Church Plant Trajectory Plan

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Trajectory Plan for Canton Church Plant

Notes:

  • This is a draft. Changes can and will be made. :)

  • This is not a "timeline plan." Its progress is primarily determined by the achievement benchmarks.

  • The Trajectory Plan is marked by 4 "phases", each with objectives and benchmarks. Transition Steps occur when all objectives and benchmarks are met.

  • Phase 1: Initial Gathering

    • Structure

      • Dcn. Spencer and the CTK members committed to the church plant gather an initial group through organic growth, networking, informal interest meetings, etc.

      • Everyone continues to participate fully as a CTK member. New people are brought into membership at CTK and enfolded into either the Canton West or Canton East Cell Groups.

    • Objectives

      • Gather list of possible contacts from each committed person.

      • Set collective goal of having x# of gathering conversations about the church plant with family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. Keep a tally! (i.e. 700 total conversations)

      • Solidify relationships with other committed families.

      • Create a vision website, a brochure that answer questions about the church plant for members to use in gathering conversations, and a business card.

    • Numerical Benchmarks:

      • Assemble a group of 16 families who’ve given verbal commitment to join a "Launch Team".

      • Establish a third cell group.

    • Transition Steps

      • Register as an REC100 Extension Work on the REC100 Giving Page.

      • Establish and commission a "Launch Team", where each family commits to the plant for one year.

  • Phase 2: Launch Team

    • Structure

      • In lieu of the first cell group meeting in a month, the entire Launch Team will meet once per month on a Sunday evening at a central location for…

        • Dinner (potluck)

        • Evening Prayer

        • Strategy Session

          • Vision Casting

          • Report on Gathering progress

          • Receive assignments about being more intentional in their life with others.

      • The Launch Team would continue to participate fully as members of CTK on Sundays for Liturgy and Catechesis.

    • Objectives

      • Culture Building

        • Establish the "Why" for the church plant.

        • Train each Launch Team member how to share their story in a way that connects with the church plant.

        • Have discussions and trainings to develop a particular mission and vision based on the CTK Core Values.

        • Perform vision casting exercises to flesh out some particulars on how the church plant will look and be like. (i.e. Church Name, Gathering Ministries, etc.)

      • Gathering

        • The Launch Team will start a Gathering Ministry (i.e. Theology on Tap, etc.) and plan/execute one Gathering Event.

        • The Launch Team will plan and execute two Mercy Outreaches.

        • The Launch Team will set collective goal of hosting x# of unchurched, dechurched, or underchurched people/families in Launch Team member homes. (i.e. 40)

    • Numerical Benchmark:

      • Assemble a group of 22 families who attend meetings, are committed to the launch team regularly, and give through REC100 site.

      • Establish a fourth cell group.

    • Transition Steps

      • Pledge Drive with minimum goal of 1st year of Dcn. Spencer’s Stipend + 75% for planting expenses (i.e. $113,750)

      • Establish logo and Facebook page.

  • Phase 3: Pre-Launch

    • Structure

      • The whole Launch Team will meet twice per month on Sunday afternoons for "practice services", followed by training, planning, culture building, and vision casting. On the other weeks, all Launch Team members will continue to worship at CTK.

      • The four cell groups will meet only once per month.

      • When ready, the Launch Team will host monthly "Preview Services".

      • As the Mission Launch date approaches, and when they feel ready, the Launch Team will move to weekly Sunday worship, preferably on Sunday mornings.

    • Objectives

      • Host Gathering Events (i.e. 4th of July celebration, English Country Dance, Bourbon tasting night, etc.)

      • Populate Liturgy Guild Teams and hold Trainings

      • Train and rehearse Liturgy

      • Find venue, solidify lease, paid for out of the budget

      • Acquire vestments and liturgical items

    • Numerical Benchmark: Assemble a group of 26 families who are giving through REC100 site.

    • Transition Steps

      • Invest in promo video (costs approximately $2k)

      • Set Mission Launch date

      • Coordinate with Bishop and Canon, who would need to be present for the Mission Launch.

      • Leading up to the launch, have a heavy publicity campaign from the whole Launch Team. (i.e. handing out flyers, inviting friends to celebrate with them on the Mission Launch, etc.)

  • Phase 4: Mission Launch

    • Structure

      • Public worship on Sunday mornings.

      • The Canton Church Plant would remain connected to CTK at a number of levels. Catechetical materials would be generally supplied by CTK. Liturgical, pastoral, and administrative support would continue for as long as was needed.

    • Objectives

      • Establish By-Laws, Liturgy Guild Manuals, new Cell Groups, Men’s/Ladies/Young Adult Fellowships, in stages as seems best.

      • Solidify Baptized Membership and Transfer Process.