Church Planting Policy

Introduction

One of the strengths of the Baptist Bible Fellowship is that we are led by pastors. Almost every national and state-level leader volunteers their time while also pastoring their own congregations. Because of this, we don’t theorize or speculate about what it takes to pastor and build a church; we know firsthand what it takes. Across our great fellowship, there is a wide array of experiences and lessons learned that we would love to share, teach, counsel, and pass on to new church planters. We genuinely love those who want to preach the Gospel and either start or rejuvenate a church that can serve as a biblical model to reach the lost, help the backslidden, and build a Bible-believing church for the glory of the Lord Jesus. 

Qualifications to Receive Endorsement and Financial Support

  1. Biblical Qualifications
    The pastor/church planter must meet the biblical qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. These qualifications are taken seriously and applied literally. 

  2. Assessment and Recommendation
    The pastor/church planter must be recommended by APEX (BBFI’s church planter assessment program), a similar assessment program, or by a BBFI state fellowship that has its own training or mentoring program.

  3. Mentoring and Coaching
    If not already completed, the pastor/church planter must commit to a mentoring or coaching process. This process covers the many details involved in church planting and provides support even after the church has been started.

  4. Commitment to the BBFI
    The pastor/church planter must demonstrate a genuine interest in partnering with the BBFI. This includes attending state fellowship meetings (when possible) and at least one national meeting annually to foster long-term compatibility with the fellowship.

  5. Agreement with the BBFI Articles of Faith
    The pastor/church planter must wholeheartedly and without reservation agree with and adhere to the 20 Articles of Faith as outlined on the BBFI national website, both in practice and attitude.

Expectations for Approved or Endorsed BBF Church Planters  

  1. Maintain Fellowship Relationships
    The church planter is expected to maintain strong relationships with the BBFI through their sending church, state fellowship, and national fellowship.

  2. Support BBFI Mission Office
    Upon receiving financial support from BBFI, the church planter is expected to contribute $25 per month to the BBFI Missions Office.

  3. “Pay It Forward”
    Starting in the second year of the church plant, the planter is expected to support APEX or BBFI Church Planting initiatives by contributing $25 per month to help future church planters.

  4. Long-Term BBFI Partnerships
    As the planted church grows stronger, the church is encouraged to invest in BBFI ministries by:

    • Sending students to BBFI Universities and colleges.

    • Supporting BBFI missionaries.

    • Helping plant additional BBFI churches.

Conclusion

This church planting policy reflects our deep commitment to partnering with like-minded pastors and church planters to fulfill the Great Commission. Together, we will continue to reach the world for Christ by planting and revitalizing churches, building strong leaders, and advancing the Gospel through the ministries of the BBFI.

Approved January 28, 2025, in Springfield, MO

Click here to download a PDF of the BBFI Church Planting Policy