Worksheet 11.4: Local Community and Church-Planting Strategy

Purpose

This worksheet helps a Christian church-planting team study a Scientology-influenced community and develop a transparent, accountable, grace-centered ministry strategy.

The goal is not to treat residents as evangelistic targets. The goal is to understand the community, love neighbors faithfully, communicate Christian identity openly, serve without manipulation, and establish healthy gospel ministry under qualified church oversight.

Complete this worksheet as a team whenever possible. Use public information, responsible sources, direct community observation, permission-based conversations, and guidance from the sponsoring church.

Part One: Christian Ministry Starting Point

1. Christian Confession

Complete the following statements.

We believe the Triune God alone is:

Everything else, including matter, spirit, reason, consciousness, institutions, and human beings, is:

We believe Jesus Christ is:

We believe salvation is received through:

We believe the Holy Spirit transforms people through:

We believe the church is called to:

2. Openly Christian Identity

Write a brief statement explaining the identity of the proposed church plant.

Include:

• Christian identity

• denominational identity

• relationship to the sponsoring church

• commitment to Scripture

• respect for freedom of conscience

• voluntary participation

• commitment to noncoercive gospel ministry

Public Identity Statement

3. Religious Standpoint

How will your leaders explain that Christians do not approach religious questions from a neutral standpoint?

How will you acknowledge that Christian leaders are finite and capable of misunderstanding others?

Part Two: Community Overview

4. Community Identification

Community or neighborhood:

City and state or region:

Approximate population:

Geographic boundaries:

Primary languages spoken:

Major cultural or ethnic communities:

5. Community History

What major historical events have shaped this community?

How long has Scientology maintained a visible presence in the area?

What institutions, facilities, programs, or businesses connected with Scientology are publicly visible?

What other churches, religious groups, or ministries are active in the community?

What events have strengthened or damaged public trust in religious institutions?

6. Community Strengths

Identify at least five strengths already present in the community.

Strength One

Strength Two

Strength Three

Strength Four

Strength Five

How can the church plant honor and support these strengths rather than acting as though nothing good existed before its arrival?

Part Three: Community Relationships and Institutions

7. Community Relationship Map

Identify important local relationships and institutions.

8. Trusted Community Voices

Who appears to be trusted within the community?

Consider:

• longtime residents

• educators

• local business owners

• pastors

• nonprofit leaders

• community volunteers

• coaches

• public servants

• healthcare professionals

How will the church avoid treating these relationships merely as recruiting opportunities?

Part Four: Community Listening

9. Listening Conversation Plan

Select people from different parts of the community for permission-based conversations.

Possible questions include:

• What do you value most about this community?

• What challenges concern local residents?

• What organizations are serving effectively?

• What needs are being overlooked?

• What has strengthened trust?

• What has damaged trust?

• How could a new church serve responsibly?

• What mistakes should a new religious organization avoid?

10. Repeated Community Themes

After completing several conversations, record the themes that appeared repeatedly.

Theme One

Evidence or examples:

Theme Two

Evidence or examples:

Theme Three

Evidence or examples:

Theme Four

Evidence or examples:

Which assumptions held by the church-planting team were corrected through listening?

Part Five: Physical and Economic Community Review

11. Physical Environment

Record observations from walking or visiting the community.

What locations appear accessible and appropriate for gatherings?

What transportation or accessibility barriers should be addressed?

12. Economic Conditions

What are the major employment patterns in the community?

What financial pressures appear common?

Are housing costs or instability significant concerns?

What community services already address material needs?

Where might responsible Christian service be helpful?

How will the church ensure that material assistance is never exchanged for attendance, conversion, testimony, or participation?

Part Six: Religious and Philosophical Vocabulary

13. Shared Words With Different Meanings

Complete the chart using official Scientology definitions, responsible sources, and Christian teaching.

14. Foundational Religious Commitments

What does Scientology appear to treat as spiritually foundational or ultimately dependable?

