Theology of Church Planting
Biblical Foundation
book. A local church is a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ committed to gathering regularly for biblical purposes under a recognized spiritual leadership
A local church is a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ committed to gathering regularly for biblical purposes under a recognized spiritual leadership
Luther spoke of the right preaching of the Word (doctrine) and faithful administration of the sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper) as the two essential marks. Reformed churches added the exercise of church discipline. Free churches emphasized the personal regeneration and piety of their members.4
• Believers. The church is composed of persons who have experienced salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ according to the gospel and confessed in baptism. They desire to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, regenerated and enabled by the Holy Spirit. They are the new people of God.
• Gathering. These believers are committed to meeting together regularly to serve God and one another.6 They are the family of God. As a missionary people, they gather in preparation to be sent as agents of God’s mission in the world.
• Purpose. Their fellowship gathers to fulfill biblical purposes that include prayer, worship, evangelism, instruction, edification, service, celebration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, exercise of church discipline, and the sending of missionaries. They embody values of the kingdom of God.
• Leadership. They submit to recognized spiritual leaders. Leaders provide a minimal form of structure under Christ’s headship. In a spirit of servanthood they give direction, spiritual oversight, and care, teaching and equipping the body of believers.
Church planting is that ministry which through evangelism and discipleship establishes reproducing kingdom communities of believers in Jesus Christ who are committed to fulfilling biblical purposes under local spiritual leaders.
Believers. The church is composed of persons who have experienced salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ according to the gospel and confessed in baptism. They desire to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, regenerated and enabled by the Holy Spirit. They are the new people of God.
• Gathering. These believers are committed to meeting together regularly to serve God and one another.6 They are the family of God. As a missionary people, they gather in preparation to be sent as agents of God’s mission in the world.
• Purpose. Their fellowship gathers to fulfill biblical purposes that include prayer, worship, evangelism, instruction, edification, service, celebration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, exercise of church discipline, and the sending of missionaries. They embody values of the kingdom of God.
• Leadership. They submit to recognized spiritual leaders. Leaders provide a minimal form of structure under Christ’s headship. In a spirit of servanthood they give direction, spiritual oversight, and care, teaching and equipping the body of believers.
• Believers. The church is composed of persons who have experienced salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ according to the gospel and confessed in baptism. They desire to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, regenerated and enabled by the Holy Spirit. They are the new people of God.
• Gathering. These believers are committed to meeting together regularly to serve God and one another.6 They are the family of God. As a missionary people, they gather in preparation to be sent as agents of God’s mission in the world.
• Purpose. Their fellowship gathers to fulfill biblical purposes that include prayer, worship, evangelism, instruction, edification, service, celebration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, exercise of church discipline, and the sending of missionaries. They embody values of the kingdom of God.
• Leadership. They submit to recognized spiritual leaders. Leaders provide a minimal form of structure under Christ’s headship. In a spirit of servanthood they give direction, spiritual oversight, and care, teaching and equipping the body of believers.
The Reasons for Church Planting
Church planting is more than a practical necessity. It is a biblical mandate
Christ Loves the Church and Desires to Build His Church
Practical Reasons for Church Planting
church plants that in turn planted a daughter church within the first three years of their establishment grew faster on average than churches that did not plant a daughter church.12
Survival rates have been demonstrated to increase when the church planter is assessed and various support systems are provided. A
There is growing statistical evidence that new churches, generally speaking, not only grow faster than established churches but also grow more through evangelism. Studies in North America demonstrate that baptisms per hundred members can be four times higher in new churches than in older churches
New believers receive more personal attention. As a church grows and becomes established, more energy is usually devoted to meeting the needs of the members and less on outreach.
Church plants are often more flexible in their methods