Church Planting Survivability Study 2007: Denominational Best Practices

1. Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007 Best Practices Ed Stetzer Phillip Connor

2. METHODOLOGY • Following the multi-denominational study for church planting survivability and health, further surveying and analysis of other denominations was requested. The goal of this over sampling was to learn what particular denominations are doing well among their church planting systems • Over 100 factors for higher attendance and baptism were tested. Complete list of statistically significant factors by denomination in Appendix B • Statistically significant factors were grouped together to form best practices for church planting by denomination. In most cases, these best practices are unique to the particular denomination. Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

3. Data prepared by the Center for Missional Research studying multiple practices by different denominations. Presentation slides shared at the National New Church Conference by denominational leaders who were found to have statistically significant results in this study. THIS PRESENTATION CONTAINS:

4. Evangelical Free: George Klippenes Foursquare: Rod Koop Presbyterian: Steve Childers Assemblies of God: Steve Pike Baptist General Conference: Tom Nebel and Gary Rohrmayer PRESENTATION INCLUDES SLIDES FROM:

5. DENOMINATIONS/NETWORKS • Response rate for the over sampling of denominations averaged around 20%. (* indicates sample) Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

6. Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007 Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

7. Factors for higher attendance (Church Plants Surveyed in Phase One) • meeting in a school in the first year • meeting in a theater in subsequent years • meeting in a school in subsequent years • conducting a special children’s event (i.e., Fall Festival) • mailing invitations to services, programs, events • conducting new member classes • using a church covenant signed by new members • starting at least one daughter church within three years of the • church plant • having a proactive stewardship development plan enabling the • church to be financially self-sufficient • having multiple staff members rather than a single staff members • at the beginning of the church plant Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

8. Factors for higher attendance (Church Plants Surveyed in Phase One) • being financially compensated as the church planter • receiving health insurance as the church planter whereby the majority of the premiums were paid for by the church plant, sponsoring church, or denomination • conducting a block party as an outreach event • delegating leadership roles to church members • conducting leadership training to church members • working full-time over part- or half-time as the church planter • being assessed prior to planting the church as the church planter • having the church planter’s expectations realized Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

9. E. Free. Reproduction Factor Higher attendance church plants look for missional opportunities and start within three years of their own plant.

10. Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007 Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

11. Factors for higher baptisms (Church Plants Surveyed in Phase One) • engaging in ministry evangelism (i.e., food banks, shelter, • drug/alcohol recovery) • starting at least one daughter church within three years of the • church plant • having a proactive stewardship development plan enabling the • church to be financially self-sufficient • conducting a mid-week children’s program • conducting a children’s special event (i.e., Fall Festival) • sending out mailers for invitation to services and church events Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

12. Factors for higher baptisms (Church Plants Surveyed in Phase One) • conducting a block party as an outreach activity • conducting a new member class for new church members • conducting leadership training for church members • receiving church planting training in terms of a boot camp or basic training by the church planter • working full-time over part-time as the church planter • being assessed prior to the beginning of the church plant as the church planter • delegating leadership roles to church members Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

13. Figure 3— Percent church plants survived by year, all denominations (Phase One) Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

14. Factors Associated with Survivability (Church Plants Surveyed in Phase One) • Church Planter Expectations • Increases survivability by 400% • Church Member Leadership Development • Increases survivability by 250% • Church Planter Peer Group • Increases survivability by 135% • Stewardship Plan • Increases survivability by 178% Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

15. Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007 What Can We Learn and How Can We Learn it? Ed Stetzer Phillip Connor

18. CHURCH STRENGTHENING SYSTEM Figure 4— Mean annual church plant attendance, SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

19. CHURCH STRENGTHENING SYSTEM Figure 5— Mean annual church plant baptisms, SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

20. CHURCH STRENGTHENING SYSTEM Figure 6— Mean annual church plant baptisms, BGC and SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

21. CHURCH STRENGTHENING SYSTEM Figure 7— Mean annual church plant attendance, EFCA and SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

22. SUPERVISION/PEER/MENTORING SYSTEM Figure 8— Mean annual church plant baptisms, FSQ and SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

23. SUPERVISION/PEER/MENTORING SYSTEM Figure 9— Mean annual church plant attendance, FSQ and SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

