Apostolic Church Planting E-Book

J. D. Payne

• Herausgeber: IVP
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 160

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

Church planting is not just about gathering new communities of people who are already Christians. In the book of Acts, church plants begin with sharing the gospel. Planting churches flows naturally out of making disciples. Pastor J. D. Payne explains the process and stages of church planting, with biblical foundations and practical steps for planting teams. He provides a pathway for the multiplication of disciples, leaders and churches. Here are church planting strategies and activities that are simple, highly reproducible and can be implemented by ordinary team members, not just by charismatic leaders.This guide can be used for planting in contexts among any given people group, domestically or internationally. It is an ideal resource for teams to work through together as they follow God's call in their community.

Leseprobe

APOSTOLIC CHURCH PLANTING

BIRTHING NEW CHURCHES FROM NEW BELIEVERS

J. D. PAYNE

To my heavenly Father

and my earthly partner, Sarah

Contents

Preface

Introduction

1 What Is Church Planting?

2 How’s Your Ecclesiology?

3 Practices of Team Members

4 Pathway to Planting

5 Stages of Planting

6 Planned Role Changes

7 Church Multiplication Cycle

8 Methods

9 Where to Begin?

10 Pastoral Development

11 Strategy Development

12 Ethical Guidelines

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Notes

Bibliography

Praise for Apostolic Church Planting

About the Author

More Titles from InterVarsity Press

Copyright

Preface

When I wrote Discovering Church Planting: An Introduction to the Whats, Whys, and Hows of Global Church Planting, I wanted to provide a comprehensive guide on the topic.1 That book is almost 460 pages long, and I believe I accomplished what the Lord placed in my heart. I am very thankful and pleased with that book.

You might assume that such a book was adequately thorough. However, over years of training church planters in both seminaries and local churches, I have often encountered questions I did not address in Discovering Church Planting. Also, since it was an introductory text, space and purpose would not allow me to develop some of my thinking to the degree that I would have liked.

The book you have before you, Apostolic Church Planting, is my attempt to respond to some of those questions and to connect the practical steps in a more developed manner. While this book is written to stand on its own, with much new material, it is also written to complement—not replace—Discovering Church Planting. Naturally, there is some overlap between the two. If there weren’t, you would be wise to question an author who writes two books on a subject with no continuity and much divergence in thought.

However, there are very important matters related to church planting that I do not address in detail in this book but do in Discovering Church Planting. This book says little about the role of the Holy Spirit, fasting and prayer, spiritual warfare and the role of the sending church. While these vital aspects of missionary labors are not completely absent from this book, I intentionally avoid being redundant and instead direct the reader to respective chapters in Discovering Church Planting for additional reading. It is my hope that Apostolic Church Planting will not be read as lacking discussion of important matters for the multiplication of disciples, leaders and churches. Rather, I hope you will recognize that this book is part of the larger context of material I have produced.

There is nothing new under the sun. Every author is influenced by men and women who have gone before, and their writings reflect that. My work is no different. For those of you familiar with the literature of church planting and missiology, you will recognize the influence of Roland Allen, Donald McGavran and Ralph Winter. Among others, you will encounter David Hesselgrave’s influence on my thinking regarding the Church Multiplication Cycle, and Tom Steffen and Nathan and Kari Shank when it comes to role changes, stages of church planting and phase-out.2

Just before writing this preface, I pulled Charles Brock’s Indigenous Church Planting: A Practical Journey from my shelf and read where Charles signed his book for me on June 3, 1996, with the words, “May God bless you—Charles Brock.”3 I was introduced to both Charles and his book that summer, and it was through this brother and his writing that the Lord brought me into the world of church planting. In addition to working with church-planting teams in the United States, I’ve spent ten years teaching church planting in a seminary context. Presently, I serve as the pastor of church multiplication with The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. One of my responsibilities is to equip our members to serve on church-planting teams. Had Charles Brock not taught a church-planting course in June 1996, I doubt that I would have written this book. And if you are familiar with Charles’s writing, you will recognize his influence on this book in more ways than one.

It is my prayer that the Lord will use Apostolic Church Planting to lead you and your team to multiply disciples, leaders and churches among the unreached peoples of the world. A day is coming when such labors will no longer be necessary. I hope you will be part of contributing to that diverse gathering around the throne (Rev 7:9), and I greatly desire that in some small way, this book will assist you in that grand endeavor.

Introduction

One day I met with a seasoned church-planting strategist at a local coffee shop. This wonderful brother had been involved in church planting for many years. Early in our conversation he asked me about my approach to church planting and what our church was doing in the area. I began by defining church planting as evangelism that results in new churches. Then, for the next several minutes, I reflected on some passages of Scripture (such as Acts 13–14; 20; 1 Tim 3; Tit 1), different stages of church planting, planned role changes for the church-planting team and the priority of unreached people groups. After sharing, I waited for his response.

There was a pause as he stared at me. Then, with a look of surprise, he burst out, “Wow! That’s amazing!”

