A Leadership Farm System for the Northwest Project

(A paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course
LE 703 Raising Leaders to Multiply Churches, Northwest Graduate School of the Ministry)

By
Thomas L. Brown
Canby, Oregon
June 30, 2002

Introduction 4
Chapter One: The Leadership Farm System 5
A Progressive Developmental Process 5
Single A 7
Double A 8
Triple A 8
Governing Policies for the Leadership Farm System 9
Competencies 9
Teaching Churches 10
Multiplying Principles 11
Educational Requirements 11
Theological and Biblical minimums 12
Ministry Preparation 12
Scholarships and Compensation 13
Chapter 2: The Leadership Farm System Curriculum 14
Proficiencies 15
Discipline One--Spiritual Disciplines 16
Proficiencies for the Spiritual Disciplines 16
God’s Word 16
Prayer 16
Achievement Goals for Developing the Spiritual Disciplines 16
Single A 16
Double A 17
Triple A 17
Discipline Two—Character Development 19
Proficiencies for Character Development 19
Achievement Goals for Character Development 19
Single A 19
Double A 20
Triple A 20
Discipline Three— Leadership Skills 21
Proficiencies for Leadership Skills 21
Achievement Goals for Leadership Skills 22
Single A 22
Double A 22
Triple A 23
Discipline Four—Theological Emphasis 25
Proficiencies in Theological Emphasis 25
Achievement Goals for Theological Emphasis 25
Single A 26
Double A 26
Triple A 26
Discipline Five—Marriage and Family Growth 28
Proficiencies in Marriage and Family Growth 28
Achievement Goals for Marriage and Family Growth 28
Single A 28
Double A 28
Triple A 29
Discipline Six—Discipling and Equipping 30
Proficiencies of Discipling and Equipping 30
Discipling Skills 30
Achievement Goals for Discipling and Equipping 30
Single A 30
Double A 31
Triple A 31
Discipline Seven— Functional Stewardship 32
Proficiencies of Functional Stewardship 32
Fund Raising 32
Achievement Goals for Functional Stewardship 32
Single A 32
Double A 33
Triple A 33
Appendix One: Sample Chart Format 34
Appendix Two: Tools and Resources 42
Spiritual Disciplines 42
Character Development 42
Leadership Skills 42
Theological Emphasis 43
Marriage and Family Growth 43
Equipping and Discipling 43
Functional Stewardship 43
Bibliography 44

Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to provide a curriculum for raising up equipped and experienced leaders for the new church multiplication movement called the Northwest Project.
The paper has three basic parts. The first chapter describes the leadership farm system (LFS) in regard to its pattern, process and governing policies. A graphic illustration shows its design as a means of progressive development. The second chapter describes the curriculum in regard to its Proficiency Statements, its Achievement Goals and its Tools and Resources. A graphic is included depicting the Seven Disciplines of a Dynamic Leader. The third part is two appendices. The first appendix shows the Single A Level in a table format that could be used by both the learner and the coach to track the progress through the level. This format is suggested for use in both the Double A and Triple A Levels as well. The second is a listing of Tools and Resources categorized according to the Seven Disciplines developed in the curriculum. A bibliography is included as a source of reference for the Tools and Resources.

Chapter One: The Leadership Farm System

The Leadership Farm System (LFS) is a means of systematically preparing potential leaders for church multiplication movement known as the Northwest Project.
This LFS is patterned after the minor league farm system of Major League Baseball in the USA. The LFS is comprised of three levels: Single A, Double A, and Triple A. The Majors in this Farm System refers to those who are actually church planters. The whole development process also has the management and coaching level of Major League Baseball. This corresponds to the System level, referring to the Leadership, or to an Apostolic Church Planter, in this Farm System. The scope of this paper covers the Seven Disciplines in their application to the levels of Single A, Double A and Triple A. The Entry Interview, the Majors and the System levels are outside the scope of this paper.
A Progressive Developmental Process

The LFS is a Progressive Developmental Process. As the learner moves through the LFS from Single A to Triple A, he progresses developmentally as a leader. Proficiencies have been established in each discipline that identifies the desired outcome of the training at each level. Each development level of the system requires of the learner a progressive, and sometimes, cumulative, skill level in each of the seven disciplines. As such, each discipline is comprised of areas of development to give the learner the particular knowledge or skills associated with the discipline. The entire process could span a timeframe of one to four years, depending upon the entry level of the candidate. Single A and Double AA are both designed for a twelve-month duration, while the Triple AAA has a flexibility of twelve to twenty-four months.
Achievement Goals have been set for every Discipline, respective to each level, in order to produce the proficiency desired within the learner. We have identified the Tools and Resources the learner needs to develop competency in the knowledge and skills of a leader.
Each learner will receive an evaluation prior to entering the system to determine at what level he should be placed. The evaluation is an Entry Interview covering questions related to the Seven Disciplines. The interview helps determine at what level a candidate would enter the system. This Entry Interview is in the process of being developed.
An exit interview and evaluation will be conducted following the completion of each level. The successful completion of the achievement goals in the current level is prerequisite to entering the next level. It is believed that past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior. As the emerging leader progresses through the LFS, patterns of strengths and weaknesses will be noted that need to be addressed for his complete development.
Two additional, and important, components of the Farm System are placed between the Double A and Triple A levels, and between the Triple A and Majors. Each potential church planter (and spouse, if applicable) will attend a Church Planter Assessment Center (CPAC) following the Double A level. Passing the assessment is requisite to becoming church planter on the Majors level. Following the Triple A Level, each church planter candidate (and spouse, if applicable) will participate in SmartStart, a specialized seminar for training church planters.
The diagram below illustrates the LFS as a Progressive Developmental Process.

