F.A.Q. For New Charge Development 1. What is a new charge? A New Charge is a church plant set up under regulations authorised by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. You can find these regulations in Act XIII 2000 Anent New Charge Development (as amended by Acts V and VIII 2003 and Act VII 2004) http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/servingscotland/downloads/2000act13.doc The ethos is strongly missional in nature. No two are the same in organisation or makeup as the local mission context gives shape to whatever resulting church comes into being. Overseen by the Committee on New Charge Development (N.C.D.) and supported by the local New Charge Commission these groups are there to help direct and support the fledgling church as it grows up. 2. How is it set up? The initial step can be taken by a number of groups: Presbytery, National Parish Appraisal, N.C.D. Committee or the Congregation/s in whose parish/es the new church is to exist. Through further consultations these groups will agree an official approach to how the new church will be set up and the terms of relationships between the new church and all other stakeholders (e.g. Presbytery, existing parishes) 3. What are the first steps? Following on from the agreement above: N.C.D. and Presbytery put together a New Charge Commission to discern what the appropriate approach will be to mission in the new area through a Mission Design. It may be considered appropriate to appoint a development worker to do the initial demographic analysis. This analysis then forms the basis for whatever missional approach is decided. The N.C.D. Committee using information gained by the Commission will look into suitable resourcing of personnel and property. For instance it is the responsibility of the Committee to provide accommodation for the Organising Minister and suitable meeting space for the New Church. After this the N.C.D. Committee in conjunction with Presbytery and Parish Appraisal move to initial appointment/s. 4. What are the criteria? A recognised opportunity for mission and establishment of church that will not be met from the current structures in place. Such as: * the creation of new communities where the population is normally over 5000 in the creation of a new parish. * where an existing church recognises there is an opportunity to reach new people within their parish bounds that will best be served by setting up a New Church. * where an existing church has reached the point of being unsustainable and a New Church is to take root. * Where mission will best be served by crossing existing parish boundaries and the underlying churches wish to work collaboratively in the formation of a New Church. For instance a generational or culture specific approach. * Any other opportunity where there is a will to create a New Church. 5. How does a New Charge relate to the wider church? All new churches created by the N.C.D. Committee are considered to be Church of Scotland charges within the polity and under the authority of the Church of Scotland. They are therefore part of the Presbytery within the bounds of which they are geographically located and any Minister appointed is accountable to that Presbytery for matters of life and doctrine. New churches are expected to play a full role in Presbytery, although it is recognised that at early stages this is not always practicable. 6. How does N.C.D. relate to the church? N.C.D. relates to the wider church by being a sub committee of the Board of National Mission and by maintaining close working links with many other Boards and Committees throughout the Church. 7. How is oversight provided for a New charge? This exists on various levels: Minister: * For any Minister appointed Presbytery has oversight for matters of life and doctrine. * The Board of Ministry exercises oversight on a national basis for all Ministers with regards to the laws and regulations of the national Church. * N.C.D. have a Mission Developments Facilitator who provides pastoral oversight at the behest of the N.C.D. Committee. New Church: * The New Charge Commission is responsible to oversee the mission and growth of the New Church. * Through a process of Review the N.C.D. Committee oversees the missional direction of the New Church Property: * Initially all property matters are dealt with by the Property Department of the Board of National Mission, who act on behalf of N.C.D. * As the New Church grows, responsibility of oversight with regards to property is gradually transferred to the new church until such time as all property matters reside there. 8. What are the expectations for a new charge? * That it will grow numerically. * That it will grow strong roots. * That it will be strongly missional. * That it will be creative and innovative. * That it will be culturally appropriate. * That it will become financially self sustaining. * That it will reach full status in approx 10 years. 9. What do you look for in staffing/leadership? * It is the intention of N.C.D. to place more than one person per new church as appropriate. We recognise the need to work in teams and to draw on the strengths of each team member to further strengthen the new church. * There is also an expectation with each new church that they practice every person ministry. In terms of the organising Minister, we look mainly for: * A strong personal faith * A catalytic innovator * A charismatic personality who will draw others in * A natural strength in leadership * An evangelist * Somebody willing to take risks 10. How do you know a New Church is working? The Bible says, “by their fruits you shall know them” There is therefore an expectation of growth within the following areas: Roots Fruits 1. Theology/Mission Design 6. Inspiring and Nourishing Worship 2. Discipleship and Leadership Development 7.Visionary Faith and Spirituality 3. Effective Leadership 8. Community Caring for itself and others 4. Structures geared for Growth 9. Relevant Evangelism 5. Administrative structures 10. Financial Strategy What about the old charge where a New Church is planted? * A new church can only be planted where there is permission given by any existing church or Presbytery where it is founded. * In the case where a previous church has reached the point of being unsustainable, the old church ceases to exist on the creation of the new. It is the responsibility of Presbytery to oversee the closure of what has been in a God honouring way. This includes the care of the individuals who were within that church, while also preparing ground for what is to come. * In a situation where there is a strong existing church who have recognised the need to plant something new both churches continue to exist alongside each other. Agreements are put in place for the mutual support of both churches, where each can give of their strength to help the mission. 11. When is a New Church not the answer? * It can appear in many instances that creating a new church is the best way forward, especially in the case where a previous church is approaching the point of un-sustainability. However a new church should only be brought into being when it best serves the mission of that area. Not as a rescue package or problem solving solution. It is for this reason all of the following agencies have to agree before a new church can come into being: N.C.D. Committee, Presbytery, National Parish Appraisal. 12. When does a New Charge cease to be a New Charge? There are 2 scenarios where this happens: * If after review the new church is not working then N.C.D. in conjunction with Presbytery can determine to wind up the New Charge and proceed down another avenue, as will best suit the required mission. * If the new church grows and matures to the point taking it’s place amongst the rest of the Church and no longer needs such support as it has had, then it will proceed to ‘Full Status’ and cease to be a New Charge. 13. Do we need a building? We recognise the need for gathering space which furthers the mission and also recognise that as the church grows the type and nature of this space will change. We don’t immediately then try and put up what many people would see as a church building but work with the church on how best to achieve their mission for their community. If in time the church reaches a point where they feel the need for a permanent worship space we will help in reaching that goal. 14. What does success look like? The terminology of success is not always a helpful measure, especially as understood in the traditional sense where its primarily concerned with ‘bums on pews’ and ‘money in the bank.’ It has been said that maturity of a church is seen in its ability to plant out from itself, which means it has got to a point of effective self leadership, where it is a net contributor to the wider church, particularly in terms of numerical sustainability and maintenance of a strong mission ethos. 15. What is the relationship with presbytery? New churches remain an integral part of whatever Presbytery in which they geographically reside. Whilst being accountable to the N.C.D. Committee for their development to full status they are also expected to play as full a part in the life of Presbytery as they are able, with due consideration to their stage of growth. 16. What does a New Charge going to full status look like? No two churches will look the same as all are allowed to grow and mature within their local cultural context. However, it would be expected that whatever the shape of local church is, it has reached a point of sustainability in leadership, mission, pastoral care, worship, finance, and property. Essentially this is the point at which a local N.C.D. church no longer requires the oversight of the national committee and the local commission. 17. What resources are available to new charges? Initially there is a sum of £5500 spread over 5 years for specific mission projects, as approved by the local commission. On top of that the N.C.D. Committee will always attempt to offer resources as able and required. In some instances there will be provision of housing for the organising minister and also at the outset will endeavour to cover costs for providing appropriate worship space. There is support provided via the Mission Developments Facilitator, the Learning network, New Developments Administrator, N.C.D. Committee, and Commission. It is recognised a new church is initially a very fragile thing and as much support is offered as can be. 18. What’s expected of the minister / team at startup? We expect they will need to spend considerable time in getting to know the community so as to be effective in their mission. We expect them to also spend time in deepening the roots of those who are core to the new start. Whilst there are no initial targets set with regards to numbers or finance it should be said there is an underlying expectation of growth in these areas. The following table is taken from our review documentation and illustrates where expectations are in the initial period: Stages Expectations 3 years Clarity of values and vision, community contacts, opportunities for evangelism and nurture, emerging leadership, public worship, basic administration/bookkeeping, financial planning. 5 years Values, vision and strategy, community awareness, signs of people coming to faith, faith for everyday life, leadership team, established patterns of worship, administrative structure, financial strategy for next five years, facilities, relationship to the wider church. 8 years Wide ownership and development of values and vision, place in community life, measurable growth in people coming to faith, nurture and pastoral strategy, life-focussed faith, creative leadership patterns to diversify ministries and to cope with transition, diversity of worship, clear goals for financial viability, relationship to the wider church. 10 years In addition to the issues at 8 year, a timeline towards full status and plans for future growth/church planting. 19. What ongoing support / training is given to the leadership? All our ministers are expected to take full part in the ‘Learning network’ which is specifically aimed at resourcing ministers and core teams within the sphere of church planting. In conjunction with this the commission play a full part initially in walking with the new church as it takes its first steps. Various other opportunities are encouraged such as conferences on an ad hoc basis. 20. What does N.C.D. offer to others? Hope. * In today’s world where many churches find it difficult to relate the Gospel within our culture N.C.D. shows the Gospel is still working and still effective. * For those churches who find they have a desire to plant out from themselves it is an avenue by which they can be supported in achieving this. * For those churches who wish to re-evaluate their mission and embark on new directions there is the possibility of partnership * For those churches who are struggling to see a way forward there is the prospect of inspiration. On another level N.C.D. allows churches opportunities for non-geographical ministry, partnership ministry and cross cultural ministry in the ever changing world that is Scotland today. 21. Can you do short term NCD work? For anyone who wishes to get involved, the first place to make enquiry is with the New Developments Administrator at 121 George Street. We will then have discussions about where best to place someone with an interest and do our best to see that they get the experience they wish. 22. What training do you get? Any training for short term work will be in the context of practical experience within a new church. 23. Will such training be accredited? As the various experiences could be very different, from summer work to official training placements for full time ministry this would have to be carefully worked out with the Board of Ministry. 24. What’s the procedure for appointments? Anyone who wishes to do this work should contact the New Developments Administrator. 25. What payment and/or financial resources are available for placements? This will be worked out determined on previous experience and the nature of the job going to be done. 26. Why? What’s the theology? We believe through experiencing God’s love in our own lives we are then driven to help others experience that love in theirs. This Christian imperative draws us out from our comfort zone within existing church to plant new expressions which are relevant to non-churched generations. The message of Christ does not change whilst the medium is never constant. We therefore ascribe to the motto of the Church of Scotland: “Reformanda semper Reformandi” meaning “reformed, and always requiring to be reformed”. Church planting is firmly based in scripture as seen especially in the book of Acts and it should be noted that at one time, every single church currently in existence was a church plant. As long as there remains one person in this world who does not know Jesus Christ, there remains the need to reach them, and the need to plant relevant expressions of church. GLOSSARY OF TERMS 1. New Charge A legal term within the polity of the Church of Scotland that is equivalent to ‘new church’ 2. New Charge Commission A Group of people appointed partly by the local Presbytery and partly by the national Committee to formulate the initial mission design, offering guidance and expertise and initially in a shared leadership role but decreasing as the fledgling church increases. 3. Mission Design A document drawn up by the Commission (prior to any church being established) that lays the groundwork for the initial direction of mission within the allocated area or culture. 4. Committee on New Charge Development A Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, tasked with planting and supervising the development of new churches within Scotland. Made up from representatives of Presbyteries and specific appointments by the General Assembly. 5. New Developments Administrator Staff member appointed to service the above Committee and manage the work on behalf of the N.C.D. Committee. 6. Mission Developments Facilitator Staff member appointed to give pastoral support to all those within the sphere of N.C.D. and to develop training programmes appropriate to furthering N.C.D. in Scotland. 7. Property Department Staff appointed to oversee the purchase, management, and health and safety issues relating to all property held by the N.C.D. Committee.