Church Quest is the time between years 2 and 5 for a church plant to meet ongoing benchmarks agreed upon by the planter, core team members, resident DS, and New Church Development Board reps. This group is to meet two times a year by zoom or on site of the plant to review benchmarks at a stakeholders meeting. The Planter, core team members, and DS, are to meet with the NCD board once a year to review the ongoing need for funding and growth of the church. By years 4-5, the new fellowship should show the capacity to fund itself and govern the day to day, processes of discipling new people in the mission field as well as the running the day-to- day administrative needs. Sufficiently showing this capacity over at least six months will determine that they are ready to be chartered as a church in the United Methodist connection. Failure to meet benchmarks on three successive meetings will mean that the new church will be shuttered and the Dir. Of Congregational Excellence will provide appointive cabinet with the information to handle appointive matters connected with the closed fellowship.
Type of Church
New Church fellowships who are between years 2 and 5, of becoming self-sufficient, self- governing, and self-supporting, chartered United Methodist Churches.
Onboarding Process
Newly launched fellowships who arrive at the end of year one meeting benchmarks, financial and discipleship marks, are approved to move into Church Quest
The Appointive Cabinet and NCD approve the ministry to go forward at the end of the calendar year and in time for cabinet inventory at the beginning of the cabinet year.
Ongoing monitoring throughout the year of participation and evolution of the plant. Provide benchmarking and clarity as the project progresses
Decide the viability of the project and next steps for the 2nd year.
Tracking Transformation
January – April: First quarter benchmarks met that were decided upon in the previous calendar year.
May - August: Second quarter benchmarks met with report to the NCD Board in August, with justification on what will need to happen to continue the plant beyond the calendar year. September - December: Fourth quarter benchmarks are to be met and lived out according to previous agreements on progress. November/December benchmark meetings will determine viability and continuation of the new start. This will be judged on the three previous benchmark meeting agreements
By year 4 or 5, fellowship will show a period of at least six months (in practice – not necessarily policy) of self-sufficiency, self- supporting, and self-governing, health.
Final metamorphosis of a plant is to become a chartered church community functioning in the Great Plains United Methodist Connection.
DS Use and Responsibilities
Supervise and coach the planting pastors and relate to the projects as they develop.
Create measurable agreements in stakeholder meetings to review previous quarter benchmarks: April/May, August, November/December. Agreements between Director of Congregational Excellence and Administrative Services to align appropriate resources for the new start in their mission field
Share your voice, recommendations, research, and perspectives on the ongoing development of new faith communities in the District
