What is a New Church, anyway?

St. Matthews UMC youth group!

We are not trying to create “mini-me’s”!

Sometimes a new faith community will look very different from an established congregation. Here are some characteristics we utilize in distinguishing a new faith community from an outreach ministry or multiple services:

characteristics we utilize in distinguishing a new faith community from an outreach ministry or multiple services: Includes regular community worship Has an intentional and effective discipleship system. Their implied or stated mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Characteristics, cont. Meets off-site. Exception would be a “church within a church” or a service that is meeting a very different demographic and engages in a separate discipleship system than the host congregation. Does community outreach

Characteristics, Cont. Provides an opportunity for regular giving and has a systematic accountability to their funds and budget Has an established leadership and administrative order.

Characteristics, cont. While a new church may not receive members, a new church has an identified list of people who “belong” and see this gathering as their faith community. Has a defined strategy to plant a new community of faith community in its near future.

Questions?

Job Summary: The District NCD Team, will help develop and oversee the development of new faith communities within their district in consultation and coordination with the Conference NCD Team, Board of Ordained Ministry, and Cabinet.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities EXECUTIVE - Develop and Execute a District NCD Strategy in alignment with the KAC NCF Strategy Formation of a District NCD Team Formation of a District NCD MAP Sign off on the new plant covenant Oversee the new plant’s MAP, budget, and benchmarks

Identify and recruit a pool of potential pastors, staff, and leaders LEADERSHIP - Identify and Develop a Pool of NCF Pastors/Staff / Lead Teams Identify and recruit a pool of potential pastors, staff, and leaders Recommend NCD pastoral candidates to the Conference NCD Team Conduct a Lay Missionary Planting Network class (LMPN) to train laity

SITE DEVELOPMENT - Identify and Develop Potential NCD Sites Study the district mission field to assess needs and opportunities Create a site assessments (MissionInsite, interviews, and other tools) Prioritize sites as to need and feasibility

SUPPORT - Give Support and Assessment Meet monthly with church planters for support and encouragement Meet quarterly with new church planters / planting teams for review, adjustment of benchmarks, and preliminary evaluations.

CULTURE / COMMUNICATIONS - District Culture Development Utilize District communications to help change the culture and generate creativity and excitement for new faith communities Conduct the LMPN classes within the district LACE

STEWARDSHIP - Budget and Funding Oversee the District NCD budget Help generate creative funding streams to partner with Conference NCD for new plants Identify and make requests of potential NCD donors (in consultation with NCD Director)