Q. How can our church start another church?
A. Starting a church requires vision to do so. Asking the question, "How can we start another church?" shows the beginning of that vision. Prayer can be the affirmation or initiation of a vision for church starting. Consult with church leaders and see about contacting the Collin Baptist Association Church Starting Team or Church Starting Director concerning guidelines and/or potential resources. These can come from the association or state or national conventions. Help will be forthcoming in the various steps of church starting such as enlisting a team; identifying a ministry target; finding receptive people; evangelizing nonbelievers; discipling people and developing a core group; and launching the new church.
Q. Can an individual help in starting a church?
A. Individuals with all kinds of spiritual gifts are needed in a new church start. These go from those with gifts of evangelism or giving to helping and preaching or teaching. A new church start really helps individuals to test their gifts and exercise them.
Q. Is there training available for planting a church?
A. Different types of training are available throughout the year. Some are interested in house churches or cell groups. Others prefer the Basic Church Start Training offered to new church planters and their wives.
Q. How can I know if I am equipped to be a church planter?
A. Assessments are offered at different locations by different organizations. Those interested in church planting are encouraged to get an assessment along with their spouse.
Q. Are there different Church Planting approaches?
A. Program-based church planting is the planting of a church that will minister to people and grow through a variety of church programs. These programs will consist of some combination of evangelism; discipleship; youth, children, men, women ministries; music; missions; and social ministries.
Purpose-based church planting is the planting of a church that will focus on the five purposes of a church as identified by Rick Warren. The five purposes are outreach, worship, fellowship, discipleship and service.
Seeker-based church planting is the planting of churches that intentionally target specific seeker populations, and position themselves to respond to the target's needs.
Ministry-based church planting is the planting of a church that will go into the community, impact peoples' lives, and draw them towards the gospel.
Relational-based church planting is relatively new and attempts to solve the riddle of reaching and congregationalizing postmoderns, also called the Emerging Generation. Relation-based churches are networks of single cell churches. These churches, sometimes called home, house or organic churches are fluid and spread along relational lines through people networks.
Affinity-based church planting involves the starting of a church among a specific people or cultural group. The culture can be defined ethnically, by language, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle preferences, or other distinguishing characteristics.
Q. What kind of COVENANT is involved?
A. A New Church Resources Covenant is signed between the new church, the sponsor church, the association and the state convention of choice. It is an agreement to participate in a partnership committed to the development of the new church.
Q. What kind of records should be kept?
A. The Annual Church Profile (ACP) is collected annually following the end of the church year on August 31. It is important for a church to keep records of worship attendance, Bible study attendance, finances, baptisms, church membership etc. A sample of the ACP is available on-line at: http://sbds.lifeway.com/help/english.pdf Record keeping will help the church in years ahead to have an accurate picture of progress and flow.
Q. What if my question isn't found on this page?
A. Contact the CBA Executive Director Rick Ballard at
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