There are a few terms that we use that I would like to give more definition too. The first one we would like to tackle is “Church Planting Movement”. Other words that I hope to define better in the future is “Simple Church”, “Organic Leadership” “Missional Communities” and “Making Disciples” so stay tuned!
A rapid multiplication of indigenous churches planting churches that sweeps through a people group or population segment. -David Garrison “Church Planting Movements, How God is Redeeming a Lost World“
I think that is a pretty good definition. I am beginning to read the book now, but this phenomenon of a church planting movement has been happening in a big way around the world already. Literally millions of people are coming to faith in Jesus under the wave of church planting movements.
Church Multiplication and Reproduction
One of the key factors to a Church Planting Movement is multiplication and reproduction. The goal is to make disciples that make disciples that make disciples. So rather than making one church the goal is to build into the DNA of every church planted the ethos of reproduction and multiplication.
Resources for further Study
Here are some audio resources and links to books that we would recommend reading. If you have any recommendations please add it in the comments below.
Starting a Church Planting Movement to Reach Your City, Region & Nation (MP3 Series) -Floyd McClung
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Soma
There is a small movement happening in Tacoma, Washington called Soma Communities that I was really impressed with for church planting and disciple making. Take the time to listen to the audio from their Soma school… It’s powerful.
Total Church, A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community A book by Steve Timmis & Tim Chester
Organic Church -A book by Neil Cole
This whole idea of a rapidly expanding church is very exciting to us, but what is even more exciting to us is the idea of millions of people meeting Jesus and having a radical transformation as a result. Though Nichole and I will always be actively involved in social action and efforts to restore the hurting people of the world, we are convinced that if a person does not know Jesus as the savior they will never find real purpose and true freedom.
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Less complacency in newness. Excitement, on fire, lacking resources, NEEDING, SEEKGIN, DEPENDING on GOD. That’s what makes planting new churches the most effective evangelism tool today!
Hi Aaron and Nichole – I will be in Joberg on May 2nd – we arrive in the evening and stay for 24 hrs. Send me an e-mail if you would like to have lunch on May 3rd – Lori Kulp zgirl723@msn.com Hope to see you soon!