A description of the process of the learner’s of involvement at each level follows:
Single A

The learner in the Single A Level is called an Intern. Single A is the normal entry level into the system, though this may not be true in every instance. A student at the Junior or Senior level in a Bible College would be a typical Intern. A lay leader, who has served faithfully in the local church for at least five years and has demonstrated faithfulness and the competencies above, together with a personal recommendation from the pastor of his church, would be typical of someone entering the system from the church. The learner will be an Intern for a period of twelve months. At the end of twelve months, an exit interview and evaluation is conducted for the Intern. If the requirements for the Single A level have been met satisfactorily, the Intern may go on to the Double A level.
Double A
The learner at the Double A level is called an Apprentice. Double A is the normal second step in the farm system for learners who have successfully completed Single A. Typically the Apprentice would be at least a Senior in Bible College or would be a lay leader with more experience and maturity from the local church. A learner may be placed as an Apprentice without having first been through Single A, if the results of the Entry Interview show the candidate as having met the Single A criteria. The learner will be an Apprentice for a period of twelve months.
At the end of twelve months, an exit interview and evaluation is conducted for the Apprentice. If the requirements for the Double A level have been met satisfactorily, the Intern will be promoted to Triple A as an Associate Church Planter. The Apprentice and spouse are also sent to CPAC, the Church Planter Assessment Center. The couple must pass the assessment prior to being considered qualified for final training as church planters.
Triple A
Triple A is the third level of the system and the learner is designated an Associate Church Planter. The Associate Church Planter serves in this position for a period of twelve to twenty-four months, depending upon experience, progress and competency. The Associate Church Planter will have completed his undergraduate studies if he has come through the formal education track. Triple A is a unique position that puts the learner in the closest proximity to viewing the entire prenatal stage of church planting in a teaching church during the first twelve months. The second twelve months is generally given to planning and preparation for leading a new church plant.
Again, the exit interview and evaluation are conducted as a further measure to insure proper achievement has been made at the current level in preparation for the next. If the exit interview and evaluation are passed successfully, the church-planting candidate will be sent to the SmartStart church planter training conference in preparation for the Majors.
Governing Policies for the Leadership Farm System

The LFS has certain limitations, parameters and conditions. These relate both to the system itself, as well as to the participants.
Competencies

In developing this system for training up leaders, it is imperative to begin with the end in mind. The end we have in mind is a leader who is a competent, mature, healthy and faithful person who has a great desire to advance God’s Kingdom through the most effective means of evangelism in the world today—church planting. This is not just any church planting; it is a movement of new church multiplication.
Dr. Charles Ridley has developed the profile of a person who has the competencies of being a leader in church planting. Ridley’s profile specifies these Thirteen Characteristics for a Church Planter:
1. Visionizing Capacity
2. Intrinsically Motivated
3. Spousal Cooperation
4. Reaches the Unchurched
5. Effectively Builds Relationships
6. Committed to Church Growth
7. Responsive to the Community
8. Utilizes Giftedness of Others
9. Flexible and Adaptable
10. Builds a Cohesive Church Body
11. Demonstrates Resilience
12. Exercises Faith

Ridley’s profile provides for us a picture of the type of leader we are seeking to develop through the Leadership Farm System. The profile also is the basis for the Entry Interview and the interview section of the Church Planter Assessment. By establishing Ridley’s profile of a church planter as the end in mind, we gain a consistent baseline for measurement of the learner from beginning to end. These thirteen characteristics have been condensed into the Seven Disciplines of a Dynamic Leaders for the purposes of the LFS.
Teaching Churches

The whole LFS has been designed to operate in the context of the local church, especially new churches, which will provide an on-site laboratory for preparing leaders.
The ideal we are seeking to achieve is to expose the learner to the intricacies and particulars of each phase of church planting in order to prepare him for leadership in the multiplication movement. To accomplish that, he will be placed with a church that is going through the particular Life Cycle phase (reproduction, prenatal, birth or growth to maturity) in the area of development he needs. The learner’s experience at each level of the system will thus help to develop the understanding and skills necessary for becoming a future church-planting leader.

Multiplying Principles

The LFS is designed with multiplying principles in mind for reproduction. A multiplication movement must be systematic which enables replication and transference to other locations. Down line mentoring and coaching are necessary in system designed to raise up leaders who can reproduce themselves and the churches they lead. A mentoring relationship is key for character development of the learner. A coaching relationship is key for skills development of the learner. Down line mentoring and coaching assumes that each mentor and coach has acquired the knowledge and skills and disciplines expected of the learner.
Educational Requirements

The LFS draws from two tracks of emerging leaders: the first is for those coming with a formal, theological education and the second is for those coming from the local church without a formal, theological education. The LFS will not be restricted to those who are in, or have had, a formal, theological education in a Bible College and/or Seminary. Those who are receiving such education, or have received it, are natural candidates for this training system. It is also open to those who have demonstrated faithfulness, leadership and competency in ministries within the local church. Of particular interest to us are those who have developed a keen interest and skill level in leadership, evangelism, discipleship and small group ministries. These are seen as critical skills for transference to the ministry of church planting. A formal degree such as a Bachelors or Masters is considered a benefit, but it is not required to enter the LFS.

