Planting a Reproducing Church

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Planting a Reproducing Church"

Transcription

1

2 According to research, after four years of labor, the average size of a church plant in North America is 100 people (that s total attendance). Yet most Church Planters I have assessed, trained, and/or coached never start a church with the intention of being a church of 100 people or less. Very few churches are launched with the view that in five short years they will plateau or stagnate in their growth, becoming inwardly focused on maintaining their existing structures. My observation of church plants (since 1985) is that the majority of new churches that grow quickly and pass through the ordinary size barriers have done so by one of two ways: 1) they launched as a Hive Off from an existing mother church (usually launching with over 100 people) 2) they benefited from another local church s painful conflict and resulting split. In that scenario, the new church is a small mission one Sunday and then the next Sunday there is a large influx of previously churched people and momentum up flows from there. Rarely do I find new churches that are growing by an intentional, focused mission on reaching the spiritually lost unchurched. But healthy, living things grow and reproduce. Let s explore the dynamics of planting a church that will reproduce itself.

3 1. Motivational Realities of the Church Planter and Planting Team Pitfalls to avoid: Pride God isn t interested in helping you accomplish your vision and mission, even if it s to grow a church. He will not help you succeed in pursuing some false idol of personal security, the applause of man, or the comfort of having a thriving church in the heart of the city. He isn t about your glory. He s very jealous for his own glory. All of the recent church plants that have reproduced a daughter church see church planting as part of their DNA from the beginning, often having it written into their chartering documents or taught in membership classes. We also discovered that the more partners and service providers a parent church worked with, the more You must examine your motive for churches they planted wanting to plant a reproducing church. Your motivation can t be to have more (Ed Stetzer, Survivability and Health Study, people or to be able to have a bigger offering. It can t be to make the cover of Church Planter Quarterly or be a presenter at Exponential Conference. Trust me, your motive is probably hidden deeper in your soul than you realize. Ask God to show you. Ask your friends what leaks out of your heart through your attitude, words, and efforts. Ask your wife what she senses is your motive.

4 Fear A Case Study: Carter was planting his first church. Like most Church Planters, he was so glad for every person who showed up on Sunday! For several Sundays, a newlywed couple attended. After the service one week they asked if they could speak to Carter. The husband said, We have a problem and need your counsel. To be honest, I like you pastor, but don't really care for being in a mission church. My wife wants to be here. She loves it. Tell us what we should do. And just so you know, we are also asking the same thing of the pastor of First Church (a large established church in their city). Carter said, Of course you are welcome here and I d love it if you both liked it and got plugged in, but I cant tell you where you should go to church. But I can tell you that the Gospel calls you to love your wife and be willing to lay down your life for her. And I can also tell you that you are to love your husband and to cheerfully follow him wherever God leads. He didn't see them again for several weeks, and then one Sunday they showed up. They were back again for the next few weeks and Carter finally ran into them. The man said, Carter, we have decided to make this our church. What you said was so freeing. You nailed us. We asked the other pastor the same thing and he said, Oh please, you must join our church. I would feel personally rejected if you didn t join us. Perfectionism Be aware of the false sense that we have to do it right before you can get started. Sometimes the leadership can say to itself, We have to be ready and have it all together before we can plant a church or add another congregation, etc. If every couple waited to have it all together before they had kids, the population would be a whole lot less than it is now!

5 Unbelief Gospel motivation is related to a love for God and His glory and a love for the city/others. Why do we need a bigger place? Why launch a second service? Why plant a daughter church? Because we are not here for ourselves. God s gracious work of redemption is so great, so grand, (the pearl of great price) that we must provide others with the opportunity to be here. We are compelled to create opportunities to have His Kingdom restore, renew, and revive the lives of people in and around our city. 2. Kingdom Centered Prayer Prayer is foundational to keeping the church centered on the spiritual nature of starting a church that will be reproducing. The leadership must continually ask God, the Lord of the Church, during each decision making phase, How will this promote and accelerate our church in the mission of reproduction? Planting a reproducing church for God s glory will be wishful thinking or fleshly effort without a vital prayer link with our living God. 1. Personal prayer. You must be praying regularly and privately for your church to reproduce. Schedule now for monthly half day or full day of prayer and fasting and ask God to reproduce your mission church or at least prepare it for reproduction. Recently, I found a folder with notes I had written during my third year of our second plant (we were averaging about 165 people). In the folder were prayer notes and I found that among my prayer goals were: to see at least one person a month come to faith in Christ; to grow to 275 people during the next year;

6 and to help plant a new church on the west side of the city. As the apostle Paul said, Follow my example in this. We eventually helped launch another church on the west side about 3 years later. Our little church saw 10 new conversions and we eventually became a church of 470. Trust me when I say it was God s doing, not our ingenuity or abilities. Hear this thought: God s blessings at times come to us through our labors and at times without our labors, but never because of our labors (Thanks to Martin Luther for this reminder). He is a wise man who wastes no energy on pursuits for which he is not fitted; and he is wise still who from among the things he can do well, chooses and resolutely follows the best 2. Corporate prayer strategy (for divine power, strength, and unity). There must be regular, intentional prayer in worship times that promotes, through (William Gladstone, 19 th Century British Statesman) prayer, the missional DNA of reproduction. During worship the people are engaged to pray for their city and to see themselves as missionaries placed there by God for such a time as this.

