Question 1

I’m interested in starting a Fellows program. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

The best way to start the process of deciding to start a Fellows program, or the first steps of implementing a program, is by attending a TFI Come & See training event. This is a 2 day event hosted every fall and spring (currently hosted online). Come & See training explains the model and structure of a TFI Fellows program, approaches to teaching and discipleship, job and housing strategies, staffing, recruitment, financials, and all of the other aspects of running a program. The Come & See training is intended to be an introduction to the Fellows concept, as well as a significant step in the discernment process.

Question 2

What is the process for launching a Fellows program?

Accepted Answer

The process for launching a TFI Fellows program is: Discovery (learning what a Fellows program is), Discernment (deciding whether or not to launch a program in your church), Preparation (preparing to receive your first class of fellows) and Launch (launching your first class of fellows). We recommend that you plan for 18 months between Discernment and Launch stages. Under certain circumstances, it could be done in 12 months. Let's say you want to be launching your Fellows class in August of year 2. You will need to be staffed, trained, and actively recruiting a class no later than November/December of year 1.

Question 3

We want to start a TFI Fellows program in our city. Can we be the exclusive TFI Fellows program here?

Accepted Answer

No. TFI is a collaborative network of like-minded, church-based Fellows programs. We work together to serve the Kingdom which may, at times, mean there will be more than one Fellows program in a city. When there are multiple programs in one city, it is very important that the programs and church leaders involved meet to discuss how the programs can work together toward flourishing. Having multiple Fellows programs in one city is an amazing opportunity for teamwork, but requires a spirit of cooperation among the churches and leadership, regardless of the size of the city.

Question 4

Are TFI Fellows Programs suitable for smaller towns?

Accepted Answer

Yes! There are many programs in the TFI network that are set in smaller towns, and the TFI model is aimed toward the success of programs in cities and towns both large and small. Regardless of the size of your city or town, utilizing the professional and spiritual networks in your area and proactive campus recruiting are foundational keys to the success of a TFI Fellows program.

Question 5

Is there a minimum church size for a TFI Fellows program?

Accepted Answer

TFI does not have a required minimum congregation size for a hosting church. However, we do suggest the host church(es) have at least 500-600 members, either as a single church of that size or a group of churches partnering together. A church smaller than this can make a program work if they have a community housing arrangement (i.e. fellows living together). It can prove difficult for a smaller church to find a sufficient number of host families for the more common and cost-effective host family living model.

Question 6

There is already a TFI Fellows program in my city. Can we also start one?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but if it is a small city, we recommend a lot of collaboration with the other program(s) there. A city of any size will require some level of collaboration and cooperation between Fellows programs. A city of 250,000 people or less will require a great deal of collaboration between programs prior to, during, and after launch.

Question 7

I'm interested in starting a TFI Fellows program in a city other than where I currently live. What advice can you offer about finding a church that might be interested in starting a Fellows program?

Accepted Answer

We recommend that you start by talking with some of the pastors in the city where you are planning to live. This will help you gauge the interest level in starting a Fellows program. It’s helpful to understand that starting a TFI Fellows program is a serious decision for a church and that this decision may take some time. Please reach out to us as well using our Contact Us form. We may know of opportunities in the cities that interest you.

Question 8

Can multiple churches partner together to run a TFI Fellows program?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While most TFI Fellows programs are hosted by a single church, there are several Fellows programs that are cooperative ventures of multiple churches. The multi-church model is a great way to share the cost of running a Fellows program and an excellent opportunity for collaboration between churches in a city or region.

FAQ - Questions & Answers for Starting a Fellows Program