Existing Congregations

EXISTING CONGREGATION CHURCH PLANTING MODELS:

Churches have life cycles. There are periods of growth, plateau, stability, and instability; times of sickness or death. Some churches will lose their vision for ministry or the demographics of a neighborhood or community will change. If a church recognizes that growth is not happening, that its health is in jeopardy, that its current leadership and members are not able to provide what is necessary for growth and health, the KEC may recommend assistance through the Revitalization Model. If a church chooses to discontinue worship and public ministry, the KEC may recommend a new church ministry, using the Restart Model, be considered.

REVITALIZATION MODEL – The KEC, in conjunction with the District Field Director(s) and the Church Health Commission, coordinates a team of healthy district churches who will partner and work together, providing funding, resources and people power to literally revitalize a church that otherwise might not survive. The Revitalization Model allows the current church leadership and ministry structures to remain in place. Drawing from the creativity of church planting models and the wealth of available church health resources, this temporary ministry team will work with the existing church toward a healthier and more optimistic future.

The essential piece in this model is the acknowledgement by the struggling church’s leadership team of the need to “get help” long before closing is the best or only option. Being able to recognize that “business as usual” is not going to work and that local resources are just “not enough” to carry the current church family into a healthy future is vital for this model to work.

RESTART MODEL – The existing members of the congregation agree to give up all responsibility and authority in the church and permit the KEC to assume full responsibility for beginning an essentially new congregation. Though difficult for the existing members, this is the most effective way to make possible new ministries in the community through the existing facilities and location. Ample discussions involving the Bishop, Kingdom Extension Associate and the District Field Director will take place prior to making any decision about a restart project.

ADOPTION MODEL – The KEC provides the umbrella of relationship for accountability when a non-EC Church congregation, including a group that wants to disaffiliate with its parent agency, wants to form an affiliation with the EC Church that has not previously existed.