290 likes | 301 Views
Networks. Church Planting Networks From a Leadership Network Research Project. Study. 45 church-planting networks 24 in-person interviews 15 over the phone 6 on-line surveys. Observations. Local churches…. Plant churches like themselves Direct “mothering” or sponsorship. Denominations.
E N D
Networks Church Planting Networks From a Leadership Network Research Project
Study • 45 church-planting networks • 24 in-person interviews • 15 over the phone • 6 on-line surveys
Local churches… • Plant churches like themselves • Direct “mothering” or sponsorship
Denominations • Reproduce common denominationalist churches
Independent Organizations • Started by catalytic leaders who think beyond local church planting and differently than denominations.
Born from… • Ideology • Theology • Independence • Entrepreneurial spirit • Kingdom mentality • Frustration • Vision • Calling • Need for something different
Networks vary in … • Theology • Methodology • Ecclesiology
Networks share • Passion for planting churches of “similar DNA”
Network “Group of churches that have publicly acknowledged that they are intentionally working together for the purpose of church planting and have a cooperative strategy to accomplish that goal.”
Relationships as Catalyst • Trademark characteristic – emphasis on the ongoing relationship with the planter and church-planting entity.
Two types of networks • Inter-denominational • Intra-denominational
Local Church Network • GlocalNet from Northwood Church • Global Outreach from Spanish River Church
Assessment and Training Defined processes for • assessment, • training, and • assisting the church planter with a new plant.
Applicants • Networks generally accept 20 percent of those who apply to their church planting programs. • Average 20 applicants / year • Approvals 5 / year
“Everyone looks at people who are called to do it and want to do the same, even if they are not called. If I can talk guys out of it, I can save them a lot of hardship.” ~ Ron Sylvia, Purpose Driven Church Planting
Acts 29 • 50% on-line & phone interviews • 50% of those are declined during the face-to-face interview • 25% of original applicants go on to plant Acts 29 churches • 150 men in process now
Process (italics=network emphasis) Relationship AssessmentPhilosophical Connectedness Theological Compatibility Network Chemistry Boot Camp Possible Funding Coaching On-going Connectedness
Ministry Paradigm • Missiology: common term and driving force with networks
Style • No prescribed formula/style required by most networks • Most indicated they were a local expression of the community planted in. • Many of the plants look more like network than their community
Budgets and Funding • Different than denomination support or church planting church
Annual Budget • Average for networks: $592,133
Two “budget groupings” • Less than $1,000,000 • 90% of networks surveyed • Average $182,500 • Over $1,000,000 • 10% of networks surveyed • Average $1,775,000
Average support for new plant • $172,2000 • Reported amount typically combined resources from network and other supporters of the planter/plant
High End • Sovereign Grace - $110,000-$120,000 for average church plant • $60,000 from Sovereign Grace mission fund • The rest from tithes and offerings of the founding families
Reproduction • Average #/year has increased for networks over the past 6 years • 1.9 to 6
Possible reasons • 50 percent of existing networks are gradually increasing the number of churches they plant each year. • A large number of new networks have started since 2003. • The new networks are planting more churches / year and growing more rapidly per year than existing networks
Team Planting • Many groups won’t allow a lone pastor, however there is still a primary focus on having a lead planter within the team. • Some networks require the entire team to be assessed, while others require only the lead planter, and then they let him develop his own team.
Successes • Networks report that 93 percent of the churches they begin become established churches. • Average attendance of 143 by the 1-year anniversary.