7 3. Commitment to Gospel-Truth We never get away from our ongoing need for the Gospel. All our attempts to grow the church have elements of doubt, anxiety, and frenzied activity (idolatries or results of idolatrous living). You must be careful not to focus ministry models or programs as the means by which you will grow the church. Lifting a program or practice of one church in some context and adopting it in your context (because it worked for them and grew them by 150% in 1 year) isn t a commitment to the Gospel, but to programming. It can be a subtle form of idolatry; some sense that this new program will save our church! We should be less focused on measurable growth size goals and being much more open to smaller or slower growth situations. The biological schema (I Cor. 3:6) means we cannot make a church grow any more than a gardener can make tomatoes grow. The gardener honors certain principles of biological nurture (fertilization, irrigation, pruning, planting), which releases the natural growth power in the seed. The amount of growth depends on many other factors utterly out of the gardener s control the weather conditions, the richness of the soil. If that is the case when a church grows slowly, we don't necessarily expect that the proper response is a new technique, or trying harder. Growth is complex it is not a simple matter of technique on the one hand, nor is it simply a matter of one s spiritual/prayer life on the other (Tim Keller, Article: Natural Church Development s New Paradigm). A key to a healthy church is working the Gospel truths into the life rationally and experientially until they transform our lives and relationships.

8 Obstacles to Growing a Church that Reproduces 1. Character Obstacles. Fear and anxiety of the Church Planter and/or Leadership team Tiredness of the Church Planter/Family and/or Leadership team Prayerlessness of the Church Planter or Church Unwillingness to address the blindspots of the Church Planter Spiritual issues (such as hidden sin or lack of spiritual dynamics in life) 2. Skills Obstacles. No strategic thinking or continued planning is scheduled Lack skill of vision/mission casting lost the vision of the horizon Lack ability to change leadership style or role to accommodate new people Lack good time management or lack personal discipline in use of time Limited communication skill (not working on regular improvement and being coached) Lack of healthy conflict management 3. Knowledge Obstacles. Lack of knowledge on financials, budgeting, and business organization Lack of knowledge on how systems operate Lack of knowledge on human resourcing (how to hire the right people) Lack of knowledge on facility, land, building etc. Lack of knowledge on how to make disciples

9 ACTION ITEM: Personal Inventory. Ask your coach to ask good diagnostic questions on the three obstacle arenas.

10 ACTION ITEM: Assessing Your Church s Potential to Reproduce to the Next Level 1. Our average Worship attendance is growing by what % during the first three years: 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% (I don t know) 2. Our Conversion ratio is: 20:1 25:1 30:1 50:1 No conversions yet 3. People are giving: At your annual budget Above your budget Below your budget 4. Our church is contributing to Church Planting 0% 5% 10% more than 10% 5. Our ministry staff or ministry team (volunteers) is on board in owning our Mission: (Not sure) (100%) 6. We have a systemic training for new elders/leaders for the Church in place: (Not sure) (100%) 7. The percentage of people who are in some means of formal discipleship is: Not started 3% 10% 25% 50% 8. We have an intentional process and people commitment to our Visitor Integration/First Impressions: (Not sure) (100%)

11 When you re finished answering the above questions, check back to see if you scored in the following ranges: 1. Should be no less than 5% 2. 25:1 or better 3. Giving must be above budget 4. 10% or more is devoted to church planting 5. Don't settle for mediocre levels of ownership 6. Must be a four or above 7. Anything above 25% 8. Answer must be Yes both people in place and a written intentional process This ebook simply scratches the surface of how to plant a reproducing church. If you would like to read more about how churches of different sizes grow and thrive, Cultural Diversity, creating a clear ministry design, how to understand facilities and budgets, and the C.R.O.S.S. method of Gospel Coaching, you can download the full chapter Planting a Reproducing Church for $5 at You can also read the entire chapter in the NEW book Church Planter Field Manual: Fishing. Order the book on Amazon today!

12 Planting a Reproducing Church Church Multiplication Ministries, Inc. 2015

BACK TO THE BASICS INVENTORY For Young Life Clubs and Ministries

BACK TO THE BASICS INVENTORY For Young Life Clubs and Ministries BACK TO THE BASICS INVENTORY For Young Life Clubs and Ministries Purpose Back to the Basics is a quality assessment tool intended to help Young Life teams identify and measure the key characteristics of

More information

Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers. Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird. Kindle Notes ~ Dave Kraft

Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers. Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird. Kindle Notes ~ Dave Kraft Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird Kindle Notes ~ Dave Kraft In successful church plants, evangelism simply overpowers the need for self-preserving

More information

Types of Church Planters and Pauline Profile

Types of Church Planters and Pauline Profile Types of Church Planters and Pauline Profile Training for Church Multiplication Asia CPI 2012 What are the most common reasons church plants fail? p p p The wrong church planter Inability to work on a

More information

SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL AND ADVANCED STUDIES THE NEXT GENERATION BECOME A CHURCH WITH IMPACT! INTRODUCTION TO TAKE YOUR CHURCH S PULSE TOOL

SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL AND ADVANCED STUDIES THE NEXT GENERATION BECOME A CHURCH WITH IMPACT! INTRODUCTION TO TAKE YOUR CHURCH S PULSE TOOL S O P A S SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL AND ADVANCED STUDIES THE NEXT GENERATION INTRODUCTION TO TAKE YOUR CHURCH S PULSE TOOL Take Your Church s Pulse is a diagnostic tool that leads to healthy conversations for

More information

PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT

PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT PLANTING ON PURPOSE PLANTING ON PURPOSE International Network of Churches was born to plant churches. Home grown in Australia in 1974, we are now established across the world with over 2000 churches. But

More information

to ignite a passion to follow Jesus. (1) belong, (2) grow, and (3) multiply. BELONG GROW

to ignite a passion to follow Jesus. (1) belong, (2) grow, and (3) multiply. BELONG GROW INTRODUCTION At College Park Church, we exist to ignite a passion to follow Jesus. Our desire is not just to be passionate followers of Jesus ourselves, but also to be used by God to help more and more

More information

Equipping and Coaching Across the No Place Left Coalition. By Chuck Woods and Carter Cox Missionaries, #NoPlaceLeft Coalition

Equipping and Coaching Across the No Place Left Coalition. By Chuck Woods and Carter Cox Missionaries, #NoPlaceLeft Coalition Equipping and Coaching Across the No Place Left Coalition By Chuck Woods and Carter Cox Missionaries, #NoPlaceLeft Coalition The goal of equipping and coaching across the No Place Left (NPL) coalition

More information

New Worshipping Communities

New Worshipping Communities 901 Allegheny Avenue New Worshipping Communities Pittsburgh Presbytery Pittsburgh Presbytery Pittsburgh, PA 15233 January 2017 Table of Contents Why Start New Worshipping Communities... 3 What is a New

More information

APPLICATION CHURCH PLANTING FUND (CPF) MONTHLY RECURRING

APPLICATION CHURCH PLANTING FUND (CPF) MONTHLY RECURRING APPLICATION CHURCH PLANTING FUND (CPF) MONTHLY RECURRING Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention 2042 Vancouver Drive. Honolulu, HI 96822 808/946-9581 (Phone); 941-2309 (Fax) Revised 11/2016 Date * This application

More information

Team Building for Beginners

Team Building for Beginners Team Building for Beginners Team ministry has been written about a lot. Whether in the business community, medical community, start-up companies, large corporations, military or education, Teams are the

More information

Church Planting Movement Systems Assessment

Church Planting Movement Systems Assessment Church Planting Movement Systems Assessment Spiritual Dynamics: You already know that we re in a spiritual battle, and you intrinsically believe that we need to be spiritually empowered. Your enemy the

More information

Spiritual Strategic Journey Fulfillment Map

Spiritual Strategic Journey Fulfillment Map Spiritual Strategic Journey Fulfillment Map Phase 1: 2016-2019 -- Beginning Pentecost 2016 As White Plains begins living into our Future Story, here is our map. This map will serve as a guide for our journey

More information

Joining God s story of redemption in our neighborhoods.

Joining God s story of redemption in our neighborhoods. The Mill Church Joining God s story of redemption in our neighborhoods. OUR STORY STARTS HERE ON THIS TRUTH WE STAND 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates

More information

Intercessory Prayer Fuels It Relational Evangelism Drives It

Intercessory Prayer Fuels It Relational Evangelism Drives It Intercessory Prayer Fuels It 1. How often do you personally pray for lost people you would like to reach for Christ? a. Daily or more. b. At least 2 or 3 times a week. c. Weekly. d. Occasionally, when

More information

Healthy Churches. An assessment tool to help pastors and leaders evaluate the health of their church.

Healthy Churches. An assessment tool to help pastors and leaders evaluate the health of their church. Healthy Churches An assessment tool to help pastors and leaders evaluate the health of their church. Introduction: This evaluation tool has been designed by AGC pastors for AGC churches. It is based on

More information

SCD Ministry Plan. Developed for the School of Congregational Development

SCD Ministry Plan. Developed for the School of Congregational Development SCD Ministry Plan Developed for the School of Congregational Development www.scdnetwork.ning.com www.scdumc.org Use the following material to develop a ministry plan for your congregation Permission is

More information

EQUIP Training Cross-Cultural Church Planters

EQUIP Training Cross-Cultural Church Planters EQUIP Training Cross-Cultural Church Planters www.nycinternationalproject.org Page 2 of 11 Table of Contents Introduction to EQUIP... 3 Training Objectives... 4 Filling the Earth Seminar... 5 Reaching

More information

First Baptist Church - Westcliffe Colorado Discovery Retreat Results & Analysis May 2012 MISIONARY MENTALITY

First Baptist Church - Westcliffe Colorado Discovery Retreat Results & Analysis May 2012 MISIONARY MENTALITY Strength: The church cares about Westcliffe and the surrounding area and that church feels that the community is better off because the church exists. MISIONARY MENTALITY The church seems to be unaware

More information

REACH PEOPLE, REACH THE WORLD

REACH PEOPLE, REACH THE WORLD REACH PEOPLE, REACH THE WORLD CONTENTS 2 Opening Letter 3 Who We Are 4 Our Mission 5 Our Code 6 Why Orlando? 7 5 Reasons Why Church Planting Is A Must! 8 Launch Timeline 9 Next Steps Imagine a church whose

More information

DIAGNOSTIC TOOL. TAKE YOUR CHURCH s PULSE

DIAGNOSTIC TOOL. TAKE YOUR CHURCH s PULSE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TAKE YOUR CHURCH s PULSE 2 www.multiplicationnetwork.com Index Timeline... 3 Vision... 5 Leadership... 6 Body mobilized according to gifts... 7 Resources... 8 Connection between text and

More information

This pamphlet was produced by New Church Starts/Path 1.

