Church planting refers to the process of establishing a new Christian church or congregation. It involves pioneering work to spread the gospel and make disciples in new areas or among new demographics. Church planting is a very intentional process that requires significant prayer, planning, resources, and effort.
At its core, church planting aims to see communities changed and transformed by the power of the gospel. It seeks to establish local churches that can evangelize, disciple, care for people, and glorify God. Church planting is based on the Great Commission’s call to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Biblical basis for church planting
Though the term “church planting” is modern, the concept has deep biblical roots. In the book of Acts, we see the apostles establishing new churches throughout the Roman Empire in places like Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus and Rome. The early churches were missionary churches that sought to spread the gospel.
Jesus declared that He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). The book of Acts records the founding of key churches like the Jerusalem church at Pentecost (Acts 2) and the establishment of Paul’s missionary churches. Paul himself started numerous churches like the ones in Thessalonica, Berea, and Ephesus (Acts 17 & 18). His letters instruct young churches on doctrine and practice.
Church planting aligns with Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). It implements His charge to be His witnesses locally, regionally, and globally (Acts 1:8). Church planting is a natural outgrowth of the biblical mandate to evangelize and make disciples.
Different models of church planting
There are several models of church planting seen in the New Testament and church history:
1. Apostolic/pioneer church planting – This involves traveling church planters, like Paul, Barnabas, and others, going out to unreached areas to evangelize and establish brand new churches where none existed before (Acts 14:21-23).
2. Mother/daughter church planting – An existing church starts a new church, seeing it as a daughter congregation. The Jerusalem church planted the church in Antioch this way (Acts 11:19-26).
3. Partner church planting – Partner churches and leaders from different regions work together to plant churches where there are none. Paul partnered with Aquila and Priscilla to plant churches (Acts 18).
4. Multi-site church planting – An established congregation starts a new location, venue, or campus to reach more people. The one church then has multiple sites.
5. House church planting – Church planters establish small house churches or cell groups that meet in homes. Paul mentions “the church that meets at [Nympha’s] house” (Colossians 4:15).
6. Independent church planting – An individual or a group plants a church independently without direct outside sponsorship or partnership.
Challenges in church planting
While church planting is essential, those called to do it face many challenges including:
– Hard spiritual opposition and resistance to the gospel in unreached areas (Acts 19:23-41; 1 Corinthians 16:9).
– Raising adequate financial resources and support for church planting efforts.
– Dealing with loneliness and discouragement in the planting process. Paul experienced crises of despair (2 Corinthians 1:8).
– Identifying, training, and leading new believers with no church background.
– Facing persecution or opposition from governing authorities or hostile communities (Acts 14:19-20).
– Determining aspects of church governance, practices, and doctrine for a newly planted church.
– Achieving long-term viability and health for the new church. Many fail or struggle to grow.
Despite hardships, church planters find the ultimate reward in seeing new groups of believers established (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
Essential elements in church planting
Though methods may vary, several essential practices undergird biblical church planting:
– Prayer – This is absolutely vital to succeed against spiritual opposition and see God’s power (Colossians 4:3-4; Romans 15:30-32).
– Evangelism and discipleship – Sharing the gospel, winning converts, and discipling them in the faith is the core (Matthew 28:19-20).
– Leadership development – Identify, equip and train spiritually mature leaders for the new church (2 Timothy 2:2).
– Gathering a congregation – The church regularly gathers for worship, teaching, fellowship, ordinances (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25).
– Preaching and teaching – Faithful biblical preaching and doctrinal instruction (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2).
– Ordinances – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
– Church discipline – Loving correction and restoration of believers (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5).
– Stewardship and support – Wisely using finances, resources, facilities, and volunteers (2 Corinthians 8-9).
– Outreach ministries – Serving spiritual and physical needs in the community (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35).
When these elements combine under Christ’s lordship and the Spirit’s guidance, a healthy church is established for God’s glory.
Qualities of effective church planters
Church planting takes unique gifts and abilities. Several qualities mark effective church planters:
– A definite call from God and inner sense of the Holy Spirit’s leading.
– A burden to preach the gospel and make disciples.
– Adaptability to connect in varying cultural contexts.
– Ability to evangelize, disciple, lead, teach, pastor, and inspire others.
– Skills in casting vision, planning, problem-solving, and raising resources.
– Perseverance to withstand hardships in the planting process.
– Entrepreneurial skills in building something new.
– Faith to take risks and endure setbacks.
– Belief in the authority of God’s Word. Sound doctrine and theology.
