Networks Church Planting Networks From a Leadership Network Research Project

Study 45 church-planting networks45 church-planting networks 24 in-person interviews24 in-person interviews 15 over the phone15 over the phone 6 on-line surveys6 on-line surveys

Observations

Local churches… Plant churches like themselvesPlant churches like themselves Direct “mothering” or sponsorshipDirect “mothering” or sponsorship

Denominations Reproduce common denominationalist churchesReproduce 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 … TheologyTheology MethodologyMethodology EcclesiologyEcclesiology

Networks share Passion for planting churches of “similar DNA”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.Trademark characteristic – emphasis on the ongoing relationship with the planter and church-planting entity.

Two types of networks Inter-denominationalInter-denominational Intra-denominationalIntra-denominational

Local Church  Network GlocalNet from Northwood ChurchGlocalNet from Northwood Church Global Outreach from Spanish River ChurchGlobal Outreach from Spanish River Church

Assessment and Training Defined processes for assessment,assessment, training, andtraining, and assisting the church planter with a new plant.assisting the church planter with a new plant.

Applicants Networks generally accept 20 percent of those who apply to their church planting programs.Networks generally accept 20 percent of those who apply to their church planting programs. Average  20 applicants / yearAverage  20 applicants / year Approvals  5 / yearApprovals  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 interviews50%  on-line & phone interviews 50% of those are declined during the face-to-face interview50% of those are declined during the face-to-face interview 25% of original applicants go on to plant Acts 29 churches25% of original applicants go on to plant Acts 29 churches 150 men in process now150 men in process now

Process Relationship Assessment Philosophical Connectedness Theological Compatibility Network Chemistry Boot Camp Possible Funding Coaching On-going Connectedness (italics=network emphasis)

Ministry Paradigm Missiology: common term and driving force with networksMissiology: common term and driving force with networks

Style No prescribed formula/style required by most networksNo prescribed formula/style required by most networks Most indicated they were a local expression of the community planted in.Most indicated they were a local expression of the community planted in. Many of the plants look more like network than their communityMany of the plants look more like network than their community

Budgets and Funding Different than denomination support or church planting churchDifferent than denomination support or church planting church

Annual Budget Average for networks: $592,133Average for networks: $592,133

Two “budget groupings” 1.Less than $1,000,000 –90% of networks surveyed –Average $182,500 2.Over $1,000,000 –10% of networks surveyed –Average $1,775,000

Average support for new plant $172,2000$172,2000 Reported amount typically combined resources from network and other supporters of the planter/plantReported amount typically combined resources from network and other supporters of the planter/plant

High End Sovereign Grace - $110,000- $120,000 for average church plantSovereign 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 yearsAverage #/year has increased for networks over the past 6 years 1.9 to 61.9 to 6

Possible reasons 50 percent of existing networks are gradually increasing the number of churches they plant each year.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.A large number of new networks have started since –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.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.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.Networks report that 93 percent of the churches they begin become established churches. Average attendance of 143 by the 1-year anniversary.Average attendance of 143 by the 1-year anniversary.