CHURCH PLANTING INTERN PROCESS
Do you believe that God may be calling you to help learn what planting a church is all about? We want to determine how we can become partners with you and as you work with other planters. This outlines our process to serve as a church planter intern.
STAGE ONE
Step 1 – Connection
We want to connect to learn of interest level. Stay in touch as you pray and seek direction from the Lord. Don’t’ wait to long since it takes several months of preparation for you and us to make this a positive situation for all parties. Also the Nehemiah Profs have limited funds to provide and it is on a first come first serve.
Step 2 – Application
Go to www.treaurestateba.org and click on “serving in Montana” and then go to Church Planter Interns. Complete the application including the doctrinal questions and personal questions and return to treasurestateba@msn.com .
Step 3 – References
Download the reference form and send to the five references listed on your application. Make sure you contact them to complete the form and return it to Treasure State Baptist Association as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to get your references to submit their response to our office.
Step 4 –Discovery Tool
Complete the Discovery Tool to help identify the thirteen church planting characteristics, basic spiritual gift inventory, passion and ministry preferences.
Step 5 – Nehemiah professor
You will need to contact the Nehemiah professor on your Seminary campus to outline his requirements and to receive his approval to proceed. Clarify if you are going to take any classes to earn credit for the internship and what class requirements are needed. This is optional for you. You will have to pay for the credits your take. But the Nehemiah professor must be contacted so we can complete a NAMB trigger form and confirm stipends and travel reimbursements.
STAGE ONE is complete! We must process all the information submitted and then decide whether we will partner with you for the summer. Critical to finish the first five steps before we can begin the assessment process.
Once you hear you have been approved then you can proceed to the next stage.
STAGE TWO:
Step 6 - Inventories
Complete two personality profiles. The Animal profiles can be downloaded on our web site. We will send you the DISC profile to complete and the spiritual gift profile.
Step 7– Cultural Inventory
You will need to rent the movie “River Runs Through” by Robert Redford. Again go to the web site under the Church Planter Intern section and download the five questions. If married both you and your spouse to complete your responses and return to the email address. Also please read “How to Exegete a Culture”.
Step 8 – Read Indigenous Church Planting by Charles Brock
A copy of this book will be sent to you to read and digest to review when you arrive. Highlight is the 4 S’s!
Step 9 – Begin Orientation on campus if one is identified
Several meetings with other couples and individuals will help prepare you for the journey of coming to Montana. Make sure if married your spouse participates.
Team building, climate issues, expectations of the summer and Q & A time etc. will occur.
Step 10 – Develop Support letters
Prayer support is vital to participate in church planting. Church Planting is a “declaration of war”. No soldier goes into battle with out proper “air support” and no planter enters the field without “Prayer support”. Write a basic covenant and send to people, churches, classes etc. who know you to invite them to intentionally prayer for you now and through the summer.
Financial support is needed to cover expenses like rent and other bills while you are away from campus. The stipend you receive can help cover some expenses but you will need to raise additional monies to cover living expenses at school. This is a journey of faith so you need to also ask some to help assist you in raising money for you to come to Montana for the summer. You also want to have some “fun” money as well to see the sites in Montana.
STAGE 3
Step 11 – Secure method of Travel to Montana
Some of you may drive your vehicles and others may fly. NAMB will cover tow nights and three days of driving. Watch your expenses and remember not to use the going or coming as a vacation trip of driving to see the sites. Utilize a direct route approach or if you are going to visit sites and friends negotiate with the Nehemiah Prof and the local supervisor to communicate.
Step 12 - Assessment & Orientation
Once you arrive in Montana you will need to secure an Assessment with the planters to determine your strengths and weaknesses.
Step 13 – Gospel Testimony & Presentation developed
Write your gospel story how you came to know Christ personally. Write it so you can share your story in 2 minutes. Divide your testimony in writing into three sections.
BC – What live was like before Christ
BA – How you were born again and why you received Christ
BG – How has your life been “great” since receiving Him.
Step 14 – Church Planter Intern Notebook
Secure your notebook that will have your schedule and valuable resources you will need this summer. 21 Days with Jesus, calendar, Church Planting principles etc.