This pamphlet was produced by New Church Starts/Path 1. This pamphlet was produced by New Church Starts/Path 1. If you would like to learn more about the resources that New Church Starts/Path 1 offers, visit us at: www.umcdiscipleship.org/new-church-starts

More information

THE GUIDELINE OF THE CPF REQUEST HAWAII PACIFIC BAPTIST CONVENTION CHURCH PLANTING OFFICE REVISED 11/23/16

THE GUIDELINE OF THE CPF REQUEST HAWAII PACIFIC BAPTIST CONVENTION CHURCH PLANTING OFFICE REVISED 11/23/16 THE GUIDELINE OF THE CPF REQUEST HAWAII PACIFIC BAPTIST CONVENTION CHURCH PLANTING OFFICE REVISED 11/23/16 This guideline is designed to provide information regarding the qualifications, procedures and

More information

A Manual for Leaders and Coordinators

A Manual for Leaders and Coordinators hwc Small Group Handbook A Manual for Leaders and Coordinators Adult Discipleship Ministries @ Hayward Wesleyan Church (HWC) Healthy churches are defined by their relationship with both God and others.

More information

August Track 1: Current Church Planters. Session 1: Seven Key Issues Planters Face (Thursday 8:00 9:00 p.m.)

August Track 1: Current Church Planters. Session 1: Seven Key Issues Planters Face (Thursday 8:00 9:00 p.m.) August 25-27 Track 1: Current Church Planters Session 1: Seven Key Issues Planters Face (Thursday 8:00 9:00 p.m.) The Rev. Dr. Tom Herrick Canon for Church Planting (Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic) and Executive

More information

Transformation 2.0: Baseline Survey Summary Report

Transformation 2.0: Baseline Survey Summary Report Transformation 2.0: Baseline Survey Summary Report Authorized by: The Presbytery of Cincinnati Congregational Development Task Force Conducted and Produced by The Missional Network 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

More information

POLICY MANUAL CHURCH PLANTING COMMISSION (CPC) Evangelical Congregational Church

POLICY MANUAL CHURCH PLANTING COMMISSION (CPC) Evangelical Congregational Church POLICY MANUAL CHURCH PLANTING COMMISSION (CPC) Evangelical Congregational Church We recognize that Church Multiplication doesn t just happen. We also recognize that it takes the work of God to change lives

More information

Our Vision A rapidly reproducing multi-site church (one church in many locations) with simple systems and structure

Our Vision A rapidly reproducing multi-site church (one church in many locations) with simple systems and structure EastLake Church Network WHAT WE DO Our Mission People helping people find and follow Jesus. Our Vision A rapidly reproducing multi-site church (one church in many locations) with simple systems and structure

More information

G OSPEL C HURCH LOVE DEEPLY. REACH BROADLY.

G OSPEL C HURCH LOVE DEEPLY. REACH BROADLY. G OSPEL C HURCH LOVE DEEPLY. REACH BROADLY. Over the past several decades the population of cities across the United States has exploded. Now approximately 80% of our nation s residents live in metropolitan

More information

INTRODUCTION TO NEW CHURCH REPRODUCTION Mobilizing the Mission of Jesus through the Ministry of New Church Reproduction

INTRODUCTION TO NEW CHURCH REPRODUCTION Mobilizing the Mission of Jesus through the Ministry of New Church Reproduction INTRODUCTION TO NEW CHURCH REPRODUCTION Mobilizing the Mission of Jesus through the Ministry of New Church Reproduction I. THE Missio Dei THE BIG IDEA OF GOD S STORY A. God s Mission Old and New B. The

More information

Appendix 1. Self Assessment Instrument

Appendix 1. Self Assessment Instrument Appendix 1. Self Assessment Instrument Is Church Planting in the ARP a Good Fit for Me? To assist you in assessing how well your present experience, training, and gifts equip you for planting a church

More information

POLICIES FOR LAUNCHING A MULTI-SITE FAITH COMMUNITY

POLICIES FOR LAUNCHING A MULTI-SITE FAITH COMMUNITY POLICIES FOR LAUNCHING A MULTI-SITE FAITH COMMUNITY (MOTHER/DAUGHTER OR EXTENSION CAMPUS) When an established healthy church feels called by God to start a new congregation as a way of reaching a new mission

More information

Church Planting 101 Morning Session

Church Planting 101 Morning Session Session 1: Church Planting 101 Participant Book - Morning Page 1 Church Planting 101 Morning Session Welcome to the first session of the Lay Missionary Planting Network, a training opportunity offered

More information

Global DISCPLE Training Alliance

Global DISCPLE Training Alliance Global DISCPLE Training Alliance 2011 Eighth Edition Written by Galen Burkholder and Tefera Bekere Illustrated by Angie Breneman TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE... 5 INTRODUCTION Born Out of Prayer

More information

Making disciples to impact the city for Jesus

Making disciples to impact the city for Jesus Making disciples to impact the city for Jesus A new church plant in San Jose, the Capital of Silicon Valley and America s 10th largest city A document for potential launch team members and supporters of

More information

Why Charlotte? Why Carmel Chinese Ministry? Why Now?

