SPARC
Strategic Planning for Associations in Rural Contexts
Strategic Planning…
Not a Pre-packaged Plan
SPARC is a flexible method assisting Rural Baptist Associations in developing a strategic process that allows them to maintain value to their churches
A Process
SPARC is an approach which assists you in developing plans for reaching people and strengthening churches on your field. SPARC doesn’t come in a kit with a pre-packaged plan. Instead, it offers your association steps and resources for discovering God’s plan for your association in your context.
For Associations in Rural Contexts
A Baptist association is a group of self-governing churches, from the same region, upholding a common faith and shared practices, voluntarily networking together to fulfill the Great Commission and to strengthen its member churches. Rural associations comprise most of the Associations in Southern Baptist life. While there are processes to help revitalize associations, most cost more than most rural associations can afford. SPARC is for you!
Maintaining Value to Your Churches
In recent years, many church members and their pastors have questioned the need for associational ministry. They ask, “What does the Association do?” SPARC is designed to assist you in enhancing your value to your member churches and communicating that value to your congregations.
Consulting
Dr. Rick Barnhart developed this process after years of trial and error in actual associational missions work. He received his Doctor of Ministry for this project, from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Resources Provided
After conferring with the author, Associational Missionaries may use materials available on this website, which includes prayer guides, assessment tools and, if you’re an Alabama Baptist Association, additional demographic reports.
How Long Does It Take?
The SPARC planning process requires a period of less than one year. The Associational Missionary does some preliminary work gathering materials, and then a team works together in developing a plan.
Three Levels of SPARC
There are three phases in SPARC
Level One: Gathering
Level Two: Praying & Evaluating
Level Three: Goal Setting
Meet Rick Barnhart & Get Started!
Strategic Planning
is essential for an association wanting to avoid mission drift.
SPARC: An affordable resource for Baptist Associations wishing to engage in meaningful strategic planning.