For sponsor churches and church planters-

1.  Church planting is about reaching the lost. The first step in the process is to define the ministry focus area or people group. An SBCV Church Planting Strategist (CPS) can assist with this process.

2.  The sponsor church writes a letter to the SBCV Church Planting Coordinator (CPC) stating the desire to sponsor a church plant and requesting a partnership with the SBCV.  If possible the letter should include the following:
           a.  Ministry focus area or people group
           b.  Intended start date
           c. Name of church planter being considered to be assessed by the SBCV or request that SBCV assist in finding a church planter
           d.  Financial resources allocated for the church plant by the sponsor church
           e.  Commitment of individuals and families to help with church plant
           f.   Any other special circumstances or considerations

3.  SBCV CPC seeks to find a church planter or begins the process of approving the church planter prospect.  The process begins with a letter and resume from the church planter prospect sent to the CPC of the SBCV.  Church planters may be bivocational, partially funded, or fully funded on a decreasing basis which is reviewed annually.

4.  The sponsor church seeks to secure a location for a meeting place as soon as possible, preferably before the church planter arrives (eg. a school, hotel, community room).

5.  Process for approving a church planter:
           a.  The prospect sends a letter and resume to the CPC and/or CPS.
           b.  Either the CPC or the CPS sends a "NAMB Discovery Instrument" to the church planting prospect.
           c.  When the "Discovery Instrument" is received, the CPS for the ministry area will make contact with the prospect and discuss the next step for completing the church planting application form and sending it to the CPC.
           d.  When the resume, "Discovery Instrument", and application form are received by the CPC, he will begin the process of checking primary and secondary references. The document "Guidelines for Becoming a Sponsor Church:  For Sponsor Churches and Church Planters" will be sent to the prospect.
            e.  The Church Planting Management Team (CPMT) of the SBCV considers prospects at its monthly meeting.  If initial approval is given based on completed application information and the Discovery Instrument, reference checks are completed, a church planting assessment is scheduled, and a credit report is reviewed (Approval stage 1 - prospect becomes an applicant).  References and an assessment are considered at the next CPMT meeting, and, if approved, the applicant is invited for an interview before the CPMT and Executive Board members at the next scheduled meeting (Approval stage 2 - applicant becomes a candidate).  A criminal background check is reviewed before the candidate comes for the interview.
            f.  The candidate and spouse are interviewed in Richmond by the CPMT and Executive Board Members (Approval stage 3 - candidate becomes an approved church planter).

Note: Minimum time for this process of approval is 3 months. 3 to 4 months is more typical depending on the candidate meeting all the deadlines.

6.  Immediately after Approval stage 3, the approved church planter must start working on a Church Planting Proposal for the sponsor church and his assigned CPS. Where possible, this should be submitted for mutual approval before the approved church planter becomes an assigned church planter.

7.  The sponsor church pastor is responsible for the supervision of the church planter. The church planter is expected to meet with a mentor of his choosing on a regular basis (the mentor may or may not be the sponsor church pastor). Each church planter is accountable to the SBCV CPS in his ministry area and will meet regularly with him.

8.  All approved and assigned church planters are required to take the NAMB Basic Training Course for church planters at the first opportunity.

9.  The approved church planter will pledge in writing (Covenant of Partnership) to lead the church to always be a part of the SBCV.

10.  Reviews:  Periodic reviews are conducted with the church planter and his spouse by the CPMT.  Reviews will also be conducted on-site with the CPS, church planter, and the CPMT.  The church planter will be accountable to his sponsor church and the SBCV until the new church is consituted or as long as funds are received from the SBCV.

11.  The SBCV will follow NAMB guidelines for consideration of suitable church planter candidates.

Note: Process for approval as church planter
 1.  Church planter prospect
 2.  Church planter applicant (after approval stage 1)
 3.  Church planter candidate (after approval stage 2)
 4.  Approved church planter (after approval stage 3)
 5.  Assigned church planter (after Covenant of Partnership has three signatures)

Note: This is an abbreviated copy of the guidelines.  Please contact the SBCV for a complete copy.