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 Frequently Asked Questions For the sake of the gospel. Planting and growing churches is God’s strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission. Kingdom growth happens when local churches grow in size and number. Is Mission Catalyst a denomination? First, denominations are not a bad thing. According to dictionary.com, a denomination is “a group of religious congregations having its own organization and a distinctive faith.” Second, there are two kinds of denominations: parental and grandparental. Parental denominations insist on strong controls on the activities of their churches and employees. Grandparental denominations are less controlling and more facilitating. Third, no one today is starting a new denomination, per se. Instead, networks of churches are springing up that exist to (a) facilitate the evangelistic success of the local church, and (b) coordinate global mission initiatives. Some people may label Mission Catalyst as a denomination, but we believe it inaccurately characterizes our ministry. We are, in fact, a network of churches that are loyal to our God-given message and mission and passionate about taking it to the world. A religious denomination is simply a system of governance that exercises a tighter degree of control or authority over a collection of congregations than do other systems of governance such as associations or networks. Our governance is minimal. We insist that member churches are unified in doctrine and that they share our uncompromising passion for reaching the lost. Churches that belong to the network agree to send 10% of their donations to the network support office. How do you define donations? All giving to the local church, with the following exceptions: money donated to a capital campaign money earmarked for a parachurch ministry that has no connection with the local church donations of goods and services. How does the network office allocate the 10% that it receives? To plant as many churches as we can. The network office operates frugally on a small percentage of what is received so that every possible dollar goes toward creating and resourcing local churches. Can women be pastors? Mission Catalyst believes that God has gifted and called both men and women to be full-time, paid ministers. No distinction is made between the genders. Are network pastors employees of Mission Catalyst? No. They are employees of the local church. Do you encourage the churches to use any particular worship style? No. We expect every church to experience worship in whatever style is most effective in communicating the gospel to the people they are trying to win to Christ. Do you provide sample bylaws for a local church as a suggested governance model? How about some guidelines for hiring and setting pastors’ pay? Yes. Contact the support office. How can an overseas church become part of the network? One of the local church leaders should contact our office and let us know of their desire. The legal requirements are different from one country to the next, and we will do whatever we can to be of assistance. Does Mission Catalyst operate schools, youth camps, etc.? If a local church wants to operate a Christian school or purchase a youth camp, they are free to do so. The network itself exists only to plant, support, and resource local churches, so it does not own or operate any institutions that are not based in the local church. For example, if leaders of the network decide to begin a media ministry, a pastoral training program, or any other entity, it will be based in a local church. Are donations to Mission Catalyst tax deductible? Yes, contributions to Mission Catalyst, a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes. Persons in other countries should check with the appropriate authority. Does Mission Catalyst accept tithe? Yes. What does the network office not regulate? We insist on only five things from a member church:
What about a church that agrees to two or three of the points above but not all five. Can it become a network church? No. They are welcome to attend our events (including Planting Team Assessment) and enroll in the LaunchTicket coaching system, but network membership is reserved for those who agree to all five. Why insist that churches affirm the doctrinal summary at all? Why not welcome churches into the network that believe the basic Christian doctrines? Scores of networks exist that are mission-focused but have various theological views. Mission Catalyst is unique in that it brings together churches with (a) a passion for mission and (b) a desire to live by and proclaim a unique message. Philippians 1:16 and 2 Timothy 1:13-14 make it plain that doctrines must be defended by those in church leadership. What if a church signs the commitment form but does not live up to the teachings of the church? We trust that those who sign the commitment form will do so with the intent of living and ministering accordingly. If a case arises where a church signs the form but becomes an embarrassment to the cause of Christ (e.g., sponsors anti-pope billboards or ordains homosexuals), the network board of directors will reserve the right to consider the church a non-member of the network. Why would a local church join Mission Catalyst? Why not just be totally independent? Some churches want to be independent, but most realize the benefits of belonging to a network of churches that share a common faith, passion, and mission. Churches decide on an annual basis if the benefits they receive are worth the required investment. See Why Start a Church with Us? What about membership? Does a church member belong to the network or the local church? Membership is a local church issue. When people are baptized in a local church, do they automatically become members of the church? In other words, are baptism and church membership tied together? Local churches decide their own membership requirements. What if there's no Mission Catalyst church in my city, but I'd like one to be? Start a church or get on our waiting list. |
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