Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma

Church Planter Selection and Training Process

Every church planter for a new congregation should go through a selection and training process that will help to make sure that he is the right person for a specific new congregation and that will give him the skills and ongoing support that he needs in order to be successful. The selection and training process will vary somewhat depending on the context and the target group, but the basic elements listed below should be included. Church planters/pastors for whom financial assistance is requested from the BGCO will be required to have all of these elements in place.

The screening procedure may include a screening interview, a formal pre-assessment process, and a church planter assessment. The Church Planting Strategist/Associate to whom the church planter/pastor relates will be responsible for coordinating this part of the process. (See the end of this section for examples of pre-assessment and assessment materials.)

Every church planter should have a mentor and supervisor. In the case of a new congregation with a single sponsoring church, the sponsoring church pastor is usually both the mentor and supervisor. The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma makes Church Planter Mentor training available to all church planter mentors and supervisors as well as to DOMs and other pastors who are interested. We encourage every church planter mentor and supervisor to attend Church Planter Mentor training.

Church Planter Basic Training is a training event that helps church planting teams get started along the right path to a successful church plant. It is designed for the church planter, the spouse of the church planter, the church planter mentor, and key church planting team members. It helps the church planting team explore key issues of the church planting process and develop a strategy for planting a healthy, reproducing church.

A Church Planter Network (CPN)is a group of church planters and their mentors who meet on a regular basis for mutual support, encouragement, and training. Church Planter Networks are located in different areas of the state so that church planters and mentors do not have to travel far to participate in CPN meetings. As more church planters start working in a particular area, a CPN will be formed in that area.

Church Planter Basic Training II is for church planters who have been through Basic Training and whose congregations are about one year old. First the church planter is guided through a process of evaluation of the new congregation. Then the church planter is joined by key congregation leaders and works with them to develop a strategy to carry the work to a new level of growth.

Once a year the Church Planting office of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma offers a two-day training event designed to help church planters and pastors of new congregations. The training event focuses on practical matters of church planting, leading a small church, and ministry and family life. Attendance at the workshop is required for all church planters and pastors who receive new work financial support from the BGCO.

Once a year in September, each church planter will meet with a Church Planting Strategist or Associate to discuss their new start. The previous year’s goals and objectives will be discussed along with a projection of the upcoming year. Attendance in the review is required for all church planters and pastors who receive new work financial support from the BGCO.

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