Acts 2: They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

“The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches.” C. Peter Wagner

“We already have plenty of churches that have lots and lots of room for all the new people who have come to the area. Let's get them filled before we go off building any new ones."

“Every church in this community used to be more full than it is now. The church going public is a 'shrinking pie'. A new church here will just take people from churches already hurting and weaken everyone.”

“Help the churches that are struggling first. A new church doesn't help the ones we have that are just keeping their nose above water. We need better churches, not more churches.”

Theological Rationales for Church Planting

“Each new generation must be evangelized on its own terms”

“Even where there are many sheepfolds, there are still many lost or wandering sheep”

Empirical Reasons for Planting New Churches

New Churches are a key to outreach It has been affirmed time and again that planting new churches enhances evangelism. Older churches usually have a variety of activities. The problem here is that evangelism sometimes becomes a low priority.

New Churches grow better than old churches Built into new churches is a potential for growth that older churches no longer have. New churches are more noticeable and new believers fit in better.

New Churches provide more options for the unchurched Unbelievers come in such a wide variety that a correspondingly wide variety of church options is needed to win them. Fortunately, no two churches are just alike and new churches are different from others even in their same denominations.

New Churches are usually needed One common barrier to new church planting is the notion that “this area is already overchurched.” New churches are needed not only to accommodate more people but also to serve as venue for the ministry of unused believers.

New Churches help denominations survive Churches, like people, die. Just to stay even without showing any growth at all, denominations need to replace their deceased churches. This makes it necessary to start at least some new churches each year unless leaders are indifferent to their own denomination’s viability.

New Churches help meet the needs of existing Christians Planting new churches is not only focused to the unchurched. It is also beneficial to believers in terms of location, and meeting their needs both individually and their family.

New Churches foster a broad- minded Kingdom mentality Local churches are only part of the whole Body of Christ. There will always be a tendency to be parochial when it comes to our local churches or denominations thinking that we are the only one who is right. New churches being planted will help promote the kind of perspective that we are all working to fulfill the same mandate given by the Head – Jesus Christ.

Why is church planting crucially important?

We want to be true to the BIBLICAL MANDATE 1.Jesus' essential call was to plant churches 2. Paul's whole strategy was to plant urban churches 2. Paul's whole strategy was to plant urban churches

We want to be true to the GREAT COMMISSION 1.New churches best reach a) new generations, b) new residents, and c) new people groups 2. New churches best reach the unchurched 2. New churches best reach the unchurched

We want to continually RENEW THE WHOLE BODY OF CHRIST 1.New churches bring new ideas to the whole Body 2. New churches are one of the best ways to surface creative, strong leaders for the whole Body 2. New churches are one of the best ways to surface creative, strong leaders for the whole Body

We want to continually RENEW THE WHOLE BODY OF CHRIST 3. New churches challenge other churches to self-examination 3. New churches challenge other churches to self-examination 4. the new church may be an 'evangelistic feeder' for a whole community. 4. the new church may be an 'evangelistic feeder' for a whole community.

As an exercise in KINGDOM-MINDEDNESS

Biblical Rationales of Church Planting

The Centrality of the Gospel  Matthew 24:14  Romans 1:16-17  1 Corinthians 2:1-5  2 Corinthians 5:18-21

The Church as the foundation of Jesus’ work on earth  Matthew 16:16-19  Ephesians 3:10-11  1 Timothy 3:14-15

The job description of the Church - Make Disciples  Matthew 28:16-20

The power of the Holy Spirit as our source  Acts 1:6-8

The priority of the unchurched  Luke 19:10  Romans 15:20-21

Focus on local church planting  Acts 13:1-3, 38

Becoming a blessing to the city  Acts 2:43-47

The ultimate goal – nations worshipping Jesus  Revelation 7:9, 10

The Church Planting Process Launch the New Church Pre- planning Stage Mobilize a Team Identify target area Form a small group

Pre-planning Stage  Affirm and be clear for the need of planting a new church.  Invest time in prayer, Bible study, building community of faith to support church-planting effort  Examine personal call to church planting. Learn about context of proposed church start.  Make the necessary plans and goals  Make statements (vision, purpose, mission, faith) – in case it is a new church independent from a denomination

Mobilize a Team  Impart vision  Identify/enlist church planting team  Teach specific skills related to church planting  Identify/enlist partner churches  Identify/enlist other strategic partnerships

Identify Target Area  Understand people group—language, culture, needs, receptivity to gospel  Make contacts with the people of the target area  Begin to sow the Gospel in the target area

Form a Small Group  Begin to discover those in people group who are receptive to gospel message  Gather people who responded to the Gospel  Develop new disciples

Launch the New Church  Arrange all the particulars related to launching (venue, date and time etc)  Formally organize the new church  Make evaluation for necessary adjustments  Nurture the believers for growth