In the life of church planting, having all 3 are a bonus! A “Parent” partner is a financial partner that gives a substantial amount of funding and literally gives as if the planter & staff were a paid staff member of their organizaiton. This could be a church, a person, or a business owner. This provides a window of about 3 years for the staff to get the church to a decent stability. Additionally, it allows the staff to concentrate on the mission without worry regarding the well-being of their family and the future of the ministry. A “Grandparent” partner also partners financially but has a lesser financial investment. Finally, a “Godparent” role is that of a minimal amount of provided funding, if any, but an organization or person who wants to help either through prayer or labor. ALL three are equally important and a real description of the variety of Biblical gifting: “To whom much is given, much is required.” An additional few items that I see any church can provide are:
- Individual people as members on loan to help launch for a few months
- A group of people sent in to the town for a one, two, or three-day mission opportunity
- An embracing of the new staff and church as teammates and family
- A special time set aside as a church body to commission through a simple prayer time
- Provide temporary offices for the new team if in close proximity
- Levearge their membership to help new plant acquire necessary equipment. Some members are in specific and distinct businesses that know people who would like to partner by providing equipment
- Names of prayer partners from their church body
A new team of planters needs to feel connected in more than one place, they need to feel loved by a group of believers who are rallying behind them, and must have the necessary financial support to make it all happen. Needed at Origin Church: Parents, Grandparents, Godparents! Partner with us!
