I am interested in the possibility of planting a church. How do I get started?
We are excited about your interest! We would like to help you explore God's call. Typically, we would send you a Potential Planter Packet. The next step would be a preassessment interview with one of our staff so that we can learn more about you and your vision. When the preassessment indicates it, you (and your spouse) would go on to the full assessment interview, which helps determine whether a person does indeed have the gifts, talents, and other characteristics and skills needed by church planters. When assessment is passed, we will help you seek a place and partners as needed. Remember, though: we are not a placement agency; in Baptist life, a call to a church planting ministry will finally come from a local parent church or association of churches.

Who is qualified to plant a church?
While that's a loaded question, let's try to answer it. The short answer is: Anyone called by God! To help understand the heart, gifts and skills needed to start a church that help define that call, an assessment process has been established. (See the Church Planter Assessment link at top right for more information.) To receive the Church Planter Assistance (salary supplement), the assessment must be passed. There is no formal educational requirement by GBC; local churches or associations actually call the planter to the field. For more specific questions regarding life experiences, etc., please contact one of our consultants.

What is the length of the assessment process?
Once your consultant has contacted our Assessment Coordinator requesting an assessment, you should hear from a trained assessor within two weeks. The two of you will set up the assessment interview at a mutually agreed upon time and place. The interview should include your spouse and will take about four hours. Ideally an assessor will send a written assessment report to our office within two weeks of the assessment interview. After the report is reviewed, a letter containing assessment results of either "pass" or "fail" will be mailed to you. If you have not heard from anyone within these general parameters at any stage of the process, please contact your consultant.

Where is a good place to plant a church?
Anywhere in Georgia! It is estimated that every county in Georgia is at least 60% unchurched! And even less are in church on any given Sunday. Georgia is a mission field ripe for church planting. While we do not directly start churches as the GBC, we do partner with churches and associations in various ways. One of those ways is to help discover the best areas to start healthy reproducing churches through a process we call a PROBE. Therefore, many associations have identified and are praying about areas of need already. (Are you the answer to that prayer?) If you have a specific place in Georgia that is on your heart, give us a call and we can help you evaluate that area and tell you if it has already been identified as an area of need. We trust that God is orchestrating a church planting movement in Georgia, and you just may be the newest addition to it!

Must I have a "parent" or "sponsoring" church to start a church?
The simple answer would be “no.” The best answer would be “yes.” The truthful answer is “it depends.” The Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) works in cooperation with associations and local churches to plant churches. You must have the approval of a local association. Each association has its own rules concerning sponsoring churches. We defer to the local association when it comes to sponsoring churches. We encourage you to have a parent church. It is always best to have a local body of believers that prays for you personally, helps provide support for you physically, and acts to protect your perspective and position in the association.

What are some potential sources of funding for a new church?
Funding a new church is generally a partnership, which may include the Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC), the North American Mission Board (NAMB), an association, a parent church, other partner churches, and even individuals that desire to see new churches reach people for Jesus Christ.

1. The GBC can provide a salary supplement and some start-up funds for qualified church plants.
2. NAMB approves/appoints Church Planters through the Nehemiah Project, a cooperative effort between NAMB and certain schools. Special church planting classes are required.
3. Some associations provide funding for church planters.
4. Local churches that parent or partner are often the main sources of funding.
5. There are many individuals that would partner with a church planter if they knew of the need.
6. GBC and NAMB recommend that the church planter have all anticipated support confirmed before arriving on the field.

What kind of financial resources are typically provided by GBC to a new church start?
Since the GBC partners to start literally dozens of churches each year--with a vision of over one hundred a year--we provide what we call "seed money." GBC should never be considered the primary financial partner, and GBC never gives funds unless there are other sources of support. A full time planter might expect Church Planter Assistance (CPA), the salary supplement, to be about $9,600 spread over a one to three year period. In addition, some start-up funds (Congregational Assistance) are available by request to help with specific projects or resources. (Talk to your consultant for more information.) As you would expect, there are guidelines and an application process for CPA. Remember, these are typical. Talk to the consultant for your area.

What other resources (besides financial) are offered by GBC for church planting?
The greatest resources we think that we offer church plants are consultation, training, and networking. It starts with a relationship with a member of the Church Planting Team and the ongoing consultation and support that person can give. It includes Basic Training Journey, which is offered virtually free to church planting teams of GBC churches. We also offer mentoring, networking with other planters, retreats, and a host of networking opportunities. Also, we encourage church planters to be a part of the advocacy for a church planting movement in Georgia. Check out all the links on the website, the many practical resources at the Church Planting Resources link, and the ability to use the web-based Information System. And don't forget to email or call us when you have a question not answered here!

If I receive assistance, what kind of accountability is expected? 
There is no intent on the part of GBC to control your ministry. It is our conviction that God calls you to develop and lead the new ministry. However, those supporting your ministry need to be informed for several reasons:

1. They need to know and believe in your vision and strategy;
2. They need to know how to best pray for you and assist you in your work; and
3. They need to know that they are being good stewards of God's resources.

If you receive funds from GBC, you will be required to file a monthly report for your first five years about your personal, professional, and church development. We care about your life and your ministry! It is our suggestion that you provide a similiar report to the asociation, churches, and individuals supporting you. All of us need a "support team," and accountability is a vital part of that. We encourage the establishment of a covenant with each partner to detail how things will "work" to avoid miscommunication.

I understand that to receive the Church Planter Assistance (CPA) salary supplement from the GBC that our new church must give 10% to the Cooperative Program. Why?
The basic answer: We are only wanting to start mission-minded churches. A great way to do that is through the beginning "DNA." Budgets are statements of mission and priority. From conception through multiplication you will be training and multiplying missional people. Remember, Cooperative Program (CP) dollars support over 5000 missionaries internationally and over 5000 missionaries in North America. CP also supports seminaries and agencies that can give support for almost any issue of church programming and governance. CP helps new churches and church planters receive consultation, Basic Training, and other resources free! To be sure, each Baptist church is autonomous, and by the time the church is self-supporting we hope the church will be able to give even more to missions. Some churches that support our church planting effort give over 25% to missions overall! We hope our new churches catch this vision. The 10% is based on non-designated offerings received on the field.

Do I have to use the term "Baptist" in the name of the church?
If the term is omitted from the "public" name for missions strategy, e.g., to reach people who have never heard about Jesus or may have a bias against a denominational label, it is permissible. (If it is a matter of not really being Baptist in doctrine and practice, that is another issue!) However, the new church should incorporate and constitute as a Baptist church in the legal documents. By the way, while leaving "Baptist" out of the name is increasingly common, our research shows that omitting it does not make a typical church plant grow faster than those who choose to use it. In fact, in Georgia the term "Baptist" is a positive statement for many, many people. We encourage you to discuss the issue with your parent church, your associational missionary, your regional consultant--and the people you are trying to reach--before making a final decision.

I have not received my Church Planter Assistance (CPA) salary supplement check for the month! Why not?
There are several reasons we may not have sent it out to you. Check these out before you call:

1. Have you signed and returned your CPA acceptance letter? (This would be for the INITIAL check for a term.)
2. Have you completed your monthly report form?
3. Has your yearly CPA support expired without your being aware of it? (CPA terms are for a year at a time and must be renewed.)
4. CPA checks aren't cut till the end of the month. (Checks are sent at the end of each month upon receipt of the monthly report, so a check for January would likely get to you in early February).

If none of these are applicable to you, please get in touch with us by the contact info at the bottom of the page!

Georgia Baptist Convention
Church Planting Ministries
770-936-5228
1-800-RINGGBC ext 228
churchplantingteam@gabaptist.org