveragain.Wearecommittedtobringingpeopleintothosekindsofencountershoweverwecan.WelookforwaystogetourselvesoutofthewayandgetpeopleintoGod’spresence.Discipleship means life-on-life relationships, where individuals help each othergrowclosertoGod.Thiscanhappenone-on-one,likeinamarriage,mentorshiporfriendship,or in communityorientedgroups like Lifegroupsorgroupsof twoandthree.Webelievethatlastingtransformationhappenswhenwedoitinintentional,encouraging, challenging and accountable community environments.We look forwaystomakethishappen.Missions references our commitment to reach out to the world around us. Ourcommunity-centered approachmeans that families and friendswho live together

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locally do mission together. Mission can be local, like doing local outreach orservingthecommunity.Missioncanalsobeglobal,andanythinginbetween,whichadvancesHisKingdom.

WeusethesethreephrasesbecausetheyareessentialtowhatAntiochdoes.Theyallworktogethertoaccomplishtheministrywefeelcalledto.Everychurchisusingtheseall thetime.Eachchurchcanalwaysgoanotherstepdeeper– leadingtheirmembers into deeper encounters with God, maturity in discipleship andcommitmenttomission.Eachchurchcanalsogowider,bringingmorepeopleintoencounterswithGod,intodiscipleshiprelationships,andintoamissionallifestyle.Howhaveeachoftheseimpactedyouinyourjourneysofar?Wherehaveyouseenthisimpactthelivesofothers?ThisphilosophyiswhatmakesAntiochunique.Studythisphilosophyandimaginehowitwillexpressitselfthroughyourchurch.3. Leadership Antioch isamovementofdisciple-making-discipleswho loveandobey Jesus.Thismeansthatourleaders’livesaredirectlyreproducedinthelivesofthosetheylead,andthereforeareheldtothehigheststandards.Antiochsenior leaders,andtheirteams,shoulddisplaytheAntiochvaluesthroughtheirlivesanddemonstratetheabilitytointegratethosevaluesintotheirdecision-making.Theyshouldalsoleadthroughservantleadership,asJesusmodeledforthechurch:“Truegreatness,trueleadership,isfoundingivingyourselfinservicetoothers,notincoaxingorinducingothers to serve you.” (Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders, pg. 13). AntiochseniorpastorsshoulddesiretoexpressChrist-likequalitiesinthewaytheylive,leadandservetheirchurch,andbecontinuallyseekingtobecomemorelikeHim.

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4. Church Planting Antioch has a calling to be a disciple-making, reproducing church-plantingmovement. This is something the Lord has affirmedmultiple times and in manyways. What this means for us is that each church should show an interest inmultiplication. This multiplication can happen at different levels and sizes.Regardless of size and the speed of reproduction, we want to see that healthypeopleandchurchesareavalue,andthatreproducingthesecommunitiesispartofachurch’svision.Ifreproductionslows,stops,orisremovedfromthevision,itdoesn’tautomaticallymeanachurchwillneedtocloseitsdoorsordisaffiliate.Itdoesmeanthatwemayallownewchurchestobestartedbyotherleadersinthesamecity,withavisiontokeepreachingthepeopleinthatcommunity.

•••We celebrate the diversities of sizes, shapes and callings of churches in ournetwork!Wecancelebratethisdiversityandcreativitybecauseofthefixedpointswesharearounddoctrine,philosophy,leadershipandchurchplanting.Thesefixedpointsexist tobringa senseof familyandunity.Takesometime to reviewthesethreedistinctivesandaskyourselfifyouandyourchurchwillbeabletoadheretothesefixedpointsbeforeyoucontinuereading.

Your Calling

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and

prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” – Acts 13:2-3 (NIV) AtAntioch,weareclearthatwe’recalledtobeachurch-plantingmovement.Weknowwewilltrain,developandsendchurch-plantingteamsaslongasweexist.Butasmuchasweloveplantingchurches,wedon’tbelievethateveryChristianiscalledtobeachurch-plantleader.Church-planting is a unique calling. It involves unique challenges, and uniqueresponsibilities.Uponconsideration,somepeoplemight findthattheydofeel ledtochurch-planting,butinadifferentrolethanasaseniorleader.Ortoministryinsome other context. Seeking guidance from the Lord through prayer, fasting andreflectionwillhelpyoudeterminehowhe’sleadingyou,andwhatheiscallingyouto.Thisisanexcitingtimetotestandfindadeepersenseofcallingforyourlife.

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Seeking Guidance Spend time praying and seeking God’s voice. Consider doing a ten to thirty-dayjournal. Pray, fast, or take a personal retreat during that time to set aside othercaresand focusonhearingGod.Youmightwant toaskone to twoother trustedfriendsormentorstopraywithyouduringthistime.Don’tbesurprisedifyoufindmorequestionsthananswersatfirst.Manyofthemmight pertain to things like your gifting or abilities, which we will address later.Don’tworryabout thosequestions rightnow.Fornow,allyouwant is to letGodspeak and to feel a sense of His guidance as you continue considering church-planting.You may also spend time reflecting on thewhy behind your interest in churchplanting.Whathasawakenedyourinterestorpassion?WhathasGodspokenaboutyourfuture?Howdoesitalignwithafutureinchurch-planting?Askquestionslike:

● Whatischurchplanting?HowpassionatedoIfeelaboutit?HowhasGodspokentomeaboutitinthepast?

● Howischurchplantingdifferentfromothertypesofministry?Whatsenseofmycallingisspecifictochurchplanting?

● WhatelsehaveIfeltcalledtoinmylife?Howdothesecallingsalign?● Whoelsewillbeaffectedbymydecisiontoplantachurch?● WhatscripturesorspecificwordsfromGodgivemeconfidencethatIam

called?● WhenamImostcertainthatIamcalled?WhenamImostuncertain,and

why?● DoIfeelconfidentenoughinmycallingtocontinueintheassessment

process?Seeking as a Family At Antioch, we hope that church-planting is a decision made not just by anindividual,butbytheirwholefamily.Yourspouseshouldfeelempoweredtobeacriticalpartof this journey.Pray togetherand invite theLord tospeak tobothofyou. Ifyouhavekidsoldenoughtoplayapart,discusswhento invitetheminaswell.There’snorightwaytodiscernyourcallingoranswerallthequestionsyoumaybeasking. Check out these stories of how other Antioch church planters came todeterminetheirownsenseofcalling.

•••Fred Nelson – Antioch Houston FredNelsonistheleadpastorofAntiochHouston,whichlaunchedin2013.“Nooneever accused me of being a church planter,” Fred said, jokingly. “It wasn’t

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something Iwas looking for. I fitmy roleatAntiochWacowell, andmostpeoplewouldhaveagreedwiththat.”Atthetime,FredwasleadingWaco’spastoralteam,families ministry, and preaching frequently. His 15 years of ministry experiencemadehimavaluableleaderatAntiochWaco.Then,in2009,FredreceivedanunexpectedwordfromtheLord.“MarkSpeeterandLexiaMeekwerewaitingoutsidemydoorduringachurch-widethree-dayfast,andfeltlikeGodhadledthemtoprayforme.”Duringthatprayertime,Godspokebothchurch-planting,andHouston.ButitwasanotherfullyearbeforeFredfeltanythingmoreontheidea.AndgiventhatFredwasfromHoustonandnotanxioustoreturn,hewasokaywiththat.Over time,more words came, and the Nelsons prayed and sought counsel fromclosefriendsandleadersfromaroundthemovement.Slowlyandconsistently,Godbrought a vision into their hearts, to lead a new church inHoustonwhichwouldbringsomethinguniquetothecity. Itwas2013, fouryearsafterthefirstwordtogo,when they finallyhosted their first service: “ThiswasGod’s idea,God’s story,Godinitiated.Itwasn’tmyown.That’sliberating.”

•••Zach Daniels – Antioch Dallas “Iwasgoingtogotolawschool,butGodspoketometoteachschoolintheinnercity in Waco instead. So, I did that while making disciples.” Zach Daniels is thecurrentseniorpastoratAntiochDallas.After teaching inWaco,ZachandhiswifeChristinamoved toMorocco. “I wasworking at Chili’s just to pay the bills, eventhough I had a master’s degree. I remember scraping out the inside of a trashdumpsterduringa105-degreesummer.ButIwasthepastorofthatChili’s.”ZachandChristinareturnedtoDallasin2009,workingseveraloddjobswithavisiontoserveatAntiochDallas.Throughhisexperience,Zachgainedakeypieceofhiscalling:“Icanbealawyer,businessperson,anything,andIcanmakedisciples.It’stotallytransferable.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatIdo.”Lateron,ZachwasaskedtotaketheroleasleadpastorwhenJordanOgdenandhiswifeChristywerecalledtoAnnArbor.Bythattime,Zachknewhiscommitmentwastomakingdiscipleswhereverhecould.LeadingAntiochDallasbecameZach’snextstepincontinuingtomakedisciples,howeverandwherever.

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Mark Speeter – Antioch Fullerton “Iwas livingadouble-life inhigh school. Iwasanhonor studentandathlete,butlivingawildoflifepartying.Iwasinacarwreckwheresomeonedied,andIwasatfault. Iwas totally lost,on theedgeofcommittingsuicide.Thatnight, IopenedaBibleandhadavisionofheavenandhell.God toldme that Iwas leadingpeopleinto darkness, but hewantedme to lead people into life,”Mark shared.With asmile,hesaid,“Allthattosay,IfeltearlyonthatIwantedtogivemylifetoGodandtohelpingpeoplefindhim.”By the endof his senior year,Markwas seeing salvations at his high school, andhavinglate-nightphonecallscounselingfriendsconsideringsuicide.OnceatBaylor,Mark foundAntiochandattendedhis firstWorldMandate.“Ihadneverheardofmissions,butbytheendoftheweekdecidedIwantedtomovetoNepal,”hesaid.As I setmyheart tomoveoverseas,Godspokeclearly tome that Iwascalled toAmerica,andfromAmericawouldsendchurchplantersaroundtheworld.Overthecourseofeightyears,GodmadeitclearthroughanumberofvisionsandwordsthatwewerecalledtoplantandsendfromOrangeCounty,California.Godusedeveryoneofthoseeightyearstoshapemethroughservice,community,andleadershipopportunities.”

•••WebelievethateachofuscanreceiveguidancefromtheLordbyhearinghisvoice.Callingisthestrongestkindofguidance–asensethatyoucan,must,should,andwanttodosomething!Itiscrucialtohaveaclearcallingtochurch-plant.Notonlywhen you are starting up, but especially later as you cling, despite difficulty, towordsGodhasspoken.

Experience Noonelikesspeedbumps.Speedbumpssplashyourmorningcoffeeontothesidesofthecupholder.Theyturnparkinglotsintoobstaclecourses.Don’tlie–youknowthemost speed-bump free route on yourway out of your local grocery store orWalmart.Lackingexperienceislikehittingaspeedbump.Ithitsyouatthemostinopportunetime. It slows you down, and maybe even spills your coffee. After a few speedbumps,youwonderifthere’sabetterroadtodriveon.Incontrast,whenyoudohaveenoughexperience,youtendtoseeandmaybeevenavoid speed bumps ahead. Youmightmove through them at a little faster pace.Whetheryouhaveexperienceornot,you’llstillhitthem.Butwiththerightkindof

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ministry and leadership experiences under your belt, you’re likely to take thebumpswithalittlemoreconfidenceandspeed.Ministry Experiences We’re largely supportive of learning on the job. Experience is the best teacher!Whenitcomestochurchplanting,there’ssomeexperiencewewantyouto learnonadifferentjobbeforethisone.Herearesomeexperienceswewanteverychurchplantertohavehadbeforestartingtheirownchurch:

1. CompletetheAntiochDiscipleshipSchool(ADS):Theschoolisachanceforus to build a relationship with you personally, as well as for you to beimmersedinthevaluesandbeliefsofourmovement.

2. Startreproducingdiscipleshiprelationships:Discipleshipistheverycoreofwhoweare.Everychurchplantershouldshowanabilitytomakedisciplesandleadthemthroughtheirownprocessofdisciple-making.

3. LeadandmultiplyaLifegroup:LeadingLifegroupswillbecrucialtochurch-planting.Aleadpastorshouldhaveshowntheabilitytogather,sharevision,growandmultiplyaLifegroup.Youwillberesponsibleforteachingotherstodothesameonceyoulaunchyourchurch.

4. Lead a ministry: Ministries have budgets, volunteers and developingleaders.Churchplantersshouldshowanabilitytomanagetheseasachurchstaffmember.

5. Lead multiple ages: Different age groups require different strategies andleadershipstyles.Werecommendthatleadpastorshaveexperienceleadingfamilies,whowillbecriticalforestablishingyourchurch,alongwithatleastoneotheragegroup.

Ministry Competencies Bycompletingtheaboveministryexperience,afuturechurch-plantershouldshowtheabilitytodothefollowing,uniquetotheroleofaleadpastor:

1. Discipleaculture:Aleaderneedstogofirst,modelandreproduceacultureofhearingandobeyingJesusintoothers.

2. Develop, communicate and implement a clear vision: Vision should besustainedbytheleaderandthoseintheministryoverasignificantperiodoftime.

3. Develop leaders: Leadership development includes an ability to identify,retain,developandreleasenewleadersconsistently.Those leadersshouldshow an ownership of the vision and ability to carry a portion of theresponsibilityforseeingitthrough.

4. Lead strategic teams: Knowing how to manage and lead a team takespractice. A leader should have some experience here and have shown anabilitytoleadateamtoaccomplishingstrategicgoalsorvision.

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5. Oversee a staff:Overseeing a staff involves basic management skills likerecruiting, creating clarity, training, empowering and developing staffmembers.

6. Providebottom-linepastoral care foryour church: Seniorpastorsare thebottom-lineforpastoral issues.Thismeansleadersneedtobepreparedtohandle individuals in crisis, spiritual warfare, internal conflicts and otherpastoralissues.

We’vefoundthattherearesomewhohavedevelopedmostbutnotallofthesesixministry skills. Leaders in that scenariowho still have a desire to lead but aren’tconfidentintheirabilitytoleadinsomeareashavebeenwellsuitedtoleadparishchurches,orsmallercommunitiesconnectedtoalargerlocalnetwork.Thisisawayfor leaderstocontinueontheirchurch-planting journey inamodelthatfitstheirexperiencesandskill.ForJadyGriffin,hisexperienceplantingMosaicCommunityChurch inSeattle,WAand working in several roles at AntiochWaco was great preparation for leadingAntiochAustin.Not only did he experience leadingmultiple age groups, but alsoamongchurchesofdifferentsizes:“Ithinkifyouwanttobeachurchplanter,you’rebenefittedbydoingaminimumoftwoyearswithasmallchurchandtwoyearswithabigchurch.Itmightslowyourprocessdownabit,butwhenyoudoplant,you’llbeabletoleadwayhealthierandstronger.”We’re not only looking for you to haveministry experience, but for the Antiochfamilytohaveexperiencewithyou.Wewanttimetogettoknowyouandhowwecanuniquelysupportyouinthefuture.Themutualtrustandrelationshipwebuildwillhelpyoufeelconnectedtothemovementforthelongterm.Weusuallysuggestaone,twoorfive-yearexperienceplanforchurchplantersaccordingly.

•••AndrewZnachko–AntiochIndianapolisAndrewZnachkoknewearlyincollegethathewantedtobeinvolvedwithchurch-planting.Whenheandhiswifemarriedsoonaftercollege,theyapproachedclosementors for input. “Oneof themost significant conversations inmy lifewaswithCarl Gulley. He sharedwithme about the life-stages of a leader, and that 18-30years-oldareyour’yessir’years.”HeencouragedtheZnachko’stosay“yessir”byserving an existing leader, either internationally or in the U.S., before becomingteamleadersthemselves.Andrew became the associate college pastor at Antioch College Station. Soon hewas also the executive pastor and training school director. “We did everything.College, young adults, training school, production, preaching, everything.”Eventually lead pastor Tyler Hardy, his wife Ashlee and several othermovement

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leaders began to encourage the Znachko’s that it was time for them to launch.Indianapolis, IndianaisAndrew’shometown,andAntiochIndianapolis launchedinthesummerof2016.“ifIthinkaboutplantingthisexactchurchthreeyearsprior,beforemyexperiencein College Station, it scares me,” Andrew said. He summed up what he learnedthroughhisexperienceinthesethreethings:

1. Ministrymaturity:“Ishiftedfromleveragingpeopleforthemachine,toleveragingthemachineforpeople.Thatwashuge.”

2. Perspective:“Havingbeena‘numbertwo’leaderwillforevershapethewayI’ma‘numberone’leader.Youneedtolearnwhatit’sliketobeunderyourself.NowIhaveamuchbettergridforwhatpeoplearethinkingorfeelingwhenIdothings.”

3. Practicalexperience:“Welearnedsomuch.Ibuiltbudgets,didaccounting,ledthediscipleshipschool,wentthroughabuildingrenovation,hiredstaff.ThereweresomanypracticalexperiencesIhadn’thadbuthavepreparedmeforleadingourchurchnow.”

•••

LikeAndrew’sstory,weareeagertohelpyoufindtheexperienceyouneed.Wheninterviewing lead pastors about what they would recommend to future church-planters, every single oneof themmentioned the importanceof gainingministryexperience before planting. This maymean serving in volunteer capacities whilecontinuingyourday job, takingshort internships,orbecomingstaffatanAntiochchurchforatime.Takesometimetoreviewyourministryexperienceandwhatyoustilllack.Discussthiswith your lead pastor.When you’re confident that you’re ready to continuemovingforwardasanAntiochchurchplanter,yourpastorwillneedtocontacttheU.S. Oversight team. Together, we will come up with a plan for developing theexperienceandgrowthyouneed.

