The NCCUMC is seeking to build a leadership pool of pastors who are called to and gifted for new church planting. This leadership pool will consist of individuals who have completed the process of discovery and development around the unique leadership calling of new church planting. From this leadership pool, pastors may be appointed to plant a new church or to become a second pastor in a young church. Potential new church pastors must meet the standards of licensed local pastors or ordained clergy as specified by the Discipline.
The Process of Becoming a New Church Pastor:
• The North Carolina Conference Cabinet will identity pastors who they recognize as having the leadership gifts and graces for potentially starting new churches.
• Potential new church pastors will complete the following self-assessments: a) Potential New Church Pastor Profile; b) Myers-Brigg Type Indicator; c) Personality / DiSC Profile; and d) Ministry gifts inventory.
• Potential new church pastors will be involved in a small group (2-3 persons) assessment and interview.
• Potential new church pastors will attend regional and national church planting conferences and seminars.
• Potential new church pastors will participate in the New Church Pastors' Learning Cycle offered by the Academy for Leadership Excellence which is set in a 12-month period.
• Upon meeting the criteria of the process, a potential new church pastor may be selected and appointed to start a new church by the North Carolina Conference Cabinet.
• Upon appointment to start a new church, a new church pastor will be assigned a coach and will be expected to attend further leader development conferences.
The overall purpose of the New Church Pastors' Learning Cycle is to equip appointed or potential new church planters with the skills, competencies, and capabilities needed to successfully launch and develop a new church. The methodology of the Learning Cycle includes: practical and relevant presentations; interactive, peer-based learning and dialogue; a safe environment for asking questions and thinking through your plans; ministry action plans which serve as a blueprint for your first year; and interaction and coaching from experienced faculty and facilitators.
The objectives of the New Church Pastors' Learning Cycle:
• To assist a pastor in discerning their call to be a new church pastor.
• To discover the ministry gift, leadership skill, personality style, and general characteristics of the potential new church pastor through a series of self-assessments and/or small group discussions.
• To provide in-depth, challenging learning experiences focused on the key leadership issues of leading oneself, leading others, and leading a congregation, that will equip new church pastors to function successfully and effectively in a new church start.
• To create opportunities to participate in regional and national new church planting conferences.
• To facilitate on-going self-directed learning through exposure to the most recent printed resources and materials in new church planting.
• To connect the potential new church pastor to a network of actual and potential new church pastors.
• To support the creation of a personal ministry action plan for a possible new church start.
The curriculum of the New Church Pastors' Learning Cycle will include, but not be limited by, the following key leadership topics vital to potential new church pastors:
• The New Church Planter as Leader. This focus will be on the essential qualities of a new church pastor and includes the discerning of gifts and passions for ministry, as well as clarifying and confirming the church planter's call. Objective research-based criteria will be presented in our discovery of thirteen excellent indicators to ministry success in a new church start.
• Foundations for Church Planting: Models, Mission , Values, and Vision. The focus of this workshop will be the identification of various church planting models and settings, includes a view of demographics and the determination of where new church plants will be located. This emphasis leads to thinking about how a community's culture and setting shapes your ministry and how you can establish church planting partners. The new church pastor must have a philosophy of ministry which includes key components of mission, values, and vision.
• Planting a New Church with Teams. The focus of this workshop is the emphasis on forming and building the teams which are vital to a new church start. These teams include, but are not limited to, a prayer team, core team, launch team, support team, leadership team, ministry teams, etc.
• New Church as Mission Station: Invitational Outreach. A new church pastor must be able to reach and relate to its surrounding community, particularly to the unchurched people who reside there. This focus will help you to develop a clear picture of the people in your target area, with an opportunity to answer the question "who is your targeted group?" A new church pastor must discover their view of evangelism and be able to provide multiple opportunities for invitation. One's focus is not building an institution, rather building a community of people who are experiencing God's love and grace, some for the very first time in their lives.
• Passionate Worship Comes in Different Forms and Shapes. The new church pastor has a wonderful opportunity to create a worship experience that is excellent, passionate, genuine, dynamic, joyful, inspiring, and transforming. The fundamental question is not form, but whether worshippers experience God in a personal and relevant way.
• Growing Disciples and Leaders in a New Church. The focus of this learning is how to build discipleship-making at the very core of the new church's life. Creating multiple pathways to growing disciples will result in the lay mobilization which is needed as your congregation grows. As a new church pastor you will be involved in growing leaders from the very first day of your ministry, and in developing strong practices of daily Christian discipleship, such as prayer, Bible reading and study, service, generosity, etc.
• Beginning to Plan for the Launch: First Steps and First Ministries. Within this time of learning you will develop a ministry action plan which involves the creation of a written launch plan. Some of the key elements include invitation, marketing, creating name recognition, facilities, equipment, developing interest groups, planning for opening worship, etc.
• Creating a Discipline of Stewardship in a New Church. This workshop will focus on the disciplines of stewardship and generosity and their importance in a new church start. Related themes include leading the new church in budgeting, raising funds, and solid financial practices.
• Facilities and Funds for the Future. While the new church planter is firmly rooted in the "here and now" and the reality of the early days and years of a new church start involves temporary or rented spaces, there is a necessary attention to the future needs of facilities and funds. This workshop will facilitate discussion related to the purchase of land, the construction of a building, and the necessary capital funds campaign.
After Successfully Meeting the Criteria, What Then?
After the successful completion of the process for becoming a new church pastor, a person may be evaluated as having the skills, capabilities, and graces for starting a new church. This decision will be made by the North Carolina Conference Cabinet and a possible new church plant will be discussed with the person by their District Superintendent. If a person is appointed to start a new church, they will be assigned a coach or mentor and will be expected to attend additional leader development conferences and events.
To Get Started in This Process:
If you would like to be included in the listing of persons who are being considered for this process, please contact Dr. Steve Compton , Director of Congregational Development, 919-832-9560, scompton@nccumc.org or your District Superintendent.
Prepared by Dr. Irene Brownlee
Executive Director, Academy for Leadership Excellence
ibrownlee@ncccumc.org
Reviewed and accepted by Cabinet, 2/27/2007