24. PUBLIC PROCLAMATION AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Figure 10— Mean annual church plant attendance, SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

25. FULL-TIME CHURCH PLANTER SYSTEM Figure 11— Mean annual church plant attendance, SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

26. FULL-TIME CHURCH PLANTER SYSTEM Figure 12— Mean annual church plant attendance, AG and SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

27. PUBLIC MINISTRY SYSTEM Figure 13— Mean annual church plant baptisms, AG and SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

28. ASSESSMENT SYSTEM Figure 14— Mean annual church plant attendance, PCA and SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

29. STAFF TEAM SYSTEM Figure 15— Mean annual church plant attendance, EFCA and SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

30. CHURCH PLANTER EXPERIENCE SYSTEM Figure 16— Mean annual church plant baptisms, LN and SBC Church Planting Survivability and Health Study 2007: Best Practices Compiled by the Center for Missional Research, NAMB, Alpharetta, Ga.

31. Creating a Culture of Generosity BGC Presentation

32. Convictions you must have God blesses generosity. It’s not about what the church needs, it’s about what the Lord wants. A tithe is an appropriate standard to challenge people toward. Fear and Neglect of Money Issues

33. Fear and Neglect of Money Issues God’s Guarantee Card “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10 My part: By God’s grace I will contribute 10% of my income for the next 90 days to Community Church. God’s part: To bless me according to Malachi 3:10. Community Church’s part: If at the end of 90 days I feel that tithing has been a mistake, has not resulted in the blessing of God, or has created a financial hardship, Community Church will refund to me all that has been contributed during that period of time. ---------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Signature Date Printed Name: _______________________________________ Phone number: ______________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________

34. Delivery Options Sermon series (annually) Membership classes Small groups Leadership retreats Leadership meetings Fear and Neglect of Money Issues

35. Evangelical Free ChurchGeorge Klippenes

36. Our EFCA Mission The Evangelical Free Church exists to glorify God by multiplyinghealthy churches among all people.

37. Survivability: 68%, EFCA: 87%

38. Church Growth: Attendance

39. Conversions Per Year

40. EFCA Vision The EFCA church planting vision is to mobilize a church planting movement in the United States where every healthy EFCA church will reproduce at least two daughter churches and no EFCA church planter will be left alone.

41. Reproducing Vision • Reproducing Reality: Sterile Churches • Reproducing Clinics: Blow up CP Myths • Hurt mother church • Enough churches • Large church • Most plants fail • Reproducing Vision: Plant two • One daughter church to replace itself. • One daughter church to advance the kingdom. • Reproduction normal & natural outflow of health.

42. Planter Vision ACTS • Planter reality: Stranded • No Planter Left Alone • EFCA System: ACTS • Assessment • Coaching • Training • Supporting

43. EFCA BootCamp • Built on a life-cycle model • Built on a 4R model • Principle centered • Trainers are practitioners • Church Growth 101: 100, 200, Repro. • ABC Integration • Relentless refinement

44. EFCA Assessment • Self Assessment: On line • Planter Profile, MBTI, DiSC, Spiritual Gifts • Modified Behavioral Interview • Certified Assessment Team • District Placement • Drill down on doctrine, marriage, chemistry

45. Holistic: ABC Integration Assess: For Potential Train: For Content Coach: For Implementation

46. 2007 Study • EFCA Planters • Coach: 94% • Peer Network: 53% • BootCamp: 87% • Other training: 100% • Assessment: 90% (my guess) • We work hard on our support systems!

47. EFCA and Funding Show Me The Money!

48. Fourth Question • Assessment: Is he a planter? • Training: Does he have a good plan? • Coaching: Does he have someone to help him stay on target, on time, and in balance? • Funding: Does he have adequate funding to be successful?

49. ABC-D Integration • Assessment • Vision caster- People gatherer- Fund raiser • BootCamp Training: Proposal • Good proposal: Realistic funding projections • Coaching • Know planters want to skip fund raising. • Development: • When ABC is in place, we can confidently invest in planters.

50. EFCA Resources • National: Revolving Fund (CPRF) • Very small: $250,000 • Large estate gift: 10-12 year process • 18 Districts: All over the map • Some districts have CPRF: Road kill • Some districts have no money • Most districts in-between