Why Charlotte? Why Carmel Chinese Ministry? Why Now? Why Charlotte? Why Carmel Chinese Ministry? Why Now? Why Charlotte? Largest Employers Carolinas Healthcare System Wells Fargo/Wachovia Bank of America Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Presbyterian Regional Healthcare

More information

Planting Circuit. A Fresh Expression of Creating New Places for New People

Planting Circuit. A Fresh Expression of Creating New Places for New People Planting Circuit A Fresh Expression of Creating New Places for New People Having been called to encourage and support all of our faith communities and congregations to join with the movement of God s mission

More information

Through NORTHWESTCONFERENCE.ORG

Through NORTHWESTCONFERENCE.ORG Through NORTHWESTCONFERENCE.ORG Every church was at some point a church plant including your own. Every church shares one thing in common a beginning. Church Planting is the nearest thing to a guaranteed

More information

! THE INCUBATOR PROGRAM !!! PROGRAM OVERVIEW

! THE INCUBATOR PROGRAM !!! PROGRAM OVERVIEW A THE INCUBATOR PROGRAM PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Incubator is a 2 year training program, written by John F Thomas, that focuses on process, relationship and reflective practice. City to City s Incubator aims

More information

... where faith and life come together... Vision Prospectus

... where faith and life come together... Vision Prospectus ... where faith and life come together... Vision Prospectus Table of Contents Why Georgetown? Our Vision Our Values Our Strategies Our Pastoral Team There s a story unfolding all around us... It s a story

More information

ECO Church Planting 2.0. Evaluating and Redesigning our Approach to Church Planting in ECO

ECO Church Planting 2.0. Evaluating and Redesigning our Approach to Church Planting in ECO ECO Church Planting 2.0 Evaluating and Redesigning our Approach to Church Planting in ECO 1 Background Since the formation of ECO in 2012, our desire has always been to be a denomination that plants churches.

More information

Cherry Hills Change in Leadership Structure F.A.Q.

Cherry Hills Change in Leadership Structure F.A.Q. Cherry Hills Change in Leadership Structure F.A.Q. We pray that as we pursue the proposed changes as a church family, the unity of the body of Christ will be our desired goal (Ephesians 4:2-3). To that

More information

PLENTIFUL HARVEST: NEW AND RENEWING CONGREGATIONS Quadrennial Strategy ( ) The Upper New York Annual Conference

PLENTIFUL HARVEST: NEW AND RENEWING CONGREGATIONS Quadrennial Strategy ( ) The Upper New York Annual Conference 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 PLENTIFUL HARVEST: NEW AND RENEWING CONGREGATIONS Quadrennial Strategy (01 01) The Upper New York Annual Conference Introduction: [Jesus] told them, "The harvest is plentiful Luke : The

More information

Session Three. Reaching Our City For Christ

Session Three. Reaching Our City For Christ Session Three Reaching Our City For Christ Reaching Beyond Session Three Reaching Our City For Christ Check each item below after you have discussed it with the Pastors in your Pastors. Complete the following

More information

Sample Simplified Structure (BOD 274.2) Leadership Council Monthly Agenda

Sample Simplified Structure (BOD 274.2) Leadership Council Monthly Agenda So, you have downsized your church administrative board and simplified your congregation s leadership structure. More leaders are now moving from leading meetings to leading ministries. You might think

More information

101 Tips For Sunday School Leaders

101 Tips For Sunday School Leaders 101 Tips For Sunday School Leaders Written and Compiled by Steve Parr and Tim Smith of Sunday School/Open Group Ministries Georgia Baptist Convention Dear Sunday School Leader, Sunday School and small

More information

Church Planter s Assessment Workbook

Church Planter s Assessment Workbook Church Planter s Assessment Workbook Rev. David E. Gundrum, Director PO Box 753, Whitehall, PA 18052 Phone: 610-769-4337 fax: 610-769-4338 E-mail: office@churchplantingbfc.org Website: www.churchplantingbfc.org

More information

Multiplying Churches

Multiplying Churches Multiplying Churches The Local Church is the only HOPE For the world! The creation of new bodies of believers is implicitly understood as a normal expression of New Testament Missiology. Percent of US

More information

TABLE OF CONTENTS ARC EXCHANGES. Foundation of Prayer 05. Life-Giving Church Culture 07. Dynamic Weekend Services 09. Connected on Purpose 13

TABLE OF CONTENTS ARC EXCHANGES. Foundation of Prayer 05. Life-Giving Church Culture 07. Dynamic Weekend Services 09. Connected on Purpose 13 TABLE OF CONTENTS ARC EXCHANGES Foundation of Prayer 05 Life-Giving Church Culture 07 Dynamic Weekend Services 09 Connected on Purpose 13 Answer Key 21 ARC EXCHANGES 3 NOTES 4 ASSOCIATION OF RELATED CHURCHES

More information

CONTENTS. Article: The Gospel Grid Exercise Handout: Judging Others

CONTENTS. Article: The Gospel Grid Exercise Handout: Judging Others CONTENTS INTRODUCTION................................ 1 GOSPEL OVERVIEW............................ 9 Lesson 1 THE GOSPEL GRID.....................13 Article: The Gospel Grid Exercise Handout: Judging

More information

ENDS INTERPRETATION Revised April 11, 2014

ENDS INTERPRETATION Revised April 11, 2014 ENDS INTERPRETATION Revised April 11, 2014 PART 1: MONITORING INFORMATION Prologue to The UUA Administration believes in the power of our liberal religious values to change lives and to change the world.