Theological and Biblical minimums

One of the reasons the LFS operates on two tracks is to broaden the base of potential leaders who will be available to lead the multiplication movement. Since learners are being sought from two tracks, there is a need to establish minimum biblical and theological standards. For those in the first track, in or from a theological institution, the Minimums for will be those set by the institution for the degree program of the learner. Encouragement will be given to the learner to concentrate on courses that are missiological and evangelistic in nature.
For those from the local church who are in the second track, the Minimums will require them to enter an approved concentrated study program. Their participation in the program will provide the basis of education needed to gain proficiency in critical areas required for the leadership role.
An example of an approved educational plan is the Excel program of Puget Sound Christian College in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. Excel offers several certificate programs over the course of one or two years, which will provide the learner with, needed knowledge and skills for ministry.
Ministry Preparation

While the express purpose of the LFS is to equip people who could become church multiplication leaders, it is not presumed all will succeed in this endeavor. Not all who enter the LFS will become leaders for the movement due to lacking of qualification, interest or availability. Because of this, the training will be offered for ministry preparation in general as well, broadening the base of the learner’s experience and the pool from which to draw potential, future leaders.
Scholarships and Compensation

Entry into the LFS has the benefit of both a financial scholarship and monthly compensation. Single A and Double A learners who are enrolled in an accepted educational institution will receive a $2,000.00 scholarship. This will be applied to academic expenses in equal parts throughout one school year (e.g. two $1,000.00 payments in a school that has a semester system).
Compensation will also be provided from the teaching church to which the Intern or Apprentice has been assigned. Interns receive $500.00 per month for twenty hours of ministry. Apprentices receive $1,000.00 per month for twenty to thirty hours of ministry. Associate Church Planters would receive a living wage in their role and would be responsible for providing a percentage of the their salary package through fund raising.

Chapter 2: The Leadership Farm System Curriculum
The curriculum of the Seven Disciplines of Dynamic Leaders has been designed to produce the competencies needed for a leader to become a dynamic leader in the movement of church multiplication. Each of the seven disciplines has been chosen for the LFS because of its particular value to the dynamic disciple of Christ. Several skills are associated with the Seven Disciplines. A working knowledge of the skills in each discipline will produce balance, clarity, health and increasing maturity in the life of the progressing leader

Proficiencies

A statement of Proficiency has been assigned to each of the Seven Disciplines as a standard of competency for the learner. The Proficiency relates to the particular skills or activities that each learner will master within the discipline. The Proficiency describes the desired outcome within the learner as a result of participating in the LFS. There are at least two Proficiencies for the learner to focus upon for each discipline and at each level.
Achievement Goals
Achievement Goals have been derived from the Proficiency statements in the disciplines. These goals have been applied to the skills to produce the results desired within the learner. The goals are measurable so the learner’s progress can be tracked as he achieves a greater proficiency of each discipline.

Discipline One--Spiritual Disciplines
Proficiencies for the Spiritual Disciplines
God’s Word
The learner has gained the ability to assimilate God’s Word through the five means (hearing, reading, study, memorizing and meditating). His convictions have deepened to the place that he holds the Word in the highest regard as the standard and authority for all that he does. He demonstrates the personal conviction that the Word of God is living, active, powerful and efficacious in his life, resulting in regular personal application and complete obedience.
Prayer
The learner is knowledgeable about, and sensitive to, God’s priorities and concerns, which form the backbone of his prayer life. He sees God as the primary agent to affect the outcome of any situation or concern, and firmly believes that God will consider and will act on his requests. He prays regularly, frequently, often for long periods of time, sometimes accompanied by fasting, and steeped in worship.
Achievement Goals for Developing the Spiritual Disciplines

Single A
1. Learn the Word Hand Illustration and teach it to three other people.
2. Create a plan with specific goals for practicing each of the five disciplines for one year. The suggested time increments for the disciplines are: hearing—weekly; reading—daily; study—weekly; memorizing—weekly; meditating—weekly.
3. Define each of the primary types of prayer (Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving and Petition/Supplication) and identify a verse of scripture that calls believers to practice each type of prayer. Write a prayer for each of the primary types.
4. Study five prayers in the Bible and identify their primary components. Write a prayer of your own based on your study.
5. Read five books that deal with the spiritual disciplines and write a one-page report on each. Include Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels and The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.
Double A
1. Continue the plan you created as an Intern for practicing the disciplines of learning God’s Word for another year.
2. Read Chuck Swindoll’s book, Active Spirituality, writing a one-page report on it.
3. Develop an Intercessory Prayer list that can be expanded over the course of one year. Use it as a daily guide for praying for others.
4. Plan a one-day retreat for Prayer and Fasting.
Triple A
1. Establish an accountability group totaling two or three people that will meet together for one year and then multiply. This will be patterned after the Life Transformation Groups (LTG) designed by Neil Cole in which the focus is Bible reading, accountability and prayer.
2. Plan and participate in a three-day Prayer and Fasting Retreat. What was your most significant learning from the experience?
3. Establish a monthly Prayer Planning Day and observe it faithfully every month.

