Bishop Todd Hunter talks about C4SO’s non-proprietary approach to church planting and why he has handed off two church plants to another diocese.
Q. What does church planting without proprietary interests mean?
Bishop Todd Hunter: At C4SO, we often say we’re not trying to build our own thing or increase the numbers in our diocese. Proprietary means something you own, have some right to, or keep under your own brand. We are willing to plant churches that we don’t own and help others grow their dioceses. We’re trying to position C4SO to be a blessing to the whole province, to use our charism in church planting and mission to be a blessing to anyone who wants to partner with us. Our goal is loving and ministering to the needs of as many diverse people and communities as we can.
The best models so far are Ryan Brotherton at Holy Trinity Edmonds in Edmonds, Washington, and Kevin Craik at All Saints in Everett, Washington. They began as part of C4SO but will reside in the Diocese of Cascadia, under Bishop Kevin Allen. The really incredible thing was both these churches were planted by kingdom-minded Baptist churches [Northsound Church in Edmonds, and Bethel Baptist in Everett]. These evangelical churches started churches for another denomination! That’s exciting stuff.
Q. When did you begin thinking about non-proprietary planting?
TH: From my earliest days in ministry I have been taught to have a “kingdom mindset,” to live in the abundant riches of the kingdom, and thus be a giver of one’s best. During the transition from Anglican 1000 to Always Forward, I began wondering, how can our diocese play our part in the province? As David Roseberry and I talked about this, David used the term “non-proprietary,” and I stole it! Non-proprietary church planting is our way of participating in the province, our small way of being generous and in harmony with what Always Forward is trying to do.
Q. Why would you want to plant a church and not get any credit for it?
TH: Our loyalty is always first to God and his kingdom and never to denominations or sub-groupings. It’s not to a tradition or denomination or a diocese. We are not trying to grow those institutional aspects of Christianity. Those things exist to support our goal of working with God to reach people who need him—so the kingdom of God is always our highest loyalty. It’s not me first. It’s kingdom first.
When someone has that straight, it frees them to plant without proprietary interests. Once you have that kingdom mindset, you know that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and the Lord is your shepherd. When you’re living in the resources of the kingdom, it allows you to give away your best people and resources. You’re living from your heart.
Q: Aren’t the logistics confusing?
TH: They can be, so you need a coordinator. In the case of Holy Trinity Edmonds, Dr. Barry Crane (of Northsound Baptist Church) was the coordinator because he was on the ground.
With All Saints, we formed an executive team around Kevin consisting of myself, Bishop Allen, Dr. Wes Johnson [of Bethel Baptist Church] and Dr. Crane. Each of us provide financial, emotional and spiritual help to Kevin.
I think for it to work smoothly, you need to have four things figured out:
- Which way does the money flow, or how is it split?
- Which diocese’s meetings is the planter expected to go to?
- Who handles discipline?
- Who will do the coaching—or will it be shared?
It usually works out in really organic ways. For example, C4SO and the Diocese of Cascadia split the money down the middle. Because Holy Trinity and All Saints are near Bishop Allen, their clergy go to his clericus meetings. Bishop Allen also handles discipline because he’s on the ground.
Q. How do you reconcile having a “vision” for a church with allowing others to take it and run?
TH: This kind of endeavor requires a certain level of cooperation and unity of mission—a focus on reaching our communities and ministering for the sake of others. The sending bishop also needs to approve the church planter and the receiving diocese. I wouldn’t do it if there was a risk of losing the vision. Without a sameness of mind, I would not hand it over.
Q. What are some key questions to ask to determine if non-proprietary church planting is an option in your situation?
TH: If you’re part of C4SO, are you wanting to plant somewhere outside of our footprint because you have a geographic calling to do so? If the answer to this question is yes, then start asking other questions. Who’s the local bishop? Is there a mutual win here? We’re always looking for a win for the planter, a win for C4SO, and a win for the local diocese. If we can’t see all those things, we don’t do it.
Q. What are some basic guidelines for a planter pursuing a non-proprietary plant?
TH: You’ll want to do three things.
- Get to know your colleagues. It’s important to build relationships with and be open to wisdom from those you’re partnering with.
- Be a blessing to the receiving diocese. Look for ways to serve them and assist their work.
- Begin to engage in peer-to-peer coaching. Make it a priority to learn from peers in your local context who know the challenges in your community and are just one step ahead of you.
Learn more about C4SO’s approach to church planting.
Read the story of Holy Trinity Edmonds.
Read the story of All Saints Everett.