Getting Started

STEPS TO CHURCH PLANTING 
Core to our mission is to assist our leaders, churches and networks as they step forward to start new churches across the Pacific Northwest. We work to: 1) deliver the relationships and the resources that a lead church planter needs to be effective and supported, and 2) we come along side the local leadership to provide specialized resources that are needed to mother a new church. 

Our process for new planters goes like this:
 
Start the Conversation
We’ll want to get to know each other. It would be helpful for us have some information - Personal History, a brief resume, etc. Then, we’ll talk at length (either over the telephone or face to face) to discuss your options and possibilities in church planting with one of our churches or Networks. To start the conversation contact denise@alliancenw.org, and she’ll get the ball rolling.

Pre-assessment
Here we’ll want to meet and walk through a pre-assessment interview. A trained interviewer will talk with you about your specific vision and ask some questions to help discern if you are “wired” to start the new work you envision. Our goal is to help church planters understand where they’re strong and where they’ll need support and to help provide that support.

Formal Assessment
Here we’ll provide a formal Assessment for you and your spouse. It’s a 4-day process where you’ll receive an intensive review and evaluation of the character, skills, and abilities that research and experience has shown are critical to successful church planting. In addition to feedback from experienced church planters, you will receive specific suggestions for your development as a leader.

Next Steps
After the completion of your assessment we’ll sit together and think through next steps - the best path to see your vision emerge (For some this starts the process of being licensed with the Alliance NW). Many church planters greatly benefit from spending a season as a resident planter in one of our churches or networks.

Project Proposal
We will assist you to prepare and submit a 4-5 page Church Planting Proposal, which will outline in detail your anticipated project. This may be augmented by a formal “Boot camp” experience. We will also ask you to put together a support-raising plan for your first 3 years.

Formal Agreements and Call
In this meeting you and Randy Shaw (who oversees new church development) will formally talk through specific expectations we’ll have for each other.

Every thing from your proposal to funding, coaching etc. will be talked through. This is done in conjunction with a leader from your sponsoring church or network. From here, we’ll issue a formal call to you to join the Church Planting team with the Alliance NW.

Training/Coaching
Should you accept the call, we will help you get set up with a formal coach who will help guide you throughout all stages of your plant. Ongoing training events will also be available to help sharpen your skills.

Church Planting
You and your teammates will raise support, mobilize your intercessors, and develop a community and watch God establish your new church.

Reproduction
You and your new congregation begin the process of raising up new leaders for church planting. You become an integral player in establishing new churches in the Northwest.

NEED MORE INFO?
For more information about church planting contact denise@alliancenw.org.