Ripe for Harvest

422 • R IPE FOR H ARVEST

IV. Prepare carefully the congregation and the leadership team for its agreed-on form of governance.

A. Include the leadership team and congregation in shaping the constitution, addressing all critical issues in a process of determining how the church will govern itself. B. Help the leadership team and members discuss the pros and cons of legal incorporation, and factor this into their mission and future.

C. Create excitement through your words and actions about formal independence.

V. Exercise wisdom in determining the changing of church plant team roles, and what will be the right time to constitute the church on its own. A. Checkpoints and signs of a church ready to transition: fellowship with Jesus and each other, sense of its identity and mission, commitment to community need, vigorous membership, financial stability, solid leadership team. B. Consider carefully in your plan the best, least obstructive way to phase or change church plant team roles, or transition help and services.

C. Understand the various models available and select the one the Lord has for you.

VI. At the proper time, formally commission the leadership of the church in full celebration and acknowledgment.

A. Make it a priority to help the faithful and the leadership team to draft and finalize its constitution process (this is the key for formal independence).

B. Facilitate the church in selecting and acknowledgment of its leaders, members, and constitution.

Context Values/Vision

Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter

C. Install the leaders formally as those who are now responsible for the welfare of the members and direction of the body.