EM026-812 - Church Planting

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • evangelism missiolUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code EM626. Unit exclusions: EM056-512

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, church planting.

B. Be able to

1. Examine the principles and practices of church planting

2. Critique models of, and the Foundational steps in, church planting

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on church planting

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives and skills from ‘Church Planting’ to ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

Section A: Principles

1. Biblical perspectives on Church Planting:

  • Church planting and the teaching and example of Christ;
  • Theology of church;
  • New Testament approaches to church planting.

2. Personnel issues in church planting:

  • Personal factors: spiritual life, personality, call, aptitude, leadership styles, relational skills and philosophies of ministry;
  • Selection and preparation of teams for church planting.

3. Alternative models of church planting (eg sodality, modality, migration): strengths and dangers; suitability for particular situations (urban, rural, tribal peoples etc).

4. Strategies for church planting at regional level: multiplying local churches or developing a central church; church planting movements.

Section B: Practice

5. Feasibility studies: gathering and interpreting relevant data; defining a people group, measuring receptivity; issues in location for ministry, transport, psycho-socio-cultural factors.

6. Stages in Church Planting:

  • Initial contacts; initial evangelism; name; home meetings; first services;
  • Embryonic stage: charter statement; building issues; structures, government, leadership;
  • Maturity: becoming autonomous; church reproduction; second-generation believers.

7. Case studies in various church planting models used in different cultural settings.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Prescribed:

Conn, H. M., Planting and Growing Urban Churches: From Dream to Reality (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997).

Garrison, D., Church Planting Movement (Midlothian, VA: WIGTake Resources, 2004).

Gibbs, E. and I. Coffey, Church Next: Quantum Changes in Christian Ministry (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2001).

Hesselgrave, D. J., Planting Churches Cross-culturally (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000).

Hiebert, P. and E. H. Meneses, Incarnational Ministry: Planting Churches in Band, Tribal, Peasant, and Urban Societies (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995).

Malphurs, A., Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century: A Comprehensive Guide for New Churches and Those Desiring Renewal (Grand Rapids: Baker 2004).

Moore, R., Starting a New Church: The Church Planter's Guide to Success (Ventura, CA: Regal, 2002).

Stetzer, E., Planting Churches in a Postmodern Age (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003).

Stuart, M., Church Planting: Laying Foundations (Carlisle: Paternoster,1998).

Timmis, S. (ed.), Multiplying Churches: Reaching Today's Communities Through Church Planting (Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus, 2000).

 

Recommended:

Nevius, J. L., Planting and Developing Missionary Churches (Manchester, NH: Monadnock, 2003).

Suarez, G., Connections: Linking People and Principles for Dynamic Church Multiplication (Friendswood, TX: Baxter, 2003).

Towns, E. L. and D. Porter, Churches That Multiply: A Bible study on Church Planting (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill, 2003).

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