•••

Billy Seih, The Door BillySeihledTheDoorchurchplantinPortland,Oregonin2005andnowservesonstaff at Antioch Houston. After two and a half years at The Door, Billy began torealize that serving as a lead pastor was different than he had imagined. “I wasconsideredas a leadpastorbasedoffhavingbeena fruitful section leader in thecollegeministryinWaco,”heremembers.“Butbeingaleadpastorissomuchmorelikerunningabusiness,andrequiredplanning,scheduling,communicatingregularlyandmanagingastaff.”

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Thoughheenjoyedmakingdisciplesandreachingthelost,theseotherdemandsofministryand leadershipmadehisrolechallenging.Afterthreeyears,hemadethedifficult decision to leave Portland and move on to something new, transferringchurch leadership into the hands of other team members. What does he thinkotherscanlearnfromhisexperience?ForBilly,itwasallaboutpreparation.“Wewereveryidealistic,andwejustweren’tprepared,” he says. “We don’t blame anyone.We all just thought we would besuccessful!That’swhywedidn’tdomorethanwedid.”Billyfeelsakeymistakewasshortening their time of team building and preparation from two years down toone.Thehurrytogetoutthedoormeanttheyarrivedwithlittleteamtraining,verylittlesupportraised,andalackofclarity.TransitioningoutofleadershiporhandingoffachurchlikeBillydidisemotionalanddifficult.Butdespitethedifficulty,BillyandhisteamneverstoppedfollowingJesus.BillyusedtheexperiencetolearnandgrowintowhoGoduniquelymadehimtobe.Today, Billy’s role at Antioch Houston allows him to pioneer newministries andmakedisciplesthroughleadingAntiochDiscipleshipSchools.

•••

Conclusion AccordingtoastudydonebytheLeadershipNetwork,only68%ofchurchplantsinourcountrystillexistfouryearsaftertheyplant.Churchplantingisdifficult!Inourtwenty years of U.S. church planting, Antioch has learned that firsthand. We’vefound that it takes more than good intentions to plant healthy churches. Thebiggest lesson we learned is that it takes preparation. A team, and their vision,needs time todevelop. This iswhatAntioch’sU.S. ChurchPlanting training is allabout.We’rehappytosaythat88%ofAntiochU.S.churchplantsarestillinexistenceandgrowingtoday.That’stwenty-percenthigherthanthenationalaverage.Wethinkakeycontributortothehealthofthesechurchesandsuccessofourchurchplantingefforts isthesupportprovidedbybeingapartofanetwork.Weprovideasmanyopportunitiesaswecantosharewisdom,strategy,insightandresourceswitheachother.Bysharingwhatwe’velearned,webecomestrongertogether.Theexperiencesofchurchplanterslikeyouoverthepasttwentyyearsisoneofourgreatestassets.That’swhywe’vechosentohighlightthestoriesofourchurchesinthis handbook. You’ll find first-hand accounts from current Antioch U.S. churchleaderineverychapter,illustratingtheconceptsthishandbookaddresses.

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Reviewthischapterinconversationswithyourleadpastor,takingtimetoreflectasdirected. Your senior pastor should reach out to theU.S.Oversight team to helpcreateandapproveadevelopmenttrackforyou.Mostfuturechurchplantersbegineitheraone,twoorfive-yeardevelopmentplant:

● One-yearplan:Thisisforthosewhohavealreadydevelopedtherelationship,character,experienceandskillsneeded.Trainingandpreparationarethefocusofthisyear.

● Two-yearplan:Thisisforthosewithsomeministryexperience,whoneeddevelopmentinoneortwokeyareas.

● Five-yearplan:Thisistypicallyforthosewhohaveshownaleadershipgifting,butneedmoreministryexperiencebeforeplanting.Inthisscenario,Antiochwillworkwithyoutofindanopportunitytogaintheexperienceyouneed.

Thisneeds tobedonebeforemoving forwardwith thenext stepsofyourchurchplanting journey. If you have any questions before continuing, contact the U.S.Network office. With a development plan in place, you can begin creating yourChurch Planting Prospectus and continue reading the next chapters of thishandbook.Reflection Questions:

1. Character:Write2-3placesofgrowthinlivingoutKingdomvalues.Whoiswalkingwithyouinaccountability?

2. Doctrine:ListoutanyplacesoffurtherstudyinBiblicaldoctrineandhowyoucangrowintheseareas.

3. Experience:Whatexperiencedoyoualreadyhave?Whatdoyoustillneed?BuildingYourProspectus:

1. Introduceyourselfbytellingyourstoryandaddressingtheseelements,likeyourpastministryexperienceandyourcallingtochurchplant.

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PART TWO:

FOUNDATIONS “Markwasverymethodical indisciplingme in three things:Focuson theThrone,Great Commission Lifestyle, and Lifestyle of Holiness. He got it from RobertColeman’sMasterPlanofEvangelism.WhenIstartedleadingasthecollegepastoratAntiochWaco,Irealizednoonecouldrememberthat.SoIstartedcallingit,‘Lookup,lookin,lookout.’”RobertHerber is the senior pastor ofAll PeoplesChurch in SanDiego, California,andthis ishowhestartstheirstory.Theirchurchatmosphereisvibrant, inspiring,and contagious. Aswe all hopeour churcheswill be. So today, I’ve asked for his“secretsauce.”Althoughhe’snotsurethat’sreallyathing,hedoesagreetosharetheirstory.So,backtothebeginning,whenRobertwasjuststartingoutasthecollegepastoratAntiochinWaco,TX.“Wefocusedongrowingpeople inthesethreeways– lookup, look in, lookout-and what we started to see was remarkable. We started to see such strongcommunityinthecollegesections.Ithinkpeoplewanttoconnecttoagroupof50-80people.Sociologically,thatisapowerfulgroup.Thedeepestrelationshipswerebetweentheleadersofthelifegroupsinthosesections.Iknewthiswasimportant.”Onenight,Robert foundhimself readinga coffee tablebookabout thehistoryofCampusCrusadewhilestayingatafriend’shouse.Afterwards,hesteppedoutsidetothinkandpray.“AsIwasthere,thespiritofGodspoketomesoclearly:‘Iwant

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to do in this generation through the church what I did in the last generation inCampusCrusade.Reachthecampustoreachtheworld.’”“I began to seewhat this couldmean.What if, instead of sending people to thenations from one church in Waco, we had one near every major university inAmerica?We could have dozens of launching pads.We could mobilize so manymore people. I saw in Waco that there would always be families who wereattractedtothepassionofcollegestudents.Soifwegonearauniversityandfocuson college students, it will eventually attract others and become a wholecommunity church… with the goal from the very beginning to be a nationslaunchingpad.”This, for Robert, was the very beginning of the vision for All Peoples Church.Although,thechurchwasfarfromlaunching.First,RobertbecametheDirectorofU.S.ChurchPlantingforAntioch.HeledtheAntiochMovementinanewefforttostartthesekindsofU.S.churches.HehelpedprepareandlaunchtheteamswhichwenttoWheaton, IL,Seattle,WA,andPortland,OR. Itwasn’tuntilafter this thattheLordspokeSanDiegoashiscontext,andtwoyears later that thechurchwasfinallyplanted.

•••Introduction Like Robert’s story, the churches we hope to plant will be shaped by lots ofdifferent influences:Ourpast experiences inministry, other churcheswe admire,prophetic words and creative new ideas. Our vision takes time to develop. ForRobert,yearsofexperiencehelpedthecultureatAllPeoplesChurchtoday.Yourvisionisprobablysimilar.You’vebeenshapedbylotsofpastexperiencesandnew ideas. You know intuitively what inspires you and the church you imagine.Now,other peopleneed tounderstand that aswell. Your team, staff, supportersandothermovement leadersneedhelpunderstandingwhatreallymatterstoyouandwhy.Clarifying these things is the goal of the Foundations section, which is the firstsectionoftheChurchPlantingProspectus.Itputstopaperallthethingswhicharefoundational to your church.Most of these are timeless and visionary in nature.These aspects should all be addressed in the Foundations section of yourprospectus:

1. CoreLeadership:Anintroductiontoyouandyoursenseofcallingtochurchplanting

2. Culture:Thedefiningattitudesofyourcorecommunity3. CoreValues:Theideasyourchurchlivesby(AntiochCoreValues)

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4. Context:Thelocationandtargetgroupwhereyourministrywilltakeplace5. Ministry Philosophy: The focus of ministry and the outcomes it should

achieve6. Vision:Avividdescriptionofthechurchyou’rehopingtosee7. Doctrine:Thetruthsthatyourchurchhaschosentoassumearetrue,based

onyourunderstandingofscripture(AntiochDoctrine)Doctrine and values have already been addressed in the previous section of thehandbook.Inthissection,we’lldescribewhatwemeanbyculture,context,ministryphilosophy and vision. In fact, you can see each of these elements expressed inRobert’sstory:

● Values:Lookup,lookin,lookout● Context:SanDiego,withafocusoncollegestudents● Ministry Philosophy: Sections of 50-80 people, discipleship oriented and

withanemphasisonreachingtheunreached● Vision:Trainingandsendinghubtothenations

ThefoundationsforAllPeoplesChurchwereclearinhismindashewasbeginning,and still clear today as he shares their story. Though your church,ministries andstrategies will change continuously, most of what falls into the Foundationscategory should be timeless. These things are unchanging and inform all themodels,ministriesandstrategieswhichwillcomenextinsectionthree.

Culture As theAntioch family,weoftenassume thatour culture is all the same. In someways, it is. Our commitment to Kingdom culture and to doing the things of thekingdomiswhatmakesuswhoweare.WedowhatJesusandscriptureshowustodo, a culture of radical obedience.We live according to the same core values asshared earlier. We all share the same ministry philosophy based around threevalues:EncounteringGod,discipleshipandmissions.Eventhoughourchurchessharemuchofthesameculturebecauseofthesethings,wealsohavedifferences.God’sspecificwordsforyourchurch,thecontextyou’rein and the unique gifts and passions represented in your leadership make eachchurchunique.Allofthis,together,buildstheframeworkforyourchurch’sdistinctculture.It’swhatmakesyouyou.Weencourageeachchurchtogetspecificaboutwhatthatcultureis.We're listing culture first here for a reason. Vision, context, philosophy andstrategies are all important. But culture informs them all. Business managementleaderPeterDruckersaysitthisway:“cultureeatsstrategyforbreakfast.”Whoweare on the inside is what reinforces and holds together all the ministries and

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strategies we do on the outside. Intentionally creating the culture you wantrequires self-awareness, reflection, observation and intentionality. Reproducingthat culture into your team requires another level of clarity, communication andmodeling. Thiswill require your constant attention even after you’ve planted, tomaintain the culture you intended to set. Creating that culture with clarity andintentionalitynowisyourbestchancetoseeitflourishinthefuture.

•••JadyandLizGriffin,AntiochAustinJadyandLizGriffinare seniorpastorsatAntiochAustin inAustin,TX,but startedtheir church-planting careers13yearsagowhen theyplantedMosaicCommunityChurch in Seattle, WA. With 13 years of experience behind them, the Griffinslaunched Antioch Austin with a relentless commitment to culture building:“BecauseofthejourneyGodputuson,weweremotivatedtogetclearonculture.That’sanotherreasonwhyit’simportanttoworkonachurchplantingteam,andatalargerchurchbeforeplantingyourself.Ithelpsyoufigureoutwhat’sgoingtobeyourflavor…Iwouldchallengeleaderstowrestlewithdifferentexpressionswithintheevangelicalcommunityandquantifythethingsthatresonateinthem,andthethingsthatdon’t.And,thethingsthataregoingtoresonatewiththepeopletheyaretryingtoreach.“Forinstance,welovetheHillsongguys.Weabsolutelylovethem.But,wearenotallofwhotheyare.SamethingwithPassion,andBethel.Thisiswhoweare:Wearevibrantandcelebratory.Wearefunanddeep,”Jadysays.Vibrant,celebratory,funanddeepareallwords theGriffinsuse todescribe thecultureofAntiochAustin.Thiskindofclaritydidn’thappenbyaccidentanditdidn’thappenfast.JadyandLizplantedMosaicCommunityChurchinSeattle,servedatAllPeople’sChurchinSanDiego,and servedon staff inavarietyof rolesatAntiochWacoover thepast13years. All these experiences plus their careful seeking and observing has helpedthemnarrowtheirlanguageandvisionaroundwhatAntiochAustinisandwillbe.Partof JadyandLiz’sculture inSeattlewasanemphasisonthewaytheirSundayserviceswouldfeel.“InSeattle,wefeltlikeourservicesweregoingtobedynamic,explosive andmind-blowing. So evenwith a fifty-person church, we said we aregoingtohavethemostdynamicserviceswecouldhave.”“Our second service no one showed up,” Liz shared. “Butwe still put on a greatservice.Jadypreached,andwedidthetithe.Westillputonaservicebecausethatwas who we were going to be. We knew who we were.” Jady and Liz wereconvinced and clear about the kind of culture they were trying to create. Bothinternallyintheirstaff,andexternallythroughtheirservices.“Oftenwhenourvisionisbig,weforgethowimportantitistobeintentionalwiththeonesand two’s. It’salmost likewewant towait for thecrowds tocome.We

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don’talwaysvaluetheseasonwe’rein…we’resobusylookingtothenextseason.Asayoungerchurchplanter,Ispokesooftenaboutwhoweweregoingtobecomethat Ineglectedwhowewere,” Jadysays. This time, Jady focusesoncelebratingwhotheyareasachurch.Celebratingthehereandnow,theindividualswhomakethechurchgreat,andfocusingonbuildingculture.

•••Thinkaboutwhatyouwantyourchurchtobe.Findingawaytocommunicateyourculturewillbringyourteamintoalignmentanddefinethewayyoudoministryasachurch. Your prospectus should include at least a few elements of culture youintendtoseerepresented.

Vision Brian Houston is the founder and Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church in Sydney,Australia.In1993,intheearlydaysoftheirchurch,heputtopaperadescriptionofthe church he imagined. He titled it, “The Church I See.” The church, nearly 30yearslaterandnowinternationallyknown,stillusesthisguidingvisiontoday:

TheChurchthatIseeisaChurchofinfluence.AChurchsolargeinsizethatthe city and nation cannot ignore it. A Church growing so quickly thatbuildingsstruggletocontaintheincrease.I see a Church whose heartfelt praise and worship touches Heaven andchangesearth;worshipwhich influences thepraisesofpeople throughouttheearth,exaltingChristwithpowerfulsongsoffaithandhope.I see a Church whose altars are constantly filled with repentant sinnersrespondingtoChrist’scalltosalvation.Yes,theChurchthatIseeissodependentontheHolySpiritthatnothingwillstopitnorstandagainstit;aChurchwhosepeopleareunified,prayingandfullofGod’sSpirit.TheChurchthatIseehasamessagesoclearthatlivesarechangedforeverandpotentialisfulfilledthroughthepowerofHisWord;amessagebeamedtothepeoplesoftheearththroughtheirtelevisionscreens.I see a Church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossiblesituationsintoalovingandfriendlycircleofhope,whereanswersarefoundandacceptanceisgiven.

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I see a people soKingdom-minded that theywill countwhatever the costandpaywhateverthepricetoseerevivalsweepthisland.The Church that I see is a Church so committed to raising, training andempoweringaleadershipgenerationtoreaptheend-timeharvestthatallitsministriesareconsumedwiththisgoal.IseeaChurchwhoseheadisJesus,whosehelpistheHolySpiritandwhosefocusistheGreatCommission.YES, THE CHURCH THAT I SEE COULDWELL BEOUR CHURCH – HILLSONGCHURCH.–BrianHouston,1993(https://hillsong.com/vision/)

BrianHouston’s“TheChurchISee”isagreatexampleofvisionaryleadership.Briantook the time to carefully craft a vision which has stood the test of time. Hecommunicated it in a compelling way. “The Church I See” is a vivid, descriptive,memorable vision statement. Hillsong’s staff and members are still able to lookbackatthestatementtoseewheretheycamefromandwheretheyareheaded.

•••“BeforewewouldevengotoAustin,Isatdownandasked,‘whatdoIwantpeopleto say about the church Iwant to plant?’We kept hacking at it and figuring outlanguageandwhatweweregoingfor.Wherepeoplegetitwrongisthattheyfeelwheretheywant tobe,but theycan’tarticulate it.Sowhentheydoarticulate it,theysay itdifferentlyeverytime.Whatthatmeans is,nobodyhears it.Andtherebecomesadisconnectand frustrationbetweentheteamandthepeoplegoing toyourchurch.”–JadyGriffin,AntiochAustin

•••Vision is the vivid description of the church you imagine. If you’ve worked ondefiningyourculture,you’rewellonyourwaytodefiningyourvision.AmemorablevisionstatementlikeHillsong’smightincludereferencetokeywordswhichdefineyour culture. It may also reference your beliefs, centering around Jesus, or yourvalues,oryourcontext.Startingtoseeatrend?Allofthesefoundationalelements–culture,vision,context,philosophy,coreleadership,valuesanddoctrine–arelikean ecosystem thatworks together to build your church. Find away to condenseyour vision into something memorable, that you and your team can share withothers.Wesuggestpreparinga30second,3-minuteand30-minuteversion.“TheChurch I See” was Brian’s 3-minute version. Antioch Norman has a 30-secondversion:

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“ToequipachurchofovercomerstobechangeagentsinsocietybymakingdisciplesandplantingchurchesworldwideforthegloryofGod.”Othersturntheir30-minuteversionintoasermonormessage.Howwillyoudothesame?BeginputtingyourvisiononpaperandincludeitintheFoundationssectionofyourprospectus.

