If you are exploring the possibility of church planting there are several vital areas of consideration. These include:

• Do you sense a call of God upon your life to plant a church? This is not only a desire, but also a confirmation that God has gifted you for such a calling and that that perception is affirmed by others who know you well.  
• Has that sense of calling grown as you have prayed about it? Church planting is not merely a vocational option. When bathed in prayer there should be an increasingly clearer understanding of God’s direction in whether or not the Lord is indeed calling a couple/individual to plant a new church? Also, have you enlisted prayers partners who will pray on your behalf both now and in the future eventuality of planting a church?  
• Are you aware of the Church Planting Team Process? Biblically, church planting includes a team approach. In today’s setting that should include a developing partnership among a local sponsor church, association, church planters, the Missouri Baptist Convention, and the North American Mission Board.
• Have you participated in an assessment? An intensive assessment is available upon contacting the church planting strategist in the region you are looking to plant in. The assessment will help in the process of determining if you are “wired” to be a church planter, and if so, how you might most effectively serve in that role.  
• Who has God called you to minister to? The region is becoming increasingly diverse in language, culture, and lifestyle. It is important to know who will most likely be reached in the new church you plan to plant.
• Have you put together a strategy for how you will proceed? It is vital to match who you plan to reach with how you plan to reach them. Either one without the other has less than positive results.  
• Have you followed up in the regional church planting system? If after the assessment report and recommendation there appears to be a “green light” for church planting an invitation is sent to participate in two opportunities: Orientation to MoBaptist Church Planting (Learning about planting a church in a Missouri Baptist environment, including a number of people and material resources). Preparing to Plant (Exploring the “nuts and bolts of how to plant a new church).

If you have questions or would like to begin the process of exploring church planting in Southwest Missouri contact:

Planting Strategist, Springfield Region
Kurt Simon - ksimon@mobaptist.org

• An ongoing network of fellow church planters. The Ozarks Area Church Planting Nation exists for the purpose of mutual fellowship, encouragement, prayer, and learning experiences.
• Partnerships among the church planter, sponsor church, MBC/NAMB, and association provide opportunities for funding, material, people, and prayer resources.
• The partnership likewise allows an opportunity for accountability, including, but not limited to, a monthly written report.
• An annual state church planting retreat and other regional or statewide church planting events throughout the year.

Q: How Do I Get Started?
A: By completing the pre-assessment form found at www.mobaptist.org. Click on “Church Planting” then go to the Pre-assessment information form and follow the directions.

Q: What Happens Next?
A: If initially approved after the completion of the pre-assessment form, you will be contacted about doing a Ministry Match and Interview that will help in determining suitability in church planting.

Q: Once That Is Completed Are There Other Requirements?
A: Yes, Prospective Church Planters are expected to attend a one day event, Orientation to MoBaptist Church Planting, and another one day event, Preparing to Plant. These are by invitation only. The prospective church planter will also need to write a strategy plan for the projected church plant.

Q: Is There An Ongoing Fellowship of Church Planters in the Region?
A: Yes, the Ozark Area Church Planting Nation meets both in regional and sub regional meetings throughout the year. In addition there are friendships formed that contribute to continued mutual support for one another.

Q: Are There Other Relationships a Church Planter Should Develop?
A: Yes. In addition to forming a relationship with the Missouri Baptist Convention church planting staff and fellow church planters in the region, it will be to the church planter’s benefit to form a close relationship with a sponsor church, link up churches, and the Associational Director of Missions.

Q: Is Funding Available Through the MBC/NAMB?
A: Yes, once other church planting process requirements are met, other partners are in place, and necessary forms are completed, funding is possible. If a funding partnership is formed the church planter will send in monthly reports that will trigger the sending of that month’s funding. There will also be a yearly evaluation, usually in September or October. There is also a one time start up fund for qualifying new church plants.