What created realities may be treated as ultimate?

Consider:

• the immortal self

• spiritual existence

• knowledge

• ability

• control

• survival

• religious technology

• personal freedom

State the Christian Creator–creation distinction.

How will the team explain that human consciousness, reason, spiritual existence, and religious methods are created realities rather than self-existent realities?

Part Seven: Human Longings and Gospel Bridges

15. Longing, Reduction, and Gospel Fulfillment

Complete the chart.

16. Gospel Bridge Practice

Choose three human longings and write a respectful Christian response.

Longing One

Human longing:

Respectful question:

Christian comparison:

Gospel connection:

Longing Two

Human longing:

Respectful question:

Christian comparison:

Gospel connection:

Longing Three

Human longing:

Respectful question:

Christian comparison:

Gospel connection:

Part Eight: Source-Literacy Review

17. Community Research Sources

Record the sources used in the church-planting assessment.

18. Claim Evaluation

Select one important claim about Scientology or the local community.

Claim:

Who produced the source?

What type of source is it?

What evidence does it provide?

Can the claim be independently confirmed?

Is it an allegation, denial, interpretation, personal recollection, verified event, legal claim, or judicial finding?

Is using this claim necessary for faithful ministry?

How will the team communicate it accurately and without sensationalism?

Part Nine: Proposed Church-Planting Identity

19. Church-Plant Profile

Proposed church name:

Denominational identity:

Sponsoring church:

Lead church planter:

Oversight leaders:

Target launch period:

Proposed gathering location:

20. Mission Statement

Write a short mission statement centered on Christ, Scripture, discipleship, worship, neighbor love, and gospel witness.

21. Core Commitments

Describe how the church plant will demonstrate each commitment.

Christ-Centered

Biblically Grounded

Spirit-Dependent

Grace-Centered

Transparent

Accountable

Hospitable

Noncoercive

Protective of Privacy

Committed to Neighbor Love

Part Ten: Sponsoring-Church Accountability

22. Oversight Structure

Who provides theological oversight?

Who provides pastoral supervision?

Who reviews financial activity?

Who receives complaints?

Who handles safeguarding concerns?

Who provides conflict-resolution support?

How often will the sponsoring church review the church plant?

23. Authority and Decision-Making

Who may appoint or remove leaders?

How will major decisions be approved?

How will doctrinal concerns be addressed?

How will serious allegations against a leader be reviewed?

What appeal process will be available?

How will the congregation know where to raise concerns?

24. Accountability Covenant

Complete the statement.

Our church-planting team agrees to operate under the oversight of:

We agree to submit our teaching, leadership, finances, safeguarding, and ministry practices to responsible review.

Team signatures:

Date:

Part Eleven: Leadership Development and Protection

25. Leadership Qualifications

What biblical character qualities will be required of leaders?

What doctrinal knowledge will be required?

What ministry training will be required?

What safeguarding training will be required?

How will leaders be evaluated over time?

26. Leadership Risks

Evaluate the following risks.

27. Team Health

How will the team practice shared leadership?

How will leaders receive correction?

How will burnout be recognized and addressed?

How will conflicts of interest be disclosed?

How will the team prevent the church planter from becoming indispensable?

Part Twelve: Financial Transparency

28. Financial Procedures

Check each procedure that will be established.

☐ Written annual budget

☐ More than one person handling funds

☐ Documented expenses and receipts

☐ Regular financial reports

☐ Sponsoring-church review

☐ Conflict-of-interest policy

☐ Designated-fund policy

☐ Donor privacy policy

☐ Compensation approval process

☐ Limits on cash transactions

☐ Annual independent review

☐ Clear contribution records

Describe any procedures still needing development.

29. Giving and Spiritual Pressure

How will the church teach Christian giving?

How will leaders ensure that giving does not influence spiritual status, leadership access, pastoral care, or belonging?

