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Ken Guenther. Church Planting Phases. Ken Guenther. 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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Church Planting PhasesKen Guenther
www.send.org
Ken Guenther
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
SEND’s Six “C’s” in the Philippines Contacts Classes Converts Congregations Church Communication
Introduction to church planting phases
Frontiers’ model for church plants in Muslim countries
Developed by Dick Scoggins and James Rockford - www.churchplantingphases.com
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, 8-19
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 married men (heads of households), and 2 or
more mature women. 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
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 individualsAsk your new friends to introduce you to their networksCultivate relationships with respected people who can open up doors to other networksInvite 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