The connection step includes relationship and assessment.
If, after an initial exploration process, both parties feel good about moving forward, we invite the prospective partners to join us as we gather. Whether in our general meetings, training sessions, conferences, or informal pastoral support connections, these times provide for relationship-building and getting a more well-rounded view of one another. Nothing can substitute for time in a relationship, and so we don’t rush this process.
At some point between six months and one year of connection, e4 will conduct a formal assessment of the prospective partner church. An assessment involves sitting down with the elder team, attending a Sunday worship gathering, and reading through formal documents. The e4 assessment team will be composed of at least two current pastors with their wives, including at least one from the leadership team.
This point of this assessment is threefold:
- to confirm that the pastor, wider leadership, and church culture are in sync with e4;
- to begin coming alongside the church for growth; and,
- to begin to build a connection of trust between e4 pastors and the prospective church
As assessment for prospective church planters looks differently of course. Assessing church planters involves similar values but fitted to the planter’s current place in his planting process.
