The Volunteer Missional Pastor and Church Planting in GCC
Georgia-Cumberland Conference of SDA
(Voted by GCC Executive Committee, Feb. 24, 2010)
Direct Supervisor: Harold Cunningham · 478.955.6822 (cell)
706.629-7951 ext. 379 · [email protected]
I. Volunteer Missional Pastor (MP)
What are the “Core Competencies” we want to build in Missional Pastors?
1. Spiritual Competencies
a. Practicing Spiritual Disciplines
b. Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit
c. Vibrant Worship
d. Growing Faith in God
2. Theological Competencies
a. Reading List
b. Study Skills
c. Knowledge of Bible and Spirit of Prophecy
d. Good understanding of SDA Theology
e. Some knowledge of Other Theological Systems
f. Sermon Preparation
g. Reflection and Self-evaluation Skills
3. Leadership Competencies
a. Servant Leadership
b. Vision Casting
c. Integrity/Accountability
1) Prayer Partner
2) Conference Supervisor
3) Faithfulness in Stewardship
4) Portfolio
5) Loyalty to the Church Organization
d. Organizational Change
e. Empowering Members (Delegating, Training, Mentoring, Coaching)
f. Team Leadership (Building Teams, etc.)
g. Affirming Others
h. Ethics
4. Management Competencies
a. Skills in Planning
b. Abilities in Financial Management (Budgeting, etc.)
c. Conflict Management
d. Conducting Effective Meetings (Boards, Committees, etc.)
e. Completing Tasks and Responsibilities
f. Ability to Plan and Conduct Worship Services, Communion Services, Baby Dedications, Baptismal Services, etc.
g. Working Knowledge of Church Policy (Church Manual, GCC Policy, etc.)
5. Evangelism/Witnessing Competencies
a. Skills in Relational Evangelism
b. Able to Use Methods to Reach Post-moderns
c. Skills in Leading Persons to a Decision to Follow Jesus
d. Skills in How to Assimilate New Members into the Congregation
e. Understanding and Ability to Implement GCC Discipleship Paradigm
f. Ability to Plan and Conduct Evangelistic Events Within an Ongoing Process of Evangelism
6. Communication/Personal Relationship Competencies
a. Preaching/Teaching Skills
b. Visitation Skills
c. Skills in Leading Worship
d. Authentic Relationships
e. Learning Theory
7. Cross-Cultural Competencies
a. Self-Understanding of Worldview
b. Knowledge of Other World Views
c. Experience in Other Cultures
d. Foreign Language Skills (Optional)
Start-up Process for Missional Pastors
Application Form (see attached) will be sent to potential candidates for the MP program after being reviewed by select Evangelism, Ministerial and GCC staff members.
Begin processing MP program with the local church where the MP would possibly be serving.
Orientation Retreat (spouses encouraged to attend)
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner
7:15 – 7:30 Praise & Worship
7:30 – 7:45 Welcome, Introductions, Orientation, Overview of Weekend
7:45 – 8:30 MP Comp 1*
8:30 – 9:00 Your Path (Written Response)
9:00 – 9:30 Getting acquainted with the candidates
Sabbath
8:00 – 8:45 Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 Praise & Worship
9:15 – 10:00 MP Comp 2*
10:00 – 10:30 Your Path
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 11:00 Praise & Worship
11:00 – 11:15 Season of Prayer
11:15 – 12:00 MP Comp 3*
12:00 – 12:30 Your Path
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 2:45 MP Comp 4*
2:45 – 3:15 Your Path
3:15 – 3:30 Break
3:30 – 4:15 MP Comp 5*
4:15 – 4:45 Your Path
4:45 – 5:00 Break
5:00 – 6:00 Your Path – Life Questions
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner
7:00 – 8:30 Nuts & Bolts – Q & A
8:30 – 10:00 Recreation
Sunday
8:00 – 8:45 Breakfast
9:00 – 9:45 MP Comp 6*
9:45 – 10:15 Your Path
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:15 MP Comp 7*
11:15 – 11:45 Your Path
11:45 – 12:15 Nuts & Bolts – Q & A
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch
*based on the “Core Competencies” of a Missional Pastor
In-field Observation
In-field encounters provide observable and specific contextual application of the candidates “Core Competencies”. This allows us to see the abilities and passions of the candidate and evaluate their “Core Competencies” and calling as a MP
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner
7:10 – 7:30 Praise & Worship and Welcome
7:30 – 8:15 MP Comp 1
8:15 – 8:45 Interactive Response
8:45 – 9:00 GCC Communication
9:00 – 9:30 Reports from MPs
Sabbath
8:00 – 8:45 Breakfast
9:00 – 9:45 MP Comp 2
9:45 – 10:15 Interactive Response
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 10:45 Praise & Worship
10:45 – 11:00 Season of Prayer
11:00 – 11:45 MP Comp 3
11:45 – 12:15 Interactive Response
12:15 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 2:45 MP Comp 4
2:45 – 3:15 Interactive Response
3:15 – 4:00 MP Comp 5
4:00 – 4:30 Interactive Response
4:30 – 4:45 Break
4:45 – 6:00 Nuts & Bolts; Q & A
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner
7:00 – 10:00 Activities (optional)
Regional Gatherings (2 X per year)
9:30 – 10:30 Brunch
10:45 – 11:15 Worship
11:15 – 11:30 Share & Prayer
11:30 – 12:00 GCC Items
12:00 – 12:45 MP Comp Item
12:45 – 1:15 Interactive Response
1:15 – 1:30 Break
1:30 – 2:30 Nuts & Bolts; Q & A
One-on-one time with GCC Supervisor
Reporting – Monthly on GCC Discipleship Paradigm
a.Church activities (i.e. attendance, baptisms, tithe, visitors, etc.)
