CRM - Empowering Leaders

MCAP A practitioner based, online, Missional Church Apprenticeship Practicum designed to facilitate and develop a relational network of on-the-ground missional leaders that are innovating and pioneering new forms of church.

Why an online Process?

Based on the need for missional leaders to remain engaged in building churches in localized contexts, the extraction model of training and equipping is no longer practical or conducive to apprenticing leaders while engaged in meaningful relationships. In order to create a reproducible apprenticeship model in the early pioneering stages of missional ministry, there is a significant need to provide just-in-time training to missional leaders that are on-the-way, but not-yet-there in their approach and methodology. We believe technology may help multiply the training and delivery system that has for too long relied on one-to-one, or one-to-group in person training systems. The internet now affords us the luxury and strategic possibility of taking leaders with us on an apprenticeship journey that is primarily virtual in nature and form, allowing leaders from around the world to participate.

Benefits of Virtual Process –

Pioneer and model new forms of virtual training and apprenticeship that multiplies the coaches and participants time and energy while reducing travel costs.
Delivers Just-in-Time training and resourcing to apprentices as the need and context demands. Provides opportunity to develop leaders while they remain in their local context and engaged in the process of missional ministry. Removes the extraction or temporary training environment that hinders real-life ministry application.
Creates opportunities to benefit from the CRM-Missio Participant status – As a Missio Participant, the opportunity exists to raise support for MCAP process, including fees and a stipend during the 9 month process. After successful completion of the MCAP, the opportunity to continue raising support for up to 5 years as a Missio Practitioner or Pioneer is available. Long-term associate, part-time or full-time CRM staff is also available.
By engaging in apprenticing missional leaders regardless of affiliation, denomination, or location – Missio can partner and link with key organizations and leaders that are looking for new, cost effective, and practical forms of training.
Through the apprenticeship process, leaders will be exposed to a wide variety of ministry contexts from other missional projects from around the world. Lessons learned from all involved will be captured and help strengthen the process through continual learning and retooling.

Benefits to Participants –

Can continue denominational or local church affiliation
Exposure to CRM resources, including Leadership Grip/Birkman.
Increased credibility and connection with other missional leaders and their combined learning
In-process coaching and apprenticeship
Individual protection of written materials.
Opportunity for fund-raising as part of MCAP through CRM. (Donors receive charitable giving receipts)
Options are emerging for graduate level credit for MCAP participants (please contact Matt Smay to discuss options)

Safeguards to ensure missional church values are embodied -

To participate, apprentices must have a legitimate missional community project approved prior to acceptance into MCAP.
All projects must involve missional activity that includes engaging culture and forming community that is leading towards the development of church.
Application and interview process will be facilitated by Missio team leadership
A fee will be required prior to MCAP launch to insure substantial commitment to process and outcomes.

MCAP Participants should anticipate the following interaction:

October 4-6, 2007 a 3-day MCAP Launch Event & Missio Intensive - Scheduled speakers include Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch co-authors of “The Shaping of Things to Come.” Michael will be discussing content from his latest book to be released - “Exiles,” and Alan will be sharing from his new book, “The Forgotten Ways.” (Attendance Strongly Encouraged – Denver, CO)
Interact with Weekly 15-25 minute online Video created by the Missio Team.
Weekly Discussion Board Participation (roughly 2-4 hours per week)
1 – 2 page post interacting around scheduled topic
Minimum of 2 responses to other participants posts
Follow-up on responses made to your main weekly post
Monthly Coaching meeting in Cohort groups of 4 (may be over internet webcam if available)
Unlimited Individual Coaching with Missio team leaders
Complete all coaching, reading, and writing assignments on-time and with diligence
Expect a total time commitment of 3-6 hours per week engaging in MCAP specific activities. A majority of this time should benefit and directly affect the shaping of the missional project.
The MCAP will be divided into 3 stages, each approximately 3 months in length and focused on the following disciplines: Engaging Culture, Forming Community, and and Structuring Congregation (the 3^rd stage will focus more on calling for those in the Ascend track). Each stage must be passed to progress to the next stage (Passing is based solely on participation as outlined above).

Application Process

Complete Application no later than September 15, 2007
Schedule & Complete Interview
Approval as Missio Participant with Personal Fundraising Account if needed [Approval can be granted beginning in April 2007, which will allow more time to raise financial support for MCAP]
Begin Fundraising through CRM if needed
[Once required fees are covered, stipend can be allocated]
MCAP Fees Schedule to be Updated in June 2007
Register for Missio Intensive (MCAP Launch Event) – Dates October 4-6 2006 (Denver Seminary - Denver, CO)
Individual and Group Coaching Begins October 19, 2007
Online Kickoff - October 23, 2007

*We encourage fundraising as the primary means to fund your MCAP, which may include denominational or sponsoring church support. The fees will include all costs to operate University level website access and all coaching and leadership development tools (Leadership Grip/Birkman), but excludes Missio Intensive registration, travel, food, and lodging for Missio Intensive (Denver Onsite Event). Due to negotiations currently under way for on-site launch and key components of online infrastructure, final fee schedule will be determined Late June 2007. Please contact Matt Smay for more details – matt.smay@missio.us

To download an application to participate in MCAP, click here: MCAP APPLICATION (pdf)