1. Chapter 3 – Soil Analysis The State of the American Church The Covenant Church Planting Movement and the Desperate Need for your New Church Go and make disciples pante ta ethne

2. 1. You will understand the desperate need for more churches

8. 2. You will get acquainted with the reasons for the success of the Covenant Church Planting Movement

15. How we plant: the formula with the 5 “right” ingredients: The right planter – called, competent, character… Affirmed through the Assessment Center + The right Launch Team – chemistry between planter & team. Strongest start with a parent church or strong partners + The right Training + A well-conceived project (a solid ministry plan) Flowing from the right mission/vision With the right steps – the 4-stage launch Contextualized for your specific mission field + Good Coaching = A healthy, missional, fruitful church plant “ batting average”.830 (survival rate after 10 years) thrival rate: average size of 238 after 10 years.

16. The Top Ten List for Starting New Churches 1.New churches are needed because the large majority of Americans do not attend a local church. 2.New churches are more effective than established churches at conversion growth. 3.New churches are the only truly effective way to reach the growing ethnic populations in America. 4.New churches are needed to stem the tide of ideological moral erosion in America. 5.New churches have historically been the best method for reaching each emerging new generation.

17. The Top Ten List for Starting New Churches 6. New churches give a group of connected churches market share and influence in their community. 7. New churches grow exponentially faster than established churches. 8. New churches are a test laboratory for church leadership development. 9. New churches are the research and development unit of God's Kingdom. Most of the models and visions for healthy churches are developed in new churches. 10. New churches provide excellent on-the-job training for energetic young pastors.

18. 3. You will understand the unique needs of the mission field in the metro area Christ calls your team to plant in. You need to be able to articulate why God wants this new church in your community. Look at the demographics for your specific Metro area from www.theamericanchurch.org www.theamericanchurch.org Over a decade, here’s the attendance % in the following churches: Evangelical_____ Mainline____ Catholic____ Overall_____ This means that on any given Sunday _________ % are not in any church in our area. Other observations: What are the needs of people in your area that you could meet? In 10 years, if there are fewer churches and fewer people attending church in your area, then what would be the: Impact on your community Impact of families Impact on individuals What are the opportunities for your new church to impact your area with the Gospel?

19. Preparing to Plant a New Church Who will you reach? Where do you want to plant and why? Describe your ministry focus. Describe the needs of the community. Desired meeting location. Include demographic studies of the region. Additional Soil Analysis Community Assessments Strategic Planning