More information

David Strahan Alabama District Missions and Men s Director ext. 5

David Strahan Alabama District Missions and Men s Director ext. 5 David Strahan Alabama District Missions and Men s Director dstrahan@adcag.org 334-279-7172 ext. 5 Thank you so much for your interest in church planting. I believe one of the most exciting things for a

More information

ANTHEM CHURCH GROUP LIFE MINISTRY TRAINING MANUAL

ANTHEM CHURCH GROUP LIFE MINISTRY TRAINING MANUAL ANTHEM CHURCH GROUP LIFE MINISTRY TRAINING MANUAL ANTHEM CHURCH GROUP LIFE MINISTRY PAGE! 1 OF! 12 AN OVERVIEW OF THE GROUP LIFE MINISTRY AT ANTHEM CHURCH WE WERE CREATED FOR COMMUNITY You don t have to

More information

LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE

LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE None of us are an accident. God created us for a purpose: to live a purpose driven life. We are called to balance God's five purposes for our life: Worship: Planned for God's pleasure

More information

Opening Instruction Guide

Opening Instruction Guide Opening Instruction Guide Supplies Needed Slides Microphone for Emcee Opening Script A clock Visible to Emcee to stay on time Process At 5 minutes before the start time let everyone know you re about to

More information

From Planting to Movements: The Role of City Networks

From Planting to Movements: The Role of City Networks From Planting to Movements: The Role of City Networks Jonathan K. Dodson Description: The purpose of this presentation is to explain and narrarate the role of city networks in facilitating gospel renewal

More information

Church Planting Steps for Mission Partners

Church Planting Steps for Mission Partners Church Planting Steps for Mission Partners Texas District LCMS Board of Mission Administration This document and the Appendices included are both descriptive and prescriptive of the steps which should

More information

Developing Your Ministry Plan Webinars

Developing Your Ministry Plan Webinars Developing Your Ministry Plan Webinars Part 1: Congregational DNA Part 2: Discovering your Congregation s Niche Part 3: Discovering your Discipleship Process Part 4: Worship, Small Groups, and the Next

More information

HOW TO RESET, REIMAGINE AND RESTART A CHURCH By Brad Ransom

HOW TO RESET, REIMAGINE AND RESTART A CHURCH By Brad Ransom RETOOL, REFOCUS, RELAUNCH HOW TO RESET, REIMAGINE AND RESTART A CHURCH By Brad Ransom Relaunch is a word widely used today to describe trying to start over and get a declining church on the right path

More information

Critical Milestones for Planting Healthy Churches. Introduction. By J. David Putman

Critical Milestones for Planting Healthy Churches. Introduction. By J. David Putman Introduction Critical Milestones for Planting Healthy Churches By J. David Putman J. David Putman and Larry E. McCrary - 1 - Church on the Edge, 2002 Introduction Defining Moment A common mistake made

More information

Evangelical Free Church of Bozeman Bozeman, MT Associate Teaching Pastor Opportunity Profile July 2018

Evangelical Free Church of Bozeman Bozeman, MT Associate Teaching Pastor Opportunity Profile July 2018 Evangelical Free Church of Bozeman Bozeman, MT Associate Teaching Pastor Opportunity Profile July 2018 The time is right for the Evangelical Free Church of Bozeman (http://www.efcb.org) in Bozeman, Montana

More information

We exist to lead common people into uncommon life in Jesus.

We exist to lead common people into uncommon life in Jesus. We exist to lead common people into uncommon life in Jesus. The Dwell Alignment Study The Dwell Alignment study is a study not aligned to a sermon series or an idea. The Dwell Study is a foundational look

More information

ECO Church Planting Manual. (Version 3.0)

ECO Church Planting Manual. (Version 3.0) ECO Church Planting Manual (Version 3.0) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page # SECTION 1: VISION, VALUES, STRATEGY 2 SECTION 2: PATHWAY FOR PLANTING For Individuals.. 3 For Groups 6 For Churches.... 9 SECTION 3: ROLES

More information

WLC COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY - UNAPPROVED

WLC COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY - UNAPPROVED WLC COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY - UNAPPROVED Meeting: August Monthly Council Facilitator: Paul Cronin, President Date: 08/08/2016 Minute Taker: Cindy Boedecker, Secretary Location: Woodbury Lutheran Church

More information

The Issue of Scripture Availability and Use Within A Ta Ethne Ethnolinguistic People Group Focus. A Hierarchy of Scriptural Availability and Use

The Issue of Scripture Availability and Use Within A Ta Ethne Ethnolinguistic People Group Focus. A Hierarchy of Scriptural Availability and Use The Issue of Scripture Availability and Use Within A Ta Ethne Ethnolinguistic People Group Focus A Hierarchy of Scriptural Availability and Use Introduction. The Old and New Testament Scriptures for Christians

