Church Planting

Introduction

So you want to plant a church? Fantastic!

And you think maybe it should be a Vineyard church?

Even better!

We believe church planting is the best method of reaching people for Christ, and are committed to planting churches throughout New Zealand. This page aims to help people like you who feel called to join us in this task.

If after reading this you still feel drawn to planting with us, please get in touch with your local Vineyard pastor to discuss your plans in more depth.

How does a Vineyard church get planted?

1. Planting from an existing Vineyard church

A church planter (and preferably a team) is sent from an existing Vineyard church to plant, after training, assessment and confirmation of the planter!s sense of calling.

2. A Vineyard leader planting, but not sent from an existing Vineyard church

A Vineyard person moves to a location without connecting to a Vineyard church (because there is no Vineyard church in the area, or for any number of valid reasons). Through their witness, a group develops and wants to become a Vineyard church. They then contact the Vineyard Church Planting Task Force Leader for the next steps.

3. A non-Vineyard leader plants a church

Through consultation with the National Director of the Vineyard Churches Aotearoa New Zealand and the Church Planting Task Force Leader, we work to discover whether what they are planting is a Vineyard or not. Then we go through the church “adoption” process.

4. An existing church wants to be “adopted” in to Vineyard

Approval is given at the national level in consultation with the Church Planting Task Force Leader, normally after a period of time where we walk “side-by-side” to confirm our common vision, heart and goals.

5. A Vineyard planter who is not released to plant from his or her church

In the rare event of an impasse between a potential planter and their church leadership, the prospective planter can appeal to the Church Planting Task Force Leader. The three parties will try to work through the issues with two ultimate planting possibilities – the church recognises their calling and sends them, or they go as independent planters (see scenario 2).

Where can you plant?

1. Plants work better in clusters

A group of churches create more synergy than a single church in an area.

2. We want to plant churches in all centres of population 5000 and over

3. What if there is already a Vineyard church present?

Generally we “protect” the territory of a new church plant for the first two years to give it a chance to get established. The territory could be a specific population area defined by geographical features, or a distinct identity of up to 50,000 people. As a general guideline, while you could, after two years, plant right across the road from an existing Vineyard church, there would be a lot of great reasons for not doing so. Unless there is a very distinct geographic feature – river, harbour, etc – or a socio-economic, church target or style or ethnic distinctive, it is a good idea to not plant within a 10 or 20-minute drive of the closest Vineyard church. It is also essential to communicate well. While planters do not need the other church!s permission or even blessing, we are family and we need to live well together.

4. What if someone else is already planning a plant where I want to go?

After a planter has approached their church leadership, a church planting plan is given by the planter and/or their church to the Church Planting Task Force Leader. The planter and sending church then have one year to action their plan and start, or the territory becomes available for the next planter. The Church Planting task Force Leader receives the plans and advises whether there is already something planned.

Stages of development

Stage 1: Church planting initiative (0-25 people)

Do a church planting assessment with your church leadership

Develop your church planting plan

Present your church planting plan to your local church leadership and Church Planting

Task Force Leader

Begin to recruit and develop your planting team

Move to planting area

Start gathering your core group

Build your congregation around the Vineyard

Genetic Code

Possibly meet mid-week

Stage 2: Church plant (25-50 people)

The smaller the area, the less people you need to launch publicly; the bigger the area, the more you need to launch effectively

Evangelise and gather up to around 50 people

Multiple small groups should be meeting

Church legal and financial structure established – register as charitable trust, set up bank accounts and accounting systems, IRD number, trustees meetings

Church leadership structure formed to enable the plant to go public. Worship, children,preaching and teaching etc in place

Train, develop and multiply leaders

Outreach events happening

Meet in a public/non-residential place

Stage 3. Church (50-plus people)

Growing infrastructure of small groups and trained leaders

Clearly recognised and functioning organisational structures in place

Meeting regularly in public facility

Accounting and legal practices in place

Marriage celebrant available (contact VCANZ office for application)

Leadership community functioning and regularly meeting

Finances available for staff when required

Financially committed to VCANZ

Realistic goals to aim for (larger population centres, larger numbers):

Year 1: 0-30

Year 2: 30-75

Year 3: 75-150

Year 4: Send planters to begin the process again