Church Planting Networks: Multiplying Church Centers (Pennsylvania)

 

philly-experimentThe Northeast has become the least reached area in America. But there are some very exciting things happening there in the area of church planting. This is true in the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania/South Jersey. This state convention is partnering with local churches and allowing them to train future church planters for their area!

One of the churches leading out is Riverside Community Church in Philadelphia, which is led by Pastor Aaron Harvie. Riverside is right now in the process of supporting and mentoring 4 churches in Pennsylvania. They are specifically targeting the great city of Philadelphia. As a planter himself, Aaron, along with other Multiplying Church Centers, is able to train and mentor guys in church planting.

Baptist21 wanted to let you know about this great work. Aaron has graciously provided us with information so that you can prayerfully consider planting in the Northeast.

Church Planting Process:

1) Select:

The aspiring planter begins by taking a Discovery Tools profile (found online here). Following this there is a Pre-Assessment phone interview to determine whether or not to proceed with a formal assessment. Leading up to formal assessment these materials need to be completed:  Personnel Form, Assessment Release and Disclaimer Form, Credit and Criminal Background Check Release.  Reference forms will be mailed upon return of Personnel Form.

After this there is a formal assessment which consists of a face-to-face interview with an experienced planter on site with your spouse. If the assessment is successful the planter will be placed in a Multiplying Church Center.

2) Develop

At the Center a planter will receive Basic Training on site from a Mentor/Coach. The Coach will walk the planter through the first steps of a church planting strategy. Some of the things the planter will be trained in are:

  • Heart of God – Call/Vision
  • Prayer – Spiritual Leadership Development
  • Evangelize – A Strategy for Reaching the Community
  • Make Disciples – Assimilation Process
  • Gather Together – Core Development/Launch Strategy

The Training will prepare the planter for the launch of the church.

3) Send

The Center and Coach will continue to mentor the planter through the Launch and after. Training will include a ministry strategy for developing leaders and future church planting and multiplication.

If you want more information about planting in Philadelphia or helping with what Aaron and others are doing in Pennsylvania/South Jersey please contact him.

Aaron Harvie, Lead Pastor, Riverside Community Church

aaronharvie@gmail.com or 215-441-0404

Baptist21 could not be more excited about these efforts. Here are some of the best things about this effort:

  • Local Church Driven- great to see conventions and churches partnering together in church multiplication.
  • In-depth Assessment
  • Training and Mentoring from experienced church planters