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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MOTHER CHURCH?

When an established healthy church feels called by God to start a new congregation as a way of reaching a new mission field using its staff, members, and resources, it may consider becoming a "mother church." The great blessing and value of this decision by a mother church is that it replicates its healthy DNA into a New Church, while recognizing that the daughter church will have its own unique "fingerprints" of style, ministry, and focus. In this model, the daughter congregation is started with the full intent of chartering when it becomes financially and programmatically independent.

When an established healthy church feels called by God to reach into a new mission field by starting an extension campus, and it is clear that the new campus may have no intention of ever chartering or incorporating, it is considered an 'Extension (or satellite) Campus.' The great blessing and value of this model is that it replicates the healthy DNA of mother church into a new campus, while realizing the extension campus will have its own unique 'fingerprints' of ministry, style, and focus.

The prospective Mother Church must go through the following assessment/training process:

  1. Meet with the CNCD to begin the process.
  2. Fill out the application to become a Mother Church (See Policies and Procedures – Multi-Site);
  3. Attend an assessment/training session provided by the CNCD;
  4. Complete the Path 1 "Readiness 360" assessment survey;
  5. 100% apportionment payout the year prior to birthing a new Daughter congregation…and remain on track for annual %100 payout each year as a Benchmarks for the Extension Campus or Daughter Church to receive funds approved in the grant.

Typical Expectations for a Successful Mother-Daughter New Church Start

By the Mother Church (In priority order)

  1. DNA … of a healthy church that has successfully gone through lots of ministry changes and growth over the years… and that has a heart for reaching people for Jesus Christ; DNA … of a solid, effective, pastor who has successfully matured through ministry and has the gifts to teach, mentor, and guide through authentic spiritual passion.
  2. PEOPLE … who carry the DNA
  3. RESOURCES … Financial, tactical, logistical help
  • Vision-casting by mother church pastor through:

    • Clearly stating the purpose of the appointment from the time new pastor is introduced to the congregation
    • Clearly articulating the vision of a healthy church giving birth to a healthy church
  • Investment by the People of the Mother Church

    • Providing 30-50 adult permanent or long-term (one year or longer) missionaries to the start of the new church
    • Providing 50-100 adult "short-term" missionaries (one to eight weeks) during the critical "launch season" for the fall of 2011
    • Participating in designated gifts (above and beyond giving to the mother church) for items needed by the new church (furnishings, materials, technological equipment, etc.)
  • Investment of the Resources and Existing Ministries of the Mother Church

    • Providing shared ministries in identified areas
    • Providing office space and small group meeting space for the new church
    • Providing administrative staff and equipment
    • Providing specialized ministries for the new church (shared youth ministry and children's ministry) for the first year of the new church

By the Annual Conference

  • Training, coaching and continuing support for the church start pastor
  • Mentoring of the mother church throughout the process
  • Investment in salary, housing and related expenses for the planting pastor. Up to…

    • 100% from July 1, 2011 for 12 months
    • 75% for months 13-24
    • 50% for months 25-36
    • 25% for months 37-48 (optional)
  • Investment in Ministry Expenses for the New Church

    • See attached "Copy of typical New Church budget"

    • By the New Church

    • Pastor will be hardworking, diligent, creative, relevant & passionate
    • Pastor will regularly report progress to the Mother Church
    • Pastor & Church will set benchmarks to be met at specific time intervals; if benchmarks are not met, then the project ends
    • The New Church will begin immediately to ingrain the value of generous giving among its participants.
    • Church will be generally self-sustaining within 36 months