Church Starting Discernment Process
Church starting has partnered with CBF Global Missions in their discernment process. This process blends the collective experience and wisdom of years of global cross-cultural ministry and missional thinking. We hope that it creates a dynamic mix of those called to be on mission in the United States and in all parts of the world. We direct candidates in a life reflection process, in which they learn about the Missiology of CBF and respond to ideas like missional church, contextualization, sustainability, and networking. The encourager church process is a crucial step for candidates as they determine a church that might help support them in this role. It is our desire to aid, equip, and guide candidates so that they can serve God as called.
Goals for the candidate process:
1. Reflection and discernment of calling
2. Responding to, and shaping of, a church start plan
3. Learning and engaging in CBF Missiology and team structure
4. Encourager Church Covenant development
5. Health and wellness
6. Character exploration
Process Overview
The first step of the process is a 10-week online session (exceptions are considered for candidates needing to work offline). Candidates work through a process of self-discernment, reflecting on God’s development of giftedness, character and calling over their lifetime. In addition, candidates will learn about CBF Global Missions and Church Starts, reflect on missional church practice, and interact with other candidates through online discussion boards.
The second phase of the process involves face-to-face interviews. We will schedule interviews with a member of the CBF Church Starts staff as well as the CBF state/regional coordinator for your area who will have interacted personally with your written materials from the ten-week online discernment process.
Selected candidates will be invited to a third phase of the process, a three day Exploratory Conference, where we will discern together whether becoming a CBF-supported church starter is the right match for your gifts. Subsequent training will equip you with skills to pursue church starting.
We do not enter lightly into the process of church starting. We want to make sure that all parties are strategic and careful as we move ahead. This is an in-depth process, and we cannot support all those interested in starting churches. Funds are limited even for those that have the full support of CBF. We will work with you, however, to provide resources and the tools to give you the best possible chance to succeed.
Because all that enter this discernment process will not necessarily find themselves called to missions or church starting, we maintain a highly confidential process designed to protect the privacy of candidates.
Basic Guidelines
The basic guidelines for becoming a CBF church starter include the following:
• A call from God to mission service;
• Good moral character and reputation;
• A lifestyle of actively sharing one’s faith with non-Christians;
• Professional training in keeping with interests and gifting;
• Demonstrated sense of identity with CBF;
• Experience adequate for assignment;
Register now for our upcoming online cohort beginning Mar. 28th, 2012 by filling out an information form.