Context Contextiswherevisionbecomesareality.Visionisjustanideauntilithasacontextin which it could happen. Context is where the rubber meets the road. For us,context isacombinationof locationand targetgroup. Locationrefers toacityorneighborhood, and a target group is the primary group of people you’ll beginreachingoutto.Contextisthepeopleandtheplaceyourchurchwillaffect.Whenwesaywebelieve inthe localchurch,wemean it. It’s rightthere, locally, inyourneighborhoodandyourcitywherepeople’sliveswillbetouchedandchanged.Location Ifyouhaven’tchosena location,startbyconsideringaplaceyou’vealready lived.Thisisaprimaryacceleratorofchurchgrowth.TakeAntiochNormanasanexample,where Chris and Julie Bennett launched a church with a few hundred-peopleinvolvedfromthebeginning.Ifnotacitywhereyou’velived,consideracitywhereAntiochhasconnections.Findoutiftherearecitiesyou’reinterestedinwhereAntiochfamilieshavemoved,oracitywherelotsofAntiochstudentshavemovedtoforjobs.Thesepeoplecanserveasthecoremembersofyourchurchandhelpyoucreatethekindofcultureyou’relookingfor.

•••“For Antioch churches in the past, this has oftenmeant planting near prominentuniversities.Missionsmobilizationwas our vision, and college studentswere ourtargetgroup foraccomplishing thatvision.However, college studentsarehard tobuildon.Werealizedthatwealsoneededtobeincitieswithvibrantyoungadultand family atmospheres, so leaders started by identifying cities with sizeableuniversities but growing adult and young adult populations as well.” – RobertHerber,AllPeople’sChurch

•••If you’ve chosen a city where neither you nor Antioch is connected, startnetworking and exploring. Expect that youwill take longer to gather people and

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your launch strategy will need to reflect this. Take multiple exploratory trips. Ifpossible,trystayingthereforanextendedtimetogetasenseforthelocalculture:Wherepeoplehangout,howtheyspend freetimeandwhat forces influencethecommunity. Don’t assume this city is just like the otherswhere you’ve lived.Wehave found that culture varies drastically around the states and the strongestchurchesarethosewhohavediscoveredthosedifferencesandadapted.Inanysituation,meetafewlocalpastorstobuildtrustingrelationships.Becomealearner. Learn what God is already doing, learn the culture, and discover thespiritualhistory: “ThisissomethingIteachchurchplanters:Youstepintotheredemptivehistoryonyour city. SanDiego is named after a church planter. SanDiego deAcalawas anorphan raised by Franciscans, who moved to the Canary Islands to reach theunreached.Hemovedpowerfullyinhealing.Eventually,hewentbacktoSanDiegotoreachcollegestudents.Afterawhile,allofthelocalmissionsstartedgoingoutofSan Diego…Well, those are like four of mymajor callings.” – Robert Herber, AllPeoplesChurch

Target Group A targetgroup is theprimarygroupyouare seeking to reach. Pickingonegroupoften feels difficult and sometimes just plainwrong. If our vision is to reach thewhole world, how can we pick one group? Even in the Bible, we see Christianschoosingspecificpeopletogotofirst.AthisconversioninActs10,theLordspeaksthatPaulistobesenttotheGentiles,aswellastothepeopleofIsrael.Atdifferenttimes,otherapostleswerealsosenttospecificpeoplegroups.In someways, this is similar todiscerning a target group you’ll start by reaching.Societyisvastanddiverse–inBiblicaltimes,acompletelydifferentstrategywouldhave been required to reach Jews or Gentiles. Today, different strategieswill beneededtoreachtherichorpoor,theyoungortheold.Themorespecificyoucanget, the simpler it will be to begin your ministry. Your service time, location,language,preaching styleandmusic volumewill all be catered toa target group.The size, location, andmakeup of your Lifegroups will be catered toward them.Somepeoplewillcomeregardless,butmostpeople–especiallytheunchurched–will be significantly affectedby how you answer these questions.Once youbuildmomentumwith your target group, you canmoveon to focus on a broader andmorediverserangeofpeople.Herearethreethingstoconsiderwhenpickingatargetgroup:

1. Whoarewe?Peopleareattractedtopeoplelikethem.Typically,aseniorpastor will attract a church ten years older and ten years younger thanhimself.Thismeansa32-year-oldpastorwillhaveachurchofprimarily22-

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42yearolds.Ifyouareconsideringalaunchteamof25-year-olds,thisisalsolikely who you will attract. If your staff is all married with children,attractingcollegestudentsorsingleyoungadultswillbeachallenge.

2. Whodowewanttoreach?Stoptoconsideryourendvision.AntiochWacobegan by reaching the young, poor and young-at-heart. Young people arepassionate,lookingforapurposeandreadytobemobilized.Jimmy’suniquevisiontowardreachingtheunreachedmadecollegestudents,thepoorandtheyoung-at-heartthosehischurchattracted.Howdoesyourvisionaffectyourtargetgroup?

3. Whodowealready reach? Don’t forget to considerwhatGod is alreadydoing!LooktoseehowGodiscurrentlyusingyouandthelaunchteamyoumightbring.

Thepointofa targetgroup isnot toexcludeanyone.Wevaluediversityateveryangle – age, race, income and ethnicity – andwant our churches to reflect that.Target groups help us know where to start. Once churches create a corecommunity, gain financial sustainability, and have volunteers and resources toservethecommunity,theybegintodiversifynaturally.

Ministry Philosophy Assharedinsectionone,ourMinistryPhilosophyisabigpartofAntioch’scalling.Thisphilosophy ispartofwhatmakesuswhoweare,andholdsus togetherasamovement.Everychurchusesthisphilosophyasaguideforministryactivities.It’smadeofthreecoreministryvalues: EncounterwithGod,Life-on-LifeDiscipleship,andMission through the Local Church. Everythingwedo as churches is aimed atgrowingdeeperorwiderinthesevalues.

Encountering God references our value for helping individuals come face to facewithJesus.WhetherthisbethroughSundayservices,personalevangelism,prayerministry or personal devotional times, we believe that this is what people truly

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need.TheyneedtoencounterJesus,theFatherandtheHolySpirit.Notjustonce,butoverandoveragain.Wearecommittedtobringingpeopleintothosekindsofencountershoweverwecan.WelookforwaystogetourselvesoutofthewayandgetpeopleintoHispresence.Discipleshipmeanslife-on-liferelationships,whereindividualshelpeachothergrowcloser to God. This can happen one-on-one, like in a marriage, mentorship orfriendship,or in communityorientedgroups like Lifegroupsorgroupsof twoandthree.Webelievethatlastingtransformationhappenswhenwedoitinintentional,encouraging, challenging and accountable community environments.We look forwaystomakethishappen.Missionsreferencesourcommitmenttoreachouttotheworldaroundus.Notonlythat, but we are unique in that we domissions through our local churches, notthrough impersonal or professional organizations. Our community-centeredapproach means that families and friends who live together locally do missiontogether.Missioncanbelocal,likedoinglocaloutreachorservingthecommunity.Missioncanalsobeglobal,andanythinginbetween,whichadvancesHisKingdom.Certainministrieswithinyourchurchwillspecializeingrowingdeeperandwiderinone value. For instance, your worship ministry focuses on helping the churchEncounterGod.MissionspastorsfocusonMissionsthroughtheLocalchurch.We see some ministries as the bridge between two values. Guest assimilationbrings guests from a Sunday morning Encounter into Lifegroup and life-on-lifediscipleship. Community outreach is a Missions effort to bring locals into anEncounterwithGod.Together,yourchurchshouldfocusondoingandgrowingallthreevaluesequally.Ourphilosophyhelpsus knowwhat todo, and sometimeswhatnot todo. Someministryideasaregood,buttheyaren’tbestforourchurchbecausetheydon’thelpusgrowinanyofthevalues.Usingthisministryphilosophyhelpsusfocusondoingwhatwe’recalledtodo.Youcanusetheministryphilosophyinlotsofways.Hereareafewwesuggest:

1. Goalsettingforanewyearorministry(Whatisourfocus?Andwhatgrowthdowewanttosee?)

2. Evaluatingeffectivenessat theendof a semesteror year (Didwegrow ineachoftheseareas?)

3. Determiningthevalueofnewministries(Howwouldthisfitinourministryphilosophy?)

Thisministryphilosophycanalsobeatoolforevaluatingyourchurch’simpact.At

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theendofayear,youmayask:Arewegrowingineachoftheseareas?Aremorepeoplegetting savedandadded to thechurch? Are they learning to live indeeprelationshipwith Jesus?Arepeoplewalking indiscipleship relationships? Areourchurchmembers livingmissionally? Are we increasing the number of people wemobilizetoplantnewchurches,bothintheStatesandoverseas?Havingaministryphilosophyhelpsyoumeasurehowdeepandwideyou’vegoneinthevalues.Itcanhelpyousetfuturegoalsandcreatenewideasforhowtoreachthem.Aprospectus shouldclearlydescribe thephilosophyandwhat itmeans foryourchurch.Reflection Questions:

1. Church Culture: What attitudes do you want to define your corecommunity?.

2. Vision:Practicecommunicatingyourvisionin30-seconds,3-minutesand30-minutes.

3. Context:Who are you trying to reach andwhy?Who do you reachmostnaturallynow?

4. Philosophy: Are you able to explain how the three core values worktogether,andhowdifferentministriesfunctiontogrowyourchurchdeeperandwiderineachvalue?

BuildingYourProspectus:

1. Describethecultureyouwantyourchurchtoreflect.2. ListtheAntiochcoredoctrine.Expresshowpreparedyoufeeltoleadyour

churchtheologicallyandanytrainingyouwilldobeforeandduringchurchplanting.

3. ListtheAntiochcorevalues.Arethereadditionalvaluesyouwouldliketoexpressinyourchurch?Explainwhy.

4. Developauniquevisionstatementandshareit.Includemajorpropheticwords,callingsanddirectionforyourchurch.

5. Answerquestionspeoplemightbewondering.Whatisthecityyouchose,andwhy?Ifthisisalargercity,whatspecificareawillyoubein,andwhy?Whoisyourinitialtargetpopulation?Explainwhyandhowyouwillreachthem.Wheredoyouandyourcoreteamexpecttoliveinrelationtothelocationandtargetpopulation?

6. IncludethegraphicofAntioch’sministryphilosophywithanexplanationofwhatthismeansforyourchurch.

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PART THREE:

MINISTRY MODELS Imaginemeeting someonepassionateabout restoring vintage cars. Youwalk intohisgaragetogetherandseehiscurrentproject.Hetellsyouallabouthis love forcars, andwhat this car is going to look likewhen he’s finishedwith it. Restoredengine,interior,freshpaint.Soundsgreat!Naturally,youaskhowhe’sgoingtodoit.Whatdoeshedofirst?Howlongwill ittake?What are all these tools? Surprisingly, he doesn’t givemuch of an answer.“Oh,youknow…”Hisresponsetrailsoff.Wouldn’t you expect this person to enjoy what he does? I would expect him toopenthehood,describe indetailwhat it takesforacartorunsmoothly.Proudlyshow you his tools, explain how they work. I’d hope he enjoys the process ofrestorationasmuchasthefruitit’sgoingtobearsomeday.Unfortunately,sometimeschurch-planterscanbea littlebit likethis.Ourvision isalmost always inspiring!Most churchplanters can share a great story abouthowtheyfeltcalledtogointoministry,andacompellingvisionofwhattheywanttheirchurchtobecome.Sometimes,churchplantersstruggletosaywithconfidencehowtheyplantogetthere.Thisstruggleisunderstandable.“How”isallthestuffthathappensbetweentodayandwhen your vision becomes a reality. How is the process of church-planting.Howiswhatyou’lldoeveryday,50hoursaweek,aslongasyouplantopastorthischurch! Feeling confident about the foundations of your vision, which you readaboutinthelastsection,canbedauntingenough.Nowcomingupwiththehowisdrillinganotherleveldeep,andmightfeelabitoverwhelming.

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If you feel that way, take a minute to ask yourself why. Sometimes the lack ofunderstanding for “how” comes from a lack of confidence. Our dreams areaudacious,andwedon’talwaysknowhowtobringthemintoreality.Weneedtofind a way to gain confidence. This can come from studying other stories andstrategies, seeking advice, and coming up with a legitimate plan that we (andothers)believemightactuallywork.Other times, the lack of understanding for “how” comes from uninformedoptimism.We assumewe already have the tools and know-how to do it.Or,weimagine the process being simpler or different than it truly turns out to be, andspellingitoutseemsunnecessary.Takingtimetoworkonyour“how”isthenextstepinyourprocess.Thefirstlevelofyour“how”isfiguringoutyourministrymodel,whichweaddressinthissection.Thenextstep isworkingona launchstrategy,addressed inthefollowingsection.Working out a process means you can land in your new city and feel confidentaboutyournextsteps.Youcanorderyourdays,creategoalsandpriorities,andsetyourselfuptomakepositiveforwardsteps.Youwanttoenjoythedailyactofchurchplanting.Mostofusgainsatisfactioninourworkwhenwearedoingthingswhichwehaveconfidencewillworktogethertoward our vision. Developing a clearministrymodelwill help you connect yourdailyactivitieswithyourvision.Antioch'sMinistryPhilosophyyoureadaboutinthelastsectionisthebeginningofourmodel.Thephilosophyrevolvesaroundthreecoreministryvalues:Encounterswith God, Discipleship and Missions. We don’t believe that copying and pastingministrymodelsfromonechurchtoanotherwilllikelybemosteffective.That’swhywe leavemodels, strategyandministrymanagementuptoyou.Whatwedogiveyou is thisphilosophyas a startingpoint.Beginwith these three inmind.As youbuildministries, frequently reflect on their outcomes.Are they contributing to atleastoneifnotallofthethreecorevalues?

•••“Whenwehittheground,therewasalotof‘whatarewesupposedtodo?’Itfeltlikewewereplayingsomebodyelse’splaybook.Itfeltaimlessforsomanyofthosecritical firstmonths,” JadyGriffin shared about the launchof their first church inSeattle13yearsago.TheGriffinsrealizedthattheyweremoreclearontheirvisionthantheywereontheir“how”church-plantingstrategy.Theystartedgettingclearon their senseof cultureandcalling.Theybegandoingministries and outreaches that they felt would help them achieve the specificpurposestheyfeltcalledtoaccomplish.BytheendoftheirtimeinSeattle,JadyandLizhaddevelopedaministrymodeltheyfeltwaspowerfulandpractical.

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TheGriffinshavedevelopedclearministrystrategies.Evenmoreimportant,they’vecome toenjoy the “how”of churchplantingasmuchas theoutcome.Theyhavepassionateconvictionandsmartideas.Yougetthesensethattheylovewhattheydo!Notjustwhattheywilldo,butwhattheydonow.Today,everyday,theworkofestablishinganewchurch.

•••This sense of direction and clarity is what we hope for all Antioch leaders. Thischapter is designed to help you understand your ministry model, which in turnbuildsyourconfidenceandhelpsyoutrulyenjoythe“how”ofchurchplanting.UsethissectiontocreatethefirstpartoftheMinistryStrategysectionofyourChurchPlantingProspectus.

5 Circles of a Healthy Church There are five main circles of church life where church happens. Flip to yourappendicestoseetheFiveCirclesofaHealthyChurchgraphic.Jimmycreatedandusesthesefivecirclesasasimplewaytogetintothenutsandboltsofchurchlife.Iseachcirclehappening?What’shappeninginthosecircles?Whataretheoutcomes?These circles are an easy way to imagine your church and then to work yourministryphilosophyintoeachoneofthem.Below are descriptions for each circle. As a new church plant, ask yourself thefollowingquestion:

1. Willwelaunchallfivecirclessimultaneously?Ordosomecomefirst?2. Who is bottom-line responsible for each circlenow?Whichwill I delegate

someday,andwhichwillIneverdelegate?3. HowdoIwanteachcircletoreflectourculture,valuesandvision?4. HowwillImeasure“success”ineverycircle?

Onceyou’reanexistingchurch,youcancontinue touse these fivecircles tohelpevaluateyourministries:

1. Howarewedoingineachcircle2. Ifwecouldtakegroundineacharea,howwouldwedoit?3. What 1-3 areas should I focus on in this season?Will other leaders give

focustospecificareasaswell?Me and Jesus Thisisthefoundation.Yourchurchisbuiltonyourconvictionabouteachperson’sneed for relationshipwith God. You can never hold the reigns to other people’s

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relationshipswithGod.Butwhatwillyoudotoencourageandequipyourchurchintheir“meandJesus”circles?2-3 Gathered This stands for intimate, discipleship relationships. These could be relationshipsbetween spouses or family. This also can be close friendships and relationshipsformed around growing in God. Mike Breen, leader of 3D Movements says thisabout discipleship: “If youmake disciples, you always get the church. But if youmakeachurch,yourarelygetdisciples...weneedtounderstandthechurchastheeffect ofdiscipleshipandnot thecause” ((BuildingaDiscipleshipCulture,pg.11).Discipleship is our “X-factor” at Antioch. It’s the thing that makes all the otherthingswork.Gooddiscipleshipiswhatwillcauseyourchurchtobecomethechurchyouenvision.House to House This iswhatwecallLifegroups.LifegroupsreflectActs2:42-47,adescriptionofanintimate community which loves God, each other and those around them.LifegroupsareAntioch’sstrongestcatalystforlong-termtransformationinpeople’slives.Church Gathered Peopleinherentlyhaveadesiretobeapartofacommunity,whichtypicallymeansagroupofabout20-70people.Thisiswhereidentityisfound,whichiswhysportsteams, sororities and fraternities can create such a strong sense of identity forindividuals. In larger churches, a section of the church (the collegeministry, or asectionofthecollegeministry)canservethispurpose.Alifegroupisafamily,butasection is an extended family. These groups are all just the right size for anindividualtofindidentityamongthem.Dependingonthesizeofyourchurch,this20-70cancomeinvariousways.Whetheritbethevolunteercommunityforasmallchurchora sectionof the familiesministry fora largerchurch,wherewillpeoplefindasenseofidentity?“Churchgathered”also refers toa regulargathering foreveryone inyour church,likeyourSundayservices.ThisisaplacetocelebratewhatGodisdoingamongyou.It should be a place of passionate, celebratory worship. Communication shouldengagebothnon-believersandbelievers,asthis isthemost likelyplaceforanewperson to come “check out” your church community. For now, what uniquepurposedoyouseethiscircleplayinginyourchurch?Impact the World Asamovement,wearecalledtocarenotjustforourselvesandourcommunities,but the world around us, and particularly for the poor and unreached. Howwillchurchcommunicatethissenseofmission,particularlyearlyon?

