
We can help you explore God’s call.
We have a process that invests in you.
We support you & your church to multiply.
Find the training program that best suits you.
From our years of experience planting churches all over the world, we have developed a clear process that will help you discern how and where God might be calling you to invest your life. We’re excited to be on this journey with you! Let’s get started.
IDENTIFICATION
Vineyard Church Planters are people who long to see the gospel extended and bring transformation to a new community.
They are folks who aren’t always content with what already exists, rather they have an entrepreneurial bent. They want to start new things and they challenge the status quo. They notice things that are wrong or broken and they have the vision of how to accomplish what is necessary for healthy change.
If that sounds like you, the identification stage is where you raise your hand and say, “I just might be interested in church planting.”
Following the above steps with us, you will be invited into Stadia’s Discovery Process, which helps determine your aptitude and readiness. In addition to receiving a spiritual call to church plant, we want to make sure you are best suited and most prepared for the incredible task at hand. Stadia’s Discovery Process involves three surveys and three interviews:
ASSESSMENT
The Assessment Stage helps identify your current strengths and areas of growth as a church planter. In this stage, together with our partner Stadia, we get a good picture of what skills and experience you are bringing to the table as a church planting candidate.
This stage involves two parts: Pre-Assessment work, which then leads you to the Church Planting Assessment Center (CPAC). Your Pre-Assessment work involves personality assessments like StrengthsFinder, the 16PF, Grit, and more. Together we build a profile on your temperament and personality for those assessing you at CPAC. Upon arriving at CPAC, you will be given a series of projects to create and present together with a team that are similar to tasks you would normally do as a church planter.
Think of CPAC less like the SAT and more like showing up to a sports tryout where you get to put your skills into action to be evaluated by competent and qualified assessors.
The end result of CPAC is a recommendation for planting, most often with some further development work to do. For many planters, this is a hugely encouraging moment because they receive external confirmation of their church planting potential, which compliments the calling they’ve received internally by the Holy Spirit.
Throughout your Assessment process, you are encouraged to be in regular communication with your sending pastor and Area Leader for continued coaching and development.
Once you complete CPAC, you will fill out the Vineyard Church Planting Application.
TRAINING
Church planting is a unique endeavor with specific skills required, and our Training Phase is just what you need to prepare to launch successfully.
We have created partnerships to help train you in the church planting model you will be using. At this stage, you can choose to work with Stadia, ARC or KC Underground to pursue a traditional plant, large-launch, or a network of micro-churches.
In addition to this, we have specialists who can help coach and resource you in other specialty areas including small-town planting, Spanish-speaking churches, Asian American church planting, and many others.
You’ll also want to get connected to the leadership of the region you’re in. In the location that you’re going to be planting, it’s vital that you build relationships with your local pastors and Area and Regional Leaders so that they can confirm your release as a church plant and welcome you to the neighborhood!
RELEASE
To be legally recognized as a Vineyard church and use the Vineyard name, only takes three simple steps.
First, you will fill out a Legal Packet in which you sign a trademark agreement and agree to give 3% to VUSA. Next, you’ll need to complete a background check for you and your spouse (for those who are married). Finally, you will complete your Release Paperwork to be signed by your sending pastor, Area, Regional, and National Vineyard leaders. Once these documents have been filled out, we will send your church plant start-up funds, if applicable.
SUPPORT
That’s why Vineyard Church plants receive a certified coach at no charge to the planter.
New planters also get access to Vineyard Digital for the first year, training opportunities, ongoing relational support and connection with other planters and pastors in their region, and additional strategic coaching and training with Stadia.
We’re excited to be on this journey with you! Let’s get started.