How will the church avoid promising wealth, healing, success, or spiritual advancement in response to giving?

Part Thirteen: Hospitality and Community Service

30. Proposed Hospitality Ministries

Identify possible ministries.

31. Service Without Manipulation

Complete the church’s service commitment.

Our church will not require people receiving assistance to:

☐ Attend worship

☐ Participate in prayer

☐ Make a profession of faith

☐ Provide a testimony

☐ Give money

☐ Disclose religious beliefs

☐ Join a Bible study

☐ Publicly thank the church

How will the church explain its Christian motivation without using service as bait?

32. Partnership Review

What organizations are already serving the community well?

What ministries would unnecessarily duplicate existing work?

Where could the church support or partner with an established organization?

What unmet need may be appropriate for the church to address?

Part Fourteen: Low-Pressure Gospel Spaces

33. Gospel Gathering Design

Choose one proposed gathering.

Gathering name:

Purpose:

Location:

Expected participants:

What will happen during the gathering?

How will the Christian nature of the gathering be disclosed beforehand?

How will participants be told that prayer, discussion, and personal disclosure are voluntary?

How will questions and disagreement be welcomed?

34. Permission-Based Conversation Practice

Write a response for each situation.

Situation One

A visitor says, “I already believe in spiritual freedom.”

Clarifying question:

Christian standpoint disclosure:

Permission request:

Christian explanation:

Situation Two

A visitor says, “Jesus was a great spiritual teacher.”

Clarifying question:

Christian standpoint disclosure:

Permission request:

Christian explanation:

Situation Three

A visitor says, “What is true depends on what works for each person.”

Clarifying question:

Christian standpoint disclosure:

Permission request:

Christian explanation:

Part Fifteen: Privacy and Testimony Protection

35. Confidentiality Policy

What information will normally remain confidential?

What legal or safety circumstances may limit confidentiality?

Who may access confidential ministry records?

How will records be secured?

How will volunteers be trained in confidentiality?

36. Testimony Review

Before sharing a person’s testimony, answer each question.

Has the person given informed and voluntary consent?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Does the person understand where the testimony will appear?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Does the person understand that online content may circulate permanently?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Could sharing affect family relationships, employment, housing, safety, or emotional health?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Is the testimony focused on Jesus Christ rather than sensational details?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Would delaying publication better protect the person?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Is the person free to withdraw permission without spiritual pressure?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Who provides final approval?

37. Former Scientologist Protection

How will the church prevent former Scientologists from becoming:

• ministry trophies

• promotional content

• automatic experts

• sources of sensational stories

• substitutes for responsible research

Part Sixteen: Safeguarding and Ministry Boundaries

38. Safeguarding Checklist

☐ Background checks completed where appropriate

☐ Volunteer screening process established

☐ Two-adult policy established

☐ Child check-in and check-out procedures established

☐ Appropriate-touch policy established

☐ Transportation policy established

☐ Digital communication policy established

☐ Mandatory-reporting training completed

☐ Emergency-response plan established

☐ Incident-reporting process established

☐ Vulnerable-adult protections established

☐ Sponsoring-church review completed

39. Ministry Role Boundaries

Church leaders and volunteers will not practice:

☐ Psychotherapy

☐ Trauma treatment

☐ Medical diagnosis

☐ Legal investigation

☐ Untrained crisis intervention

☐ Deprogramming

☐ Confidential-information extraction

☐ Spiritual-pressure techniques

☐ Unqualified financial counseling

☐ Claims of guaranteed healing or transformation

How will team members identify when a need exceeds their role?

How will referrals be made?

What qualified professional resources are available locally?

40. Referral Resource Map

Part Seventeen: Conflict, Complaint, and Correction Process

41. Conflict Principles

How will the church distinguish forgiveness from automatic restoration to leadership?

How will the church distinguish reconciliation from removal of necessary boundaries?

How will the church protect people who report concerns?