More information

Partnership Precepts for Church Planting

Partnership Precepts for Church Planting Partnership Precepts for Church Planting The Church Planting Team (CPT) of the Church Planting and Missions Development Group under the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC) accepts our assignment

More information

Session Four. Short Term Ministry Projects

Session Four. Short Term Ministry Projects Session Four Short Term Ministry Projects 1 2 Session Four Short Term Ministry Projects Check each item below after you discuss it with the Pastors in your Pastors Life Group. Complete the following before

More information

While we put this resource together creatively, much of what is said is either taken from or largely influenced by others who have gone ahead of us. We ve been so influenced by others that it s impossible

More information

Session Three. Reaching Our City For Christ

Session Three. Reaching Our City For Christ Session Three Reaching Our City For Christ Session Three Reaching Our City for Christ Check each item below after you discuss it with the Pastors in your Pastors. Complete the following before you meet

More information

LET S HAVE A BABY! Dr. J. Don Jennings

LET S HAVE A BABY! Dr. J. Don Jennings LET S HAVE A BABY! Dr. J. Don Jennings Holy Helps Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things

More information

We have discovered that many in the PSBA are ready for what is being presented tonight. Fifty pastors and several key Southern Baptist leaders

We have discovered that many in the PSBA are ready for what is being presented tonight. Fifty pastors and several key Southern Baptist leaders 1 We have discovered that many in the PSBA are ready for what is being presented tonight. Fifty pastors and several key Southern Baptist leaders participated in this process and fully support The Master

More information

Western Jurisdictional Plan for Starting New Churches

Western Jurisdictional Plan for Starting New Churches Western Jurisdictional Plan for Starting New Churches 2013 2024 Index Forward... page 1 Definition of a New Church... page 2 Our Mission... page 2 Our Vision (using a multiplication model)... page 3 Western

More information

1. Most traditional church small group material was written for a Christian

1. Most traditional church small group material was written for a Christian introduction About World Harvest Mission World Harvest never set out to write and publish curriculum. We are a missions agency that has always believed the power and motive for mission is the gospel of

More information

"My church is spiritually vital and alive"

My church is spiritually vital and alive Congregation Report Monday, January 7, 2019 Wekiva Presbyterian Church CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY Total Respondents: 73 worshipers 27 leadership & staff "My church is spiritually vital and alive" WORSHIPERS

More information

A Description of a Well Prepared Mississippi Church Planter

A Description of a Well Prepared Mississippi Church Planter A Description of a Well Prepared Mississippi Church Planter He and his wife have an intimate relationship with their heavenly Father and a growing identity in the gospel, evidenced by a mature character

More information

LDR Church Health Survey Instructions

LDR Church Health Survey Instructions LDR Church Health Survey Instructions 1. Selecting Participants How many questionnaires should be completed? The Church Health Survey is designed to be effective with: One pastor completing the survey

More information

SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD Essential Principles for Church Planting

SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD Essential Principles for Church Planting We are a Christian faith-based, non-profit organization registered in Kenya that has an agency agreement with Vision Ministries Canada. For a list of our board members and additional information about

More information

2015 STRATEGIC STAFFING PLAN

2015 STRATEGIC STAFFING PLAN 2015 STRATEGIC STAFFING PLAN Resurrection Lutheran Church meets you where you are on your faith walk with life-transforming experiences that help you mature as a disciple of Christ. 1 Worshiping 1000,

More information

Conference Descriptions

Conference Descriptions Conference Descriptions Select one 10:00 am conference, one 12:45 pm conference, and one 2:00 pm conference. All conferences are offered at all three locations. 10:00 am Conferences Church Revitalization

More information

Called to Leadership: Putting the Pieces Together Church Council Training. March 2015

Called to Leadership: Putting the Pieces Together Church Council Training. March 2015 Called to Leadership: Putting the Pieces Together Church Council Training March 2015 Christian Leaders are Called to Follow to lead (worship, pray, study, serve, invite, give, and encourage) Christian

More information

FIRST CITY CHURCH CHURCH PLANTING PROSPECTUS

FIRST CITY CHURCH CHURCH PLANTING PROSPECTUS FIRST CITY CHURCH CHURCH PLANTING PROSPECTUS Starting in Fall 2015, Coram Deo Church will begin taking steps to plant FIRST CITY CHURCH in Bellevue, Nebraska. This prospectus exists to: capture the vision

More information

Exercises a Sense of Call:

Exercises a Sense of Call: This resource is designed to help pastors develop a better understanding about what we are looking for in a potential church planter. There are the twelve characteristics in our assessment process. In

More information

Sponsorship and Apostles My Personal Testimony

Sponsorship and Apostles My Personal Testimony Sponsorship and Apostles My Personal Testimony Looking back at my life I can see that without the sponsorship of other leaders and apostles, I would never have been able to get to the place in ministry

More information

2) If you do spend time in completely focused prayer, do you have a specific location where you regularly do this? 454 Answered

2) If you do spend time in completely focused prayer, do you have a specific location where you regularly do this? 454 Answered 1) About how much time do you spend in focused prayer on a typical day? Do not count time while driving, or standing in a line, or doing other activities. Only count the time you are completely focused

More information

Using The NOW Model For Effective Ministry In Small Congregations by William F. Appleby

