Pathway to Planting
We are elated you have sensed a call from God to explore the realm of church planting!
The enthusiastic, continual planting of new faith communities is the single most crucial strategy for 1) the numerical growth of the body of Christ, and 2) the continual corporate renewal and revival of the existing churches in a city. The Wesleyan Church believes we need all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. These new churches are not only new places where people can worship, but they are new outposts designed to reach the lost and make disciples that make disciples. The steps below are designed to explain the planting process in a simple manner. We are fully aware every planter’s path may look a little different. At any point in the process, feel free to contact our CMC team for additional guidance.
Quick Links
Church Planting Steps
1 | Prayer
As you begin the discernment process, formally invite several close friends and mentors in your life to start praying for you.
2 | Get To Know Us
Discover what The Wesleyan Church is all about and discern whether or not you have an affinity with TWC by going HERE. If you have any church polity, theological, lifestyle, or practical questions, it’s best to get them answered early on in the planting process.
Learn about TWC3 | Let Us Get To Know You
We’d love to get to know you better. Share your storyline with the CMC team and let’s connect!
Let’s Connect Now4 | Get Assessed
We believe our Church Planter Assessment Center is a key factor to our movement’s strength. The 3-day experience for planters and their spouses is facilitated by highly qualified assessors and offered within multiple regions throughout the year. For access to a free pre-assessment tool visit the Assessment Center.
Visit the Assessment Center Now5 | Explore Training Options
Church planting training is absolutely essential. Proverbs 18:15 says, “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” We have developed multiple training options where you can seek knowledge and learn from those who have gone before.
Learn about training6 | Find a Church Planting Residency
In some cases, the Assessment Center may recommend more experience and training. Partnering with a multiplying church for a period of time may be your next step. A church planting residency is a 10-month immersion program designed to prepare a church planter to effectively launch a new life-giving church. Residents will be given hands on ministry opportunities, along with prepatory coaching and training established by the sending church leader.
Learn about residency7 | District Alignment
One of the benefits of planting within The Wesleyan Church is the support structure in each of our Districts. Each District has a District Superintendent passionate about supporting church planters and reaching people who are far from God. Each District’s church planting approval process may vary, so it is important to build a relationship with your DS (or the District’s Director of Church Multiplication) and learn about your particular District’s planting path.
10 | Receive District Approval
Your District Superintendent will direct you as to when the District Board of Administration will approve your project. After approval, you will be free to advance, raise funds, and plant the new church!
8 | Find a Coach
Coaches help you discover where God is working in your ministry, discern opportunities, and develop action steps to see God’s agenda become reality.
9 | Draft a Church Plant Proposal
After successfully passing the Assessment Center, it’s time to get strategic and develop your timeline and plans. You will need to present a detailed church planting proposal to your District’s Board of Administration (DBA). This proposal will cover your personal calling, target group, budget, and specific timeline of events.
Download an example proposal10 | Receive District Approval
Your District Superintendent will direct you as to when the District Board of Administration will approve your project. After approval, you will be free to advance, raise funds, and plant the new church!
11 | Set Up Official Documentation
After District approval, you will need to set up your official documentation for your new church. You will need an EIN and 501C3 set up before you can get a bank account to receive donations. Don’t fret; we’ve made it really simple.
Next Steps