Journey Toward Maturity

This list, with measurable objectives for each stage, is used in the following ways:

• As a tool for the church planter to use for planning and prayer.
• As a tool for the church planter to use with his leadership team and his coach to track progress.
• As a tool for reporting progress to the Partner Advisory Team and EFC-MAYM on a regular basis and whenever the Partner Advisory Team meets. (NOTE: This is required.)
• As a reminder to celebrate the achievement of objectives.

Candidate Assessment

• Candidate Resume submitted to EFC-MAYM
• Candidate completed consent form and background check completed by EFC-MAYM
• Candidate submitted five references with contact info to EFC-MAYM
• Self-assessments completed (DISC, Myers-Briggs, Planter Profile, Spiritual Gifts, Pre-assessment Questionnaire)
• Spousal support essay submitted to EFC-MAYM
• Church Plant Commitment Covenant and “What it Means to be a Friends Church in EFC-MAYM” agreed, signed, and submitted to EFC-MAYM
• Behavioral interview completed
• EFC-MAYM leadership and planter completed “The Expectations” Interview
• EFC-MAYM CMT sanctioned planter.  If in agreement, then the planter signs the Planter Financial Agreement

Planter Preparation

• CMT appointed Planter Coach
• Planter and coach signed Coaching Covenant
• Church planting boot camp attended by planter and spouse (and coach and core team, if possible)
• Personal Growth Plan completed.
• Coaching Growth Plan completed
• 100 prayer supporters identified and published
• Support raising boot camp attended by planter and spouse
• Theological Prep: Planter completed Minister’s Information Guide and submitted to EFC-MAYM
• CMT sanctioned New Planting Project

Conception

• The PAT (Partner Advisory Team) is formed and operational
• Demographic study on ministry focus area
• Rough Draft of mission and core values completed
• First budget drafted and approved by PAT
• Pre-evangelism and outreach evangelism begun
• Small group/core group meetings begun
• Church plant web page published
• Church Planting Proposal completed and submitted to PAT and EFC-MAYM
• CMT (Church Multiplication Team) approved Church Planting Proposal
• Ministry Action Plans (MAPS) completed from boot camp training

Prenatal Development

• First year ministry planned
• Legal documents filed with the state
• Working draft of Mission, Vision, Values Statements written
• Gathering strategy developed
• Small group ministry multiplied
• Request for first preview service made to PAT
• Adequate meeting facility secured
• PAT secures liability insurance policy
• Preview Service “W” Strategy developed
• Preview service(s) held

Birth

• Worship services have begun weekly
• Project has begun to tithe back to EFC-MAYM
• Spiritual formation and discipleship begun for all ages
• Assimilation Plan prepared and published
• Ministry “fit” identified and believers deployed in service

Growth Toward Maturity

• Membership applicants interviewed and approved
• Final Draft of Constitution and Bylaws developed and submitted to the CMT
• Initial missions strategy developed
• Full church membership status requested in writing
• Annual church health survey conducted

Maturity and Reproduction

• Plans in place to become a Partner Church
• Full church membership approved by EFC-MAYM