| Church DevelopmentStarting New Churches – Part II
By Dr. Montfort C. Duncan Jr.,
Executive Director, Church Development
 In
the last issue of the "Review," I shared three models (out of
six) we currently are using to start new communities of faith. In this
issue you will find the remaining three models.
Instant Structure Grant – This option is for
new churches where there are no suitable temporary meeting sites
available. We provide a $60,000 grant toward the purchase of an
Instant Structure in lieu of the $60,000 first-unit grant. The
district can borrow the additional funds required to purchase and
install the structure from the New Church Development Committee’s
loan fund. In addition, the committee will provide a $75,000 new-site
grant and the three-year compensation subsidy based on the
Denominational Average Compensation (DAC). The district committee will
cover additional site costs, operating budget and start-up costs,
including the parsonage.
Reclaim Discontinued Church Facilities –
This option is envisioned where the district/conference owns
facilities of a discontinued church and has identified a population
that has the potential to be financially self-supporting within three
to five years. The Florida Conference would provide a $60,000 facility
grant, plus the three-year new pastor compensation subsidy. The
district would provide a parsonage, operating budget, additional
renovation costs, etc.
Satellite – This option can be used
where an established church wishes to sponsor a satellite
congregation, using its staff and members. The satellite may or may
not result in the chartering of a separate church. Should a separate
congregation be chartered, the $75,000 site grant and the $60,000
first-unit grant would be available. The committee will provide
one-half of the DAC three-year compensation subsidy. The district can
partner with the local church to help with start-up costs. The amount
would be negotiated.
The grants referred to in all six models are
funded through interest from loans to congregations. The salary
supplements are funded through the New Church Start apportionment.
Local church support of this outreach ministry encourages us to
continue to seek to be faithful to the Great Commission—to go into
all the world and make disciples.
We are currently working on additional models
that need to be created in order to increase our effectiveness in
outreach to unchurched populations in our communities. These will be
shared as they are developed. |
