Outreach North America resources Presbyteries to Plant Churches

Why Church Plant with the ARPC?

Because we invest in you with . . .

Solid prayer support
National ministry exposure through monthly & weekly prayer newsletters
One-day assessment (fully funded)
Ongoing training and coaching
National resources from Outreach North America
Annual retreat for the planter and spouse
General administrative support
Financial support (up to four years)
Connectional leadership
One-year exploratory year

Testimonials from Current Planters

Hear from our Church Planters

I’m grateful to be a daughter church plant and for Reformation’s vision to invest in me and send a core team. Church planting can be risky, slow, and lonely. It sure helps to have a team working together, praying together, and reminding each other of His promises! I can see how members in our church plant are growing in new ways and members at Reformation are stepping into leadership roles left by those who went with the church plant. God is blessing the mother congregation and our sprouting congregation.

Rev. Zack Keuthan

Fletcher Presbyterian Church

Daughter Church

Church planting, like everything in ministry, is a work of faith. We can do nothing apart from Christ, but with Christ all things are possible. At each step, the challenges have driven us to depend on Christ. We have also seen that the blessings far outweigh the challenges. Just as childbirth comes with pain yet yields great joy, so does birthing a new church. What a joy it is to have a front row seat to see the Lord begin a new church before our eyes. Our faith, hope, and love for the Lord are deeper and richer, and we are grateful to Jesus!

Rev. Matt Lucas

Reformation Presbyterian Church

Mother Church

Being part of the core team of FPC has met my need for fellowship in real and unexpected ways. As we have prayed, planned, worked, and worshipped together, our hearts have been knit together in a way that I never expected. We are becoming family. Also, the uncertainty of undertaking something new and a bit scary has driven me to Jesus and given me greater delight in my heavenly Father. Jesus is using the FPC church plant to stretch me and to fill me. And, indeed, my cup overflows!

Marty Reed

Fletcher Presbyterian Church

Core Team Member

ARPC Requirements

Is Church Planting For You?

Healthy planters plant healthy churches! Therefore, we are looking for:

A man who knows and proclaims God's Word; effectively practices biblical imperatives; and has a vision for building the Kingdom of God.
Desires to share his faith and make disciples; is able to shepherd God's people and serves to give God glory.
Lives under the grace and mercy of God; loves and nourishes his family; senses a calling to develop a community of believers.

Also, the ARPC requires our church planters to:

Hold a Masters of Divinity degree (with Greek and Hebrew) from an accredited and approved seminary
Commit to and clearly articulate Reformed theology
Be ordained or be willing to become ordained in the ARPC
Actively participate in our denominational ministries

The Church Planting Process

How to become a Church Planter with the ARPC

1

Presbytery Initiation

Our regional presbyteries have oversight of the mission work within their bounds, as well as the responsibility to call and approve church planters. To plant an ARP church, you will need to initiate contact with the presbytery where you feel called to plant. ONA can help you determine and make contact with the right presbytery. Once the presbytery has decided to take the next step in considering you as a church planter, they will work with ONA in an assessment process to confirm your gifting for the ministry of church planting.

2

Assessment

In order to be good stewards of human and financial resources, the presbytery will work with ONA to assess you and your spouse regarding your gifting for church planting at this time. The assessment will give you feedback that can be helpful for your future ministry, regardless of whether you are recommended for church planting at this time.

3

Results

As a result of the assessment, you will receive a recommendation either to pursue church planting or to pursue different avenues of ministry. If you are recommended for church planting, you will want to pay attention to the feedback regarding areas you need to strengthen to help you as a church planter. The assessment results also help the presbytery as they seek to be good stewards of God’s resources.

4

Approval By Presbytery

Presbytery will want an initial proposal for the church plant before voting to approve the work. Once presbytery has approved the church plant and once you are recommended through the assessment process, the presbytery can approve a call to you as the church planter for the new work.

5

ONA Orientation

Once assessed and approved, you will want to be oriented by the presbytery Church Extension Committee and by ONA staff to discuss getting started, funding, training and support opportunities, and other expectations. We will provide integral support so that you are well-equipped to enter your explorer year.

6

Explorer Year

During the explorer year of church planting, you will develop a core group, create a prayer network, and learn the complexities of church planting. As an explorer, you will be expected to research your target area and develop a core group.

With our support and these resources at your disposal, you are expected to come out of your explorer year with a researched and developed church plant proposal to submit to your presbytery and the ONA Board for approval.

7

Church Planting

After your proposal has been approved, you’ll officially be on your way to planting a church. You will want to take full advantage of strategic direction, prayer, and accountability provided by the presbytery and by ONA.