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CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

New Church Starts

Models for New Church Starts

East Ohio Conference has started nine churches since 2001. The models used for starting new churches are many and varied. No one model will work in every setting. The model used for a New Church Start should reflect the need and the target group. In addition, every New Church Start will develop its own characteristics that might not fit neatly into any model.

Following are the primary models we will use in East Ohio Conference to start new churches:

Parachute Model

• A pastor is appointed to an area where no one knows the pastor and pastor knows no one.
• The pastor begins by integrating into the community learning its culture and customs
  
  • making friends
  • having introductory get-togethers
  • developing a core team.

Connectional Church (or Franchise) Model

• Similar to the Parachute Model except that the pastor probably knows someone in the community and has some familiarity with the community
• Begins with a connection to the Annual Conference and the District, working with the Board of Congregational Development and the New Church Start Team
• Neighboring churches are encouraged to partner with the new church
• Utilizes the name “United Methodist Church” and the UM logo is often prominent

Extension Campus Model

• A second campus of the parent church
• Leverages credibility and reputation of main campus
• Allows identical ministries as the parent church
• The vision of the second campus is the same as that of the parent
• Replicates DNA of a healthy church
• Motivation may be due to limited space/facilities at the parent church
• There is no plan to become independent

Satellite Model

• A second campus of the parent church
• Remains connected to parent church but acts independently
• Develops its own identity, vision and direction
• Satellite grows and separates from the parent
• Reasons for starting a satellite:
  • Population shifts away from the parent church’s location
  • Radically different worship style and focus of ministry
  • When satellites want to build, they often build too big because of identification with the parent

Birthing Model

• New church start pastor is appointed to the Parent church
  
• Parent nurtures and mentors birthing pastor
  
• A core group of the parent church is birthed to the new church
  
• Birth occurs after a one-year “gestation” process

Partnership Model

• Several churches make a commitment to start a new church in a given area
  
• Each church gives people and resources to the new church
  
• New church start pastor works with a core group made up of people from the partnership churches
  
• New church replicates healthy DNA for each church; deletes unhealthy DNA

Cell or House Church Model

• Start with a core group that multiplies when it reaches 12-15
  
• Continue multiplying groups
  
• Meets in homes of the members

Restart Model

• Starts with the death of a current congregation
  
• Has a core group of people with a shared history and vision
  
• Loses the identity of the former church and adopts a new identity, vision and mission
  
• Usually reaches a different group or culture of people
  
• Church building sits empty for not less than six months
  

* The number one mistake with restarts is not truly shutting down the old church, or not keeping it shut long enough

Merger Model

• Two or more congregations join together to become one.
  
• Usually not an effective model and generally results in the combined average attendance being the same as the larger of the merged churches within two years.

Vital Merger Model

• Joining together two or more congregations to become one.
  
• Sell all property (excluding parsonage) and relocate to a new location.
  
• Create a new identity, clearly outlining what the new church offers that neither of the former churches could.
  
• Establish a new Mission and Vision aimed at the new mission field.

Relocation New Church Model

• Moving the church to a new location for missional purposes
  
• Developing a new mission, vision and core values to reflect a new identity
  
• Changing the name of the old church
  Viewing itself as a different church, not the same church in a different location