Discipline Two—Character Development
Proficiencies for Character Development
A Clear Sense of God’s Call
Both husband and wife share a clear and compelling sense of God’s calling to be a church planter or a founding pastor that is supported by a consistent development of the spiritual disciplines in personal life and ministry.
Godly Character
The learner is demonstrating godliness and integrity in his personal, married and public life. The qualifications for biblical eldership and servant-leadership are evident and he is growing in Christ-likeness (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Acts 6).
Emotional Intelligence
The learner is able to adjust easily to the challenging and rapidly changing environment of a growing new church. He is flexible and adaptable and has demonstrated the ability to persevere and bounce back quickly from even the most difficult circumstances while pressing on because of a Spirit-guided inner call or motivation.
Achievement Goals for Character Development

Single A
1. Identify the situation in which you received a definite indication that God was calling you to do something for Him.
2. Specify five spiritual qualities for both husband and wife that are evident and growing in both your private and public lives.
3. Think of a time when you failed. What did you do and how did you respond emotionally? What would or should you have done differently? What did you learn from the experience?
4. Describe a biblical character who failed and why. Identify ten positive lessons you can learn from his experience.
Double A
1. Write a biblical definition of calling based on a Bible study of the subject.
2. Write out a definition for an elder and a deacon based on a biblical study of Acts 6; 20; 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. List the primary characteristics of each leader.
3. Read Living Ethically in the 90’s, edited by J. Kerby Anderson, Victor Books, 1990.
Triple A
1. Read The Call by Os Guinness and write a one-page report on it.
2. Read Working the Angles by Eugene Peterson and summarize the three main sections in a one-page written report.
3. Describe in a written report how you have come to believe that God is calling you to join Him in His work of new church multiplication.
4. Study 1 Peter 5:1-2, focusing upon the three Greek words for elder, shepherd and overseer. Give a definition for each and write a job description for each function.

Discipline Three— Leadership Skills
Proficiencies for Leadership Skills
Visionary Leadership Skills
The learner has a clear and compelling picture of what the new church will look like in the future and the broad brushstrokes of what it will take to get there. He is able to share repeatedly this vision in such a way that others follow his leadership and make it happen no matter what the cost.
Starting/Gathering Skills
The learner has an entrepreneurial, risk-taking spirit and has a history of starting new ministries, groups or businesses from scratch using only faith, vision and limited resources. He is able to recruit a diverse group of other people to join with him in accomplishing his vision. People genuinely know he cares about them (1 Thessalonians 2; 1 Peter 5).
Communication Skills
The learner has a proven track record of communicating the Word of God in a relevant and compelling way through his preaching, teaching and counseling with the result that spiritual fruit and growth are evident. He understands his community context and the unchurched in it, and is able to communicate with them in their “language” and culture.
Evangelistic Skills—The learner relates well to the unchurched and unsaved, and regularly does the work of an evangelist. There is intentional evangelism and a passion to grow the church through evangelism (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). The learner understands the local community and knows what culturally relevant ministries to implement.

Achievement Goals for Leadership Skills

Single A
1. Develop a Personal Mission Statement. It will be comprised of three components: Biblical Purpose, Personal Vision Statement and Core Values.
2. Develop a clear and compelling picture of the future, new church you would like to lead.
3. Develop a plan for gathering a core group to plant a church.
4. Start a new small group from scratch for the purpose of Bible study, support or ministry.
5. Prepare a one-year preaching plan for the first year of the church. The plan should include biblical text, sermon title, sermon series (if applicable) and appropriate songs to the sermon.
6. Prepare and preach a series of narrative sermons from the Gospels, emphasizing the use of stories for illustration.
7. Present the Gospel using a learned presentation to five non-believers.
8. Develop an evangelistic tool using a single verse or two from the Bible (e.g., Romans 6:23 or Matthew 7:13-14).
Double A
1. Write a church-planting proposal using the guidelines found in Bob Logan’s, The Church Planter’s Toolkit and Planting Growing Churches by Aubrey Malphurs.
2. Establish a strategic plan for planting a new church.
3. Start and staff a new ministry for the community or neighborhood like a Backyard Bible Camp or Vacation Bible School.
4. Begin and staff a new ministry for the local church (children, drama, service, etc.).
5. Prepare and lead a thirteen-week Bible course for a small group.
6. Design a web site for your new church.
7. Prepare an evangelistic Bible study and present it to a group.
8. Plan an evangelistic outreach into your community.
9. Read Lee Strobel’s, Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary, and produce a one-page report on it.
Triple A
1. Develop eight core values for a new church.
2. Reduce your vision statement to a four-minute “stump speech” and share it with three types of people. (Resource: Year 3—CRM)
a. Local Church leadership (Elders, Missions Team, etc.)
b. Potential core group members
c. A stranger
5. Recruit a group of people to form the core group for a new church.
6. Develop a strategy for providing pastoral care to the people you have gathered into your ministry.
7. Develop a brochure that will help meet a need in your community (e.g., How to Drug-Proof Your Child ).
8. Train a minimum of three people to use an evangelistic tool like Peace Treaty with God.
9. Prepare a demographic profile of your target community emphasizing touch points and barriers.

