church plant

CHURCH PLANTING RESIDENCY PROGRAM
The mission of Vineyard Columbus is to develop a community of passionate, mature, reproducing disciples; to plant passionate, mature, reproducing churches; and to transform the world by love and good deeds for the glory of God. To that end, the Church Planting Residency Program at Vineyard Columbus exists to identify, train, equip, and release church planters by bringing together the best church planting practices that we've learned from having planted 24 churches.

The Church Planting Residency Program is a year-long, intensive leadership development, spiritual growth, theological training, and ministry skill development experience at Vineyard Columbus. As a Resident, you will be given the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced and creative pastors who have a successful track record in church multiplication at Vineyard Columbus. You will have the opportunity to participate in the day to day activities of church staff culture, develop yourself as a leader, expand your theological education, deepen your Vineyard values, and sharpen your church planting skills and plan for the launch of your new church.

Everything about the Program is designed to give the church planter the very best chance for success in planting a passionate, mature, and reproducing church. Here are just a few highlights of the Program:

The Program will consist of 5-7 highly qualified candidates with the expectation that they will be planting in the next 1-2 years.
During their time here, the Residents will each get to taste how ministry is run and organized in most of our departments (e.g. Small Groups, Vineyard Community Center, Urban Ministry, Kids and Youth Ministries, Evangelism, etc.).
The Residents will interact with key pastors and ministry leaders, and they will have significant opportunities to engage in doing ministry at Vineyard Columbus.
The Residents will have the opportunity to take a preaching and leadership class with our senior pastor, Rich Nathan.
The Residents will be offered our Vineyard Leadership Institute (VLI) classes for free.
The Residents can choose from either half-time or full-time options in the Program based on financial situation, growth and development needs, and time constraints.
The Residents will receive a small stipend during their time here, and also some sort of a financial support system when the plant actually launches.
Upon launch, it is our hope to continue in intentional relationship with the planter for the sake of accountability, health, and growth.

It our deepest desire to see every Vineyard church become active in planting passionate, mature, and reproducing churches. If you are a Vineyard church looking to plant, Vineyard Columbus would be thrilled to discuss ways that we can partner with you. By the grace of God, and for his glory alone, may we see the world transformed by our love and good deeds!

1. RESIDENCY PROGRAM APPLICATION (APPLY NOW)

2. EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION (DOWNLOAD NOW)

3. REFERENCE FORM (COMPLETE NOW)

APPLICATION DEADLINE
In order to be considered for the Program, the candidate must turn in the completed application to us by Friday, June 25, 2010.

FINAL DECISION ANNOUNCEMENT DATE
The candidates for the Program will be announced on Friday, July 16, 2010.

PROGRAM START DATE
The Program will officially begin on Tuesday, September 14, 2010.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the admissions process?
To be considered for the Program, you must submit all of the following:

First, you must complete the Program Application which you can do online. (see above)
Second, you must also complete a Vineyard Columbus Employment Application. The form must be downloaded (see above) and emailed back to us. Detailed instructions are on the Employment Application.
Third, you need two ministry references and one personal reference. Two references should be from a current pastor/ ministry leader, and the third can be from either a current or former pastor/ministry leader. Please direct your pastor/ministry leader to this web page so that they can fill out the online reference form by clicking on the button above that says, "REFERENCE FORM."
Incomplete or late forms will not be accepted!

2. What is the primary goal of the Program?
The primary goal of the Program is the development and deployment of new church planters who will plant churches that are passionate, mature, and reproducing. It is our aim to pass on to the Residents the accumulated experience and knowledge of the pastoral staff at Vineyard Columbus as a way to prepare and encourage new church planters.

3. What training and experience will I gain as a Resident?
As a Resident, you will be developed in three primary areas: Spiritual formation, leadership development, and practical ministry experiences and skills needed for starting a new church. Residents will be involved in the following areas:

Attend two weekly ministry process groups and one weekly individual supervision meeting.
Preaching and Leadership Mentoring by Senior Pastor, Rich Nathan.
Pursue an individualized theological learning plan coordinated through the Vineyard Leadership Institute (VLI). More information can be found on the VLI website.
Develop a spiritual growth plan.
Develop a leadership development plan.
Lead and multiply a small group.
Participate in an assigned ministry area for 12 months.
Rotate through several modules ministry areas needed in church planting.
Serve at weekend worship gatherings and outreach projects.
Initiate and complete the steps for launching a new church plant.