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Common Ministry Models These five circles canbeapplied in a lotofdifferentways.WithinAntioch,we’restarting a new initiative to help new churches identify as one of three churchesmodels:Epicenterchurches,parishchurchesandreproducinghousechurches.Thismeans your church will chose to most closely affiliate with one of these threemodels. There is still diversity within each model. Breaking it down into threecategories helps us better train and support churches according to their specificintent.Epicenter Churches Antiochwillcontinuetobuildaroundplantingautonomous,reproducingchurches.Weseethisas thegoal for long-termsustainability.ThesechurchesareEpicenterChurches, like the New Testament churches in Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, andlaterinRome.Theyarecalledtobecentersoftrainingandsending,andarecalledtodevelopstrategiestoreachtheirentireareawiththeGospel.Epicenter Churches have been the standard approach of US Church Planting forAntioch; however, we also see an emerging strategy of planting multiple,interconnected churches across a city to maximize the gospel impact. This isespecially important as the world continues to shift to large urban centers. Nomatterhowlargeonechurchinonelocationgrows,itisimpossibletotrulyreachacity through one location only. This new approach utilizes multiple, distinctstrategies to achieve the big vision: planting multiple churches that share acommon identity, values, strategy, and oversight – all within one urban area. InadditiontoEpicenterChurches,thisstrategyincludestwonewcomponents:ParishChurchesandReproducingHouseChurches.Parish Churches ParishChurchisahistorictermtodefineindividualchurchesthatareconnectedtoagreaterwhole.ThisapproachisliketheNewTestamentchurchesofColossaeandtheotherssurroundingEphesusinRevelation2-3.Inourstructure,thesechurchesarenotfullyautonomous,butstillcarrymanyoftheessentialelementsofchurchlife.Forfunctionslikemissions,training,strategy,governance,andadministration,they will be connected to the Epicenter Church in the metro area. For otherfunctions likepastoralcareanddiscipleship, theywillbeempoweredtoservethecommunityastheybestseefit.Thereisplentyofroomforchurchestodiscernhowtostructurethis.Forexample,in someenvironments, theseparish churcheswill be servedby apreaching teamand centralized ministry structure, while in other situations, these churches will

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functionmoreindependently,butstillcollaboratingwithanepicenterchurchinthecity.Reproducing House Churches Reproducing House Churches seek to rapidly multiply small house churches thatfocusondiscipleship and spiritual growth inone-on-oneor small group contexts.This is the primarymethod used by Antioch internationally, andwe see it as anevangelisticopportunitytoreachlargeportionsofacitythatmaynotbereceptivetoattendingatraditionalchurch.Antiochhaslittleexperiencedoingthisstateside,butwerecognizethatthismaybeahelpfulmodelforsomegoingforward.Thoughwecanprovidelesscoachingbasedonourlackofexperience,wearesupportiveofthosewhowanttocontinuepioneeringthismodelintheU.S.ThisapproachdoesnotrelyupontheSundayserviceforgrowthorasthefrontdoorofevangelism. Instead, it spreadsaseachpersonshareswithotherpeoplewithintheir relational network, using specific discipleship tools to fit the context. Weenvision raising up leaders trained in these tools who would base out of anepicenterchurch,butwith the intentionofcatalyzingmovementsamonga targetgroup in the city. As newmovementsmature, they will generally organizemoreformallyaspartoftheexistingchurchstructure,thoughthisisnotrequired.Insummary,wedon’tseeanyoneformasbeingsufficienttofullyreach,disciple,and mobilize a city. These three approaches will help to define core methodstoward reachinga cityandwill affecthowwe recruit, train,partner, and supportthenextgenerationsofchurchplanters.Evenwithineachmodel,there’sroomfordiversity.Herearetwoexamplesofdiversechurchplantingmodels intheAntiochmovement.

•••AndrewBach,MosaicCommunityChurchAndrew Bach is the senior pastor at Mosaic Community Church in Seattle,Washington. Andrew’s team has worked hard to challenge old assumptions andcontextualize the way they do church, considering something more similar to aparish approach than one large epicenter church: “We desire to become severalsmaller 600-person community churches in the greater Seattle area that keepsthings small and communal andnot institutional.wewant to be relatable to ourrelationalwestcoastculture,inthatway,”Bachsaid.It’simportanttorealizethatthewaywe’vedoneministryinothercitiesorchurchesinthepastisnotalwaysthemosteffectivewaytodoministryinournewcontext.Whatworksinsouthernstatesorsmalltownshasn’talwaysbeeneffectiveinbigorliberal cities. As you explore and create a ministry strategy, get to know other

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ministries in your city to seewhatworks for them. AsAndrew suggests, “I think(knowingwhat tododifferently) comes frombeing in thecity, knowingwhathasbeendone,seeingwhatworksandwhatdoesn’twork.YouhavetobeinyourcityandlistentotheHolySpirit,thenfollowthestepsthatheputsbeforeyou.”

•••ChrisRattay,NewLifeCommunityChurchIn2007,EpicentreChurchsentChrisandhiswife intoEastLA, thesecond largestMexican city outside of Mexico City itself. It’s one of the poorest zip codes inAmerica:“Becauseofa formativeexperiencewehad incollege, Iknewthat ifweweregoingtoplantachurch,weweregoingtodoitinanurbanpoorcommunity,”Chrissaid.SincethattimeNewLifeCommunityChurchhasalsoplantedEpicentreWestLA,ledbyEnriqueMelendez.Becausetheychosetoplantinapoorneighborhood,Chrisknewthingswouldlookdifferent.“Oneofthemostcontroversialpartsofourmodelwasthatwedecidednottobringalotof(outsiders)likeme.Weonlybroughtfive.Wedecidedtogoforan80/20rule–80-percentofthepeopleintheroomneededtobelocalandonly20-percentoutsiders.Wewantchurchesamongthepoor,ledbythepoor.”Chrishas found that leadershipdevelopment takesmuch longeramong thepoor.With lower numbers of leaders and less financial resources, he knew theywouldneed to stay smaller thanother churches: “In our calculations, itwould take 300urbanpoorgivingtofundonefull-timestaffmember...itdoesn’tmeanwecan’tbebig.Wejustthinkit’sgoingtotake20yearstogetthere.”They’vegottencreativeinthewaytheyfund,leadandmeasuretheirsuccess,findingwaysthatfitthechurchthey’re called to be. Chris has a vision and amodel he createdhimself, to fit hiscontextandcalling: “I really thinkweneed tohavedifferentmodelsof church toreach every people. There isn’t any church model that’s better than the other.That’sanimportantpiecetoemphasize,overandoveragain.”

•••Weencourageyoutoreachouttopastorsofchurchesofdifferentsizeswithinourmovement. Each church has a different model and will do these five circlesdifferently.Findouthowthey’redifferent,howtheyhave“scaled”thesecirclesupas theyhavegrow innumbers,andwhatyour coreconvictionsarearound them.Takeasitevisittorecentlyplantedchurchtoobserveeachofthesefivecirclesandhowtheyarefacilitatedearlyon.Reflectiong Questions:

1. MinistryPhilosophy:Howdoesthisaffectyourministrystrategy?

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2. FiveCirclesofaHealthChurch:Howdoyouseetheseworkingtogether,especiallyinyourfirstyearasachurch?

3. Epicenter,parishandreproducinghousechurches:Whichmodelbestfitsthechurchyouwanttoplant?Howwillthisimpactthewayyoudochurchandyourrelationshipwithothers?


1. Includethe5circlesofthehealthychurchandhowtheywillhelpcreatethecultureyoudesire.

2. ConsiderdescribingwhichofthethreeAntiochmodelsyouwillmostcloselyresembleandhow.

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PART FOUR:

LAUNCH STRATEGY The launchseason is thetimewhenyourchurchgoes frombeingasaplingat thegreenhousetoaplantedtree,puttingdownroots.Thesaplingisfragile–asisyourvision.It’syoungandnew.Itwillneedtoadapttotheenvironmentandfindawaytosurviveandthrivethroughallthecomingyearsofit’slife.Oncerooted,andiftherootsgodeep,thesaplingwillhaveachancetogrowintosomethingbeautifulandmature.Thewayyoucare for this little saplingnowhasabig impacton itsability to takeroot.Howmuchwaterdoesatreeneed?Howmuchsunlight?Howisitaffectedbyit’s surroundings? To answer those questions, the caretaker needs someknowledge.With that knowledge, the caretaker can create a strategy for helpingthesaplinggrow.You’llneedastrategyforhelpingyourchurchgrow,too.Howwillyouknowif it’sgrowing?Onwhatareaswillyoufocusfirst?What’scrucial for itssurvival?Thisrequiressomewisdom,foresight,planningandfaith. Inthissection,we’lldiscusshowtodevelopstrategiesinthesethreecrucialareas:

1. FirstYearFocus:Howtospendyourtimeinyourlaunchseason.2. LaunchStrategies:Howtocreateastrategictimelineforlaunching

ministries.3. SundayServices:Howtodevelopandlaunchchurchservices.

God gives clever strategies to many leaders in the Old and New Testaments. InExodus,MosesisoverwhelmedwiththeneedsoftheIsraelites.JethrocomeswithaGod-givenstrategytohelpdelegateleadershipauthorityandeasethepressureonMoses. In the New Testament, Paul clearly thinks strategically about who he’sreaching,howtoreachthemandwhatcitiestoplantnewchurchesin.Hechoosestoplanta church inEphesus, thegateway toAsiaMinor. Leaders likeMosesandPaulwereconstantlyawareoftheirneedforGodtospeaktothem,empowerthemandmovethroughthem.Astheytrustedhimtodothosethings,theyalsotrustedhimtogivethemastrategytheycouldplayapartincompleting.Positionyourself

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liketheseleaders:Fulloffaith,seekingwisdomandco-laboringwithGodinbuildingHischurch.

First Year Focus Thecentralfocusduringyourfirstyearasachurchisgatheringandestablishingacoregroupofchurchmemberswhoembraceyourculture.Yourcoreisthe“criticalmass” of at least 100 people who are committed to your church and carry thevaluesandculturewhichyou’retryingtoestablish.Onehundredinvestedmembersis the tipping point at which leadership structures need to be re-arranged. Newministriesarestartedafterthispoint.Yourfirstyearisspentgathering,envisioning,anddisciplingthiscriticalmass.Herearefourwaystodoso.1. Model Culture and Values Thebeginningseasonofyourchurchistheonlytimethatyouastheleadpastorcaninfluence the culture of every lifegroup, every service and every meeting. Takeadvantage of this opportunity. If you can, lead multiple lifegroups, in multiplezones.Setthetone.Ifyoustartwithtenpoorlyledlifegroups,you’llbecorrectingculture for a long time. Start with a few excellent lifegroups, setting culturecarefullyanddevelopingkeyleadersasyougo.Knowyourcorevaluesandsticktothem. Inmostcases,this isn’ttheappropriatetimetostartsecondaryministries(ministriesoutsideyourtarget)becauseyouneedahealthycoretoserveandsustainthoseministries.Determinewhatyouwantthathealthycoreto looklikeandfocusonbuildingit. Ifyouwantprayertobeacorevalue, find ways to pray together regularly. If reaching the unreached is a corevalue,makesureyouplanatriptoanunreachedlocationearlyoninthelifeofyourchurch. Figure out what core culture you’re trying to create and find ways toexplicitlymodelandtrainyourchurchinthoseareas.You and the passionate entrepreneurs on your teamwill feel tempted to initiateministryopportunitiesthataregoodideas,butaren’tprimarytohelpingyourcoreadopt your values. Resist the temptation and stick tomain objectives. Justwhenyou think you’ll puke from preaching the same vision thousands of times over…that’swhenyourcoreiscatchingit!Don’tstoptoosoon.2. Gather and Outreach Yourchurchwillstarttogrowthroughtwomaintypesofpeople:Christianswhoareun-churched,andnewbelievers.Bothshouldbewelcomeandwillhelpcreatethevibrant,evangelisticcultureyou’retryingtosetinyourfirstyear.There are likely several unchurched Christians in your city who are ready to befound and pulled into a vision like yours. You can gather these types of people

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througheventslikevisionralliesandinterestmeetings.Onceyou’velaunched,youcancontinue to seek thesepeoplebynetworkingwithin the cityand theAntiochcommunity. Do this through personal relationships or by social media. Somechurcheshavelaunchedasocialmediacampaign,andfromtheirpostsgainedtheinterestoflocalChristianswhobecamepartoftheircommunity.Takingtimetogetyour story out theremay result in a few passionate and hungry but unchurchedChristianscomingyourway.To find evangelistic opportunities, develop lifestyles that involve you in thecommunity.Youneedtohaveregularwaystointeractwiththelostaroundyou.Asmany of your teammates as possible should find jobs in the city. If they’reevangelistically gifted, see if they can find a jobwhere they interactwith lots ofpeopleandcansharetheirfaith.Joinagym,enrollyourkidsinsportsteams,attendlocalevents,andbecomearegularatacoffeeshop.Encourageeach launchteammembertohaveatargetgroupandhelpthemmakeaplantopray,serveandsharewiththosepeople.Many of our churches have done a "100-day push." This is a time to focus yourenergyonreachingthepeoplearoundyou.Ideasforyourpushmayincludesettinggoalsforevangelism(ex.Shareoncedaily),establishment(ex.Stayinginthecityfor100days),andfastingandprayingtogether.3. Grow Strong Lifegroups Lifegroupsaretheplacewherethemostpersonaltransformationhappensfornewbelievers, where life-on-life discipleship relationships form and where Kingdomliving ismodeled.Severalsenior leadershavechosentobe involved inallof theirchurch’s initial lifegroupsforaseason.Thisusuallymeans leadingthreegroupsatone time. It’s a time-intensive practice and can’t usually be sustained for longerthan6-9months,butithelpsyouknowwhatkindofcultureisbeingcreated.Pulloutof leadershipslowlyasyougainconfidencethat thosewhowillnow leadcangrowandmaintainthecultureyousetintoplace.Thisisabigreasonwhyyou’llneedtohaveacapableteamaroundyouwhomyoutrust.YouwillonlybeabletomodelandleadLifegroupsforalimitedtimebeforeneeding to empower others. If you haven’t brought enough capable Lifegroupleaderswithyou,you’llbeunabletomultiplyordelegateleadershipuntilyouraiseupnewleaderstofill inthegaps.Howmanylifegroupsdoyouthinkyou’d liketohavebytheendofyourfirstyear?Assumingitwilltakeyoumorethanoneyeartoraiseupleaderslocally,howmanyleadersdoesthatmeanyou’llneedtobringwithyou to lead now, before you can raise up new leaders and multiply into morelifegroups?

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4. Develop Leaders Nooneinyourchurchcandevelopitsfutureleadersbetterthanyoucan,andit’scrucial that youmake it a priority. Here’s our rule of thumb: If you don’t investtoday, you won’t have them tomorrow. This means investing today, primarilythroughdiscipleship,inthepeopleyouimaginebecomingleadersandevenstaffforyourchurch“tomorrow.”CarlGulley’scollegeministryinWacoisagreatexampleofthis.In2007,bothCarland Drew Steadman (college staff at the time) started freshmen lifegroups inaddition to the nearly 40 pre-existing LGs in the college ministry. In 2012 Carlcreatedavolunteerstaffteamconsistingofhistopsevenleaders.Allexceptforonehad been pulled in and discipled through those two lifegroups.Most are staff orleadersatchurchesinourmovementtoday.Discipleanddevelopatthegroundlevelandthosepeoplewillbecomeyourstaff.Thisoftenmeansstartinglifegroupsyourself.Whileresponsibilitytoleadlifegroupsand make disciples can and should be delegated, the responsibility to find anddevelop a future staff is yours. It can be a mistake to think that your lifegroupleadersaredoingthisforyou.Instead,gettothegroundlevelandattract,developanddisciplethepeopleyouwanttobecomeyourstaff.Setafaithgoalrelatedtothenumberofstrong,emerging leadersyou’d liketobedevelopingbytheendofyourfirstyear.Takeaminuteto flip totheAppendixwhereyou’ll findachart titled“StagesofaChurchPlant.”Thischartshowshowyourfocusneedstoshiftfromtheseareastoothersinfuturestagesasyourchurchgrows.

