Our Ten Practices
Just like Nehemiah was known for his absolute dependence upon God as well as his strategic thinking, C2C seeks to be led by the Holy Spirit, while employing the best possible systems and strategies. Through 10 “best practices” we hope to eliminate “church plant failure” and see church planters and their congregations flourish.
1. Word
Across denominational lines, we are united in our view of the Bible as being totally authoritative and sufficient for life and ministry. We challenge all our workers to personally be “people of the Book,” engaged in regular bible-reading and prayer, and we place a high value on the public proclamation of the Word. To that end, we seek to raise up, develop, and train grace-filled preachers who are able to contextualize the never-changing gospel message in an ever-changing culture. We hope that all our affiliated plants will be known for their gospel-centred preaching.
2. Prayer
It is our firm conviction that revival or awakening is GOD’s work from start to finish, and yet He calls us to participate with Him! Historically, every great movement of God has been precipitated by earnest prayer, but unfortunately, prayer is often a neglected discipline. We desire to see an outpouring of God’s Spirit over Canada! To that end, we ask leaders wherever we go, to commit to pray for Canada. Specifically we are praying at 10:02 each day, asking the Lord of the harvest to send out workers (based on Jesus’ command in Luke 10:2).
3. Intensive interviews
The “assessment process” begins with a series of intentional interviews and online tests. Before being invited to attend a formal 3-day assessment, each planter will have had a minimum of three in-depth interviews, with three different interviewers. The interviewing team will review the profile testing and through prayerful discernment extend an invitation to proceed to assessment.
4. Our Assessment Process
Our church planters assessment is really an on-going process over many months, including pre-assessment interviews, an in-depth 3-day Assessment Centre, as well as “on-the-job” assessment that happens during apprenticeship.
All potential church planters are required to attend an in-depth, three day, Church Planters Assessment Centre, run by the C2C network. Multiple assessors will interview and observe the candidates over a 3-day period to discern their potential for church planting based on “10 Dimensions” of a church planter. Those who are recommended as potential planters by the Assessment Team will proceed to our Apprenticeship Program.
5. Covenant Agreement
After assessment, things become a bit more formalized. Before the planter starts a church-planting apprenticeship, a personalized covenant agreement will be written and signed by all parties involved. This agreement will detail the terms of employment, duties, job description, responsibilities and expectations. Our desire is to be clear with the Church Planter, right from the outset, as to what is required of them. Additionally, all workers within the C2C network sign a “Covenant of Ethics” document that affirms their commitment to biblical, moral, and ethical conduct in ministry.
6. Apprenticeships
All of our Church Planters, regardless of age or experience, are required to enter our Apprenticeship Program (preferably in the city or town of the future plant location). Apprenticeship gives the Church Planter some on-the-ground training and experience in the world of church-planting, gives them time to build a core team as well as acclimatize to their city. With a few exceptions, apprenticeship will generally last 12-months. During this time a potential planter will participate in year-one of the church planter incubator.
7. Financial Systems & Support
We offer financial support to assist the Church Plant. In order to qualify for financial support, the church planter is interviewed by some members of our team, and must agree to being coached by a C2C network Coach and form a task force of which C2C will be a part of.
Additionally, we seek to introduce good financial practices and systems into the new church. This includes providing budget templates, financial record keeping, and good administrative practices.
8. Task Forces
Each Church Plant is assigned a task force to give leadership to the church plant for the first three years. A task force is an external leadership team who serve as the local leadership of the church plant. This team models leadership for the emerging leaders, as they transition over a three year period from external leadership, to internal leadership.
9. Coaching
Each Church Planter and Church Plant Apprentice is assigned a Church Planting Coach who has been trained in Gospel Coaching and who meets with the church planter on a regular basis. This coaching/mentoring relationship will monitor the planters personal life, spiritual life, and ministry life.
10. Training
C2C’s primary training tool is the “Church Planters Incubator,” a 16-unit curriculum that has been developed by “City to City” network in New York City (based on Tim Keller’s planting experience). The incubator meets 8 times a year and over 2 years will cover all 16 modules. All apprentices are required to attend a church planters incubator.
Additionally, C2C offers regional training events that we call “cadres.” These monthly events include planters who have “graduated” from incubator, and are times for mutual encouragement, on-going support, prayer, and focused training on topics of interest to the planters.
Each year, C2C also sponsors several larger one-day training events where a noted speaker or “expert” on a topic will be the keynote presenter. The “Multiply” Conference is offered once a year and is targeted at established church leaders to encourage the multiplication of disiple-making in our nation!