church planting basics. why plant churches? 13 reasons to plant a church it’s biblical spirit of...
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CHURCH
PLANTING
BASICS
Why plant Churches?
13 Reasons to Plant a Church
It’s BiblicalSpirit of Prophecy supports itMost effective form of evangelismChurches have life cyclesSaves the DenominationStimulates growth in the Mother church
Leadership OpportunitiesReaches Present GenerationAdventist PresenceMobility of societyEthnic PopulationsFinancesSomeone planted your church!
Which of these 13 reasons was new to you?
Medical Ministry p. 315
“Upon all who believe God has places the burden of raising up churches.”
3 types of church plant starts:1.Cold2.Warm3.Hot
What is the difference?
COLD PLANT
Acts 8:4-7PHILIP
*Was adopted by a mother church--- Acts 8:15
WARM PLANT
Acts 13:1-3PAUL
The most effective church planting occurs when a sponsor/mother church is actively involved! Each year the attendance of a new church is 2x higher than those without the participation of a sponsoring mother church.
Ed Stetzer, Planting Missional Churches p.79-80
Role of Mother Church
•Encouragement
•Coaching
•Financial Assistance
•Core Team
•Facilities
•Accountability
•Love/Unity
•Prayer Why should you never plant without a mother church or sponsoring church?
HOT PLANT?
If you are disguising a church split by calling it a church plant than you can expect God’s judgment and not his blessing!
FREEPORT CHURCH STORY
1) CREATE THE CLIMATE
Already established
churches DO NOT naturally move toward church
planting
True or False?
Churches DO NOT naturally move toward church planting
• LOSS of Fellowship
• LOSS of Finances
• LOSS of Ministry Leaders
• LACK of Kingdom Focus
• LACK of Health
Despite obstacles, most churches can be LED toward
birthing daughter congregations.
Despite obstacles, most churches can be LED toward
birthing daughter congregations.
How can you help prepare
your church to plant?
Nehemiah 2:17-20
1. Sound the Alarm
2. Cast God’s Vision
3. Show the Benefits
4. Answer objections
Can you present the above to your church? What would you say, how would you say it, and when?
Sound the Alarm!
Southeaster European UnionYear Churches1999 2122000 2062001 2082003 2082004 2092005 2092006 2182007 2182008 2152009 211
Studies Show that if a denomination wishes to reach more people the number of new churches it begins must equal at least 3% of the denominations existing churches.
•Ed Stetzer, Planting Missional Churches p. 5
6 Churches per year should be your minimum goal.
Cast God’s Vision
•I saw jets of light shining from cities and villages, and from high places and low places of the earth. God’s word was obeyed, and as a result there were memorials for Him in every city and village. His truth was proclaimed throughout the world Test 7, p. 105
Show the benefits
Church Age/Salvation Ratio
10+ years old 85:1
4-7 years old 7:1
3- years old 3:1
*Starting a House Church, Larry Kreider and Floyd McClung p. 31
“The single most effective evangelism methodology under heaven is planting new churches.”
Peter Wagner, Church Planting for a greater Harvest p. 11
THE DENTON STORY
Answer Objections
1. We first need to build up the church we have
2. Planting will harm the mother church
3. We will loose our loving fellowship
4. We already have too many churches
5. Can’t afford it
• How would you answer these objections?
• What other objections might arise?
Nehemiah 2:18
“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
2. Pick Your Planter
SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION!
“Everything rises
and falls
on leadership.”
John Maxwell
MUSLIM OUTREACH CHURCH PLANT
“Success is inspirational but failure is educational.”
Is this statement true or false? Why?
Luke 6:12
•And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Matthew 9:37
•Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Where do you find a planter?