Launch Strategies Everychurchwillneedtodeterminealaunchstrategy,whichwetypicallydefineaseither hard or soft launches. In a business context, companies use a hard launchwhentheyareconfidentabouttheirserviceorproduct,arewillingtoinvestalargeamount ofmanpower or resources in the launch, andwhen they trust that theirleadership is ready for the growth to follow. Businesses use a soft launch whendoing a test run on a product, are less certain of leadership's capacity to handlequick growth, or are choosing to grow by word of mouth rather than moreelaboratemarketing.Someofthesameprinciplescanapplyhere.Somechurchesfeelcalledtolaunchinonebigpush, andothersprefermore gradual growth. Youwill need to choosealaunch strategy that fits your church and your unique calling. Other things toconsider are your team, finances, venue availability, personal leadership style,networkingandcontext.

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Hard Launch Hard launches can build great momentum for your church and help you passgrowthbarriersquickly.Theyalsobuildmorecredibilitybythesizeandstructureofyour services. However, hard launches typically mean renting a more expensivevenue from the start, andaredependentonyour leadership's capacity tohandlequickgrowth.Withoutastrongteamtohelpyou,toomuchofyourtimemightbemoved away from more important priorities like discipleship and leadershipdevelopmentandintoserviceproduction.Soft Launch Churches that soft launch typically begin lifegroups 3-6months before launchingservices. This allows plenty of time to find the right venue and practice serviceswhilestillfocusingoninvestinginafewhungrypeopleratherthantryingtoengagealargenumberofSundayvisitors.Growthhappensmoreslowlyandovertimewithasoftlaunch,givingyourleadershipteamtimetodevelopasthechurchgrows.Softlaunches can lack the engaging vision that hard launches provide, and often losepeopleintheseasonof"waiting"beforeservicesbegin.The strategy you choose depends on your unique calling.Whatmakes youmostexcited?Whatisyourteammostequippedfor?Whatresourcesdoyouhavewhichwouldleadonedirectionoranother?Ifyoudochooseasoftlaunch,dosomethingto fill thatSundaymorningspace.Thismightbemonthlypreviewservices,prayertimes or just social gatherings. You will want to begin reserving that time forsomething so that interestedpeopleknowyou intend toeventually start servicestheycanplantoattend.Whetheryouchooseasoftorhard launchstrategy, it is important toprepare foryour services in advance.Once services begin, all handswill need to beondeck,every Sunday. Prepare as much as possible in the weeks and months ahead,expectingthatquickgrowthwillhappenandyouwillwanttobeavailabletofollowupwithpeopleratherthanpreparingforyournextservice.Thetwobiggestwaysyoucanpreparearebypracticingserviceswithyourteamandpreparingyourfirstsermonseriesinadvance.

Sunday Services Thinkofyourchurchasahouse.Iflifegroupisthelivingroom,wherelifehappens,services are like the front door. Almost all our churches grow significantly morethroughserviceattendancethanthroughlifegroupattendance.We’vefoundthistobeconsistentaround thecountry,andwebuildourservicesasanopportunity toattractandinvitenewpeopleintosmallerLifegroupanddiscipleshipcommunities.Thissaid,servicesarestillaplaceforustocelebratethethingsofGodandprovidechallenging teaching and equipping. At Antioch, the goal of our services is to

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"engagetheguestandequipthebelieverfortheGloryofGod."AllAntiochservicesshould accomplish four purposes within that mission: Helping people encounterGod,leadingthelosttosalvation,establishingKingdomcultureinyourchurchandattracting newguests. Services are a front door for guests and a celebration andequippingtimeforcoremembers.CheckoutourBestPractices:ServiceProductionguideformorepracticalsoncreatingandfacilitatinggreatservices.Launching new services is like buying a new car. There are a lot of decisions tomake,andnoneofthemisrightorwrong.Butdifferentdecisionswillhavedifferenteffects, and you can anticipate what those effects will be. Some cars will drivefaster,somewilldrivefarther,otherswillrequiremoremaintenancebutcost lessupfront.Puttingtogetheryourservicestrategyissimilar.You’llneedtoassessyourcontext and decide accordingly. Here are some strategies for you to consider inlaunchingyourservices.

Choosing Service Location Location is important! Both the geographic location and aesthetic appeal of yourservice venue say something aboutwho youare,what youbelieve, andwhowillfeel most comfortable at your services. Our movement doesn't define churchesaccordingtobuildings,butmostoftheworlddoes.Yourchoiceofvenuewillgreatlyaffectthewayothersthinkofyourchurch.Whenaskedtothinkaboutyourownchurch,youmightnotthinkaboutabuilding.Yourperspectiveofyourownchurchincludesyourpeopleandyourvision.Butfortheaverageattendee,whenaskedtothinkaboutyourchurch,theythinkabout...Yourbuilding.Maybeyourservice.Thoughyourvenuemightmatterlittletoyou,itmatters in attracting people who know nothing about your church beyond thephysicalbuildingyou'vechosentorepresentit.As much as possible, don't settle for a venue because it's cheap or easy. Pray,searchandbelieveGodforagreatspace.Whenmovinglocations,continueaskingyourself: Isthislocationstrategicorareweherebydefault?Thoughyouprobablywill not find a perfect venue, trust God to provide a great one and searchexpectantly.Hereareafewthingstoconsiderwhenchoosingavenue:

● Accessibility:Whoisyourtargetgroup,andwherearetheylocated?Isitaccessible,convenientandattractivetothem?

● Atmosphere:Howdoesitfeelwhenyou'rethere?Whatatmosphericelements(sound,lights,décor)couldyouchangetocreateafeelyouwantpeopletoremember?

● Size:The“80%Rule”saysthatchurchgrowthtypicallyplateauswhenservicesbecome80%full.Thisiswhenitbecomeshardforgueststofindopenseats,especiallymultipletogether.Shootforyourspacetobebetween60-85%full.Ifyourspaceistoobig,usepipeanddrapeoradjust

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seatingtokeepitfromfeelingempty.Limitedparkingcanalsodeterguests.Ideally,yourvenueshouldhaveoneparkingspottoeverytwoattendees.

● Practicality:Doesitofferwhatyouneed?Stayawayfromchoosingastorefront,whichusuallyrequirethousandsofdollarsofrenovationsbeforebecomingagoodfacility.Schoolsaretypicallythebest,givingyoumaximumopportunityforkidsfacilitiesandauditoriumspace.

Justasimportantasyourvenueisthesignageyouusetomarkit.Especiallyifyouarerentingorareinanunusuallocation,youneedtwicethesignageyouthinkyoudo. Peoplewill associate thebuilding you're in,whether it's a school, theatre, oranother church, with what it is actually used for. You need to make it totallyobviousthatyouaremeetingthere,andthetimeandinvitationtocomeshouldbeclear.Ultimately, your services are intended to help people encounter God. Physicalspacescanplayapowerfulpartinmakingthathappen.AskGodtoprovideaspaceyou’reexcitedaboutmeeting in,oneyoubelievewillhelppeopleencounterHimandaccomplishHisvisionforyourchurch.

Pre-Launch Onceyoulaunch,there’snolookingback!Launchingisazeroto60experiencenomatterhowyoudoit.TheSundayservicetakesalargeamountofyourteam’stimeandenergy, soyouwillwant tobeaspreparedaspossiblebeforeyoudo it.Andwhenyoudo,youwantittobeawinforbothyourchurchandyourteam!Holding preliminary gatherings before your actual launch will help you network,castvision,andseewho’sinterestedbeforeyoustartservices.Thesemeetingswillhelp you to gauge the size and location of the venue you need. Read thedescriptions below for thesemeetings and considerwhichmight be effective foryoursituation.Interest Meeting 6-9monthsfromlaunchUse interestmeetings to network and find potential churchmembers. Pull smallgroups of people together in homes to share vision for your church, answerquestions, andworship together. Keep these informal andbe sure to get contactinfoandfollowupwitheverypersoninattendance.Vision Rally 2-4monthsfromlaunchUse vision rallies to establish credibility with your target group. Invite as manypeopleaspossible, includingotherpastorsorministry leaderswhowouldbenefit

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fromhearingyourvision.Dothesewiththeexcellenceandqualityofafullservice,preferably in the venuewhere youwill hold your first services.Gather during theeveningwhenthemostpossiblepeoplecanattend.A primary goal for your vision rallies is to gauge interest and to follow upaccordingly.Makesureyouhaveawaytotrackwhohasattendedandtheirlevelofinterest.Wesuggestusingfollowupcardswhereguestscanidentifyasoneofthefollowing:

● I’mreadytojointhelaunchteam● Iplantoattendonceyouplant● I’mcommittedelsewherealready● Ihavefriendswhomaybeinterested

Vision rallies area great time to invitea seasoned leader fromourmovement toleadwithyou.AntiochHoustonheldavisionrally inwhichJamesMarkGulley ledalongside their worship leader, and Jimmy shared about the movement beforeintroducing lead pastor Fred Nelson to share his vision for the church. Includingseasoned and possibly recognizable leadership in a well-prepared serviceenvironmentgivesfurthercredibilitytoyourchurch.Preview Service 1-6monthsfromlaunchUsemonthlypreviewservicesifyouhaveaccomplishedthefirsttwobutstillneedtimebefore launchingyourchurch.Previewservicesareproducedexactlyasyourservices would be, with a few changes considering most of those in attendancewouldn't yet consider themselvesmembers. This is generallymore a part of the“softlaunch”strategy.Practicing Services Onceyou’vestartedweeklyservices, therewon’tbemuchtimetopracticemajorchangesor train launch teammembers in important roles.Practicebeforehand ifpossible.Includingyourteaminthesepracticeservicesiskey.Thoughyouareoneofonlyafewonstage,ittakesyourwholeteamtocreateagoodservice.Everyonefromkidsworkers to greeters, sound technicians,musicians, and set up and teardowncrewneedtopracticeandfeelconfidentintheirroletopulloffaneffectiveservice.Themoreyou’vepracticedthebetterpreparedyourteamisforyourlaunchandthebetteryourservicesare.Thoughyoumayonlybeabletopracticeinyourvenueafewtimes,evenpracticinginotherspacesortalkingtogetherthroughtheservicewillhelpeveryonefeelprepared.Thinkaheadonwhatothertrainingyourteamwillneed.Considerhavingyourselfand others shadow a children’s pastor and guest ministries team leader during

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Sundaysfromyoursendingchurch.Makesureasmanyofyourteamaspossiblearetrainedusingtheresourcesatyoursendingchurchbeforeyou’reoutthedoor.Preparing Your First Sermon Series Take advantage of themonths andweeks leading up to your launch by carefullyplanning and practicing your first sermon series. There’s no reason not to havemostof the series completely finishedbeforeyour first service.Thiswill giveyoumuch needed time once you’ve started services for more pressing matters likefollowupanddiscipleship.

Sunday services are themost popular front-door for guests to join our churches.Not only do they attract guests, but they are a powerful opportunity for us togather, unify arounda vision, celebratewhatGod is doing andworship together.TakeadvantageoftheopportunitytohostaSundayservicethatdoesallofthisandnothingless.Your Church Planting Prospectus should include a launch plan and a clear launchstrategy. The plan should show a timeline of how you expect to gather peoplebefore your service launch using things like interest meetings, vision rallies andpreview services. Your launch strategy should explain if you’ll take a hardor softlaunch approach and what that means. Once you’ve planted, use our servicepreparation recommendations to figure out how you’ll prepare your team forlaunching.

•••Antioch College Station launched in 2009 and has now grown to over 1000membersinlessthantenyears.Theirchurchisyoung,vibrantandoneofAntioch’slargestsendersofshort-termmissionarieseachyear.SeniorpastorTylerHardyhaslearnedalotinthosetenyears,sometimesthehardway.Churchplantingisfullofunexpectedexperiences,somehumblingandsomejusthilarious.Hereisoneofhisfavorite funnystories fromtheirearlydaysasachurch. If youendupwitha fewfunnystoriesinyourfirstyear–embracethem!TylerHardy,AntiochCollegeStation“ItwasAugust2009andourthirdSundayserviceever.Wedidn’thaveanysortofproduction order at that time, and just 75 people in the room. One of the fewfamilies in our church approachedme that morning and shared that a friend oftheirswhowasamissionaryinMexicowasvisitingthatmorning.Ithought,Thisisexactlywhatwewant!Real testimoniesofwhatGod isdoingaround theworld. Ididn’tthinkaboutthefactthatIwasgivingastrangerthemicrophone.Thatwasmyfirstmistake.

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“I teed this lady up to come share. I blanked on her name but pointed at herawkwardly and said, ‘Come on up!’,” Tyler laughs. “’Share with us, what is Goddoing in Mexico?’ A very open-ended question. That was probably my secondmistake.“Shetoldafewstoriesandwewereallfeelingencouraged.Butasshewasending,shewantedtoshareonefinalstory.Thisiswhatshesaid:

“Onedayafamilycalledmeandsaid,‘Ourchildisdying!’Theydidn’tbelievein God. I went to the house, walked in the room and felt the spirit ofdarknessthere.Iwenttothemother,grabbedthebabyandhelditoutuntotheLord.Isaid‘Lord,comeandhealthisbaby!’AsIcriedouttoGod,atthatmoment, LIQUID GOLD FELL DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND COVERED THISBABY!Thebabywascoveredheadtotoeinliquidgold,breathingandcryingand coughing! Itwasamiracle. The familybegan rejoicing that theirbabywashealedwithgoldfromHeaven!ANDGODWANTSTOIMPARTTHATTOYOUTODAY!”

“She began praying in tongues on the microphone as loud as she could! It wascrazy.AtthispointIwassittingdownonthefrontrow–myfinalmistake.Icouldn’tgetupandtapherontheshoulderorwrapitupwithoutlookinglikeIwastakingover.Iwasstuckuntilshefinished.“Eventually it ended. I grabbed the mic and said, ‘Wow, God’s really moving inMexico!PraiseGod.Let’sworship.’Whatdoyousayatthatmoment?Thatwasmytransitionintoworship.Prettyawkward.“Needlesstosay,welostafewpeoplethefollowingweek.Itwasjustnottherightentry intoworship. Itwasnot the right timing in the service. Itwasnot the rightmoment forourbrand-newchurch. Itwassuchanoutof theboxstory.Whohaseverheardofliquidgoldfallingfromheaven?!“Wegotlabeledasaprettystrangechurchforafewyears.PraiseGodforthatlittlebaby,butitdidcostusquiteabit!”

•••WeloveTyler’sstorybecauseweknowthathischurchdidn’tendwiththegoldenbabyincident.Tylerdoesn’tblametheladywhotoldthisstory;instead,helearnedtheimportanceoftakingresponsibilityforhisservicesandmakingsuretheywereset up to produce the outcomes he was looking for. Whether it’s awkwardtestimonies, crusty venues or failed outreaches, we all pay our dues somehow.Mistakesandfunnystoriesarepartofthejourney.Whilewepray,believeandtryourhardest,sometimeswejusthavetostepbackandlaughwhenthingsgowrong.Tyler’s church is strongand thrivingandchancesare, you’llmake it throughyour

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awkwardtimes,too.Thesearethemomentswhenwecantakerefugeinverseslikethisone:“UnlesstheLordbuildsthehouse,thebuilderslaborinvain”(Psalm127:1,NIV).Wecan trust that theLord isbuildinghishouse,notus.Weareco-laboringandservingavisionwhichisultimatelyHisandwhichHewillprotectanddefend.Reflection Questions:

1. LaunchingServicesa. LaunchStrategy:Areyouplanningahardorsoftlaunch?Whatis

yourteambestequippedfor?Whatresourcesdoyouhavewhichwouldmakeadifference?

b. ServiceLocation:Whatkindofvenueareyoulookingfor?c. LaunchPlan:Whatisyourtimelineforlaunchingandwhatpre-

launchelementsdoyouplantouse?d. LaunchPreparation:Howcanyourteamprepareforservicesahead

oftime?2. FirstYearFocus:

a. ModellingCultureandValues:Howwillyoucreatecultureandmodelvaluesforyourteamandnewchurchmembers?

b. GatheringandOutreach:Howwillyourteamfindandengagewithunbelievers?HowwillyoufindexistingunchurchedChristians?

c. GrowingStrongLifegroups:HowmanyLifegroupswouldyouliketohaveattheendofthefirstyear,andhowdoyouplantofacilitatestrongcultureandgrowthinthosegroups?

d. DevelopingLeaders:Createastrategyfordevelopingleadersfromthegroundup.Howwillyougettothegroundlevelandfindtheleadersyouneed?


1. Includealaunchtimelineandexplainyourlaunchstrategy.Whatdoyouastheseniorpastorplantofocusyourtimeandenergyoninthefirstyear?Listspecificareasoffocusandwhatthiswilllooklikeforyou.

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PART FIVE:

STAFFING “The best advice we were given in planting our church was related to teamdevelopment. Someone said, ‘You’ve got to have a core leadership team to startwith,but give it anenddate.’ That’swhatwedid... several couplesmadeup the‘strategic leadership team.’ We didn’t give titles or roles, just delegatedresponsibilities.Theenddategaveusthechancetore-evaluate,andmakethefirsthiresaccordingtowhatwerealizedwasmostneeded.”-FredNelson,AntiochHouston

•••All Hands On Deck June 6, 1944 marked D-Day, the massive Allied landing in Normandy, France tobegintheprocessofliberatingEurope.ThefreedomofEuroperestedinthehandsofthesesoldiersstormingthebeach.OmahaBeachsawtheworstfighting,andformostof theday, littleprogresswasmade. The teamswereallassigneddifferentroles–engineers toclear theobstacles, infantry toengage theenemy,medics toattendtothewounded-butalmostimmediatelytheplanwentastrayandtheroleshadtochange.Eachsoldierpickeduparifleandbecameaninfantryman,regardlessoftheirexpectedroleandtraining.Theywereallfocusedonthemissionandwerewilling to do whatever it took to achieve it, leaving behind their expectedresponsibilitiesandserving“allhandsondeck”asneededuntiltheytookthebeach.