Discipline Four—Theological Emphasis
Proficiencies in Theological Emphasis
Christian Theology
The learner shall have settled in his mind and heart the main theologies of the Christian faith. He has the tools necessary to interpret accurately the Word of God for application to his own life and the people he is leading.
Theology of Missions
The learner knows the biblical purpose of the church and seeks to achieve its primary goal of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. He has a working knowledge of church growth principles and applies them in his ministry. He has gained a cultural understanding and sensitivity to the world in which he ministers and is seeking ways to make the Gospel relevant to his community.
Theology of the Church
The learner understands the nature of the Christian church. He understands and practices the ordinances of the church. The learner has a working knowledge of the offices of elders and deacons. He knows the place of and the expression of the positional gifts found listed in Ephesians 4:11. The learner has become familiar with the history and doctrines of the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ that are traditionally associated with the Restoration Movement.

Achievement Goals for Theological Emphasis

Single A
1. Study the biblical ordinances of baptism and communion. Produce a paper that demonstrates their biblical precedence as ordinances, your basic theological understanding of each, why they are important and what their place is in the church today.
2. Read The Christian System by Alexander Campbell and Christians Only by James DeForest Murch. Prepare a one-page report on each.
3. Prepare a five to ten-page research paper on the Nature of the Church.
Double A
1. Study the Old and New Testaments to identify the place of worship in the church. Draw up a positional statement on the style of worship you envision for your church.
2. Read Christian Schwarz’s book, Natural Church Development, and prepare a one-page report as it relates to church growth.
3. Read Leonard Sweet’s book, Postmodern Pilgrims, and prepare a one-page report on it. Include a profile of the typical postmodern person and what you would do to reach that person with the Gospel.
Triple A
1. Develop a biblical hermeneutic to determine the place of women in ministry. How will you apply it to women serving in the local church?
2. Read Aubrey Malphurs’ book, Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century, and write a one-page report on it.
3. Conduct an exegetical study on Ephesians 4:11-13 and prepare a report on the gifts in Ephesians 4:11, describing their relevancy to the church today.
4. Read ChurchNext by Eddie Gibbs and write a one-page report for it.

Discipline Five—Marriage and Family Growth
Proficiencies in Marriage and Family Growth
Spousal Support
Both husband and wife work together as a team with agreed upon roles in life and ministry. They have a healthy marriage relationship with a well-managed family (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
Family Growth
The church planter sees his family as his primary responsibility to nurture and develop into a well-rounded and healthy family (Ephesians 6:1-4). Clear boundaries separate the home and family life from the work of the ministry. Nurture and leadership within the family fosters spiritual growth and a healthy perspective of the home and ministry.
Achievement Goals for Marriage and Family Growth

Single A
1. Develop a set of explicit rules regarding the use of the home as an office.
2. Interview three church planting couples to evaluate the consequences of ministry demands upon the children of a church planter.
Double A
1. Design a ministry vision that you and your spouse agree upon and share together. This will include an explicit agreement regarding each partner's role and involvement in ministry.
2. Read Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend. Determine the boundaries that you will deliberately set to protect your family life from the demands of ministry.
Triple A
1. Specify at least five ways that you will function as a team through individual and corporate action.
2. Establish how you will model wholesome family life before church and community.
3. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your marriage and family. Use the Prepare-Enrich Assessment tool.

Discipline Six—Discipling and Equipping
Proficiencies of Discipling and Equipping

Discipling Skills

The learner demonstrates the ability to help develop Christian maturity in individual believers and to build up the body of Christ in a systematic manner. Others follow him as he follows Christ, and he is able to build unity and cohesiveness in groups or among diverse people.
Equipping Skills
The learner demonstrates the ability to help others discover, develop and use their spiritual gifts in suitable ministries.
Team Building Skills
The learner is a servant-leader who is able to identify, recruit and build a team of people made of others who compliment his gift-mix and role preference, and who follow his vision for ministry.
Achievement Goals for Discipling and Equipping

Single A
1. Create a systematic plan for developing Christians to a greater spiritual maturity.
2. Determine your own spiritual gift-mix and help at least five people to discover their spiritual gift-mix using Your Leadership Grip.
3. Identify a team of at least three people who will compliment your gift-mix.
Double A
1. Meet specifically with one individual and one small group, for at least three months, to develop their spiritual maturity using the systematic plan you created.
2. Design a plan that will systematically develop a person’s spiritual gifts-mix.
3. Recruit a team of people who are willing to follow your vision for church planting.

Triple A
1. Form a small group that has a specific ministry or task-oriented focus.
2. Create your Mentoring Constellation showing the people who serve as a Paul, Barnabas and Timothy in your life. Resource: Mentoring Constellation tool, Focusing Leaders, by Terry Walling.
3. Determine the ministry roles of each member of the group based upon their particular spiritual gift-mixes.
4. Specify the goals, develop a strategic plan and lead the small group to achieve the vision for their ministry group.

