Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

P ART II: C HURCH P LANTING T OOLKIT • 385

policies and procedures of Mennonite Brethren Churches. A Fraternal Agreement, an intermediary provision by the SDC is available for consideration. As the congregation develops and a viable nucleus forms in Oaklawn, opportunities shall be provided for mutual discussion with the Southern District/CEEC leadership on issues related to its confession of faith, history, church polity and district, national and international church vision. IV. Doctrine The new church plant shall hold to the doctrines as outlined in the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith. Early church leaders in Oaklawn shall be given denominational materials pertaining to the Confession of Faith (its various versions, commentaries and applications) and the Church Leader’s Manual for consideration and training. V. Finances • Full-time World Impact team members shall continue to raise their own salary support according to present World Impact financial policies. • Additional salary support shall be sought from the Mennonite Brethren/CEEC commission for all full-time team members who work on this team. Any monies allocated are to be distributed to the team in a manner determined by World Impact’s Area Director, Al Ewert. • A new ministry budget is to be submitted annually by September 15 to the Mennonite Brethren/CEEC with a specific view towards lessening levels of financial dependence upon the district. This budget will be approved after discussion and negotiation. All finances are to be processed through World Impact, Inc. during this partnership. • The Church Plant Team has the authority to establish an independent bank account in the name of the church plant. Income will only come through the collection of tithes and offerings from those who participate in the Oaklawn church plant and all money given will be used to support the church plant. This bank account will initially receive oversight from church plant team members and later be transferred to oversight by indigenous church leaders.