Launch Team A launch team needs this same, “all-hands on deck” mentality. Team membersshouldshowapassiontoreachyourcity,notaneedforajobortitle. Thingswillnotworkoutiftheprimarymotivationofteammembersiseithertheirroleortheirrelationshipsmore than their heart to reachothers. This canplay out in a teammember’sunwillingnesstochangetheirleadershipstyleorpreferencestobetterfit

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the vision. Itmay show through a lack ofmotivation to serve in roles they don’tenjoy.Forothers, itmaybecomeclear thatbeingnearyouoryour team ismoreimportanttothemthanreachingouttoothers.A launch team showing these symptoms will require more time and pastoralleadership from you, keeping you from focusing on other priorities and buildingnew relationships. instead, team members should be willing to do whatever ittakes,whetherglamorous, funandexcitingorsacrificial,hidden,andtiresome,toseethevisionaccomplished.This iswhyweuse the term“launch team.”Your launch teamwillbe thepeoplewhosacrificemuch toserveand leadyourchurch.Somewillbe fromyour targetcity,somefromyourhomechurch.Somewillbepaidstaff,somewillhavespecificroles, and others will be unpaid volunteers. This launch team will launch yourchurch, and it will take a D-Day style approach to get it off the ground. Launchteamstypicallyexperienceastrongbondoversharedsacrificeandcommitmenttoacommongoal.After the launch season, the growth you’ve experiencedwill necessitate change.You’ll shift therolesandresponsibilitiesof the launchteamtomeetthoseneeds.Someof your launch teamwill become long-term staffmembers, andotherswillnot.Thistransitioncanbeemotionalattimes.People’shearts,energy,sacrificeandvisionhavebeendeeplydevotedtothecause.Oneofaseniorleader’sfirstmajortestsisgatheringandleadingalaunchteam,thencarefullytransitioningthatteamintoanewseasonwhenit’sready.Thenextfewparagraphswillwalkyouthroughsomethingstoconsider in leadingyour launch team: Roles vs. responsibilities, paid vs. volunteer,meeting rhythmsandtransitioningwell.Afterthat,we’llexplainmoreaboutthetransitionintofuturelifestagesofachurchandhowyourstaffandleadershipwillbeaffected.We’llendwithsomesuggestionsforhowtogetyourteambuildingofftoagreatstart.Roles vs Responsibilities Roles are titles which seem to assign value to a person, but responsibilities areexpectationsofwhat thatpersonwillaccomplish.Thoughteammembersmaybegiven roles, focus more on what responsibilities they’re expected to fulfill. Asleaders, we often hope that assigning a title alone will communicateresponsibilities, but you’ll need to bemore specific than that. If you’re going toassignarole,writedownaspecificlistofresponsibilitiesandgoalsthatyouexpectthatpersontoaccomplishwhenholdingthatrole,writedownwhatauthorityyouwantthemtohaveandwhataccesstoresourcestheycanexpecttogettheirgoalsaccomplished.Mostlaunchteammemberschooseaministryresponsibility(serving

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with college, families, etc) and a serving responsibility (Sunday set-up, worshipteam,mid-weekadministration,etc).Letyourteamknowthatyouwillcollectivelyre-evaluateresponsibilitiesbasedonthegrowthofthechurchattheendofyourfirstyear.Usethefeedbackfromthesetimes to clarify and update your written descriptions. This keeps people fromattaching to roles and instead focusing on accomplishing the responsibilities athand.Paid vs. Volunteer Paidstaffshouldstartsmall.Typically,thisistwofulltimepositionsandoneortwoparttimeroles.Aseniorpastorshouldbefulltime,sothattheycangivetheirfullenergy toplanting thechurch;mostchurches find itnecessary tohaveoneotherfulltimestaffmemberaswell,typicallyanadministrator.Mostofyourteamshouldbebi-vocational.Startingwithalargestaffcanalsocreateanunrealisticfinancialexpectationasthechurchgrows.Whileeveryonemightbeonsupportinitially,thegoalistotransitionyourstaff to thechurchoperatingbudget.Here isageneralprinciple toconsider:Onlyallowstaff to raisesupport ifyoubelieveyouwillbeable to fully fund theirpositioninthenext5years.Meeting Rhythms Manynewchurcheswillhaveanevery-otherweek launchteammeetingtosharetestimonies, cast vision, pray andworship. The purpose of thesemeetings is tobuildteamconnectionaroundasharedcultureandvision.As leaders, we can often muddle these team times with too many objectives.Culture-building, connecting, and tactical planning all in the same meeting cancause meetings to feel drawn out or exhausting. It can also send mixed signalsaboutwhatyourprioritiesarefortheteam.Tokeepyourpurposeclear,resistplanningduringyourteamtimes.Instead,createseparate tactical, planning meetings for individual areas as needed. Once thelaunchteamtransitions,consider leadingamonthlyorquarterly“familynight” toallowbothyouroriginalteamandgrowingcoretoremainconnected.

•••Transitioning Well Inthe launchofAntiochHouston,FredNelson’s launchteamoperatedasasmall,“strategic leadership team.” None of the team was paid, and he focused ondelegatingresponsibilityratherthanroles.ThismeantthatFredcouldobservethe

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team’s dynamics together and successfully launch the churchwithout setting theexpectationthatanyteammembersweretobegivenpermanentroles.Attheendoftheyear,Fredwasabletomakeinformeddecisionsaboutwhatstafftohirefirstandwhat thenext seasonof church leadershipwould look like, knowing that theteamexpectedfortransitiontocomeaftertheirfirstyear.Akeyprinciple fornavigating transition likeFred’s is clear communication. If theteamisawarethatthiswillbetheexpectationbeforetheyjoinyourlaunchteam,theywillbeable tounderstand that their responsibilityor leadershipmaynotbepermanent. Clearly communicate the “all-hands-on-deck” mentality. Lead with ateam-orientedvisionwhichkeepslaunchteammembersfrommakingassumptionsaboutfuturestaffpositions.Asyoubuildyourlaunchteam,communicateanenddateonwhichyouwilldissolvetheteam.Endwithagiantcelebrationhonoringthesacrificeofthisteam.Considerhosting annual reunions and dowhatever you can to honor the sacrifices launchteammembersmade.

Organizational Growth Churchesare like livingorganismsandareconstantlychangingandgrowing.Theygrow in numbers, resources, needs and complexity. Take aminute to flip to thechart in your appendices titled “Stages of a Church Plant.” The chart shows fourearly stages, for churches between 0-250 in size: Launch (35), Church Plant (35-125), Local Church (125-250), and Church-Planting Church (250+). Stages aredifferentiatedaccordingtosize,andeachstagehasdifferentleadershipstructures,goalsandchallenges.Evenwithinthesestages,nothingwillstaythesameforlong.Yourleadershipwillconstantlyadjusttofitthelifestageofyourchurchtokeepithealthy.Nowfliptothecharttitled“OrganizationalGrowthPhases.”Thisshowschurchesinthree different size brackets: Personal Phase (0-250), Management Phase (250-1500) and Professional Phase (1500-5000). Each of these is assigned different“organizationalrealities,”orthingsyoumayfeelasaleaderofachurchthatsize.Italso shows “congregational feel,” and the role of the senior pastor and other“governors”(staff,leadersorelders).Mostchurch-plantingresourcesandexpertsreferencetheinfamous“200Barrier.”Growingbeyond200peoplecanbeamajorstruggleforchurchesbecauseitbeginsthe shift from the “personal phase” to the “management phase.” Most systemsneedtoadjustandrolesneedtobere-aligned.Sometimesthehardestchallengeisformembers who have come to enjoy or expect personal relationships with theseniorpastor,whichnowbecomesimpossible.

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Another interesting challenge happens at the 200 barrier: According to researchfrom Fuller Seminary, Leaders need to begin expressing a new set of leadershipcompetencies. Leaders leading a church under the 200 barrier need to stronglyexhibit the following competencies: Resilience, commitment to a vision,networking,entrepreneurialmindset,androleflexibility.Afterthe200barrier,theyneed to show new competencies: Activation, management, administration anddelegation. It’s not that competencies need to change completely, but differentonesneedtobecomeactivatedwhenchangehappens.Imagineyourchurchbeforeandafter the200barrier.Whichsetofcompetenciessoundsmore like your leadership style now?Does your launch team understandthatthesearewhat’sneededfromthemaswell?Andhowcanyouprepareforthechangetocome?Bottomline:Youwillconstantlyneedtodevelopnewcompetencies,shift focusesand staff to address yourweaknesses as seasons change. Your teamwill need toadjust,too.Changeisnotonlyinevitable,butgoodforthelifeofyourchurch.Mostlikely,theteamwhichlaunchesmaynotbetheteamwhichleadsyourchurchonceit exceeds the 200 barrier and enters a new stage.What does thatmean as yourecruit?Lookforpeoplewhoareavailable,capableandwillingtocarryyourchurchthroughitsfirstfewstagesoflife,andknowthatyourteamwillevolveandchange.We would always rather see churches with healthy cultures than churches withbiggernumbers.Youcanchoosehowlargeyourchurchgrows,andifyoueverevenwanttoovercomecertaingrowthbarriersornot.Thereareadvantagestobothbigand small. When talking about growth, we recognize this, and always want toemphasizecultureanddiscipleshipovernumericalgrowth.Aslongasourchurcheskeepgrowinginourthreecoreministryvalues–EncounteringGod,discipleshipandmissions–wecelebratechurchesofeverysize.

•••AndySalsky,AntiochPhoenixAndy Salsky, now the Executive Pastor at Antioch Phoenix, was a part of thechurch’s initial launch team in2011. The teamofninewasmadeupofmembersand leaders fromtheir sendingchurch,AntiochBoston,and ledbyTravisand JoyPhillips.Forayearbeforelaunching,theteammetbi-weeklytoprayandresearchabout their new city. “Whenwemoved,we did a 100-day push.Wehad to picksomething tostartwith, sowestartedwithcollegebecausethat’swhatweknewbest.We did a retreat at the end of the 100 days where we played games andcelebrated,” Andy remembers. In regard to his role? “At first I played bass, I ransound,Itookoutthetrash,preachedandstrategized.That’soneofthegreatthingsaboutchurchplanting.Yougettotryitallandfindoutwhatyou’regoodat.Yougettosay‘yes’toabunchofdifferentthings.”

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Theytriednewideas,someofwhichworkedandotherswhichdidn’t,andalwaysfunctionedcloselyasateam.“Whenwefirstplanted,wedidn’thave‘staff.’Wehadteam.Wemetfortwohourseachweekforthewholefirstyear.Themeetingswereterriblebecauseallnineofusweretryingtomakedecisions.ButTravisknewthatifwegottoosmalltoofastinourdecision-making,hewouldlosethebuy-inofsomeofuswhohadsacrificedquiteabittobethere.”Travis’patiencepaidoff,andmostofhisoriginalteamisstillthereandfillingkeyleadershiproles.After one year, Travis led the team through a transition. Some stayed on thevolunteerteamandothersbecamestaff.At150people,asenior leadershipteamand smaller departments formed formaking decisions. At 300 people, the seniorleadershipteamdividedfurtherintoateamofoverseersandateamofexecutives.As Antioch Phoenix looks to grow beyond 500, the leadership is looking for newways to develop structures that facilitate growth. From Andy’s perspective, “Weneedtobegintrustingpeopleevenmore.Weneedtogivethemfreedomtomakedecisionswithoutneedingtoask,andweneedtogivethempermissiontofail.”

•••Andy’sstory isagreatexampleofhowtotransition leadershipthroughthemanystagesofachurch’slife.Ateachturn,Traviswascarefultorecognizetheneedsofhis teamand theneedsofhisgrowingchurch.He focusedoncreatinga senseofshared teamwork early on.Hewaswary of using language or role titles early onwhich could have caused missed expectations. He carefully navigated eachtransition. As a result, Travis’s team shows longevity, commitment to each otherandsharedcommitmenttotheirvision.Key Responsibilities Whileyour teamdoesneed tohaveanall-hands-on-deckattitude, therewill alsoneedtobepeoplefocusedonaccomplishingspecificresponsibilities.Inadditiontoa designated senior leader, most churches need to launch with someoneresponsible for kids ministry, worship ministry, and administration. Spend extraeffortrecruitingtherightpeoplefortheserolesandmakingsuretheyunderstandtheirresponsibilitiescorrectly.Thesearenotpaidpositions,butkeyresponsibilitieswhich need to be covered by a dedicated person early on. The administrator isusually the second paid staff member (after the senior pastor). A kids pastor,worship pastor or college pastor typically comes next depending on your specificcontextandvision.We’ve defined these responsibilities below according towhat youmight plan fornow andwhat the jobwillevolve into later.Remember the ruleoforganizationalgrowthand that the rightperson for laterwill requiredifferent skills andmaybe

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hardertofindnow.Lookforthenowpersoninstead,andspendyourfirstfewyearsdevelopingthemintotheIaterpersonorknowingthatyour laterpersonwillneedtobefound…later.Herearesomehelpfultipsondefiningresponsibilitiesinthesethreeareas.Administration RightNow:Administratorsneedtohavea“get itdone”attitudeandstrongworkethic.Theywillneedtobeflexibleandabletotakeonbigprojects,suchasfilingforincorporation, looking foravenue,establishing staffprotocolsand facilitating theoperations for the service. If the senior pastor is a strong visionary andorganizationalleader,lookforanadministratorwhoisprimarilyoperational.Iftheseniorpastor ismorepastoral, lookforanadministratortooverseeorganizationaldevelopment. This person should not be confused with an assistant, anothervaluablebutverydifferentgiftmix.Later:Asthechurchgrows,thisrolewillbeimportantforsustaininggrowthandwilldevelop in complexity as more and more responsibilities are added. Theadministrator role may become an assistant or executive pastor responsible forfinances and accounting, managing facilities and managing staff. It is especiallyimportanttotakeintoaccountthegift-mixoftheseniorpastorindeterminingwhofillsthisrole.Kid’s Ministry Right Now: One of themost important factors in reaching young families is thechildren’sministry. Thus, this role is vital to the growthof your church. Abasicprinciple to consider in selection: Would you feel confident entrusting yourchildrentotheircare ifyoucameasaguest?Settingupachildren’sministryalsorequires the administrative responsibility to recruit volunteers, build systems andinspireconfidencewithparents.Oftenyoungmothersarewillingtotakethisrole.Theywilllikelyhavegreatideasforcurriculumandtheabilitytoconnecteasilywithparents, but lack the available time to administrate. Consider pairing them withanother administrator to build your kids’ ministry leadership team. ChurchestypicallygivetheserolesthetitleofKidsPastorandKidsAdministrator/Director.Later: As children’s ministries grow, leaders spend less and less time interactingwith kids. Their role becomes focused on recruiting and managing volunteers,maintainingcomplex systemsand facilities,andbuildingparent relationships.YouwillneedastronglyadministrativeKidsPastorwiththeabilitytomanageteamsandbuildrelationshipseasily.Worship Leader RightNow:Theworshipteamisoneofthethreeprimaryreasonspeoplevisitandrevisitachurch(theotherreasonsaretheseniorpastorandthereputationofthe

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church).Theworshipleaderisthesecondmostvisiblepersoninyourservicesandhasalmostasmuchauthorityasyoudotoshapethecultureofyourservicesandyour church at large. In the early stages, you are looking for a passionateworshipperwhomodelsthekindofworshipcultureyou’relookingtocreate.Theyalso need the confidence to lead large groups, the ability to recruit a band, andenoughmusicaltalenttoleadit.Later:WorshippastorsandleadpastorsinourmovementworkcloselytogethertobuildSundayexperiences.Youwillwantaworshipleaderwhosharesyouruniquevisionforyourchurchandwhoyoutrustandenjoyworkingcloselywith.Increasingservices and numbers ofmusicianswill requiremore administrative capacity andtheabilitytobuildandleadteamsandtopastoraworshipmovementthatreachesfar beyond Sunday mornings. This person is typically given the title of WorshipPastor.Ineachoftheseroles,youshouldbeconfidentofthe“now”person’sabilitytoleadthroughthelaunchandchurchplantandintothelocalchurchstage.However,thispersondoesn’tnecessarilyneedtohaveasenseofpersonalcallingtotheroletheyarefillingortheexcellencetofillthisrolelong-term.Thesefirststagesareagreattime for youngpeople to “try on”opportunities or to give a few years in servicewithouttheexpectationthatthiswillbecomeacareer.Building with Locals Everycultureallowsfortwotypesofpeople: Insidersandoutsiders. Insiders look,talk,smellandactliketheculture.Youcan’talwaysputyourfingeronhoworwhat,butcultureclingstotheinsider’slife.It’stheirscent.Youandmostofyourteamwillbeoutsidersinyourcitybutinsidersinyourchurch.Youlistentothesamemusic.Yourefertoforeigncountriesas“thenations.”Thiswillcauseyourchurchtohavean insidercultureandascentof itsown.Thebestway tobridge theculturalgapbetweenyourcityandyourchurch is to find teammemberswhoareinsidersinbothcultures.Theysmellofyourcityandyourchurch.Thesearebridgebuilders.When recruiting a team, look for bridge builders first. This means people whoalreadyliveinyourtargetcityorarefromthere.NetworkasmuchaspossiblebothinsideandoutsideoftheAntiochMovementtofindthem.Youwillneedtomakesure theyareon the samepagewithyourvisionandvalues.Theymaynotknowyou or even know Antioch well, but they are worth finding, investing in, andcommunicatingvisionandvaluesto.Ifyoucanmakethesepeopleinsidersinyourchurch and if they choose to join your team, they will ultimately be far moreeffectiveatreachingthecitythananyoutsiderswillbe.

