I do not claim to be an expert in urban church planting, but I have planted in Indianapolis and coached a team in New York City. We learned a lot. I’ve also talked with dozens of planter friends in other cities—and read the blogs of others. We have learned, sometimes the hard way, that the… Keep Reading
This is my 2013 Doctor of Ministry project at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. This study is 360 pages, long counting the extensive appendices. It seeks to discover the key components for developing a church-based, mentor-led internship for Master of Divinity students at Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, PA; one that would expose future church… Keep Reading
Annotated Bibliography on Church Planting Updated March 2016 Compiled by Ken Davis Baptist Bible Seminary Project Jerusalem Director Clarks Summit, PA Download PDF Addison, Steve. Movements That Change the World. Smyrna, DE: Missional Press, 2009. Shows that genuine missional movements that change the world—such as that founded by Jesus — are marked by: 1)… Keep Reading
Starting a new church can feel like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute if you’re not following the right steps. If you are new to planting, you have a ton of questions. It’s normal. Above all else, affirm your calling. Let others speak into your life. Listen to them. Don’t plant unless you… Keep Reading
Church planting is a highly specialized form of ministry. There is a huge difference between pastoring a church and planting a church. The focus of the pastor tends to be inward upon feeding the sheep and ministering to those who are already in the fold. The focus of the church planter tends to be outward… Keep Reading
There are many places of service in the church. One category of ministry is pastoring. Then there are sub-categories, like children’s pastor, teaching pastor, etc. Not lesser ministries, just more targeted areas of service. One sub-category is church planter. Pastors who plant churches have a very specific calling with accompanying gifts. It is not a… Keep Reading
Vision-casting ability Someone who can see beyond what is to what might be. Sees resistance as an opportunity rather than a reason to stop. Is able to communicate a clearly articulated vision of the new work. Can not only communicate but can ask people to join them on mission. Provides pathways for people to connect.… Keep Reading
Throughout church history, the people of God have recognized that they need a strategy for overcoming opposition from Satan and his army of fallen angels, generally called demons, or evil spirits. This is most commonly referred to as ―spiritual warfare.‖ Spiritual warfare is generally considered to be the Christian encounter with these evil supernatural powers.… Keep Reading
Church planting in North America in the twenty-first century will take place amid two massive demographic trends: first, the numerical and cultural dominance of large urban centers, and second, the diversifying and browning of the population. Evangelical Christians must face both of these realities, continuing urbanization and rapid ethnic diversification. Over 85% of Americans live in cities today. With… Keep Reading
The decline of the traditional church in the West has met with the re‐emergence of alternative ways of being the people of God. One of these is the phenomenal global growth of house churches—small groups of committed Christians meeting mostly in private residences and spawning new cells. House churches are part of a larger modern movement, a revival of… Keep Reading