How will retaliation be prevented?

42. Complaint Process

Where can a complaint be submitted?

Who reviews complaints against volunteers?

Who reviews complaints against the lead church planter?

When will the sponsoring church become involved?

How will the complainant be informed of the process?

What records will be maintained?

43. Leadership Correction

Describe how the team will respond when a leader:

Communicates inaccurately about Scientology

Pressures someone for a conversion decision

Shares confidential information

Uses a testimony without informed consent

Works beyond his or her training

Resists sponsoring-church oversight

Part Eighteen: Preliminary Ministry Strategy

44. First-Year Priorities

Identify no more than five primary priorities.

Priority One

Priority Two

Priority Three

Priority Four

Priority Five

Why are these priorities appropriate for the community?

45. First-Year Ministry Calendar

46. Begin Small Review

Which proposed ministries should be postponed?

Which one or two ministries can be started faithfully?

What resources are required?

What trained leaders are available?

What responsibilities remain uncovered?

Part Nineteen: Ministry Evaluation

47. Measures of Faithfulness

Do not evaluate the church plant only by attendance, decisions, or donations.

Identify indicators in each area.

Truthful Christian Witness

Community Trust

Hospitality

Biblical Teaching

Leadership Accountability

Financial Integrity

Privacy Protection

Safeguarding

Responsible Referrals

Long-Term Discipleship

48. Warning Signs

Check any warning signs that require attention.

☐ Growth is becoming more important than faithfulness.

☐ Leaders are exaggerating ministry results.

☐ The church is hiding its Christian identity.

☐ Former Scientologists are being pressured to testify.

☐ One leader controls decisions and finances.

☐ Community service is being tied to religious participation.

☐ Questions or disagreement are being treated as rebellion.

☐ Volunteers are providing unqualified counseling.

☐ Confidential stories are circulating informally.

☐ Financial reporting is delayed or unclear.

☐ The sponsoring church is not receiving accurate information.

☐ People are being pushed toward immediate conversion.

☐ The church is becoming known mainly for attacking Scientology.

Describe any warning signs currently present.

What corrective action is required?

Part Twenty: Final Church-Planting Strategy

49. Community Summary

Summarize the community’s history, strengths, needs, relationships, and religious influences.

50. Ministry Opportunity

What faithful ministry opportunity has emerged from the community study?

Why is this opportunity appropriate?

51. Ministry Posture

Describe how the church plant will:

Listen before answering

Speak accurately about Scientology

Disclose Christian identity

Ask permission before religious comparison

Serve without hidden conditions

Protect privacy

Maintain professional boundaries

Operate under church accountability

Proclaim Jesus Christ clearly

Trust the Holy Spirit with outcomes

52. Final Strategy Statement

Write a one-page summary of the proposed church-planting strategy.

Include:

• community context

• Christian identity

• sponsoring-church relationship

• ministry priorities

• community-service approach

• gospel-conversation approach

• leadership structure

• financial accountability

• privacy and safeguarding

• referral boundaries

• discipleship pathway

• long-term vision

Part Twenty-One: Team Covenant

We commit to planting and developing a church that is:

• centered on Jesus Christ

• governed by Scripture

• dependent upon the Holy Spirit

• transparent about its Christian identity

• accountable to qualified Christian leadership

• respectful of freedom of conscience

• truthful in its description of Scientology

• committed to permission-based ministry

• protective of privacy and testimony

• responsible in finances

• careful with vulnerable people

• faithful to ministry boundaries

• patient in discipleship

• hospitable toward neighbors

• committed to serving without manipulation

We will not use mockery, secrecy, coercion, deceptive identity, sensational stories, spiritual ranking, financial pressure, or unaccountable leadership.

We will proclaim salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, invite people without pressure, and trust the Holy Spirit with the outcome.

Church-planting leader:

Signature:

Sponsoring-church representative:

Signature:

Additional team members:

Date: