Church Planting Process

A process that invests in 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.

Stages of the process

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 are collaborators and equippers at heart. They live for the lost and seek Gospel saturation in their city or town.

If that sounds like you, the identification stage is where you raise your hand and say, “I just might be interested in church planting.”

Here are the first steps we invite you to take with us:

1.

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.

Following Identification, you will be invited into an Assessment process with our partner, Stadia, which helps determine your aptitude and readiness. In addition to receiving an internal spiritual call to church plant, our assessment process provides confirmation of an external call and readiness to plant because we want to make sure you are best suited and most prepared for the incredible task at hand.

Assessment involves three phases: Exploration, Discernment, and the Discovery Event.

The first two phases answer the questions: Am I called? and Am I Ready? There are activities, inventories, and personality assessments in these two phases at which you will proceed at your pace.

The Discovery Event (DE) is a 3-day in-person event where you will learn about and be assessed on four core competencies. You can view a breakdown of these competencies here.

Think of the DE 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 guides.

The end result of the DE 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 complements 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.

2.

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, Association of Related Churches (ARC) or Kansas City Underground (KCU) 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 more.

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!

3.

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, agree to the Vineyard Statement of Faith, 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.

4.

SUPPORT

The Vineyard is committed to journeying with you for the long haul and providing support to help you have the best chance of success.

Every Vineyard Church plant receives 6 months of coaching for free from VUSA.

New planters also get access to Vineyard Digital for the first year, training opportunities, and ongoing relational support and connection with other planters and pastors in their region.

We’re excited to be on this journey with you! Let’s get started.

5.

Illustrations by Ouch.pics

What Vineyard Church Planting Looks Like

Stories of church planters who are transforming their communities with diverse expressions of Vineyard churches. The different models, methods, and people that make up Vineyard Churches.

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Church Planting Process

A process that invests in you

Stages of the process

Here are the first steps we invite you to take with us:

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More on Vineyard Church Planting

What Vineyard Church Planting Looks Like

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