b.Quantifiable Missional activities (i.e. new relationships being developed; people being discipled; community projects; small group meetings, etc.)
Year end Review by Supervisor
a.Evidence of growth in their local church
b.Evidence of growth in the core competences
c.Attendance at meetings, gatherings, and retreats
d.Review of monthly reports from MP and quarterly reports from the church
e.Recommendation by GCC Supervisor
II. Churches and Church Plants with Missional Pastors
“Core Components” we want to see in churches and church plants?
C. Reporting in the context of the GCC Discipleship paradigm
A. How GCC equips and empowers Missional Pastors and Church Plants
2) Training/Education element
3) Emphasis on GCC Discipleship Paradigm
4) Profile New MPs and New Church Plants
5) Testimonies
6) Fast facts/Cartoons
7) Common Issues/Challenges and Solutions
1) Redemptive in approach
2) Facts before action
IV. Mission Pastor Calendar
2010 – 2012 Calendar
2010
April
January
January
Georgia-Cumberland Conference of SDA
(Voted by GCC Executive Committee, Feb. 24, 2010)
Direct Supervisor: Harold Cunningham · 478.955.6822 (cell)
706.629-7951 ext. 379 · [email protected]
I. Volunteer Missional Pastor (MP)
- Ministry Description of a Volunteer Missional Pastor
What are the “Core Competencies” we want to build in Missional Pastors?
1. Spiritual Competencies
a. Practicing Spiritual Disciplines
b. Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit
c. Vibrant Worship
d. Growing Faith in God
2. Theological Competencies
a. Reading List
b. Study Skills
c. Knowledge of Bible and Spirit of Prophecy
d. Good understanding of SDA Theology
e. Some knowledge of Other Theological Systems
f. Sermon Preparation
g. Reflection and Self-evaluation Skills
3. Leadership Competencies
a. Servant Leadership
b. Vision Casting
c. Integrity/Accountability
1) Prayer Partner
2) Conference Supervisor
3) Faithfulness in Stewardship
4) Portfolio
5) Loyalty to the Church Organization
d. Organizational Change
e. Empowering Members (Delegating, Training, Mentoring, Coaching)
f. Team Leadership (Building Teams, etc.)
g. Affirming Others
h. Ethics
4. Management Competencies
a. Skills in Planning
b. Abilities in Financial Management (Budgeting, etc.)
c. Conflict Management
d. Conducting Effective Meetings (Boards, Committees, etc.)
e. Completing Tasks and Responsibilities
f. Ability to Plan and Conduct Worship Services, Communion Services, Baby Dedications, Baptismal Services, etc.
g. Working Knowledge of Church Policy (Church Manual, GCC Policy, etc.)
5. Evangelism/Witnessing Competencies
a. Skills in Relational Evangelism
b. Able to Use Methods to Reach Post-moderns
c. Skills in Leading Persons to a Decision to Follow Jesus
d. Skills in How to Assimilate New Members into the Congregation
e. Understanding and Ability to Implement GCC Discipleship Paradigm
f. Ability to Plan and Conduct Evangelistic Events Within an Ongoing Process of Evangelism
6. Communication/Personal Relationship Competencies
a. Preaching/Teaching Skills
b. Visitation Skills
c. Skills in Leading Worship
d. Authentic Relationships
e. Learning Theory
7. Cross-Cultural Competencies
a. Self-Understanding of Worldview
b. Knowledge of Other World Views
c. Experience in Other Cultures
d. Foreign Language Skills (Optional)
Start-up Process for Missional Pastors
Application Form (see attached) will be sent to potential candidates for the MP program after being reviewed by select Evangelism, Ministerial and GCC staff members.
