What is the process for becoming a church planter with Church Extension Ministries of the Bible Fellowship Church?
1. Start with introductory phone call with Director Tim Zuck.
Even if you are not totally sure about church planting or church planting with us, Tim would love to listen to you and give you feedback on your church planting ideas or just give you more information to help you clarify God’s call to church planting.
2. Establish Doctrinal Compatibility.
The BFC holds to the doctrines of grace, believer’s baptism by immersion, and premillennial eschatology. You can read the full Articles of Faith here. The Articles of Faith is available in both English and Spanish.
3. Preassessment Interview.
Fill out a preassessment self-evaluation to help us get to know you and see where your gifts and strengths are. Church planting is different than pastoring and takes a different focus. The Preassessment Interview is a conversation reviewing the findings of the self-evaluation. You can download the preassessment evaluation here.
4. Oral Exam.
This step is also one of the steps towards receiving credentials as a Bible Fellowship Church minister. Initial application for credentials may be made at any time at BFC.org. The Oral Exam tests your knowledge of the BFC Articles of Faith and demonstrates your ability to explain and defend the doctrine.
5. Official Assessment and Training.
The official assessment includes your wife, if you are married, and is a face-to-face conversation with several members of the CEM board or staff. Training makes us of Passion4Planting Bootcamp which will equip you to develop your church planting plan with detailed steps and includes an easy way to keep track of your progress.
6. 50% of Support Raised.
We will walk alongside you as you gather at least 200 names of people who would be interested in praying for you and possibly financially partnering with you as church planter. We will also help you connect with existing Bible Fellowship Churches to gather prayer and financial support. Time and time again, the Lord has provided for building his church and we are confident he will do it again with you!
7. Receive Official Call from CEM.
In the BFC, the “Call” is the official contract for ministry employment as a licensed or ordained minister of the Bible Fellowship Church.
8. Develop Partners and Church Planting Teams.
At this point, you are continuing to share your church planting ministry with potential partners to get closer to 100% partnership level. You are also building your Core Group Launch Team, a meeting location, and prayerfully working towards your church plant launch.
9. Launch!
If you are interested in church planting, start the process with a simple 30 minute introductory phone call. Schedule the call now.