•Pastor
•Member
•Seminary Student
•Harvest
The most successful church planters share 13 behavioral characteristics
Visionizing capacityIntrinsically motivatedCreates ownership of ministryOne who relates to the unchurchedSpousal CooperationEffectively builds relationships
Committed to Church GrowthResponsiveness to the communityOne who uses the giftedness of othersFlexible and adaptableBuilds group cohesivenessDemonstrates resilienceExercises faith
Ed Stetzer, Planting Missional Churches p.82-83
In every group of three people there is always someone who is a little nuts. Look around you and if everyone else looks normal you might be a church planter!
Assessment NADEI.org
•35% succeed without
•83% succeed with
Self Assessment
•Spiritual Gifts
•Heart Passion
•Abilities
•Personality
•Experience
3). Building your team
Summary:
1). You have created the climate (Conception).
2) Picked a leader
3) Start building your team! (Prenatal Phase).
Determine the type of plant
•Hiving Off
•Colonization
•Partnership
•Multiple services
•Which do you prefer?
Win Parent Churches Approval
•Write a Letter–Appreciation–Vision–Permission
•Make a board appointment–Personally communicate your God given vision
*Remember if created the climate this will be much healthier
*Remember you will also need Conference approval
Recruit Your Team
•Where to look for your core team? –Mother Church–Sister church–Conference–Spirit led contacts–Members living in target area
Hint: majority of your team should reflect the age, gender, race and culture you are trying to reach! • Acts 16:1-3—Timothy
Building a Core Group
1. Shared passion/vision.
2. Individuals who put mission first.
3. Individuals who are a magnet to others.
4. Individuals who match the demographic to be reached.
Prioritize the above list …
Team Meetings
•Start 6-9 months before Launch Date
•Meet every Sabbath afternoon
•Purpose–Prayer–Vision Casting–Discussion/Reporting
•Assigning Ministries(SHAPE)–Church Planter, Worship Leader, Assimilation Coordinator, Evangelism Networker, Children’s ministry coordinator.
Incubate 6-9 months as a Incubate 6-9 months as a core group of leaders.core group of leaders.
--Create Community Create Community (Get to know one another)(Get to know one another)
-Prayer & Fasting-Prayer & Fasting
-Study of Acts & ReKindling a Lost -Study of Acts & ReKindling a Lost Passion by Russell BurrillPassion by Russell Burrill
-Establish core values-Establish core values
-Develop Strategic Plan (including target demographic and evangelistic methods)
-Ministry assignments
-Practice worship
4). Choose your location
•Path of Growth (Cities)
•Homogenous
•New Developments!
•Rent do not buy! (5 years)–3x annual tithe + saving
•Rent space you half fill–80% rule
•Ideas: Store fronts, Churches, Day Care
5). Funding Your Church Plant
•Core Team
•Mother church
•Business People
•Conference
•Harvest (Coins in the fish)
NADEI.ORG
6. Attracting a Crowd
•Direct Mail–Multiple mail outs (10, 5, 1)
–Mass letter identifying with needs of focus group
•Telemarketing–Tell Start (automatic call system)
•Personally/letter Invite former SDAs
•Small Groups–Core team Divides
–Invites
–Ministry
•Broadcasting—T.V. Radio
•Public Service Announcements
•Evangelistic Series
•Movie Theater Slides
•Facebook, E-mail announcements
•Word of Mouth
•Creative Local Paper Advertisement–Crossroads is coming
–Crossroads is coming with logo
–Crossroads is coming with logo and time
–Crossroads is coming with logo and time and that it is a great new church!
•Hand out flyers around church
•Bumper Stickers
•Business Card Invitations–Challenge members give away 12 each month
•Door Hangers–Cheaper than mail outs
75% of people who are in the church today are there because a family member or friend invited them.
90% of people will say yes to attending church if they are invited by a friend.
7). Your First Service•Start on time
•Friendly and Accepting Atmosphere– 3 minutes comfort
– 10 minutes return
– Gift Bag
•Visual
•Vibrant Worship
•Seeker Sensitive
•Biblical, Practical, Christ-centered
•Fellowship Meal
•Response Cards
8). Keeping Your Crowd
•Response Cards
•Sunday–Call all phone numbers “thank you”–Send out letters
•Tuesday–Mail invitational cards
•Thursday–Planter calls and invites each family
Evangelism Coordinator oversees this
Assimilation
•New Members need 6-9 friends
•Identify their gifts
•At least one ministry
•Small Group Involvement
•Give Regularly
•Refers to church as “mine.”
•New Members Class
Overseen by Assimilation Coordinator
Natural Church Development
•Most Important Research—Christian Swartz
•Healthy Churches Grow!1.Empowering Leaders
2.Gift Oriented Ministries
3.Passionate Spirituality
4.Functional Structures
5.Inspiring Worships
6.Holistic Small Groups
7.Need Oriented Evangelism
8.Loving Relationships
10). Keeping Your Core Team
•Celebrate Often
•Continue Meeting Monthly
•Cast and Re-Cast Vision
•Expect desertions–“Escape Clause” Concept
11). Coaching
•Difficult for church planters! –If not willing to invest in leadership won’t make it!
•Meet regularly with Pastor-Coach
•Friend, Confidant, Advocate, Intercessor
•5 Rs–Relate “How are you?”
–Reflect “what can we celebrate?”
–Refocus “What do you want to accomplish?”
–Resources “what resources do you need?”
–Reflect “what working, what is not working?”
Our Message!
#4 Step to Planting:
Healthy Core Group
#5 Step to Plant:
Incubation
Incubate 6-9 months as a Incubate 6-9 months as a core group of leaders.core group of leaders.
In-home meetingIn-home meeting
1x a week1x a week
Note: You wait to Note: You wait to worship on Sabbath worship on Sabbath mornings UNTIL you mornings UNTIL you have incubated!have incubated!
#6 Step to Plant:
COACH
Requirements:
1. Every Lay Planter is assigned a coach.
Equipping Lay Planters for Excellence in Ministry
• Definition of coach:
--A full-time minister employed by the Conference.
Equipping Lay Planters for Excellence in Ministry
Qualifications of a coach…- Proven soul-winner
- Excellent listener
- Empowering (will not take over the plant).
- Familiar with the techniques of coaching and self-discovery.
- Willing to commit (this is voluntary!)
Requirements:
1. Personal Coaching Relationship.
Lay Planter and Coach will meet on a monthly basis for a coaching appointment. Lunch or supper is recommended and will be reimbursed (up to $20.00) by the church planting department.
Content of Coaching Meeting:
--Ask Questions…Examples:
“What successes/victories have you experienced recently?” “What can you celebrate?”
“What challenges are you currently encountering that we can pray about?”
--Ask Questions…Examples:
“What successes/victories have you experienced recently?” “What can you celebrate?”
“What challenges are you currently encountering that we can pray about?”
Content of Coaching Meeting:
--Ask Questions
--Listen
--Encourage
--Accountability
--Resource
--Prayer
--Ask Questions
--Listen
--Encourage
--Accountability
--Resource
--Prayer
Requirements:
2. Coach meets with church plant group on a monthly basis.
--Only 1x quarter on Sabbath morning. Options include: board meeting, business
meeting, social, youth outing, etc.--Coach conducts baptisms and ordinations. Purpose: A relationship is built with the coach.
The coach can resource the lay planter more intelligently.
Requirements:
3. Coach holds a one week (two weekend) reaping evangelist meeting with the plant on an annual basis.
-- The coach has a relationship with the group so they will be well prepared and supportive of the meeting.
-- This provides an affordable evangelistic endeavor on a regular basis for the church.
Added benefits of a coach
Coach encourages planter and plant to:
-- move toward company and then church status.
-- stay focused on the mission of the church through regular evangelistic endeavors.
-- be realistic regarding facility needs and requests.
-- keep a positive relationship with the Conference.