He was shocked.

Like anyone else, I love to be commended on a job well done, and I especially enjoy it when someone compliments my innovative idea, action, book or so on. But his response was not encouraging to me. Even though his surprise revealed that he thought I was creative and innovative, I was troubled.

I had described to him nothing more than what we read about in Scripture. It was at that moment that I concluded: when the Church is shocked at a biblical model, it reveals just how far away from the Scriptures we have moved in our missionary practices.

Once, speaking at a church-planting conference, I gave a pres­entation similar to what I had shared in the coffee shop that day. Afterward a church-planting leader for his denomination came up to me immediately, declaring, “That’s exactly what we are doing! Evangelism that results in new churches!”

“Keep up the great work,” I replied. However, his declaration did not match what I knew to be true of the church planters he oversaw.

At another speaking engagement addressing the topic of church planting, I had a church-planting strategist approach me and say the same thing: “That’s exactly what we’re doing! Evangelism that results in new churches!”

“Keep up the great work,” I replied again. But again, his statement did not reflect his reality. This time, I was even more familiar with the area he was overseeing.

It is one thing to be sincere and to want something good; it is another matter to act on those emotions.

What I will describe in this book is nothing new. Yes, I have obviously crafted this book according to my own convictions. But apostolic church planting has been with the Church for two thousand years. It is my desire that churches, networks, denominations and mission agencies recognize this matter and respond appropriately. Many western evangelical structures, organizations, training paradigms and support systems will have to change significantly in order to embrace an apostolic approach to church planting.

Many think they have already embraced this approach; reality shouts otherwise.

Change is never easy. It is not my purpose in this book to address such necessary changes. However, evangelicals must begin to make necessary adjustments as we continue into the twenty-first century. Over six thousand people groups remain unreached (including three thousand unengaged-unreached). More of the same is not sufficient. While great things have been accomplished for the kingdom in the realm of church planting, we must build on them and venture into new waters with an ancient approach.

Apostolic church planting provides a path to the nations. If it surprises us, we should ask, “Why?”

If what kingdom stewards should expect excites us, we should reevaluate our convictions, methods, strategies, systems and structures.

If our present realities do not match such expectations, something must change.

A day is coming when disciple-making and church-planting efforts will cease to exist. Until that time, we are called to be wise stewards with what we have received—laboring for the completion of the multiethnic multitude gathered around the throne (Rev 7:9). Will you join in this divine task with Jesus, building his church? Will you embrace apostolic church planting as a means for making disciples of all peoples—across the street and around the world?

one

What Is Church Planting?

Many people have an interest in the topic of church planting. Books, articles and websites abound on the topic. Churches, networks, agencies and entire denominations are interested in church planting. Across the world, the church is talking about church planting. There are whole conferences on this topic. Seminaries offer courses on the subject. Some schools offer degrees in church planting. Church planting is here, there and everywhere! And this is a good thing.

Yet here is a fascinating fact: nowhere in the Bible is the church commanded to plant churches. No such reference exists. Certainly, we find church planting taking place, but that is a different matter than a direct command. We are commanded to make disciples (Mt 28:19). This Great Commission involves baptizing and teaching (Mt 28:19-20). And the context in which disciples are to follow Christ and experience sanctification is local kingdom communities—local churches.

But the Bible does not tell us to plant churches.

Throughout the Bible, we read of the birth of churches—after disciples are made. Biblical church planting is evangelism that results in new churches. Another way to consider this concept is that it is evangelism that results in new disciples, who then gather together and self-identify as the local expression of the universal body of Christ. Churches are supposed to be birthed from disciple making. (For more introductory information on church planting, see chapter one in Discovering Church Planting.)

The Four Necessities

What is needed to plant a church? Is a capable, charismatic leader necessary? A polished worship pastor? What about $100,000 in the bank? A great sound system? A committed core group? A great website? A public meeting place? A decent trailer to haul around chairs, dividers, communion cups and other equipment?

I served with one new church that met in a school. Another church planter I worked with started a church in a movie theater. One church planter was an excellent expository preacher. Another worked hard to develop a wonderful children’s ministry from the start. Another was a gifted administrator who established complex ministry systems. One church planter began with an excellent worship team. One had a great deal of money for the work. Another had very little.

While these resources are not wrong to have, they are not necessary for a church to be birthed. Many church planters make these—and other things—primary. But an examination of Scripture reveals four things that are needed, which I rarely hear listed as primary.

In Acts 17:1-8, we read of the birth of the church in Thessalonica during Paul’s second missionary journey. While Luke records some of the big picture elements of the story during the three weeks or so the team was in the city, Paul later writes two letters to the church. In the first chapter of his first letter, we get a sense for what was required for the Thessalonian church to be planted. Paul writes:

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. (1 Thess 1:4-6)

What we find here is that sowers came, sowing the seed in Spirit-prepared soil.1 Nothing fancy. Nothing flashy. Nothing slick. Nothing complex.

