Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

380 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 2

be done as part of the normal process of establishing its by-laws and constitution according to the policies and procedures of the Independent Christian Churches.

IV. Doctrine

World Impact leaders and church plant leaders who are involved with the partner- ship need immediately to engage in an independent study of the Independent Christian Churches’ doctrinal and his torical tradition. The information gathered should be communicated to potential team members with a focus on discovering whether potential conflicts over doctrinal or ministry issues might arise. The new church plant shall hold to the doctrines as outlines in various documents pertinent to the Independent Christian Churches. Prospective Core and Support Team Members shall attend a seminar, to be conducted by a representative of the Independent Christian Churches, outlining denominational history and central beliefs and doctrine. It is also suggested that the seminar include baseline practices and standards for Independent Christian Churches that cannot be violated and that areas of flexibility where contextualization (worship routines, when to offer communion, etc.) is considered appropriate. Materials pertaining to doctrinal issues are to be developed and incorporated into the NICHE Project. As the congregation develops and a viable nucleus forms in Planeview, opportunities shall be provided for mutual discussion with the Independent Christian Churches’ leadership on issues related to its confession of faith, history, church polity and district, national and international church vision. At some point, each participating church may wish to give some training in various aspects of church leadership to the new church leaders. This discussion will culminate with the expectation of incorporating such practices into the emerging Hispanic church. Core and Support Team Members should agree to remove themselves from the team if their conscience is at odds with a doctrinal belief. However, it is suggested that those desiring to withdraw from the Team, should first meet with the Team Leader and Multiple Team Leader to seek resolution.