Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 4: N URTURE AND T RANSITION • 425

5. Financial independence and accountability system

B. Set a goal at the beginning of the church planting process for transferring leadership to the indigenous leaders within a certain amount of time. Work toward establishing the foundational elements above within that time period.

C. Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit to know when it is time to transition.

IV. Release the church into the hands of the indigenous leaders.

A. Follow the guidelines from the mother church and/or denomination for constituting the church (e.g., constitutional bylaws).

B. Conduct constitution service to officially recognize the church as being fully established.

C. Pass the baton of leadership to indigenous leaders through commissioning service.

D. Make sure the leaders and the church have relationships with other churches and believers for encouragement, support and accountability.

E. Allow them room to make their own decisions and mistakes.

V. Have confidence. Like the Apostle Paul, be confident in God’s ability to take care of the church when you leave. In Philippians 1.6 Paul says to the Philippians, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Context Values/Vision

Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter