The Church Planting Residency
The Sojourn Houston Church Planting Residency aims to boldly recruit, holistically develop, and generously send called, qualified, and equipped men to plant churches in urban Houston. The Residency is designed to combine organic growth, learning, mentorship, and discipleship with structured content. Paired with outside residencies and assessment, we believe this Church Planting Residency prepares planters, their families, and planting teams to plant and lead gospel-centered, healthy, flourishing churches that plant other churches.
The Residency length is determined by the resident’s unique circumstance, but they typically move through 4 stages of the residency.
Stage 1: Congregational Learning & Relationship Building
The focus of the first stage of the residency is to root the resident and their family in a Sojourn Houston church in order to build relationships, fundraise, and begin to lead in ways that complement gifting and need for growth in the local congregation. In stage 1, the resident and their family should be part of a Neighborhood Parish and they will function as a staff member. Residents are highly encouraged to participate in HCPN’S Foundational Residency in stage 1.
Stage 2: Curriculum Engagement & Holistic Assessment
The focus of the second stage of the residency is to stretch the resident in preparation to plant their church. The resident will work through 12 months of curriculum centered on 12 different competencies outlined below. The resident will spend significant time with each of the Sojourn Houston churches, engaging in the curriculum, and focusing on contextualization. In stage 2, the resident and their family should begin to lead a Neighborhood Parish in their target neighborhood and continue to function as a staff member at the sending church. Residents are highly encouraged to complete the ACTS 29 assessment in stage 2.
The first and primary competency of any church planter. We should lead our churches as those who are serious about holiness, committed to the authority of the Bible, grounded in prayer, display the fruits of the Spirit, and meet the qualifications of an elder.
Every person lives out and leads from their foundational theological convictions. At the great commission the disciples are told to make theologically formed disciples. Theological clarity enables planters to engage with their culture, to protect the church from false doctrine and to bring the gospel message to all.
Conviction & commendation bring the inward aspiration and desire to plant a congregation and the outward affirmation from leaders in the church. An inward realization and awareness of gifting and calling is necessary, just as is an outward and authoritative recognition of gifts and character.
Inside and outside of the church, pastors must have solid, honest, and accountable relationships. Friendship, brotherhood, and commitment to unbelievers are all incredible markers of health for the resident.
Hand in hand with character comes maturity. Ungoing growth in Spiritual Maturity must be prioritized by residents and planters. Godliness pleases God, character is more important than skill for the Elder.
Reaching and teaching people, locally and globally, are part of the Great Commission command to all Christians: Make Disciples! Planters must lead the way in Disciple-making for the congregation.
Sunday Liturgy has a vital role in preaching the Gospel to the congregation through ritual, recitation, and sacrament. All churches utilize liturgy whether they acknowledge it or not. The Sunday rhythms, and beyond, teach our people. Conviction, planning, and clarity are necessary elements for leading a congregation in liturgy.
Marriage is not required to plant a congregation. However, residents that are married are required to have healthy, flourishing marriages - marriages where both partners affirm the call to plant. Single or married, residents must study themselves and the scriptures to have a robust understanding of themselves and marriage.
Motivations for leadership matter. Happy, holy, and humble shepherds are necessary to lead healthy congregations that are scandal free and thought well of by outsiders. No gifting in leadership out-weighs character.
Planters must lead by example, or they are unable to lead. Practicing hospitality and ministering to believers and unbelievers alike are how we teach our congregation how to build gospel-driven relationships.
Ability to teach is the only skill qualification for being an Elder. Therefore, we must soberly examine, practice, and learn to teach well. Elders must have a well-defined knowledge of the scripture and its meaning, the ability to instruct the congregation, and the courage to rebuke false doctrine.
Church planting is for those who are self-starters, those who are disciplined, hard-workers. We are called to cultivate and have dominion in our labor, which is why hard work is a character issue at its root. Balancing time, planning ahead, and being organized are necessary elements of leading a congregation.
Stage 3: Finishing Healthy & Sending Well
The focus of the third stage of the residency is for the resident to be fully engaged in the planting of their Sojourn Houston church. Their focus and time shifts to their neighborhood and their congregation as they prepare to launch at the end of the third stage. In stage 3, the resident and their family should multiply a second Neighborhood Parish in their target neighborhood, and will no longer function as a regular staff member. Residents are highly encouraged to participate in HCPN’S Finishing Residency in stage 3.
Stage 4 & Beyond: Partnering to Flourish & Plant
After planting a Sojourn church, the support doesn’t dry up. Sojourn Houston is a family of many churches, and they support one another as congregations seek to become and continue as flourishing, healthy churches that plant flourishing healthy churches. We are a family, and we work together. Pastors of Sojourn churches are highly encouraged to participate in HCPN’S Fortifying Residency and connect with ongoing counseling.