The Plan

BRYAN LONG, DIRECTOR OF CHURCH MULTIPLICATION

As if 2022 wasn’t hard enough for pastors, Easter and Tax Day hit at the same time. For those of us who procrastinated, there’s nothing like waking up the day after Easter and having to square up with Uncle Sam. I have this specific  memory as a kid of watching my dad do his taxes (before the days when you could do them online) and being completely overwhelmed at the thought of doing it myself someday. I asked him with panic in my voice: “How do you do that?” All the numbers, pages, and receipts – the whole thing felt way too big…

I talk to a lot of pastors and seminary students who are discerning a call to church planting and revitalization. One thing that is common is that same overwhelming feeling I had as a kid: “How do you do that?” All the recruiting, vision-casting, and systems – the whole thing feels way too big… I admit, church planting and revitalization is hard. There are
no shortcuts or silver bullets. But there are proven pathways and processes that take a seemingly overwhelming work and break it down into bite-sized steps and seasons. This is where “The Plan” comes in.

The Plan is a unique training experience we offer that value relationships and personal interaction. Everyone (including trainers) stay, eat, and hang out together over three days. We keep cohorts small to allow room for dialog, workshopping, and questions amidst all the planned training. Equippers have different planting stories and experiences that provide a diversity of approaches while sharing a balance of theology, theory, and practicality. This creates space for leaders to discern and develop a plan for their church…

Whether you’re still deciding to pursue this type of work, just starting out, or have been at it for a while, “The Plan” is a great chance to see and (re)develop a plan for your ministry. We offer the “The Plan” in tandem with the CCCC Annual Gathering, July 18-20 in Warwick, RI. There is no cost other than travel and hotel stay.

You can register at: theplan.theninevehnetwork.org