The Cycle begins with discernment, specifically, it begins with discerning a call to starting a new church. 

There are numerous aspects to this holy process. Thus, as a Discerner, we invite you into two requirements to work through discerning a call to start a new church.

Firstly, we invite you into a relationship with one of our coaches, therapists or spiritual directors. This monthly meeting will allow you to discuss your process of discernment with a thoughtful and caring expert. 

Secondly, we invite you into one of our Discerners Dinners. We have found that the work of discernment needs to be worked out in a community of like-minded peoples. At these dinners you will cross-pollinate your discernment process with others who are in a similar season of life.

Two Essentials for the Discerning Church Starter

1) JOIN A DISCERNERS GROUP

Meet for a meal with other Discerners to discuss next steps around the potential for starting a new church. View upcoming events for discerners. 

2) BEGIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A COACH, THERAPIST, OR SPIRITUAL ADVISOR

The process of discernment is best accomplished with others. Therefore, we have set up the opportunity for our Discerners to meet monthly with either a coach, therapist or spiritual advisor. Connect with a coach, therapist, or spiritual advisor. 

Five Activities of the Discernment Process

1.) BEGIN TO DEVELOP A VISION

A vision for a new church often begins with the discerning church starter. As our discerners listen and pray, we encourage them to begin to frame their vision for the context in which they find themselves. 

2.) IDENTIFY RESOURCING PARTNER

Different leaders require different levels of resources based upon numerous elements. As these elements are perceived, we encourage our discerners to grow healthy relationships with their partners.

3.) IDENTIFY A TRADITION

Starting a new church is difficult. Starting a new church without a tradition is even harder. Thus, utilizing our extensive networks for identifying a fitting tradition is essential for support and growth. 

4.) ATTEND AN ASSESSMENT CENTER

Our assessment center for Cyclical measures one’s ability to identify what God is doing in context. Plan on walking the streets and engaging the Holy Spirit while a caring group of objective assessors gauge aptitudes essential for starting new churches.

5.) BEGIN TO GATHER A CHURCH STARTING TEAM

We can’t do this alone. Thus, beginning to gather a team around a common and shared vision is an essential step toward becoming a church starter. 

THE SECOND STAGE OF OUR CYCLE IS DEDICATED TO THE STARTERS. THE PRACTITIONERS. THE ONES WHO HAVE DONE THE WORK OF DISCERNMENT AND HAVE BEGUN THE WORK OF STARTING A NEW CHURCH.

While the call of starting a new church is very exciting, the day in and day out activities of starting a new church can be exhausting. We developed two essentials for all of our church starters. The first is to choose a coach. Coaches join Starters in conversation in their context and guide them through the decisions that need to be made. The second is to attend a Starters Lunch where you will be given the highest level of training regarding our Core Covenant Values. 

Two Essentials for the Church Starter

1) JOIN A STARTERS GROUP

Commit to a monthly meal with other church starters and receive the highest level of training around our Core Covenant Values.  View upcoming events for Church Starters.

2) CONTINUE RELATIONSHIP WITH A COACH OR CHOOSE A NEW COACH

Meet once a month with your coach to discuss the day to day decisions that need to be made as a Starter. Connect with a coach. 

Six Activities of the Church Starting Process

1.) GATHER A CHURCH STARTING TEAM

Church starters do not do the work of starting a new church alone. Church starters gather a group of people to courageously embody the vision of the church with one another. 

2.) FINALIZE AN INITIAL VISION FOR MISSION

In coordination with the church starting team, the vision for how the church will embody the mission of God for their particular context should be finalized prior to the beginning of public worship. 

3.) FINALIZE AN INITIAL VISION FOR ADMINISTRATION

The church starter, along with the church starting team should articulate a fitting series of frames for the church to embody its mission in its context. 

4.) FINALIZE AN INITIAL VISION FOR PERSONAL HEALTH OF THE STARTER 

The personal health of the pastor is essential for a new church. Finalizing a plan for the health of the pastor should be articulated prior to beginning public worship. 

5.) BEGIN PUBLIC WORSHIP

The worship of the church should be opened to the community once the church starter and the church starting team have the contextually fitting processes in place to embody the mission of the church. 

6.) MOVE TOWARD SUSTAINING THE CHURCH

While the initial vision for mission, administration and the personal health of the starter should be finalized prior to beginning public worship, these elements are fluid as they move toward sustainability. The new church becomes a church once these elements are sustained. 

DISCERNERS BECOME STARTERS AND STARTERS START CHURCHES. THESE CHURCHES, AS TIME PASSES, AND AS GOD BLESSES, MOVE INTO MOMENTS OF SUSTAINABILITY

On the journey into sustainability, churches have a key choice. Churches can choose to start new churches or choose to refrain from this opportunity. At Cyclical LA, we believe that the choice to begin new churches is not only the best decision, but also a natural step in the ongoing lifecycle of the church. 

The task of beginning a new church can feel overwhelming for churches. We get this. To simplify the task, we have developed a three phase framework that all churches can accomplish with one goal in mind: to identify people you would like to invite to begin the process of discerning a call to start a new church. 

Three-Phase Process for Beginning a New Church

1.) GATHER A TEAM TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL CHURCH STARTERS

This group is essential as they identify people to invite to begin discerning becoming a church starter. Church starters are diverse and come for various backgrounds, vocations and cultures. Choosing the right people to be a part of this team will be essential as they engage with the Holy Spirit with regard to inviting people to discern church starting. 

2.) CHOOSE YOUR CYCLICAL LA COACH

Cyclical LA has coaches the specialize in working with existing churches. The coach will lead you through your process of discernment. 

3.) IDENTIFY THE POTENTIAL CHURCH STARTERS

In coordination with your coach, Cyclical LA invites you to strategically ask the right people form your context to begin the discernment process with regard to starting a new church. Once the invitation is accepted, that person begins as a discerning church starter with Cyclical LA.

WE ARE INVITING PEOPLE TO PRAY, EVERY DAY, AT 10:02AM BY SETTING YOUR ALARM ON YOUR PHONE. THE PRAYER IS CENTERED ON JESUS’ WORDS FROM LUKE 10:2.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 

WITH THAT SAID, WOULD YOU COMMIT TO OUR PRAYER NETWORK AND PRAYING EVERYDAY AT THIS TIME? IF SO, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE WILL TIE YOU TO OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR OUR PRAYER PARTNERS AND ADD YOU TO OUR PRAYER COMMUNITY.