Begin processing MP program with the local church where the MP would possibly be serving.
Orientation Retreat (spouses encouraged to attend)
- Missional Pastor Orientation Retreat – Schedule
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner
7:15 – 7:30 Praise & Worship
7:30 – 7:45 Welcome, Introductions, Orientation, Overview of Weekend
7:45 – 8:30 MP Comp 1*
8:30 – 9:00 Your Path (Written Response)
9:00 – 9:30 Getting acquainted with the candidates
Sabbath
8:00 – 8:45 Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 Praise & Worship
9:15 – 10:00 MP Comp 2*
10:00 – 10:30 Your Path
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 11:00 Praise & Worship
11:00 – 11:15 Season of Prayer
11:15 – 12:00 MP Comp 3*
12:00 – 12:30 Your Path
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 2:45 MP Comp 4*
2:45 – 3:15 Your Path
3:15 – 3:30 Break
3:30 – 4:15 MP Comp 5*
4:15 – 4:45 Your Path
4:45 – 5:00 Break
5:00 – 6:00 Your Path – Life Questions
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner
7:00 – 8:30 Nuts & Bolts – Q & A
8:30 – 10:00 Recreation
Sunday
8:00 – 8:45 Breakfast
9:00 – 9:45 MP Comp 6*
9:45 – 10:15 Your Path
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:15 MP Comp 7*
11:15 – 11:45 Your Path
11:45 – 12:15 Nuts & Bolts – Q & A
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch
*based on the “Core Competencies” of a Missional Pastor
In-field Observation
In-field encounters provide observable and specific contextual application of the candidates “Core Competencies”. This allows us to see the abilities and passions of the candidate and evaluate their “Core Competencies” and calling as a MP
- Set up an Orientation training Sabbath for church
- Candidate Review & Recommendation
- Department of Pastoral Ministries/Evangelism affirms the list of candidates
- Candidate meets with VP Ministerial/Evangelism, MP Director, Evangelism staff, Ministerial staff and pastor where membership is held
- Review strengths and weaknesses
- This occurs no later than two months after affirmation of the candidate list.
- Candidate is invited to participate in the MP program upon recommendation
- Covenant & Certification
- Once approved for MP program, candidate is invited to sign a covenant and receive certification
- MP is certified only in GCC as a volunteer upon assignment to a church for a period of 1 year. Each year the certification must be renewed
- Continuing Education Retreats (2 X per year)
- Missional Pastor Continuing Education Retreat – Schedule
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner
7:10 – 7:30 Praise & Worship and Welcome
7:30 – 8:15 MP Comp 1
8:15 – 8:45 Interactive Response
8:45 – 9:00 GCC Communication
9:00 – 9:30 Reports from MPs
Sabbath
8:00 – 8:45 Breakfast
9:00 – 9:45 MP Comp 2
9:45 – 10:15 Interactive Response
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 10:45 Praise & Worship
10:45 – 11:00 Season of Prayer
11:00 – 11:45 MP Comp 3
11:45 – 12:15 Interactive Response
12:15 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 2:45 MP Comp 4
2:45 – 3:15 Interactive Response
3:15 – 4:00 MP Comp 5
4:00 – 4:30 Interactive Response
4:30 – 4:45 Break
4:45 – 6:00 Nuts & Bolts; Q & A
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner
7:00 – 10:00 Activities (optional)
Regional Gatherings (2 X per year)
- Missional Pastor Regional Gatherings – Schedule
9:30 – 10:30 Brunch
10:45 – 11:15 Worship
11:15 – 11:30 Share & Prayer
11:30 – 12:00 GCC Items
12:00 – 12:45 MP Comp Item
12:45 – 1:15 Interactive Response
1:15 – 1:30 Break
1:30 – 2:30 Nuts & Bolts; Q & A
One-on-one time with GCC Supervisor
- Supervisor serves as mentor, coach, and guide
- In addition to coaching (see following) the supervisor will observe the MP in their ministry environment twice a year
- Supervisor will serve as a point person between the MP, their church, and GCC
- One time per month during first year (and other times as necessary)
- Assessment Instruments (use different instruments during joint retreat setting over a 5 year cycle)
Reporting – Monthly on GCC Discipleship Paradigm
a.Church activities (i.e. attendance, baptisms, tithe, visitors, etc.)
b.Quantifiable Missional activities (i.e. new relationships being developed; people being discipled; community projects; small group meetings, etc.)
Year end Review by Supervisor
a.Evidence of growth in their local church
b.Evidence of growth in the core competences
c.Attendance at meetings, gatherings, and retreats
d.Review of monthly reports from MP and quarterly reports from the church
e.Recommendation by GCC Supervisor
- Recommendation is approved/disapproved by Department of Pastoral Ministries/Evangelism
II. Churches and Church Plants with Missional Pastors
“Core Components” we want to see in churches and church plants?
