Planting Space

Going it alone can be really scary.  Who do you call when you face that decision or situation that you’ve never faced before?  God provides the answers in Elders.  These Shepherds are to provide oversight and a covering for Pastors.  Regardless of what your structure will look like, you should consider how you can implement now the kind of covering you’ll need later.  But the reality is that most church plants either don’t have mature enough Christians, or are not yet sure if the mature Christians “get the vision” enough to be Elders.

IN the face of this vacuum the Church Planter needs a trusted group of Godly people to provide spiritual coverage and wise counsel to the new church.

Where a Biblical Eldership is not in place, the Church Planter should consider forming a management team. A management team is nothing more than “offsite Elders”.  They typically:

• provide advice, counsel and potentially approval on a wide range of issues including staffing, facilities, budget, etc
• provide oversight to ensure the new church is remaining true to its vision, values and beliefs
• provide accountability for results to defined goals and expectations
• provide spiritual prayer coverage for the new church
• ensure the planter is maintaining healthy boundaries
• are selected by the Church Planter
• consist of 3 to 7 people
• include one representative from each group that is providing significant financial support
• remain in place until Biblical Eldership is put in place (and they have a say in the timing of this) and/or the new church is financially self-sufficient
• are recognized in the church’s Bylaws as the initial leadership team for the new church
• meet personally at least 2 times per year and speak via telephone conference at least monthly during the first 2 years
• are involved in at least budgeting and staffing decisions

Resist the temptation to skip a management team. You need the spiritual coverage and wise counsel of Godly people who are committed to your new church.

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