What Steps Do We Take In Doing A "ReStart?"
Every judicatory or denomination will have to develop their own policies and procedures for dealing with ReStart churches. New Church Specialties provides assistance in doing this to all of our Partner Districts, Conferences, etc. The policy enacted must always be contextualized to fit the polity structure of the particular denomination. These sample guidelines are only offered as a place to begin the thought process of everyone involved in the ReStart process. They are not meant in any way to replace the need for policies by the judicatory leadership board, denominational supervisor (DS), etc.
- Initiating the ReStart process is done after much prayer and analysis by the 1) DS, 2) judicatory leadership team and 3) local church board.
- An intercession team from the church is mobilized who pray throughout the process.
- The entire ReStart process is communicated clearly to the congregation.
- The DS dissolves the current church board (hopefully after their affirmative vote. This also presupposes the denominational polity allows them to do this).
- Local church membership is dissolved and/or held by the judicatory.
- All church programs and ministries are evaluated by the DS or judicatory strategy team.
- DS determines which ones continue to function versus which ones cease.
- A church planter is selected and new Local Church Leadership Team is appointed by the DS.
- The Local Church Leadership Team familiarizes itself with the resources for ReStart churches offered by New Church Specialties, one or more team members attend New Church University, and prepare a ReStart Church Action Plan, for judicatory approval.
- Private Worship phase is begun, a ReStart Grand Opening date is set, planning of all future ministries is done and the new church is launched.
