Phases of

Review: Write a Simile Definition: A simile is a comparison to 2 different things using “like” or “as” Individually complete the simile: Church Planting is like ____ because it ____.

Introduction to church planting phases Description of the process of planting churches that can reproduce themselves The model has been developed over a period of years

Introduction to church planting phases Frontiers’ model for church plants in Muslim countries Developed by Dick Scoggins and James Rockford - A Vision of the Possible by Daniel Sinclair

The need for church planting phases To clarify the goal of church planting To understand that church planting is a process To identify the next steps To maintain the focus on what is most important To measure progress To pray more specifically To appreciate the various gifts on the team To decide when your job is completed

The phase descriptions Agricultural analogy Threshold - the place or point of entering or beginning A intermediate goal Change of primary focus Suggested activities Not all of them Not only them "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. “ 1 Corinthians 3:7

Phase 1: Seed (Preparing) Primary focus of church planters: the church planting team Need to identify the location, team membership and strategy Example from Paul: Acts 13:1-4, 15:36-16:10

Phase 1 ends, Phase 2 begins when most of the CP team is settled in the community, target groups and strategies are confirmed and the team is ready to focus on evangelistic ministry.

Primary focus of church planters: the unbelievers in the community Need to spread the seed widely Example from Paul: Acts 14:1-7, Phase 2: Sowing (Evangelizing)

Phase 2 ends, Phase 3 begins when members of the team are discipling at least three believers from the intended people group.

Phase 3: Seedling (Discipling) Primary focus of church planters: new believers and their networks Need to teach believers to mature in Christ Example from Paul: Acts 14:21-22, 20:20, 27 Primary focus of new believers: personal spiritual growth

Phase 3 ends, Phase 4 begins once there is a fellowship group of 3 or more new believers of the people group regularly meeting together.

Phase 4: Young Plant (Covenanting) Primary focus of church planters: the congregation, the Body of Christ Need to develop a unified fellowship of believers Example from Paul: Acts 16:4-5, 19:9-10 Expanding focus of discipled believers – salvation of family and friends.

Phase 4 ends, Phase 5 begins when the fellowship reaches these criteria (“critical mass”): GROUP COMMITMENT: The believers see themselves as a church SIZE: Around 10 or more believers regularly involved BREADTH: 3 or more preferably married heads of households and 2 or more mature singles LEADERSHIP: At least 2 key believers who seem to be “elders in the making” STRENGTH: Baptisms, perseverance, sharing their faith, planning for reproduction.

Phase 5: Fruit bearing (Empowering) Primary focus of church planters: church leaders Need to train multiple mature, responsible leaders for the church  Example from Paul: Acts 14:23, 20:17-36  Expanding focus of local church leaders: discipleship of congregation

Phase 5 ends, Phase 6 begins when 2 or more elders are ordained and the church has embraced a Great Commission vision. The church planting team transitions to a background or support role.

Phase 6: Reproducing Primary focus of remaining church planters: believers ready to participate in new church plants Church planters need to withdraw from leadership in the church Example from Paul: Acts 16:3, 18:18 Expanding focus of church: other communities without churches

Group Work Design activities for achieving your assigned phase of church planting, write on post it boards (10 min, then report)

Q & A Time With standup panel time

The DNA of reproduction What can the church planters do at each phase to ensure that at the end, the church that is planted will truly be a reproducing church?

Plan for reproduction in Phase 1 Choose a location that is a natural bridge to other communities that need churches. Develop a strategy that is reproducible without foreign funds.

Plan for reproduction in Phase 2 Think of networks, not just individuals Ask your new friends to introduce you to their networks Cultivate relationships with respected people who can open up doors to other networks Invite new believers into a discipling relationship.

Plan for reproduction in Phase 3 Teach the principle of reproduction to new believers from the start Ask believers to teach their children what they are learning Encourage new believers to share their faith in their networks

Plan for reproduction in Phase 4 Teach the whole church to have a vision of reproduction Ask older believers to disciple younger believers Talk to believers who live far from the church about the possibility of starting another church in their area Encourage the church to give financial help to evangelistic projects and other needs outside church

Plan for reproduction in Phase 5  Move into the background (refuse to take the lead) to allow local believers to lead  Train leaders not just for preaching, but also for outreach  Teach extensively on the importance of reproducing churches  Encourage believers to pray about and suggest locations for new church plants.

Plan for reproduction in Phase 6 Reproduction actually happens Coach or lead believers sent out by church as they plant new church Encourage local leaders to continue to teach about reproduction.