The following simple steps assume the development of a clear vision, ministry plan, and the initial development of a launch team.  The process for organization and affiliation can begin in the launch team/preparatory worship stage, and be completed in this stage, or sometime after a Celebration Sunday.

Step 1: Incorporation and Establishing a Preliminary Church Affirmation of Faith:

Incorporating your church with the Corporations Division in your state can and should occur as soon as a church planter is deployed in the community, and as soon as there are sufficient individuals to sign the Articles of Incorporation.  You can contact the Corporations Division at the Secretary of State’s office at your state capitol for specific requirements for incorporating a non-profit corporation in your state.

Establishing a preliminary Local Church Affirmation of Faith can also be accomplished early on (see the Affirmations of Faith examples).

Step 2: Establish an Initial Church Membership: 

After the vision has been fully understood, and people have had an opportunity to experience something of the ministry of the new church, it is appropriate to invite individuals to commit to becoming initial members of the new church.  Oftentimes, this will happen after a formal orientation or an instruction class that will be part of the ongoing ministry of the new church.  Oftentimes, these initial members are given an opportunity to actually sign a covenant or charter indicating their commitment to the mission and vision of the church.

Standard qualifications for membership in a BGC church include:

• A personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
• A public confession of faith in Christ through water baptism
• A commitment to the vision, mission, and values of the new church

Step 3: Establish an Initial Leadership Team:

It is unwise to prematurely “lay hands” on anyone prior to observing them, their character, and their commitment to the church.  Oftentimes, it will take 2 – 3 years before elders or deacons are officially appointed.  It is necessary, however, to appoint some kind of initial advisory team that can begin to own some of the key leadership issues and give the church planter feedback and counsel. (See the document on "Forming A Leadership Team in A New Church Plant.”)  Prior to your Affiliation Council, it is important to at least have your initial leadership team in place.

Step 4: Establish Your Financial Systems:

This typically includes establishing an initial budget, a system of financial recordkeeping, initial financial officers, and initial financial reporting.

Step 5: Write and Provisionally Approve a Simple Constitution and Bylaws for the New Church:

Important qualities for a good constitution include simplicity and flexibility.  Make sure that your structure will facilitate your ministry, rather than the other way around!  (See the sample Constitution and Bylaws)

Step 6: Request and Convene an Affiliation Council with your District Leadership:

An Affiliation Council is typically a group of pastors or lay leaders from the BGC churches in your geographic area who will come to meet with the members of the new church for the purpose of recommending to the District Conference that the new church be officially received into the membership of the District and the BGC.  Specific items which the new church will want to be prepared to present would include:

• The vision, mission, values, and ministries of the new church.
• Determination of compliance with the minimum requirements for BGC member churches.
• Information concerning incorporation, Affirmation of Faith, Constitution and Bylaws, and membership.
• Information concerning finances and an initial leadership team in the new church.
• Sharing something of what God is doing in the lives of people and in the community through the new church.

The Affiliation Council is the group in the District that will bring the recommendation to the District Board of Overseers that the new church be officially recognized as a  Converge MidAtlantic and Baptist General Conference church.  The District Board of Overseers will bring a recommendation to the delegates at the Annual Celebration of Converge MidAtlantic that the new church be received into Converge MidAtlantic and BGC.  Following an affirmative vote by the delegates at the District Annual Celebration, the

While documentation and standard procedures are important to the affiliation process for new BGC churches, the spirit of this entire process is one of rejoicing and celebration.  God has been at work through the planting of a new, vital, Christ-centered congregation and the entire district and national BGC families celebrate together the work of God! 

Step 7: Document Submission:

The following documents must be submitted to Converge MidAtlantic office a minimum of 30 days prior to the requested Affiliation Council.

• Vision, Values & Mission Statement
• Articles of Incorporation
• Constitution & Bylaws
• Membership List
• Leadership Team members
• Recent financial report and current budget

For more information or to request a complete Affiliation packet, contact Converge MidAtlantic office at 330.757.7970 or email us at office@bgcmideast.com.