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Outsidersarethoseyoubringwithyouwhomaybecommittedtoyourchurchorourmovementbuthavenoconnection toyourcity.Theydon’thavenetworksofrelationshipanddon’thavejobs. Theywillbemoredependentonthechurchforrelationshipsandcaresincetheydon’talreadyhaveanestablishedsupportsysteminthecity.Werecommendhavingfewerthantenoutsidersonyourteam.Whileitfeelsexcitingtohaveabigteamofoutsidersfromyourhomechurch,thesepeople are limited in their effectiveness and you can hurt your home church bytakingtoomanykeyleaders.Thesepeoplemakeyourteambigger,butbiggerisnotalwaysbetter.Youprobablyneedafewoutsiders,buthavetoomanyandyouwillfindyourenergydevotedtopastoringtheminsteadofreachingyourcity.Thinkaboutyourteammembers,orthosewhomaypotentiallyjoin.Separatethemintothreelists,accordingtotheirconnectionwithyourcity:

● Bridgebuilders:Liveinorhavelivedinyourtargetcity,havestrongtiesandfamiliaritywiththecity.

● Someties:Mayhavefamilyinyourtargetcity,orbefromanearbyarea.● Outsiders:Havelittleornotieswithyourtargetcity.Theseareprobably

peoplefromyourhomechurchwhoareinterestedincomingbutareunfamiliarwiththecity.

Team Building A Leadership Network study found that the greatest contributing factor to thesuccessofachurchplantwastheaccuracyoftheteam’sexpectationsregardingthechurch planting experience. Teamswith realistic expectations had a 400 percentgreaterchanceofsurvivabilitythanchurcheswhoreportedthattheirexpectationswere not. No other contributing factor was even nearly as effective in helpingchurchplantingteamspersevere.Onewayofsettingappropriateexpectationsistopaintapictureofwhatyourteamlifewillbe like.This includesdesignating responsibilities,determiningwhowillbe“paid”staff,andclearlyexpressingyourvisionforthe lifeofyour launchteam,aswementioned intheLaunchTeamsection.Multipleconversationswillbeneededfor your team, and the AMI team building department has developed a TeamBuildingEssentialscoursetohelpyoudothat.The course includes sessions led by a facilitator. The sessions include discoveringyourteam’suniquegiftsandpersonalities,discoveringanddiscussingexpectations,communicating around leadership styles and trust languages, setting goals andresponsibilitiesandagreeingonacourseofactionforresolvingfutureconflicts.

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Everyteamisdifferent,soitisyourdecisionifonlyyourstaffattendsthesesessionsor if you choose to invite your entire launch team. For teams not leaving fromWaco,AMI’sDirectorofTeamTrainingcanstillhelpyoudeterminethebestwaytofacilitate these conversations. Some teams complete them during an extendedretreat and others hold regular weekly or bi-weekly meetings to complete thesessions. Just as the first chapter in thisbookwasdedicated tohelping the teamleaderassess their interest in churchplanting, these sessionswill help your teamassess what it means to plant a church, setting right expectations and clarifyingtheir senseofcalling.Makesure teammembers feel free tocontinueconsideringtheircommitmenttoyourteam,anddon'taskfora finalcommitmentuntil theseteambuildingsessionsaredone.Reachouttous-network@aminternational.orgorfindoutmoreaboutabouttheTeamBuildingEssentialscourse.Conclusion Joining your team is a big decision. Church planting requiresmajor sacrifice, andmany people you wish would join might not feel called or ready tomake thosesacrifices.That’sokay!Teamschange,develop,andgrowintime.Peoplewillcomeandgo,oftenatinconvenienttimes.Therewillprobablyneverbeadaywhenyouhave everyone you need, when you need them, doingwhat they’re needed andgiftedtodo.Therewillalwaysberoomtogrow.Findjoyindevelopingandgrowingyourteam,andtrustGodtogiveyouwhoyouneed,whenyouneedthem.Reflection Questions:

1. LaunchTeam:Howwillyoucommunicateexpectationsaboutrolesandresponsibilities,meetingrhythmsandanenddatetoyourlaunchteam?

2. TeamLife:TaketimetoaskGodforvisionforyourteam.3. OrganizationalGrowth:Imaginethesechangestakingplaceandaskthe

Lordforwisdomineachstage.4. TeamBuilding:Whoshouldattendteambuildingsessions?Whichsessions

(ifnotall)doyouthinkareofimportancetoyourteam?BuildingYourProspectus:

1. Introducestaffmembersandtheirresponsibilities.Considerincludingphotosoffamiliesorteammembers.Whoelsewillbepartofthelaunchteamandhowdidyouchoosethem?Whatisyourplanforteamtrainingandpreparationbeforelaunching?

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PART SIX:

SUPPORT STRUCTURES Supportstructuresarethosethingswhichempowersyoutodotheministryyou’veset out to do. Your facilities, finances, oversight teams, accounting department,website, insurance provider andmore all support your ministry. Someday, you’lllikelyhaveotherstaffwhotakecareofthesesupportstructureswithlittleattentionfromyou.Rightnow,thelion’ssharewillbeyourownresponsibility.It’seasytosweepthesethingsintothe“non-urgent,unimportant”categoryasyoufocus on things you feelmore energized by. Theymight seemunimportant, butneglecting support structures isn’t wise. Often, it’s these things which can allowyour church tomove forward, or hold it back. Your churchneedsbank accounts,websites, budgets and elders to becomeestablished in a healthy and sustainableway.We’vechosentohighlighttwostructureswhichrequireattentionbeforeandduringyourlaunch:Financesandbranding.Theseusuallytakemoretimeandenergytosetupthanyouexpect,whichcanfeelfrustratingwhenyourentrepreneurialenergyisat itshighest.Challengeyourself tousepatienceand stay focused theprocess! Ifyou’vechosenwell,thestructuresyouputinplacenowwillsupportyourchurchforalongtime.Havealong-termperspectiveasyousetthesestructuresupnow.At the end of this chapter, you should be able to include in your prospectus aninitial budget, a branding plan and a description of the roles of your oversightteams.

Financial Planning Start-Up Budget Money! None of us got into church because of themoney. Some of us got intochurchbecausewethought itwouldhelpusavoidthepitfallsofmoney.Allofus

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were wrong - whether your church plans to someday have $5 or $50,000,managing finances is an important part of leading a church. Most importantly,financesaffectyou.BarnaGroupresearchrecentlyfoundthatonethirdofchurchplantersareunderpersonalfinancialstrain(oftenaresultofthechurch’s inabilityto provide a consistent salary), and many of them admitted to it affecting theirmarriageorotherareasofpersonal life.Churchfinancesarenojoke,andthefirststeptotakingthemseriouslyistohavingasmartandsustainablefinancialplan.Thefirststeptomakingthisplaniscreatingabudget.Lineitemsincludesoundandserviceequipment, facility rentals,brandingexpenses, insuranceandmore.Thesewillvaryaccordingtocontextandlaunchstrategy–somechurchessetbudgetsaslow as a few thousand, and someover $100,000. You’ll need to create a budgetbaseduponyourstrategyandvisionandwithinputfromothers.Seekinghelpfromyourboardofadvisorsorotherchurchplantersiscrucialbeforemovingforward.Thenextstepisfundraising.Openabankaccountandmakeaplanforraisingfunds.Considerinvitingyourlaunchteamtotakeresponsibilityforraisingaportionofthefundsthemselves.Oncethechurchlaunches,you’llneedtoworktowardbalancedspending.Salaries Managing finances inaKingdomwayhasalwaysbeenanareaofgreat focusanddiscussionfortheAntiochMovement.ThiscomesoutofJimmyandLaura’sstory,their personal sense of calling and the apostolic, prophetic calling on us as amovement.Forthisreason,Jimmyhaswrittenapositionpaperwhichexplains in-depthwhat Antioch believes about finances and how that should affect thewaystaffsalariesarepaid.Beforesettingsalariesforanymembersofyourstaff,makesure you read and understand Antioch’s position on finances found in theappendices.Basedonthesebeliefs,Antiochchurchesdon’tusesalarymodelstraditionallyusedin larger churches. Salaries aren’t paid according to job title or responsibilities.Instead,wewantsalariestoberelatabletothoseinourchurchbody,andtoreflectvaluableworkexperienceratherthanrolehierarchy.ContactyoursendingchurchortheAntiochNetworkforasamplesalarytable,andforhelpunderstandingwhatfactorsyoumayormaynotwanttoconsiderwhensettingsalaries.Weroughlyestimatethat150regularattendeesshouldbeabletopayonesalary.Ifyou’reprimarilyreachingcollegestudentsandyoungadults,expectthenumbertobemuchhigher.A generalprinciple for estimating income is $25/person/Sunday.Until you’reable topay salaries, youshouldexpect forall staff tobeonsupport,and as many as possible should find a part-time job as an additional source ofincome.

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Branding Brandingistheuseoflogos,slogans,websites,materials,advertisementsandmoretorepresentyourchurchtoyourcommunity.Asanewchurch,you’lllikelywanttodosomebranding,eithersomethingassmallasstartingafacebookpageormaybecreatingafirst-classwebsite.Antiochchurcheshavethefreedomtoputasmuchoras little effort into branding as desired. You should decidewhat your strategy is,yourdesiredoutcome,andtheappropriateaboutoftimeandresourcestospendon it. Be aware that sometimes your lack of branding (for better or for worse)becomes your brand! In thisway, evenwhat youdon’t do says something aboutyou. Think about how youwant to be known by your new community, and howyou’llcontributetotheirunderstandingofyouandyourchurch.Name and Logo Since rebranding in Spring2014,wehave askedall new churchplants touse thename“AntiochCommunityChurch”and touse theAntioch logo. Since that time,severalofourpre-existingchurcheshavevoluntarilychosentochangetheirnamesto fit thispatternaswell.Asournamespreadsandreputationgrows, thisshouldbenefit us as a movement as well as you as a church plant. The Antioch Wacocommunications department publishes a regularly updated CommunicationsManualwith everything you need to know about how to correctly use our logo,fonts,[email protected] foranupdatedcopy.Website Yourwebsiteistheworld’sfrontdoortoyourchurch.Thelesswell-knownyouarein your city, the more your website presence matters, because you lack anyreputationtoprecedeit.Wethinkaqualitywebsiteisworthpayingforupfront,andis the first purchasemost churchesmake.We suggest you have yourwebsite upand running as early as possible before launching your church. Antioch churcheshave used Wordpress, Cloversites, Squarespace and many other websitedevelopers.Ifyoudon’thavegraphicdesignskillsonyourteam,consideramonthlysubscriptiontoCanvaorSnappatohelpyoucreateprofessional-lookinggraphics.Social Media Socialmediagivesyoutheopportunitytohave“conversations”withpeopleinyourcommunity.Awell-managedsocialmediaaccountwillallowyoutonotonlyshareinformationbutalsobuildrelationship through interactions.Respondto followersbyansweringquestions,re-posting,oracknowledgingnewfollowers. Whilesocialmedia is a powerful at tool, it isn’t necessary if you do not have the time orresources tomaintain it.An inactiveaccount isworse thannoaccountatall,andjustbecauseit’scooldoesnotmeanyoushoulddoit.Excellenceofqualityonone

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platformisbetterthanamediocrepresenceonmultiple.Beforelaunchinganynewcommunicationchannelaskyourself,“Dowehavetheresourcesandpersonneltomaintainthischannelwithexcellence?”Ifnot,don’tstartit!Advertising Advertisingistheartoftellingyourstorytothepeopleyouwanttohearit.Atthebeginning, most churches don’t need to put money into paid advertising at all.Word-of-mouth, relationship-based “advertising” is the strongest solution forreachingyourcommunitywhenyourchurchisjustlaunching.Advertisingisaboutyour storyandyourvision.Howcanyou tell your storyandcast yourvisionoverandoverandoveragain?Howcanyouequipyourlaunchteamtodothesame,andyourfirstcoremembers?Focusonrelationalgrowthforaslongaspossible.Over time, some of our churches have found themselves struggling to reach acertain target group, or overcomea key growthbarrier. In those times, churcheshave explored new ways of advertising, from everything to door-hangers andmailersto“ravecards,”onlineadvertisingandbillboards.Many Christians debate what forms of advertising churches should or shouldn’tengagein.Ifyou’resquirminginyourseatattheideaofbillboardsandmailers,youmighthavebeenapartofthisconversationbefore.Mostargumentsstemfromoneof two interests:Thepreservationof theGospel,and thecontextualizationof theGospel. Those interested inpreservation show concern that the Gospel becomesmisrepresentedwhenchurchesapplyconsumer-drivenstrategiestocommunicatingthe Gospel. Those interested in contextualization argue that the use of thesestrategiesisnecessary(oreveninevitable)forcommunicatingtheGospeltopeopletoday.Bothof these interests, thepreservationandcontextualizationof theGospel, aregood intentions.As stewardsof Jesus’messageandHisKingdom,weshould takeseriously our responsibility to do both. How we do that depends on our ownconviction.Forthisreason,Antiochdoesn’thaveastanceonadvertising.WetrustyoutofollowtheguidanceoftheHolySpirittogetherwiththepeoplearoundyouandtomakeadecisionyoufeelisbest.For churches past the launch stagewhowant to try paid advertising,we suggesttargeted online advertising first. Both Facebook ads and Google Adwords areinexpensiveways tohelpspecificgroupsofpeople findyou.Choosea timewhenyoucanadvertiseforatleastamonthinthesameplatform,soviewerswillseeyourmessageconsistently.Next, print invitation cards that your church can share with their friends. Somechurchesalsouse“ravecards,”typically4x6inchesinsizetoadvertiseaparticular

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sermon series or event. These are fairly inexpensiveways to utilize relationshipsandencourageyourchurchmemberstocontinuereachingouttofriends.If you’re considering billboards, mailers, door hangers or more expensiveadvertisingefforts, there’sanart todoing themright.Reachout tosomeoneyouknowwho’sdonethemsuccessfullytogettipsbeforeinvesting.Finances and Legal Procedures Checklist Belowisahelpful,nuts-and-boltschecklistofmoretasksyou’llneedtocompletetostartyourchurch.Certainstepswillneedtohappenbeforeotherstocompletetheprocess. As you go, check state laws to make sure you’re completing the stepsappropriatelyforyourspecificsituation.

• Incorporationprocess:DecideonachurchnameandreserveitwiththeSecretaryofState.Thenfileyourchurch’sArticlesofIncorporation.

• ObtainanEmployerIdentificationNumber(EIN)fromtheIRSbyfilingFormSS-4.

• SelectalocalBoardofDirectorsfromamongstaff,launchteamorlocaltrustedmembers.

• Createyourchurch’sBy-Laws(astandardsetisprovidedintheappendices)andhaveitsignedbytheBoardofDirectors.

• Haveaninitialboardmeetingtosetby-lawsinmotionanddelegateauthority.

• Openabankaccount(mayneedEIN,ArticlesofIncorporationandminutesfromtheboardmeetingprovingauthorization).

• Applyfor501(c)3“RecognitionforTaxExemption”rulingwiththeIRSbyfilingForm1023.

• Obtaininsurancesuchas:Officer’sandDirector’sliabilityinsurance,propertyliabilityinsurance,workmen’scompensationandothers.

• Fileappropriatestaterequirementssuchasstatesalestaxandannualreportfees.

• Developaninitialbudgetandcreateafundraisingplan• Createawebsitebypurchasingadomain(Ex:antiochwaco.com),choosinga

webdevelopmentplatformandcreatingthesite.• Setupchurchemailaccountsafterhavingpurchasedthewebdomain.Most

useGoogleforBusinessorMicrosoft365services.

Church Oversight Finally, you’ll need to spend time assembling a Board of Advisors and Board ofDirectors before you launch. Your Board of Advisors is part of Antioch’s greaterstrategy toprovide strategic andpastoral care for everyAntiochU.S. church.Wewant each of our churches to have access to the support they need, when theyneed it.Delegating strategic andpastoral responsibility to advisory boards allows

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thistohappen.Italsoallowsyoutodesignateyourclosestadvisorsandbringthemtogetheronaregularbasistosupportyourchurch’svision.Takesometimetoflipto the Antioch Oversight document and Oversight graphic in your appendices tobetterunderstandindetailhowallofourAntiochoversightteams,localeldersandotherstructuresworktogethertosupportourchurches.Conclusion Mostofusdon’tsignupforchurchplantingthinkingwe’llspendmostofourtimetrying to discern tax laws, managing budgets or scribing the minutes of boardmeetings.Youmightfinditfrustratingattimestospendhoursonsupportsystemswhen you’d rather be doing the “real” ministry. Remember that these systemsempower you and your church to keep doingministry, for the long haul. Havinghealthyoversightandstablefinancesareessential. Ifthesearedifficultforyoutomanage,oneofthegreatestgiftcanbeaco-leadertohelpmanagethemwithyou.Thisbookdoesn’tspendmuchtimereferencingthebehind-the-scenesleaderswhokeepchurchesrolling.Thosehard-working,committedteammemberswhobecomeExecutivePastorsorOperationalDirectorsforourchurchesmightbethemostun-sungheroesofournetwork.AllAntiochchurcheshaveatleastoneoftheseheroes.In fact,many of them contributed to thewriting of this book and several of theresourcesyou’lluseonyourjourney.Whileitappearsfromtheoutsidethatseniorpastorsaretheleadersoftheirchurches,therealityisthatittakesateamtoseeachurchestablished.Withinthatteam,there’softenaduoplowingtheway.Thereare many such duos in the Antioch Network which we could reference, but weaskedAndrewBachspecificallytosharehisstorywithusbelow.

