WHAT IS THE CHURCH PLANTING RESIDENCY?
The Connection Church planting residency is a great opportunity to be trained to plant a healthy, well organized, gospel-centered church. The church planting residency training will be broken up into two equal parts: church planting and hands on ministry.
CHURCH PLANTING TRAINING (50%)
Launching a new church is a unique journey that requires certain skills & practices. Fifty percent of the church planter’s time will be dedicated to being equipped with how to plant a new church. The training will include but is not limited to: 1on1 training with experienced church planters, fundraising, launch team development, developing a prospectus, developing a ministry plan, creating a first-year budget, learning how to develop ministry areas (kids, youth, worship, production, guest services, etc), as well as other areas of training needed to launch a new church.
MINISTRY TRAINING (50%)
In addition to training the church planter on how to launch a new church, the residency also includes hands-on ministry training. In this training, the church planter will learn how to develop healthy ministries, systems, and operations. Furthermore, this part of the residency will also provide teaching opportunities, being immersed in different ministry areas, training leaders, attending elder meetings, as well as other hands in opportunities in every area of the church. The church planter will work as a staff member in different areas of ministry within Connection Church. The assignment of these ministry areas will be based on previous experience and areas of needed growth. The planter will also be commissioned to plant a new small group with no current church people in preparation for planting a new church.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Assessing – We will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses
- Training – We will help you become a better leader and teach you everything we know about how to plant and lead a church.
- Relationship – You will build relationships with other church planters and have the opportunity to join the larger family of Connection Network.
- Funding – You’ll receive financial support from network churches.
- Sending – Our churches send not only money but people to help you plant.
- Coaching – Our relationship doesn’t end when you are sent.
HOW IS THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT STRUCTURED DURING THE RESIDENCY?
During the residency, the church planter will be a full-time staff member of Connection Church. During the nine-month residency, the church planter will make $2,778 in monthly salary as a staff member as well as an additional $25,000 supplement from the network if assessed and approved by the network. This combines together for a total salary of $50,000 over 9 months. If the church planter goes through Connection’s elder process they will also be eligible to have part of their salary designated as a housing allowance. As a way to help the church planter raise support, Connection will allow the church planter, as well as members of the launch team, to designate their giving towards the church plant during the residency.
HOW IS THE CHURCH PLANTER SUPPORTED AFTER THE RESIDENCY?
The church planter will be well supported by Connection after the residency. This support will come in multiple forms. First, the church planter will have three years of formal coaching and support from Connection staff members. This includes unlimited access and calls to the staff team at Connection. This also includes formal monthly coaching calls for the first year and as-needed coaching calls for the second & third year. Second, the church planter will have full access to Connection’s systems, policies and procedures, and creative content for the first three years of their church plant. This is an invaluable resource that will save the church planter time and resources in those first two years. Lastly, the church planter will also be supported financially for the first three years. Connection will offer up to $25,000 per year in total support across the first three years.
RESIDENCY TIMELINE: (recommended)
- August 1: Church Planting Residency Starts
- September-November: Fall Interest Meetings
- January 1: Launch Team Meetings Begin
- April 30th: Church Planting Residency Ends
WHAT DOES THE CHURCH PLANTER COMMIT TO?
In addition to Connection’s commitment to the church planter during the residency and the three years after the residency, it is important to outline the commitment the church planter is making in going through Connection’s residency and being planted out of Connection Church. During the residency, the church planter will be a full-time staff member of Connection Church. As a staff member, the church planter will submit to the elders and staff of the church. Also, the church planter will commit to launching a certain type of church. Connection believes it is important for churches that are planted in the network to share a similar ministry philosophy and DNA. Planting churches that share a similar ministry philosophy and DNA allows us to grow a family of churches that most effectively support one another in relationship and active coaching.
THE MINISTRY PHILOSOPHY AND DNA INCLUDES:
- Affirm the Connection Faith & Message.
- Commitment to the Connection Network Priorities.
- Commitment to church planting and international missions.
- Organize the church with a plurality of elders.
The church planter will fully commit to all of the requirements of an ongoing coaching relationship the first three years after the residency. This includes giving Connection leadership full-access to the financials and ministry metrics of the church. This enables the leadership of Connection to provide coaching and accountability for these first three years.
HOW TO APPLY:
The Residency begins August 1st and ends April 30th. We begin considering candidates in October of the prior year and begin making decisions in March. Inquiry > Assessment > Approval > Residency
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