Discipline Seven— Functional Stewardship
Proficiencies of Functional Stewardship

Faith Raising
The learner has learned the biblical basis for trusting God as Provider and has discovered that God is faithful in keeping His promises.
Fund Raising

The learner has come to believe that God will meet his every need, including money, and he does not fear the prospect of raising funds to support him in ministry.
Biblical Stewardship
The learner has discovered and is living by the biblical principles of stewardship for his time, talents and money, which is demonstrated by the use of a budget and a time management system.
Achievement Goals for Functional Stewardship

Single A

1. Estimate and prepare an annual budget for your family based upon your projected income and expenses as a first-year church planter.
2. Read Master Your Money by Ron Blue and produce a one-page written report on it.
3. Produce a “snapshot” of how you use your time each week. Create a chart with seven columns, one for each day and enough rows to cover the time you wake to the time you retire at night. Fill in the chart based on how you spend your time each day of the week. Evaluate the way you use your time. Determine what changes you must make to be a better steward of your time.
4. Read Freedom from the Tyranny of the Urgent, by Charles E. Hummel, and write a one-page report on it.
Double A
1. Read Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Mrs. Hudson Taylor and write a report that identifies the five most important lessons learned from the book.
2. Read Richard Foster’s Freedom of Simplicity and write a one-page report on it.
Triple A
1. Read Friend Raising by Betty Barnett and write a one-page report summary of the book’s main points.
2. Create a list of at least twenty-five people and/or churches to serve as possible friends to help fund your church planting ministry. Establish a total amount of money you need to raise and assign a goal for each person or church to contribute.
3. Read Balancing Life’s Demands by J. Grant Howard. Write a one-page summary of the book.

Appendix One: Sample Chart Format

On the following pages is a sample chart format of the Single A Level Seven Discipline Proficiencies, the Achievement Goals and the Tools and Resources associated with each skill. This format provides a convenient means of tracking the individual progress of each learner. A copy may be kept for both the learner and the coach. A notebook would be kept for each level—Single A, Double A and Triple A.

Spiritual Disciplines Proficiencies Single A Intern
Achievement
Goals Date when Done Tools
And
Resources
God’s Word:
The learner has gained the ability to assimilate God’s Word through the five means (hearing, reading, study, memorizing and meditating). His convictions have deepened to the place that he holds the Word in the highest regard as the standard and authority for all that he does. He demonstrates the personal conviction that the Word of God is living, active, powerful and efficacious in his life, resulting in regular personal application and complete obedience.

Prayer:
The learner is knowledgeable about, and sensitive to, God’s priorities and concerns, which form the backbone of his prayer life. He sees God as the primary agent to affect the outcome of any situation or concern, and firmly believes that God will consider and will act on his requests. He prays regularly, frequently, often for long periods of time, sometimes accompanied by fasting, and steeped in worship.
1. Learn the Word Hand Illustration and teach it to three other people.
2. Create a plan with specific goals for practicing each of the five disciplines for one year. The suggested time increments for the disciplines are: hearing—weekly; reading—daily; study—weekly; memorizing—weekly; meditating—weekly.
3. Define each of the primary types of prayer (Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving and Petition/Supplication) and identify a verse of scripture that calls believers to practice each type of prayer. Write a prayer for each of the primary types.
4. Study five prayers in the Bible and identify their primary components. Write a prayer of your own based on your study.
5. Read five books that deal with the spiritual disciplines and write a one-page report on each. Include Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels and The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.

WORD HAND ILLUSTRATION (available upon request)

Prayers of the Bible

Bill Hybels, Too Busy Not to Pray

Richard Foster, The Celebration of Discipline

Character Development Proficiencies
Single A Intern
Achievement
Goals Date when Done Tools
and
Resources
A Clear Sense of God’s Call
Both husband and wife share a clear and compelling sense of God’s calling to be a church planter or a founding pastor that is supported by a consistent development of the spiritual disciplines in personal life and ministry.

Godly Character
The learner is demonstrating godliness and integrity in his personal, married and public life. The qualifications for biblical eldership and servant-leadership are evident and he is growing in Christ-likeness (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Acts 6).

Emotional Intelligence The learner is able to adjust easily to the challenging and rapidly changing environment of a growing new church. He is flexible and adaptable and has demonstrated the ability to persevere and bounce back quickly from even the most difficult circumstances while pressing on because of a Spirit-guided inner call or motivation.
1. Identify a situation in which you received a definite indication that God was calling you to do something for Him.
2. Specify five spiritual qualities for both husband and wife that are evident and growing in both your private and public lives.
3. Think of a time when you failed. What did you do and how did you respond emotionally? What would or should you have done differently? What did you learn from the experience?
4. Describe a biblical character who failed and why. Identify ten positive lessons you can learn from his experience.

Leadership
Skills
Proficiencies Single A Intern
Achievement
Goals Date
when
Done Tools
and
Resources
Visionary Leadership Skills
The learner has a clear and compelling picture of what the new church will look like in the future and the broad brushstrokes of what it will take to get there. He is able to share repeatedly this vision in such a way that others follow his leadership and make it happen no matter what the cost.
Starting/Gathering Skills
The learner has an entrepreneurial, risk-taking spirit and has a history of starting new ministries, groups or businesses from scratch using only faith, vision and limited resources. He is able to recruit a diverse group of other people to join with him in accomplishing his vision. People genuinely know he cares about them (1 Thessalonians 2; 1 Peter 5).