•••Andrew Bach is the senior pastor at Mosaic Community Church in Seattle, WA.Several years ago, Andrew hired Paul Jackson to serve as the church’s ExecutivePastor.“PaulisfromSeattle,whichisreallycrucialtohisrole.Heknowsthecityinandout.Heknowsthecultureandknowshowbusinessandlifeworkshere.HavingtheabilitytoleadandcompletelytrustPaulisahugedeal,”Andrewsays.Thetwohavetakentimetounderstandeachother’sstrengthsandweaknesses,andalloweachothertodowhattheydobest.“Churchplantingisalonelyendeavor,andyouneedpeoplearoundyoutomakeitnotsolonely,”Andrewshares.“Turningtoyourspouseisahugehelp,butyoualsoneed others for encouragement, for support, and to carry the burden together.”Paulhascarriedmostoftheburdenofsupportfortheirchurch,includingmanagingseveral staffmembers, in away that has freedAndrew to do the things he doesbest.

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No one person can carry all of the leadership responsibilities of a church plant.Surroundyourselfwithother leaders!Not justpeople likeyou,butpeoplewithadiversity of gifts and interests. People who can not only accomplish importantfunctionsforthechurch,butwhocanprovidefriendshipandencouragementwhileyouworktogether.Reflection Questions:

a. MovementOversight:DoyouunderstandhowyourchurchwillfitinrelationshipwiththeUSOTandIOT?

b. BoardofDirectors:Prayaboutwhotoinviteasmembersofyourboardofdirectors.

c. BoardofAdvisors:Prayaboutwhotoinviteasmembersofyourboardofadvisors.

BuildingYourProspectus

1. Createalaunchbudgetandincludeitinyourprospectus.Whatmoneydoyouneedbeforemoving?Beforestartingservices?Howdoyouplantoraisethesefinancesandwhat’syourtimelineforfundraising?Considerincludechartsorgraphsherewhichwillillustrateyourideas.

2. Tellthenameofyourchurchandanyspecifictaglinesorkeyphrasesyou’lluse.Giveatimelineforwebsite,socialmediaandanyothercommunicationsyou’lluse.

3. Introduceyourboardmembers.Whataretheirtermsandresponsibilities?Whatareyourresponsibilitiestothem?

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CONCLUSION “Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left.

And your descendants will possess nations, and they will resettle the desolate cities.” - Isaiah 54:2-3

ThishasbeenaguidingscriptureoverourministryatAntioch.WefeelthatGodiscallingustoenlargeourreach,toengagemorepeople,plantmorechurches,andinspire a generationmore than ever before. In everythingwe do at our networkoffices,wedoitwiththedesiretoobeyGodandseeHiskingdomcomethroughourmovementinaccordancewiththisscripture.Thankyouforchoosingtobeapart!Asyouplant,webelievethatdependenceonJesusisthegreatestattributeyouandyourteamcouldshare.WepraythatyoulearntohearandobeyHim,andtofollowHimtogether.After“boasting”onhisworldly successesandadmirableattributes,Paul writes this: “what is more, I consider everything a loss because of thesurpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8a, NIV). Onlywhenrelationshipwith Jesus isour truedelightmaywebecompletely freetodoHis will. Nomatter the result of your journey, we pray that you come out of itknowing Jesusmore, and finding that knowingHim is of surpassingworth to anysuccessyoumayexperienceinministry.

CHURCH-PLANTING PROSPECTUS TEMPLATE

Church Name Date

FOUNDATIONS CORE LEADERSHIP Introduceyourselfbytellingyourstoryandaddressingsomeoftheelementsincludedinthe“Preparation”chapterofthehandbook,especiallyyourpastministryexperienceandyourcallingtochurchplant.CULTURE Describethecultureyouwantyourchurchtoreflect.DOCTRINE ListtheAntiochcoredoctrine.Expresshowpreparedyoufeeltoleadyourchurchtheologicallyandanytrainingyouwilldobeforeandduringchurchplanting.CORE VALUES ListtheAntiochcorevalues.Arethereadditionalvaluesyouwouldliketoexpressinyourchurch?Explainwhy.VISION Developauniquevisionstatementandshareit.Includemajorpropheticwords,callingsanddirectionforyourchurch.CONTEXT Answerquestionspeoplemightbewondering.Whatisthecityyouchose,andwhy?Ifthisisalargercity,whatspecificareawillyoubein,andwhy?Whoisyourinitialtargetpopulation?Explainwhyandhowyouwillreachthem.Wheredoyouandyourcoreteamexpecttoliveinrelationtothelocationandtargetpopulation?MINISTRY PHILOSOPHY IncludethegraphicofAntioch’sministryphilosophywithanexplanationofwhatthismeansforyourchurch.

MINISTRY MINISTRY MODEL Includethe5circlesofthehealthychurchandhowtheywillhelpcreatethecultureyoudesire.ConsiderdescribingwhichofthethreeAntiochmodelsyouwillmostcloselyresembleandhow.LAUNCH PLAN AND STRATEGY Includealaunchtimelineandexplainyourlaunchstrategy.Whatdoyouastheseniorpastorplantofocusyourtimeandenergyoninthefirstyear?Listspecificareasoffocusandwhatthiswilllooklikeforyou.STAFFING Introduceotherstaffmembersandtheirresponsibilities.Considerincludingphotosoffamiliesorteammembers.Whoelsewillbepartofthelaunchteamandhowdidyouchoosethem?Whatisyourplanforteamtrainingandpreparationbeforelaunching?

SUPPORT STRUCTURES FINANCIAL PLAN Createalaunchbudget.Whatmoneydoyouneedbeforemoving?Beforestartingservices?Howdoyouplantoraisethesefinancesandwhat’syourtimelineforfundraising?Considerincludechartsorgraphsherewhichwillillustrateyourideas.BRANDING AND MARKETING Tellthenameofyourchurchandanyspecifictaglinesorkeyphrasesyou’lluse.Giveatimelineforwebsite,socialmediaandanyothercommunicationsyou’lluse.CHURCH OVERSIGHT Whoareyourboardmembers?Whataretheirtermsandresponsibilities?Whatareyourresponsibilitiestothem?

ANTIOCH DOCTRINE THE BIBLE WebelievethattheBibleistheinspired,authoritative,living,eternallyreliableWordofGodequallyinallparts and without error in its original manuscript, absolutely infallible, and our source of supremerevelationfromGod,superiortoconscienceandreason,thoughnotcontrarytoreason;anditisthereforeourinfallibleruleoffaithandpracticeandnecessarytoourdailylives(IITimothy3:16-17;IPeter1:23-25;Hebrews4:12NASB).THE GODHEAD WebelieveinoneGodwhohasrevealedHimselfinthreepersons,theFather,theSonandtheHolySpirit(Romans1:2NASB).TheFather,theSonandtheHolySpiritareallco-eternal,allstandequallysuperiortotime,freefromthetemporaldistinctionsofpastandfuture(FATHER-Deuteronomy33:27;Psalm90:2;Psalm102:27;ITimothy1:17NASB;SON-John1:1-2;John8:58;Hebrews1:8;IJohn1:2;Revelation1:8NASB;SPIRIT-Hebrews9:14NASB).WebelieveinGodtheFather,creatorofallthingsvisibleandinvisible.(Col.1:15-16)WebelieveinJesusChrist,God'sonlybegottenSon,whocameintotheworldtorevealtheFather,andwasthebrightnessofHisgloryandtheexpressimageofHisperson;thatJesusChristwastheCreatorofeverything,forbyHimallthingsweremade.WefurtherbelievethatinChristdweltallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodilyandthatHewasveryGodandveryMan(John.1:1-2&14;ITim.3:16;Acts7:37-38).WebelieveinJesusChrist'spre-existence,incarnation,virginbirth,sinlesslife,miracles,substitutionaryandatoningdeath,bodilyresurrection,bodilyascensionintoheaven,exaltation,presentruleattherighthand of God, coming, personal return in power and great glory, and in His everlasting Kingdom anddominion(Acts1:11;3:19-21;Daniel7:14;Revelation20:4).WeacknowledgeHisLordship--thatJesusChristisLordoverallthingsinheavenandonearth,andundertheearth(Phil.2:9-10).WebelieveintheHolySpirit,Hispresentministry,Hisindwelling,Hisempowering,Hisimpartationofgiftsfortoday,andHistransformingpowerinthelivesofallbelievers(ICor.12:4-11,Gal5:22-23).MAN AND SALVATION WebelievethatmanwascreatedbyadirectandimmediateactofGod(Genesis1:26-27;2:4).Webelievethatmanbytransgressionfellfromastateofrighteousnessandholinessinwhichhewasfirstcreatedintototalspiritualdepravity,astateofdeathintrespassesandsinsinwhichheisheldasaslaveofsinandanenemyofGod.Assuch,heisunabletoattaindivinerighteousnessbyhisowneffortsbutmustberedeemedanddeliveredbythepowerofthegospel(Romans5:12-21;ICorinthians15:1-4).WebelievethatrepentanceandfaithtowardourLordJesusChristareanintegralpartofGod'sworkofjustificationofthebeliever.ThroughfaithintheshedbloodofChrist,heorsheisjustifiedandmadeapartakerinthedeathofChrist(Romans5:1,9).

Webelievethat"itisbygraceyouhavebeensaved,throughfaith--andthisnotfromyourselves,itisthegift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).We further believe that theemphasisforacontinuouswalkingraceshouldbeondemonstratingrighteousnessandpurityofheart,believinginthekeepingpowerofGod,walkingaftertheSpiritandnotaftertheflesh,livingalifestylethatdemonstratesthecharacter,standardsandconvictionsofJesusChrist,andnotbeingconformedtotheworld(Jude24;Romans8:25;Galatians5:16-25;Romans4:1-5;12:1-2).Webelieve that repentance is dependentupon the convicting actionof theHoly Spirit in the livesofsinnersandbelieversandtheirresponse.TheconvictionoftheHolySpirit,whichoftenaccompaniesthepreachingoftheGospelofJesusChrist,willresultintherevelationofthesinfulnessofself,whichshouldlead to godly sorrow. Remorse, or worldly sorrow, is a feeling of deep regret, hopelessness or evendespair.Itdoesnotleadtoconstructivechange.OntheotherhandGodlysorrowproducesrepentancewhich causesus to turnaway fromsinand selfishnessand to receive faith for change.Repentance isevidencedbyanearnestdesiretochange.Repentancechangesthewaywefeelandactaboutsin,selfandGod.Repentanceisatotalchangeofmind,willandemotions,(IICorinthians7:10;Psalm51;Acts11:18;IITimothy2:25;Romans1:18-32;Matthew9:12-13).Webelievethatinthefinaljudgment,whichwillaccompanythereturnofChrist,everypersonwillgiveanaccount toGodofeveryaspectof thisearthly life.The JudgmentSeatofChrist (BemaSeat) is thejudgmentofbelieversinreferencetorewardsorlackthereof.TheGreatWhiteThroneJudgmentisthejudgmentofunbelieverswhowillbeeternallyseparatedfromGodandintorment(ICor.3:10-15;IICor.5:10;Rev.20:11-15).THE LORD'S COMMANDS WebelieveintheLord'sSupperandbeliever'sbaptismasactsofourobedienceandatestimonyofourfaith(Mt.3:6;Mk.16:16;ICor11:23-29).WebelievethatwaterbaptismisnecessaryinobedientresponsetothecommandofJesus.BaptismistobeperformedonlyuponrepentantbelieversinthenameoftheFather,SonandHolySpirit.(Matt.28:18-20).Webelieve in thebaptismof theHolySpiritaccording toActs2:4;10:46;19:6.Wehold that the realevidenceofthebaptismoftheHolySpiritisone'sresponsetotheWordofGod(John16:13),aChrist-likelife,showingforthChrist'scharacter,andexperiencingandmanifestingthegiftsandfruitoftheHolySpirit(John15:26;16:14;Galatians5:22-23;ICor12:4-11).THE FAMILY Godhasordainedthefamilyasthefoundationalinstitutionofhumansociety.Itiscomposedofpersonsrelatedtooneanotherbymarriage,bloodoradoption.(Gen1:27-28)

Marriageistheunitingofonemanandonewomanincovenantcommitmentforalifetime.(Gen2:20-25)ThehusbandandwifeareofequalworthbeforeGod,sincebotharecreatedinGod'simage.(Gen1:27)AhusbandistolovehiswifeasChristlovedthechurch.(Eph5:25)HehastheGod-givenresponsibilitytoprovide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servantleadershipofherhusbandevenasthechurchwillinglysubmitstotheheadshipofChrist.(Eph5:24)She,beingintheimageofGodasisherhusbandandthusequaltohim,hastheGod-givenresponsibilitytorespect her husband and to serve as his companion (Gen 2:20-21) in managing the household andnurturingthenextgeneration.(Titus2:4-5)Children,fromthemomentofconception,areablessingand

heritage fromtheLord. (Ps139:13-15)Parentsare todemonstrate to their childrenGod'spattern formarriage.

THE CHURCH ThechurchisGod’sinstrumentforrevealingHispurposeontheEarth.WebelievethattheChurch(thepeople of God) is God’s instrument to distribute His glory on the Earth. The Church is defined as agatheringofbelievers,meetingandexperiencingGodtogetherinordertodisplayHisgoodnesswherevertheygo.(Eph1:22-23,1Peter2:4-5,Acts9:4-6,Eph3:14-19,Eph5:25-31)

ANTIOCH CORE VALUES LOVE GOD – CHARACTER VALUES a. WeencounterGodthroughdailyDevotionb. WearecommittedtothetruthofGod’sWordc. WeliveandwalkbytheSpiritd. WechoseObedience,evenwhenithurtse. WewalkinHolinessf. WeconsiderFamilyourfirstpriorityg. WepersevereinPrayerh. WehonorGodwithourFinancesbyworkingdiligently,livingsimply,givinggenerously

LOVE ONE ANOTHER – RELATIONSHIP VALUES i. WeHonorothers,inpersonandbehindtheirbacksj. WechooseHumilitybyfocusingon“Himandthem”aboveourselvesk. WearecommittedtoaRelationalCulturel. WeembraceBrokennessm. WeliveAuthenticlivesn. WealwaysForgiveo. WekeepaTeachableheart

LOVE THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW JESUS – MINISTRY VALUES p. WecommittoDiscipleshipthroughintentionalinvestmentinother’slivesasourmainministryq. WepursueEvangelism,fromourimmediatesphereofinfluencetotheunreachedandunengagedr. WearecommittedtotheLocalChurchs. WechooseTimelessPrinciplesoverpassingfadst. WecareforthePooru. WeembraceDiversityv. WeblessthelargerBodyofChrist

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES DISCIPLESHIP

• ContagiousDiscipleMaking–DavidWatsonandPaulWatson• GoandMakeDisciples-DrewSteadman• TheDiscipleMaker’sHandbook–AntiochWacoStaff• ChangingtheWorldthroughDiscipleship–RobertHerber• BuildingaDisciplingCulture–MikeBreen

THEOLOGY

• SurprisedbythePoweroftheHolySpirit–JackDeere• WhyWeareNotEmergentByTwoGuysWhoShouldBe–DeYoungandKluck• http://www.raymayhewonline.com/:GotoBibleSafari>Articlesforarticleson

commontopics.GotoAdamtoArmageddon>OldTestamentorNewTestamenttolistentoaudioteachingsbybook.

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP

• OrderingYourPrivateWorld–GordonMcDonald• SevenHabitsofHighlyEffectivePeople–StephenCovey• LeadershipPain:TheClassroomforGrowth–SamuelR.Chand• SpiritualLeadership–J.OswaldSanders

CHURCH LEADERSHIP • The5DysfunctionsofaTeam–PatrickLencioni• TheBiblicalRoleofEldersforToday’sChurch–LarryKreider&RonMyer• TheFiveFoldMinistryMadePractical–RonMyer• StraightTalktoLeaders:WhatWeWishWeHadKnownWhenWeStarted–Krieder• God’sGenerals–RobertsLiardon• DoingChurchasaTeam–WayneCordeiro• ThePowerofTeamLeadership–GeorgeBarna

CHURCH-PLANTING STRATEGY • DeepandWide–AndyStanley• LeadingMissionalCommunities–MikeBreen• CultureofHonor–DannySilk• OrganicChurch–NeilCole• PlantingMissionalChurches–EdStetzer• StartingaHouseChurch–LarryKrieder&FloydMcClung• HouseChurchNetworks:AChurchforaNewGeneration–LarryKrieder• MissionaryMethods:St.Paul’sorOurs-RolandAllen

• HowStrategyChangesWithGrowth,byTimKeller:http://campusministryunited.com/Documents/Leadership_and_Church_Size_Dynamics.pdf

MOVEMENTS • WhatJesusStarted-SteveAddison• TheTippingPoint–MalcombGladwell

WEBSITES, PASTORS AND AUTHORS FOR ONGOING RESOURCES: • CollegeministryresourcesbySteveShadrach:http://campusministry.org/• OpenLifeChurchFreeResources:https://open.life.church/• LeadershipNetwork:http://leadnet.org/• TheExchangebyEdStetzer:http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/• BarnaGroup,research-basedarticlesandresources:https://www.barna.com/• TimKellersermons,articlesandresources:http://www.gospelinlife.com/

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