Using The NOW Model For Effective Ministry In Small Congregations by William F. Appleby Hinton Models for Ministry Using The NOW Model For Effective Ministry In Small Congregations by William F. Appleby Models for Ministry in small membership churches are occasional publications of the Hinton

More information

A Fresh Perspective on Mobilizing the Church. --Larry Reesor

A Fresh Perspective on Mobilizing the Church. --Larry Reesor A Fresh Perspective on Mobilizing the Church --Larry Reesor Years of experience in evangelism, pastoring and missions has given Larry Reesor a passion for mobilizing churches and leading them to be obedient

More information

Creature of the Word. Matt Chandler, Josh Patterson, Eric Geiger

Creature of the Word. Matt Chandler, Josh Patterson, Eric Geiger Brought to you by Creature of the Word Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church B&H Publishing Group: Nashville, TN, 2012. 242 pages. Matt Chandler, Josh Patterson, Eric Geiger The Reformers viewed

More information

DISCIPLESHIP AT CALVARY: VISION STATEMENT

DISCIPLESHIP AT CALVARY: VISION STATEMENT DISCIPLESHIP DISCIPLESHIP AT CALVARY: VISION STATEMENT Discipleship at Calvary Church, especially within DNA groups, is a Biblically rooted, Gospel-centered growth in imitating Jesus and listening to and

More information

COMMISSION ON CHURCH VITALITY

COMMISSION ON CHURCH VITALITY COMMISSION ON CHURCH VITALITY Mission Statement: The Presbytery identifies and strengthens Presbyterian leaders so that every congregation makes new and mature disciples of Jesus Christ. BYLAWS 4.3. The

More information

Description of a Discipled Person West Valley Missionary Church A discipled person is someone that.

Description of a Discipled Person West Valley Missionary Church A discipled person is someone that. Description of a Discipled Person West Valley Missionary Church 2005 A discipled person is someone that. Knows Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord Evidence How do we know they are living it? The new disciple

More information

MISSIO COMMUNITIES THEOLOGICAL VISION. Establishing Gospel Centered Community

MISSIO COMMUNITIES THEOLOGICAL VISION. Establishing Gospel Centered Community MISSIO COMMUNITIES THEOLOGICAL VISION Establishing Gospel Centered Community Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 1 The Purpose of Missio Communities 3 Part 2 The Missio Community Leader 13 Part 3

More information

Resources for Discussion Leaders

Resources for Discussion Leaders Resources for Discussion Leaders 301 Pennsylvania Parkway, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46280 THE MISSIONAL CHURCH The differences between a mission-minded church and a missional church: The mission-minded

More information

ASSIMILATION: FROM FIRST TIME GUESTS TO MEMBERS

ASSIMILATION: FROM FIRST TIME GUESTS TO MEMBERS Journey Leadership Seminar ASSIMILATION: FROM FIRST TIME GUESTS TO MEMBERS TEACHER EDITION April 28, 2005 By Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas Assimilation: From First Time Guests to Members "... that you

More information

Ingomar Church Our Plan and Vision for Making and Being Disciples of Christ. April 2012

Ingomar Church Our Plan and Vision for Making and Being Disciples of Christ. April 2012 Introduction: Ingomar Church Our Plan and Vision for Making and Being Disciples of Christ April 2012 Why does the church exist? According to Matthew s Gospel, the risen Christ made it clear: Go therefore

More information

FOSTERING. in the Northwest Conference NORTHWESTCONFERENCE.ORG

FOSTERING. in the Northwest Conference NORTHWESTCONFERENCE.ORG FOSTERING in the Northwest Conference NORTHWESTCONFERENCE.ORG WHAT IS CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY? Congregational Vitality is a result of the living God breathing new life into the heart of a congregation.

More information

Field 4 Reproducible Church Formation

Field 4 Reproducible Church Formation Field 4 Reproducible Church Formation Objectives The church planter will: The Harvest Field Understand biblical church function and purpose Examine biblical guidelines for church health Do an honest evaluation

More information

Receiving Returned Missionaries Well

Receiving Returned Missionaries Well Receiving Returned Missionaries Well Receiving by the church (not merely returning by the missionary) is the culmination of sending. The church is responsible for her sent ones from the time they express

More information

I N T R O M I S S I O N / V I S I O N

I N T R O M I S S I O N / V I S I O N INTRO MISSION/VISION It s time for Traders Point to become one church with multiple locations. Many people in our city are facing a Christ-less eternity, and we believe multisite locations give us an opportunity

More information

VISIONING TOOL FOR INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY

VISIONING TOOL FOR INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY VISIONING TOOL FOR INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY For assistance with this tool, contact GenOn Ministries 877.937.2572 info@genonministries.org GenOn Ministries P.O. Box 4, Springdale, PA 15144 877.937.2572

More information

Welcome to the Church Planting Pipeline!

Welcome to the Church Planting Pipeline! Welcome to the Church Planting Pipeline! We are so excited to come alongside you as you identify and train the next generation of missionaries sitting in your congregation. You and your church have the

More information

The BFC Church Planting Guide

The BFC Church Planting Guide The BFC Church Planting Guide A Guide for Church Planters and their Teams in developing new Bible Fellowship Churches. To be used in coordination with the DCPI Church Planter s Handbook Rev. David E. Gundrum,

More information