Church fostering represents an emerging strategy within church revitalization efforts, particularly promoted by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention. This approach addresses the challenges faced by declining congregations, offering a temporary partnership that prioritizes restoration and autonomy over permanent merger or absorption.
DEFINITION OF CHURCH FOSTERING
Church fostering is defined as a time-bound relationship in which a healthier, more resourced church or association provides leadership, personnel, and/or financial support to a struggling congregation. The primary objective is to assist the fostered church in regaining sufficient health and vitality to function independently as an autonomous entity once again. Unlike multi-site campus models or full mergers (often termed “adoption” or “replanting”), fostering intentionally avoids permanent integration, allowing the restored church to resume its distinct identity and mission.
As articulated in the Replant Fostering Guide authored by David Jackson of NAMB’s Replant Team, fostering constitutes “help for a struggling church in a time-bound relationship, seeking to assist it in becoming healthy enough to stand on its own again.” It reflects a kingdom-oriented mindset, promoting generosity and collaboration among congregations to prevent closures and enhance gospel impact.
KEY TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING CHURCH FOSTERING
Successful fostering partnerships require careful planning, clear communication, and mutual commitment. Here are a few tips that are essential for effective execution:
– Establish Clear Motives and Agreements: Begin with self-examination to ensure the partnership stems from a desire to advance God’s kingdom rather than expand influence or branding. Develop a formal written agreement outlining roles, timelines (typically six months to several years), resource commitments, and exit conditions.
– Assess Compatibility and Needs: Evaluate the fostered church’s specific challenges—such as leadership gaps, declining attendance, or financial strain—and match them with the fostering church’s strengths. In rural settings, associations or multiple churches may collaborate to provide broader support.
– Prioritize Temporary Leadership and Resources: The fostering entity may supply interim pastoral leadership, volunteers for ministries, or financial aid, while gradually empowering the local congregation to assume responsibility.
– Maintain Transparency and Accountability: Regular evaluations and open dialogue prevent misunderstandings. The fostering church should avoid hidden agendas, such as eventual merger, unless explicitly agreed upon initially.
– Focus on Health Indicators: Measure progress through metrics like increased engagement, discipleship growth, and evangelistic outreach, ensuring the fostered church develops sustainable practices.
If this interest you, I encourage you to participate in our upcoming CHURCH FOSTERING WEBINAR which is sponsored by the RENEW CALIFORNIA network of the California Southern Baptist Convention.
CHURCH FOSTERING WEBINAR
Date: Monday, February 9
Time: 6:30 PM (PST)
Location: MS Teams Video Webinar
Cost: Free
Speakers: Jason Robertson, Brandon Moore, Jimbo Stewart, and David Jackson
Reserve your spot today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/csbc-webinar-on-church-fostering-tickets-1977544786691?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
During this webinar, we will discuss:
- How to identify and assess a potential partner church
- When church fostering is the appropriate revitalization pathway
- How to draft a simple, clear Ministry Partnership Agreement
- Best practices and common challenges churches face
- A review of tools and resources available to you
Please plan to attend and consider inviting others who may benefit from this conversation.
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION:
Replant Fostering Guide by David Jackson is a comprehensive manual that offers practical insights, templates for agreements, and missional rationale. It is available as a free PDF download from NAMB’s Church Replanting site: https://www.namb.net/church-replanting/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/08/Fostering-Guide-Replant.pdf