4. What ministry area will the Resident participate in?
Each Resident will gain experience in each of the main ministries of the church that will be valuable in building their church planting skills. However, each Resident will be asked to choose a primary ministry focus during the Program which will allow him or her to spend more time developing in that particular area of ministry. In the application process, the Resident must choose their top three choices from one of the following ministry areas: Small Groups, Evangelism, Children, Worship, and Outreach. We will do our best to give you your top choice.

5. What does a typical week look like for the Resident?
Ministry is an adventure! The reality is that there are set appointments and deadlines as well as the serendipitous ministry opportunities. As a Resident, you will experience both. Each week will include prayer with the pastoral staff, weekend worship service assignments, departmental meetings, two Resident growth/process group meetings and an individual supervision meeting.

The Resident growth groups are scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tuesday's group consists of a ministry presentation by one assigned Resident. These group meetings will further develop theological, leadership and ministry skills by way of ministry case studies and reflection. Friday's group is an open agenda process group. The group will select personal or ministry issues to process. The individual supervision meeting will deal with spiritual, personal awareness and plans for your church plant. In addition, formal classes and mentoring in specific ministry areas will be taken through VLI. Finally, a large block of time will be given to the practice of ministry in an assigned ministry area.

6. Is the Program part-time or full-time?
You can do either, depending on your financial needs. Part-time Residents are expected to work 20-25 hours per week. Full-time Residents are expected to work 45-50 hours per week.

7. What Vineyard Columbus staff members will be involved with the Program?
The Program will be administered by the Vineyard Columbus Church Planting Team. In addition, Residents will interact with Rich Nathan and other staff pastors during the learning modules.

8. What qualifications are needed to be accepted into the Program?
We are looking for people who have a clear sense of calling to plant a new Vineyard church and to dare to dream big dreams for the Kingdom of God. Additionally, we are looking for individuals with previous ministry and leadership experience. Finally, we place a high value on a positive "can do" attitude, flexibility, a strong work ethic, being a team player, and a willingness to grow in awareness of oneself and others.

9. What is the cost to attend the Program?
There is no cost to attend the Program, but you will need the finances to support yourself (and your spouse/family) for one year in Columbus, Ohio. You may accomplish this through fundraising, working a second job, or some combination of the two. To live in Columbus, Ohio, you should expect to need approximately $1200/month to cover rent, food, and other necessities. Each resident will receive a small stipend to help with your expenses.

10. What are the dates for the Program?
The 2010-2011 Church Planting Residency Program will run from September 2010 through August 2011.

11. Can I get college credit for completing the Program?
VLI is partnering with Asbury Theological Seminary to offer their new Asbury Cluster Education (ACE) Program at the campus of Vineyard Columbus. This newly created program will provide graduate theological education in a classroom setting more convenient and accessible to students in the central Ohio region. The program will offer courses that can be applied to the Master of Divinity and selected Master of Arts degrees. Ten core courses will be offered at the ACE sites over a two-year period, beginning with Columbus. Students following the prescribed ACE plan will be able to earn 30 hours toward their degree. More information about the VLI-Asbury Partnership can be found on the VLI website.

12. Does Vineyard Columbus provide housing for the Residents?
The church is not prepared to provide housing at this time. However, our staff will be available to give guidance on areas of the city that might provide affordable housing.

13. Can I seek part-time employment while being a part of the Program?
Absolutely! It is our expectation that most, if not all, residents will secure secondary, outside employment. In many ways, this kind of work arrangement reflects the actual realities of the first year as a church planter. We ask, however, that ministry expectations and time requirements take precedent over outside work schedules.

14. Do I need to have a car?
Yes. The public transportation in Columbus is not ideal for participants of the Program. There is the possibility of securing housing close to the church where the need for a car would be minimized.

15. What if I have a question that is not answered here?
If you have any questions about the Program or the application process that is not answered in this document, you can email us or call us (614.890.0000).