The team evangelized. Some people believed and others did not believe. Those that did believe became imitators of the team in the faith. Although their maturity, zeal and gifts were not the same as the members of the church-planting team, what was necessary for them to be disciples and to make disciples as a local expression of the body of Christ was provided by the Spirit and shown to them through the team in a short period of time. The team was “like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” and “affectionately desirous of” the new believers, sharing with them “not only the gospel of God but also our own selves” (1 Thess 2:7-8). The result was something wonderful. The church in Thessalonica “became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia” and the word of the Lord spread from them. Their faith went forth “everywhere” (1 Thess 1:7-8).

Is church planting a difficult ministry? Yes! Absolutely. After reflecting on years of experience in church planting, a friend of mine told me, “You know, J. D., I’ve found that some of the greatest spiritual highs in my life came while I was involved in church planting.” Before I could respond, he quickly added, “But some of my greatest spiritual lows also came about during my church-planting ministry.”

Passages abound that show the spiritual opposition and physical persecution that comes with kingdom advancement. Just read the account of the planting of the Thessalonian church and Paul’s corresponding letters. The preaching of the gospel and the conversion of the Thessalonians was enough to start a riot! The team was referred to as “men who have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).

However, we are often guilty of making church-planting ministry much more complex than we find it in the Bible. Church planting is about making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded—in covenant community with other kingdom citizens.

Difficult? Yes! Complicated? No. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit did—and continue to do—the complicated and complex part.

SUMMARY

Biblical church planting is evangelism that results in new churches.

The four necessities for planting churches are sowers, seed, soil and the Spirit.

Church planters are to set an imitable model before the new believers.

Church planting is a difficult ministry but not a complex one.

two

How’s Your Ecclesiology?

Because I am writing to evangelical church planters and pastors in the West who generally hold to a high view of the Bible, Christology (the doctrine of Christ) and soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), the most critical issue in church planting I must address is that of ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church). How your team defines church (local and universal) will affect everything you do in church planting. The definition will affect what your team is trying to plant. It will affect the strategy. It will affect available resources, methods and who can pastor new churches. Ecclesiology is supremely important. It shapes everything.

The Bible refers to the universal Church (I’ll use a capital C when referring to this) as all those across the ages who have repented of their sin and placed their faith in the Messiah. There are people living today in other parts of the world who we will never meet but who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are part of the universal body with them. When Jesus spoke of building his Church (Mt 16:18), he was referring to the universal Church.

However, just as important, the Bible also refers to the local church (I’ll use a lowercase c when referring to this) as members of his body in a specific location. When Jesus speaks of taking matters of conflict before the church, he was referring to a local assembly (Mt 18:17). Jesus also refers to local churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (Rev 2–3). Paul writes letters to believers in Colossae, Philippi, Corinth and other locations. The bulk of Paul’s New Testament epistles are addressed to specific congregations of saints in these cities: local churches.

To be a believer is to be a member of the universal Church, but there is also an expectation that believers will be participants in a local church. It is impossible to carry out total obedience to Jesus without a commitment to a local expression of his body. Just as the Thessalonians became imitators of the team, we should look to the first century believers as examples to follow in this matter. If we expect new believers to unite together as local churches, our teams also need strong commitments to local churches. It is difficult to tell others to imitate us if we are poor examples.

Over the years I have been asked many questions about church planting. Throughout this book I will share some of the most commonly asked questions, as well as my responses.

Question: What is the local church?

Answer: The local church is the local expression of the universal body of Christ.

Question: When does the church come into existence?

Answer: The church comes into existence when people repent of their sin and place their faith in Jesus, are baptized, and agree to unite together (self-identify) as followers of Jesus in community with one another, as a local expression of his universal body.

Question: But aren’t these answers too simplistic? What about pastors? What about worship gatherings? What about deacons? What about evangelism? What about ministry? What about communion? What about small groups? What about Bible study? What about taking care of orphans and widows? What about engaging culture with a Christian worldview? What about all of those purposes and marks and other characteristics that we have been told must be in place for a church to be a church?

Answer: These are all very important and essential elements of local churches. They are the things new churches ought to grow toward as soon as possible.

Plant the Church That Is, Not the Church to Come

Hasty expectations hinder the birth and multiplication of churches. On numerous occasions I have heard things like: “Plant your churches, but just make sure they have all of this stuff, and these structures, and these activities, and these twenty-five characteristics, and these forty-one purposes, and this affiliation, and give this amount of money. . . .” Many church planters want to clone or reproduce their home churches—or some other well-established church that is a manifestation of sanctification over a long period of time. They want to plant something trendy. They end up starting instant churches that are very difficult to reproduce or sustain, with a complex organization and structure.

This philosophy is fine when we start churches with long-term kingdom citizens. Those disciples already have years of sanctification behind them. They have a long history of church expectations. We should expect much from these churches since much has been given to their members over time. But this is not the same thing as church planting through disciple making.