Communication Skills
The learner has a proven track record of communicating the Word of God in a relevant and compelling way through his preaching, teaching and counseling with the result that spiritual fruit and growth are evident. He understands his community context and the unchurched in it, and is able to communicate with them in their “language” and culture.

Evangelistic Skills
The learner relates well to the unchurched and unsaved, and regularly does the work of an evangelist. There is intentional evangelism and a passion to grow the church through evangelism (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). The learner understands the local community and knows what culturally relevant ministries to implement.
1. Develop a Personal Mission Statement. It will be comprised of three components: Biblical Purpose, Personal Vision Statement and Core Values.
2. Develop a clear and compelling picture of the future, new church you would like to lead.
3. Develop a plan for gathering a core group to plant a church.
4. Start a new small group from scratch for the purpose of Bible study, support or ministry.
5. Prepare a one-year preaching plan for the first year of the church. The plan should include biblical text, sermon title, sermon series (if applicable) and appropriate songs to the sermon.
6. Prepare and preach a series of narrative sermons from the Gospels, emphasizing the use of stories for illustration.
7. Present the Gospel using a learned presentation to five non-believers.
8. Develop an evangelistic tool using a single verse or two from the Bible (e.g., Romans 6:23 or Matthew 7:13-14).
Terry Walling, Focusing Leaders, pp.

John Hendee, A Peace Treaty with God

“Single-verse Evangelism, ” Discipleship Journal

Theological Emphasis Proficiencies Single A Intern
Achievement
Goals Date
when
Done Tools
and
Resources
Christian Theology
The learner shall have settled in his mind and heart the main theologies of the Christian faith. He has the tools necessary to interpret accurately the Word of God for application to his own life and the people he is leading.

Theology of Missions
The learner knows the biblical purpose of the church and seeks to achieve its primary goal of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. He has a working knowledge of church growth principles and applies them in his ministry. He has gained a cultural understanding and sensitivity to the world in which he ministers and is seeking ways to make the Gospel relevant to his community.

Theology of the Church
The learner understands the nature of the Christian church. He understands and practices the ordinances of the church. The learner has a working knowledge of the offices of elders and deacons. He knows the place of and the expression of the positional gifts found listed in Ephesians 4:11. The learner has become familiar with the history and doctrines of the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ that are traditionally associated with the Restoration Movement. 1. Study the biblical ordinances of baptism and communion. Produce a paper that demonstrates their biblical precedence as ordinances, your basic theological understanding of each, why they are important and what their place is in the church today.
2. Read The Christian System by Alexander Campbell and Christians Only by James DeForest Murch. Prepare a one-page report on each.
3. Prepare a five to ten-page research paper on the Nature of the Church.

Alexander Campbell, The Christian System

James DeForest Murch, Christians Only
Marriage and Family Growth Proficiencies Single A Intern
Achievement
Goals Date
when
Done Tools
and
Resources
Spousal Support
Both husband and wife work together as a team with agreed upon roles in life and ministry. They have a healthy marriage relationship with a well-managed family (1 Timothy 3:4-5).

Family Growth
The church planter sees his family as his primary responsibility to nurture and develop into a well-rounded and healthy family (Ephesians 6:1-4). Clear boundaries separate the home and family life from the work of the ministry. Nurture and leadership within the family fosters spiritual growth and a healthy perspective of the home and ministry.
1. Develop a set of explicit rules regarding the use of the home as an office.
2. Interview three church planting couples to evaluate the consequences of ministry demands upon the children of a church planter.
1 Timothy 3:4-5
Ephesians 6:1-4

Equipping and Discipling Proficiencies Single A Intern
Achievement
Goals Date
when
Done Tools
and
Resources
Discipling Skills
The learner demonstrates the ability to help develop Christian maturity in individual believers and to build up the body of Christ in a systematic manner. Others follow him as he follows Christ, and he is able to build unity and cohesiveness in groups or among diverse people.

Equipping Skills
The learner demonstrates the ability to help others discover, develop and use their spiritual gifts in suitable ministries.

Team Building Skills
The learner is a servant-leader who is able to identify, recruit and build a team of people made of others who compliment his gift-mix and role preference, and who follow his vision for ministry. 1. Create a systematic plan for developing Christians to a greater spiritual maturity.
2. Determine your own spiritual gift-mix and help at least five people to discover their spiritual gift-mix using Your Leadership Grip.
3. Identify a team of at least three people who will compliment your gift-mix.

Paul E. Ford, Your Leadership Grip Assessment Process

Functional Stewardship Proficiencies Single A Intern
Achievement
Goals Date
when
Done Tools
and
Resources
Faith Raising
The learner has learned the biblical basis for trusting God as Provider and has discovered that God is faithful in keeping His promises.

Fund Raising
The learner has come to believe that God will meet his every need, including money, and he does not fear the prospect of raising funds to support him in ministry.

Biblical Stewardship
The learner has discovered and is living by the biblical principles of stewardship for his time, talents and money, which is demonstrated by the use of a budget and a time management system.
1. Estimate and prepare an annual budget for your family based upon your projected income and expenses as a first-year church planter.
2. Read Master Your Money by Ron Blue and produce a one-page written report on it.
3. Produce a “snapshot” of how you use your time each week. Create a chart with seven columns, one for each day and enough rows to cover the time you wake to the time you retire at night. Fill in the chart based on how you spend your time each day of the week. Evaluate the way you use your time. Determine what changes you must make to be a better steward of your time.
4. Read Freedom from the Tyranny of the Urgent, by Charles E. Hummel, and write a one-page report on it.

