NAMB/CBGC Congregational Assistance

The Colorado Baptist Convention is responsible for distributing Cooperative Program funds via Congregational Assistance.

The North American Mission Board (NAMB) definition of Congregational Assistance—Financial assistance relating to the beginning and development of new congregations.

Understanding Colorado Baptist Congregational Assistance - 1 page summary

Complete Congregational Assitance Guidelines

The pastor / church planter of any congregation receiving Congregational Assistance must meet NAMB Missionary Personnel policies established by NAMB Trustees.

 

Personnel Information Form

Whenever funding is being received for Congregational Assitance or Field Pastoral Assistance, our state convention has to request the funds from NAMB, who is responsible for dispenpensing Cooperative Program funds in the United States and Canada.

The NAMB trustees have directed that all funds be approved based upon missionary strategy and the qualifications of the leader. a Personal Information Form (PIF) is used to gather the necessary information to determine if the congregational leader meets the guidelines established by the NAMB board of trustees.

Click here for the PIF Form

 

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Below is information from NAMB concerning completing the PIF:

 

 

In response to your requests to change the FPA process, the Missionary Personnel Committee of the Board of Trustees have implemented the following FPA/CGA process:

 

• Submit - Convention partner will submit the appropriate Personnel Action Form (PAF) and Personnel Information Form (PIF)
• Review/Approval - Missionary Personnel Candidate Consultant will receive, review and approve for funding those files which at the time of receipt meet NAMB criteria.
• Funding - all approved files would receive funding on or about their effective date
• Verification - All approved files would then be submitted to Missionary Personnel Committee of the Board of Trustees for review.
  • Those not meeting Trustee approval would be immediately terminated and all funds would be recovered.
• Probation - Those convention partners who have not been faithful in screening their candidates and/or continue to submit non-qualified/non-compliant candidates would be placed on probation and not receive their funding until the trustees have acted.

 

This process will:

• Strengthen NAMB and state convention partnership;
• Expedite the implementation of State initiatives in church planting and evangelism by sending the money at the time requested by the convention partner. The proposed change would effectively cut the time from application to approval and receipt of funds by 30 to 45 days.
• Furthermore, this change sends an unequivocal statement of trust to the State Convention partner.

 

New PIF Form:

• To expedite the process we are asking that all convention partners begin using the new PIF form
• A copy of the new PIF form has been sent to your PAF coordinator.
• A copy of the new PIF form has been provided to AAC Consulting.

 

Special Notes For State Directors On the PIF Form:

• The Belief and Practice questions in the current form seek to provide consistency with those questions asked of all appointed missionaries.
• Furthermore, asking the questions upfront, for example, divorce and remarriage, and allowing for an explanation, precludes delays caused by having to contact the applicant, etc.
• Can someone who has not been a member of a Southern Baptist Church for two years (Question 10) receive joint funding for church planting? Yes. The trustees have followed a good precedent in their approval provided that the applicant
  • Comes from an evangelical background-applicant is asked to give an explanation as to his previous church membership, etc.;
  • Is in theological alignment, hence, belief and practice questions;
  • And answers "yes" to question #11 - that he is currently a member of a SBC church.
• Do we need all of the endorsements? No. The only endorsements required are the applicant's certification and agreement and the Convention Partner endorsement. Local employer and Association endorsement sections are provided as a service for State convention use, if desired.

 

Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you.

 

Laborers Together,

 

Peter Kendrick

Missionary Personnel

Securing Financial Resources

When god called people to chuch planting, He also is faithful to provide resources to support that call.

We believe that indeed the "resources are in the harvest". This means that as individuals obey God's call, the results of evangelism and disciplship will produce a congregation that is self supporting.

We do have limited support to help with funding needs of church plants. There are a few sources of funding which is available to church planting leaders.

1. Bi-vocational ministry - We celebrate and validate church planters who utilize various gifts and skills to work bi-vocationally to support their church planting habit! This is crucial for the majority of church plants in Colorado. The need for churches is so great, that our own churches and denomination cannot fund all that needs to happen.
2. Stewardship of the new congregation - Every chuch, no matter how young or small can and should be collecting offerings as an expression of worship. The financial plan of a new church should include contributions from those core group members, attenders, and new believers in the new congregation.
3. Raising support from friends and family - a common way to raise funds is to share your church planting vision with others and invite them to participate financially. We have partnered with eGive to assist in receiving online contributions from ministry donors.
4. Church Partnerships - In addition to contributing to the Cooperative Program, churches often give to support specific church planting projects. Mutliple partnerzhip are encouraged to establish a workable financial base for a church planting project. Begin with the chuches who know you, and you know them - they often will celebrate in investing in "one of their own".
5. Colorado Baptist Congregational Assistance Funds are available as an option to supplument the sources above.