- The GCC “Discipleship through Shared Leadership” paradigm incorporated into the process of church life
- Love
- Learn
- Live
- Lead
- Growth primarily is through conversion rather than transferred membership
The MP program is designed to multiply many small churches rather than to grow large churches - Expected Minimum Annual Goals
- 10% growth rate in new (non-transfer) members through baptism or profession of faith
- 20% of members start a new discipleship relationship with someone outside of the congregation
- 20% of the congregation are involved in giving Bible studies with people in their community
- 10% of church membership is involved in hosting small groups with those outside the church
C. Reporting in the context of the GCC Discipleship paradigm
- Church Board gives 3 quarterly reports (form provided by GCC)
- in quantifiable measurements (i.e. the number of new relationships being formed with names supplied; the number of small groups; number of visitors and follow-up calls; the number of disciples being developed; list of community impact events; etc.)
- regarding ministry of their MP (form will be supplied by Supervisor)
- Evaluation by Supervisor (which serves as the fourth quarterly report)
- How is the church doing overall?
- What are its strengths? Weaknesses?
- How is the MP doing as a leader?
- What are the MP's strengths? Challenges?
- What resources does the church need?
- In what way is the church fulfilling its mission?
- In what way is the church involved in its community?
- In what way has the MP been growing and developing new leaders?
- Other
D. Church Training
- One time per year the following will be addressed
- GCC Discipleship Paradigm
- Shared Responsibility
- New Growth Orientation
A. How GCC equips and empowers Missional Pastors and Church Plants
- Certification
- Annual Renewal
- Human Resources Department to give parameters
- Privileges
- Appointed and recognized as Church Leader
- Officiate at Baptisms with supervisor's approval
- Officiate at Funerals
- Access to MP files on GCC web site
- Only local church ministry related expense reimbursement up to $400.00 per month (i.e. mileage, resources, seminars)
- MP expense budget (based on 6 - 10 Missional Pastor’s first year)
- Retreats, gatherings, meetings
- Resources
- Seminars & Conferences
- Travel Expense
- 5. Communication
- E-newsletter
2) Training/Education element
3) Emphasis on GCC Discipleship Paradigm
4) Profile New MPs and New Church Plants
5) Testimonies
6) Fast facts/Cartoons
7) Common Issues/Challenges and Solutions
- Addressing MP Issues (in process – work to develop with Ministerial department using GCC basic conflict resolution protocol) by Supervisor
1) Redemptive in approach
2) Facts before action
IV. Mission Pastor Calendar
2010 – 2012 Calendar
2010
April
- Applications sent to Candidates
- Begin Assessment of Candidates
- Start processing with local church
- In-field Observation
- Review of Candidates
- Orientation Retreat – August 20-22
- MP’s Begin Work
- Church Training begins for 1st year MP’s (ongoing throughout year)
- 2011 MP Budget finalized
- Continuing Education Retreat – Nov. 12-13
January
- Certification of 1st Year Candidates
- Area 1 Regional Meeting
- Area 2 Regional Meeting
- Begin Receiving Applications to 2nd year Candidates
- Continuing Education Retreat (1st year MP’s)
- Debriefing with all churches
- Start Processing with Local Churches of New MP’s
- In Field Observation
- Complete Church Debriefings and Church Trainings
- MP Orientation Retreat for 2nd year MP’s
- Area 1 & Area 2 Regional Meetings
- Church Training begins for 2nd year MP’s (ongoing throughout remainder of year)
- Assessment of new Candidates
- 2012 Budget Finalized
- Combined Continuing Education Retreat (1st & 2nd year MP’s)
- In-Field Observation of existing & New Candidates
- Begin Review of Existing Candidates
- Review of New Candidates
January
- Cycle begins again
- Reassessment & Recertification of Existing MP
- Reports from Churches Due
- Certification of New MPs
- New Mission Pastor’s start work
- Region 1 Meeting
- Region 2 Meeting
- Begin Receiving Applications for 3rd year Candidates
- Continuing Education Retreat
- Debriefing with All Churches
- Start Processing with Local Churches of New MP’s
- In Field Observation
- Complete Church Debriefings and Training
- 3rd Year Orientation Retreat -
- Area 1 & Area 2 Regional Meetings
- Church Training begins for 3rd year MP’s (ongoing throughout remainder of year)
- Assessment of new Candidates
- 2011 Budget Finalized
- Continuing Education Retreat (1st, 2nd, 3rd yr MP’s)
- In-Field Observation of existing Candidates
- Begin Review of Existing Candidates
- In-field Observation of New Candidates
- Review of New Candidates