Ron Blue, Master Your Money

Charles E. Hummel, Freedom from the Tyranny of the Urgent

Appendix Two: Tools and Resources

Spiritual Disciplines
Bible Reading Plan (Discipleship Journal)
The Word Hand Illustration, Navigators
Topical Memory System, Navigators
Design for Discipleship, Navigators
Willard Black, Spiritual Disciplines
Chuck Swindoll, Active Spirituality
Personal devotion tools
A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication)
Daily Journaling
Disciple Journal Bible Reading Plan
Character Development
Os Guinness, The Call.
Eugene Peterson, Working the Angles.
J. Kerby Anderson, editor, Living Ethically in the 90’s
Leadership Skills
Visionary Leadership
Terry Walling, Focusing Leaders (tools for the Personal Time Line, Mission Statement and Mentoring Constellation.)
Robert Logan, The Church Planter’s Toolkit
Aubrey Malphurs, Planting Growing Churches

Starting/Gathering Skills
Trout and Reis, Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind

Evangelistic Skills
Bill Hybels, Becoming a Contagious Christian
Lee Strobel, Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary
Joe Aldrich, Lifestyle Evangelism
Hunter, Church for the Unchurched
Tom Clegg, Lost in America

Evangelism Presentation tools:
Single-Verse Evangelism (article in Discipleship Journal)
James Kennedy, Evangelism Explosion
John Hendee, Peace Treaty with God
Roman Road to Salvation

Demographic resources
Percept--complete demographic study
22889 Santa Margarita, CA 92688-3609
1-800-442-6277
Fax: 949-635-1283
Theological Emphasis
Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God workbook
Alexander Campbell, The Christian System
James DeForest Murch, Christians Only
Christian Schwarz, Natural Church Development
Leonard Sweet, Postmodern Pilgrims
Brian McClaren, The Church on the Other Side
Marriage and Family Growth
Cloud and Townsend, Boundaries
Prepare-Enrich by Life Innovations, Inc.
This is a wonderful marriage assessment instrument costing $30.00. Enrich measures marital satisfaction, personality issues, communication, conflict resolution, financial management, leisure activities, sexual relationships, children and parenting, family and friends, equalitarian roles, religious orientation, marital adaptability and marital cohesion.
You may order the Prepare-Enrich tool by calling 800-331-1661 or for postal delivery, send mail to Life Innovations, P.O. Box 190, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0190.
Equipping and Discipling
Leroy Eims, The Lost Art of Disciplemaking
Terry Walling, Focusing Leaders
Paul E. Ford, Your Leadership Grip
Functional Stewardship
J. Grant Howard, Balancing Life’s Demands
Ron Blue, Master Your Money
Charles E. Hummel, Freedom from the Tyranny of the Urgent,
Dr. and Mrs. Hudson Taylor, Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret
Richard Foster, Freedom of Simplicity
Betty Barnett, Friend Raising

Bibliography

Adsit, Christopher. Personal Disciplemaking. San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1988.

Anderson, J. Kerby. Editor. Living Ethically in the ‘90s. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1990.

Barnett, Betty. Friend Raising. San Diego: YWAM Publishing, 1997.

Blackaby, Henry T. and King, Claude V. Experiencing God. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994.

Blue, Ron. Master Your Money. Forward by Charles R. Swindoll. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Rev. Ed., 1991.

Clegg, Tom and Bird, Warren. Lost in America. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 2001.

Cloud, Henry and Townsend, John. Boundaries. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.

Gibbs, Eddie. ChurchNext: Quantum Changes in How We Do Ministry. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2000.

Guinness, Os. The Call. Nashville: Word Publishing, 1998.

Henderson, D. Michael. John Wesley’s Class Meeting: A Model for Making Disciples. Nappanee, IN: Evangel Publishing House, 1997.

Howard, J. Grant. Balancing Life’s Demands. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Books, 1994.

Hummel , Charles E., Freedom from the Tyranny of the Urgent. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1997.

Hunter, George, G. Church for the Unchurched. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996.

Hybels, Bill. Too Busy Not to Pray. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1988.

McLaren, Brian, D. The Church on the Other Side. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998, 2000.

Malphurs, Aubrey. Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century. Forward by Joe Aldrich. 2nd. Ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.

Mickelsen, Alvera. Editor. Women, Authority & the Bible. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1986.

Peterson, Eugene H. Working the Angles. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987.
Schwarz, Christian A. Natural Church Development. Forward by Robert E. Logan. USA ed. Carol Stream, IL: ChurchSmart Resources, 1996.

Sweet, Leonard. Post-Modern Pilgrims. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Swindoll, Charles R. Active Spirituality. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1994.

Taylor, Dr. and Mrs. Hudson. Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret. London, Philadelphia, Toronto, Melbourne and Shanghai: China Inland Mission, 1932

Walling, Terry. Focusing Leaders. St. Charles, IL: ChurchSmart Resources, 1995.

____________. ReFocusing Ministries. St. Charles, IL: ChurchSmart Resources, 1997.

Tom Brown