Church Planting


We believe church planting is the best way for us to reach lost people. I am saved today because someone decided to plant a church. We have a proven model that is culturally relevant and highly successful. We are committed to "keeping Christianity alive in America" and church planting is a major part of this effort. Our approach is to follow the same path the first century church walked and to embrace the principles that effectively spread the gospel throughout Jerusalem, Palestine, and Asia.

We search daily for the X factor in individuals called to lead or participate in church planting. The X factor is defined as "with our without our help" and is unearthed most of the time during our initial interview. Any personality type can successfully plant a church but not everyone can or will. Those who are called by God are also equipped by Him. Our position is to embrace you and assist you each step along the way in this exciting endeavor.

Faith is essential and you or your spouse must possess great faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he/she who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The X factor grows out of a heart of faith.

Here are some simple principles we encourage church planters to follow. Adherence to these promotes an environment of positive change, academic excellence, and individual growth and accentuates the team approach to doing ministry:
  1. No one works unless someone prays.
  2. Never do ministry alone as it is a team approach (It is no longer "I" but "we".)
  3. Be a pastor of four pulpits.
  4. Have effective time management.
  5. 10% of our overall budget is dedicated to reaching lost people.
  6. No one can have more than two responsibilities.
  7. No one has a permanent position.
  8. Everyone is tested for their spiritual gift mix.
  9. Use the 4x4x4 rule to train and equip participants.
  10. Water baptisms, weddings, and baby dedications are used as outreach tools.
  11. Five-fold gifted professional staff are evaluated and assigned to an area of responsibility.
  12. Seven teams are fully acclimated to the 7 Laws of 7, Spiritual Gifts, and the Five-fold gifting.
The life-cycle of the New Field Church is as follows:
  1. Pre-New Field Church - Information Stage: seek information and express an interest in becoming a new field church, meet with the North Georgia USA Missions Director.
  2. Pre-New Field Church - Planning Stage: strategize, develop vision statement, identify and build core and other teams, conduct and analyze demographic analysis, develop promotional materials, select facility, engage in outreach activities, conduct preview services, etc.
  3. New Field church - 1st year (contribute no appropriation): Conduct regular services, grow the church and submit monthly reports.
  4.  New Field Church - 2nd year: Conduct regular services, grow the church, submit monthly report, contribute 5% appropriation to the NGACOG
  1. Organized church: Obtain benefits of becoming an organized church, submit monthly report, contribute 7% appropriation to NGACOG and 7% to the International Church of God.
 
The following is the process for a new field church to become an Organized Church with the Church of God.
 
  • Complete these documents below
  • Mail them to our office
 Evangelism Department
North Georgia Church of God
962 Parkside Walk Lane
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
 
  • The State office will forward completed forms to the international offices.
  • The International offices will assign and notify you of your church number and submit 501C3 information to the government.
  • The Church can request a letter from the international office for tax exempt status. Contact Glenna at 423-478-7780.

If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a new field church planter with the Church of God, feel free to contact our office at 770-274-1202 or evangelism@ngacog.org.
 

Steve Brown, Director of USA Missions