Process

So, you're considering Church Planting in the EFCA Texas - Oklahoma District

We are presently praying for you and your wife as you work through the process of determining where the Lord would want you to serve. We hope you will find our time of getting to know each other and our communication, based in integrity, relevant to what you are looking for and needing. We would like to encourage you to ask questions and please do NOT assume anything.

Through phone calls and emails we will begin to get to know each other during this process. Our style in the EFCA Texas - Oklahoma District focuses on the relational and cultivates a healthy interdependence between pastors and churches.

After we receive a resume, these steps are followed by the EFCA Texas - Oklahoma Church Multiplication Team:

Stage 1: Planter Assessment

          A. Resume and prayer

          B. Criminal background check

          C. Divorce: If you or your wife have not been divorced then you may skip this step. If either you or your wife have been divorced in the past, then the following steps need to be taken:

                   a. Explanation of exception: On a sheet of paper how the divorce(s) meets the EFCA's following exception criteria:

                              i. If the person was an unbeliever at the time of the divorce.

                              ii. If an unbeliever leaves a believer because he or she has become a believer.

                              iii. If infidelity was involved and if counseling was refused or did not produce a change of behavior.

                              iv. If fraud or dishonesty were involved in the initial marriage

                    b. Participate in counciling for your divorce policy exception

                    c. Submits notes and recording to the national office of the EFCA

                    d. Await the approval or denial from the national office

          D. Self assessment: The potential planter then needs to complete the assessment listed below (see http://www.efca.org/church-planting/reachnational-church-planting/assessment for self assessments on other links). Once complete, he will need to turn in the results (in electronic format-via email) to the Director of Church Planting.

                    a. DiSC http://www.corexcel.com/html/disc-profile.htm

                    b. Myers-Briggs Interpretive For Organizations Report

                    http://www.yourlifespath.com/default.asp?view=Assessments#products 20% off for EFCA

                    c. EFCA's Planter Profile. Right now download, but working on being on-line.

                    d. Spiritual Gifts: 16 Gifts http://www.uniquelyyou.net/giftedness/profiles.php

                    e. Pre-Assessment Questionnaire

          E. Spousal support: We also have his wife (if married) write a one-page essay talking about her agreement with him being a church planter. She will then submit her essay to the Director of Church planting via email. If the essay indicates to us that she believes God has wired her husband as a planter and they want to move forward, then we will proceed.

          F. References: The planter will be asked to supply names and addresses of five references

          G. Behavioral interview: Then we meet with the potential planter and his wife for a four-hour assessment interview at our expense.

          H. Church recommendation: Need to receive a letter of blessing and recommendation from the Senior Pastor or Elders of his present church.

          I. Church Planting Covenant: Must agree to abide by the church planting agreement

          J. Coaching Covenant: Must agree to on going coaching principles

          K. What it Means to be an EFC: Must agree to principles and expectations outlined in this document

          L. District Superintendent approval of call: If we are all in agreement, then the planter signs the church planting contract.

Stage 2: Planter Preparation

          A. Raise 100 prayer supporters

          B. Boot camps (Church Planting and Support Building)

          C. Reading, application and license paper for ordination completed

          D. The planter is given affirmation toward church planting by one District church. (If possible)

          E. The PAT is formed and operational

          F. Church Planting Proposal completed

          G. District Church Multiplication Team approval of Church Planting Proposal

EFCA Start Churches