Our Process
You need care, support, and training throughout the process. We take care of all of that and more – everything you need to launch your church. Together we will plant a healthy, independent church in a community in Northeast Ohio.
The Phases
You will walk through four distinct phases as you prepare to launch your church. Our team is there every step of the way to support and care for you.
Preparation Phase
As a church planter, you are called to a local community where you can share the gospel in a meaningful and contextually specific way. We will assess you to prepare for your calling, including your ministry background, gifting and your fit to serve a particular community.
Missionary Phase
In this phase, you will work to understand what makes the community tick, making observations with openness and acceptance. You will join the fabric of your community, building the foundation for a church that is embedded and understands how to best serve the unique local community.
Church Planter Phase
Once you have developed an understanding of the community’s needs and how the gospel can be uniquely contextualized, you will craft your church’s vision around your community. You will partner with local Christians and build a launch team, as you create and cast vision and strategy for your new church. This phase culminates in the launch of your church, at about the one-year mark of your residency.
Pastor Phase
Once you launch, you enter the Pastor Phase where you are actively pastoring your new church. During this time, we work together to build the ministry and logistics of your church as you walk down the road toward independence and pastor your new congregation. At the end of this phase, you will emerge leading an independent church in Northeast Ohio.
Every Planter is Unique!
Our phases are designed with flexibility for each unique situation. We know that no church plant and no church planter are the same. That is why we have created separate tracks depending on what kind of church plant you will be. We want to be as accommodating as possible while providing definite tracks to keep you going in the right direction.
Track A: Starting From Scratch
When you come to Orchard without a launch team, we tailor our program to allow for the creation of your team. This includes providing you coaching with outreach events in your community and recruiting from within the Christ Community Chapel community. Specifically, we allow more time for you to be in the Missionary Phase so that you can better know your community and gather your team.
If you are interested in learning more about this track, start a conversation with us!
Track B: Coming With a Team
Track B is recommended if you already have a group of people who are gathering with you. If you are already working on planting a church, Orchard NEO can be the rocket fuel that helps you accelerate to independence.
If you are interested in learning more about this track, start a conversation with us!
Apply Today!
Start your journey! Submitting your application is quick and straightforward, taking less than an hour. Here’s what the process involves:
Application Form with Resume
Share about yourself and your vision for church planting.
Culture Index Personality Survey
Complete a brief survey that helps us understand your work style and personality.
Theological Questionnaire
Answer some questions about your theological perspective to ensure alignment with our mission.
Once you’ve completed these steps, relax—we’ll take it from there! Our team will review your application and be in touch with the next steps.