Process
PURPOSE
The Pillar Church-Planting residency is designed to prepare Biblically qualified men to plant faithful reproducing churches in the National Capital Region. The program aims to introduce residents to a body of helpful resources and relationships that will serve them as they endeavor to plant faithful churches in DC and beyond. The residency is not to be considered exhaustive training for pastoral ministry but rather a residency for those already formally trained but lacking ministerial experience and specific training in the area of church planting. Candidates selected will either be formally trained for ministry at a trusted institution or will have exhibited a sufficient competency in that area before acceptance into the residency.
The Pillar Church-Planting residency is designed to prepare Biblically qualified men to plant faithful reproducing churches in the National Capital Region. The program aims to introduce residents to a body of helpful resources and relationships that will serve them as they endeavor to plant faithful churches in DC and beyond. The residency is not to be considered exhaustive training for pastoral ministry but rather a residency for those already formally trained but lacking ministerial experience and specific training in the area of church planting. Candidates selected will either be formally trained for ministry at a trusted institution or will have exhibited a sufficient competency in that area before acceptance into the residency.
OVERVIEW
The Pillar Church Planting residency is a one-year residential program requiring full time attention beginning in August of each year and concluding in July. The residency combines practical “hands on” pastoral experiences, academic instruction and pastoral mentorship.
The Pillar Church Planting residency is a one-year residential program requiring full time attention beginning in August of each year and concluding in July. The residency combines practical “hands on” pastoral experiences, academic instruction and pastoral mentorship.
NAMB & SBCV PARTNERSHIP
Pillar Church conducts this residency in partnership with the North American Mission Board and the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia specifically for church planting in the National Capital Region. Accepted residents will be expected to plant Southern Baptist churches in the Greater DC area at the conclusion of their time in residence. These churches are expected to work toward reproduction early and to work in happy cooperation with both SBCV and NAMB into the foreseeable future.
Pillar Church conducts this residency in partnership with the North American Mission Board and the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia specifically for church planting in the National Capital Region. Accepted residents will be expected to plant Southern Baptist churches in the Greater DC area at the conclusion of their time in residence. These churches are expected to work toward reproduction early and to work in happy cooperation with both SBCV and NAMB into the foreseeable future.
ACCEPTANCE STEPS
- Express interest to in writing to Pillar Church by emailing info@pillarchurchsbc.com no later than January 1st of the respective year.
- Apply and receive acceptance to the NAMB Church Planting Apprenticeship, begin application process at www.namb.net (takes approximately 2 months)
- Apply and receive acceptance into the SBCV Church Planter Apprenticeship. (takes approximately 2 months)
- Confirm agreement with Pillar Church’s doctrinal positions.
- Confirm spousal approval.
- Confirm agreement with the Pillar Church Planter Commitments (Appendix B of the Thresholds book)
- Complete the “Pillar Church Planter Questioner”
EXPECTATIONS
- Serve as a faithful member of Pillar Church of Dumfries throughout the residency.
- Attend a weekly resident meeting (2 Hours).
- Assemble a church planting team.
- Complete 36 weekly reading/media assignments.
- Complete the “Church Planting Thresholds”
- Prepare a comprehensive plan for the new church.
- Remain faithful, available and teachable throughout the process.
- Attend Elder and staff meetings.
RESIDENCY STAGES
The residency begins on August 1st of each year and lasts a full 12 months. The residency has four parts, lasting approximately three months each.
The residency begins on August 1st of each year and lasts a full 12 months. The residency has four parts, lasting approximately three months each.
ASSIMILATION (August-October)
- Become a member of Pillar Church of Dumfries (if they are not already)
- Attempt to begin a Bible study in Dumfries made up of individuals not currently connected with the pillar church Family.
- Work to form relationships with as many members and leaders in the church as possible.
- Recruit a Pastoral Partner
- Research potential ministry fields and make key decisions such as location, church name, timeline, team size and budget requirements.
- During the assimilation period residents will spend approximately 75% of their time on matters related to Pillar Dumfries and 25% of their time on matters related to the new church.
PLANNING (November-January)
- Write a prospectus
- Produce a promotional film
- Create a website
- Set up giving options and bank accounts
- Create a wish list
- Complete a funding summary
- Schedule speaking engagements for the rest of the year
- Present vision to Pillar Dumfries
- During the planning phase residents will spend approximately 50% of their time on matters related to Pillar Dumfries and 50% of their time on matters related to the new church.
GATHERING (February-April)
- Speak in other churches
- Participate in partnership opportunities.
- Begin core team meetings
- Apply with State Conventions, Associations and networks for affiliation.
- Plan Preview Services and Informational meetings
- During the gathering phase residents will spend approximately 25% of their time on matters related to Pillar Dumfries and 75% of their time on matters related to the new church.
TRANSITIONING (May-July)
- Write Theological Position Paper
- Complete ordination process
- Hold informational meetings and preview services.
- Continue Support Gathering
- Gain acceptance from partners
- Secure hosing on ministry field.
- During the planning phase residents will spend approximately 75% of their time on matters related to Pillar Dumfries and 25% of their time on matters related to the new church.