– Genuine love and care for people. Relational, hospitable.
– Maturity and self-awareness. Lives with integrity.
– Marital cooperation if married. A stable home life.
– Commitment to Christ’s mission, not selfish ambition (Philippians 1:15-17).
Successful church planting combines calling, character, competence, and Christ-like compassion.
How churches participate in church planting
Every church and believer should participate in church planting in some way. Local churches can directly engage in planting churches or assist others who do.
Here are some specific ways churches support and participate in church planting:
– Pray fervently for church planters and endeavors.
– Give financially to fund church plants and missionaries.
– Send out and support church planting missionaries.
– Set aside and commission teams within the church for plants.
– Parent new daughter churches until mature.
– Provide resources like Bibles, literature, equipment to plants.
– Mentor, coach, and advise church planters.
– Host training workshops for planters. Provide internships.
– Allow facilities for new churches to meet in a building until they have their own.
– Promote vision trips to plant churches cross-culturally. Go on short-term trips.
– Handle admin needs for plants like handling funds, providing insurance.
– Offer sabbaticals to plant churches. Second staff to help with plants.
Every congregation and believer can find ways to directly or indirectly contribute to spreading the gospel through planting churches.
Church planting movements and networks
Often, churches don’t plant alone. Many join collaborative church planting networks and movements to maximize impact:
– Denominations – Many denominations prioritize church planting within their broader organization and have departments dedicated to planting new churches.
– Church planting networks – These facilitate many churches working together regionally or nationally to conduct new plants across a wide area.
– Mission agencies – Numerous missions organizations focus on church planting in their target regions both nationally and internationally.
– Conferences and campaigns – Conferences bring church planters together for vision casting, training, fundraising, and more. Campaigns promote church planting.
– Coaching networks – These groups connect church planters to coaches for training and accountability during the process.
– Bootcamps – Intensive short-term training programs equip planters for their task.
– Church planting residencies – Aspiring planters train in a church planting environment as residents for hands-on learning.
Collaboration helps overcome challenges, pool wisdom and resources, share best practices, and stimulate prayer and passion for planting churches.
Key steps in planting a new church
Planting a vibrant, healthy church doesn’t happen overnight. It requires much prayerful work over an extended period. Here are key steps:
1. Calling and core team – Ensure God is calling you to plant. Gather a committed core team who will assist you.
2. Vision and values – Clarify your vision. Establish core beliefs, values, priorities, and ministry philosophy for the new church.
3. Research and planning – Do extensive research about the target community and demographic. Develop detailed plans and timelines.
4. Training and development – Get education, mentoring, and experience in church planting. Build required skills and competencies.
5. Fundraising – Determine costs. Create a fundraising plan. Secure commitments of financial support before launch.
6. Strategic partnerships – Get support and input from sponsoring churches,networks, coaches, etc. Don’t go it alone.
7. Evangelism – Do extensive outreach before launch to gather interested unchurched people and new believers.
8. Core group gatherings – Begin meeting for prayer, team building, and cultivation in advance of public launch.
9. Obtain resources – Secure facilities, equipment, and resources needed for ministry programming and operations.
10. Launch preparations – Finalize plans for the public church launch service and promotions. Begin strategically.
Follow-through, iteration, and adjustment will be constant after an initial launch. Church planting is hard but rewarding work.
Church planting and revitalization
In addition to starting brand new churches, church planting principles help to revitalize and replant struggling established churches:
– Refocus on evangelism in the community. Regain outward missional focus.
– Pivot toward groups the church can reach better than existing members. Change target audience.
– Institute new styles of worship, preaching, or programming to adapt to the area.
– Develop younger leaders and put them in key positions to drive change. Manage transition.
– Be willing to let go of ineffective ministries, traditions, or ways of operating.
– Address congregational obstacles to change like apathy, traditionalism, finances, facilities, etc.
– Gain outside perspectives from consultants, pastors, and planters. See things new ways.
– Take risks on new ideas that energize and inspire hope for the future. Experiment.
– Deal with schisms, factions, and turf wars that arise amid changes. Focus on unity.
– Accept that some existing members may leave but believe new people will also come.
With prayer, courage, and sensitivity, established churches can experience revitalization through some principles of church planting. This leads to greater health and fruitfulness.
Conclusion
Church planting is a challenging but vital work. It requires total dependence on the Holy Spirit. When done in line with Scripture, it powerfully advances Christ’s Kingdom. Churches and believers should support, participate in, and frequently pray for church planting. Despite hardships, planting new churches to reach the lost for Christ is eternally worthwhile.