The world is in desperate need of Jesus Christ. People need to know about Him, and also to experience His love from others who already know Him!
Do you want to help others experience this abundant life?
Jesus is looking for men and women who are willing to spread His message and help Him in His building of His church. He can use YOU!
What do you need to do?
First, listen to Jesus. Is He calling you to help Him in this task? You are at least called to help make disciples where you are living right now. Just follow the principles and practices as outlined in this website, and go for it!
Second, try to find others who have the same calling from Jesus. Pray, and be amazed at how Jesus will connect you with others. Just start telling others your desire, and over time you will realize how Jesus has gathered all the necessary people you need to accomplish His work in the place and time where He wants you to do it! (Click here for more background information on how to begin planting a church in the area God is calling you to. You may also wish to read material by Alan Hirsch on the "Forgotten Ways" - Jesus is Lord is the core principle, and then around it are five others: Missional Incarnational Impulse, Apostolic Leadership, Disciple Making, Organic Systems, Communitas not Community. For more information, visit the DawnEurope website. You may also wish to contact Dynamic Network Europe, an exciting mentoring team for chuch planting, which has been experiencing great breakthroughs in Switzerland! Their material and seminars on "Church Planting from A - Z" is fantastic. Here is one example slide from their material that shows the "Gemeinde Gruendung Kreislauf" (Church Plant Cycle).)
Experience has shown that a great "church planting team" could cover the following roles:
Six Step element New birth Identity in Christ Christian Community
Daily Life God's Way
Role Evangelist + wife Counsellor + wife Senior pastor + wife 0-4's: Infant ministry co-ordinator 5-11's: Children's ministry co-ordinator 12-14's: Junior Youth leader + wife 15-17's: Youth pastor + wife Celebration: Worship leader + wife Music team Seniors: Husband + wife Men of Integrity: Husband Women of Honour: Wife Bible teacher + wife Prophet / Intercessor + wife Developer + wife Environmentalist + wife Family man + wife Politician + wife Convert from other religion + wife
A church planting team does not need to have all the above roles filled at the outset! Jesus knows which people He is sending you to, and what gifts and roles are necessary at the outset to accomplish His work! But note that roles such as Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher (Ephesians 4) will most probably be what the Lord raises up in the establishing of a new Christian Community. Also, be open for God to do the miraculous in the name of Jesus through you! The early church was characterised by this - why not the church today?!
Third, understand all the material in this website as it relates to your situation, and then go for it! Go in the authority of Jesus! And persevere! It may require at least 5-10 years for a new Christian community to be established in the Western world. New Tribes Mission calculates 25 years for a church to be established in regions of the world which have never been exposed to the Christian Gospel.
You may be interested in reading actual accounts from a "Church Planting Cycle" in Australia here.
Other great resource material for church planting can be found at the following websites: DAWN Ministries The Alliance for Saturation Church Planting
Has Jesus called you? Are you faithful to Him? Are you committed to persevering, no matter what the cost? Praise God!
But remember, the heart of "church" is spiritual family - being part of the family of God! You may wish to start by focussing on your own human family and friendship networks - these groups, when they have Jesus as their Lord, are the essential cells for a vibrant, functioning Christian community in an area!
We are here to help you!
If you would like more information, or further help, please contact us at: info@ifcc.tk
Our "six step" discipleship material in booklet form, leader's manual, plus more is freely available for download at Life Puzzle Ministries
It is our understanding that for a church plant to be successful and able to multiply, it needs to be based around and built upon a strategic discipleship plan. Read here for our clear introduction into Strategic Discipleship:
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Read here for information on our kickstart intensive discipleship program: "28 days to change your world". A practical and radical way to start a new church in an area, or help revive your own! ONLINE NOW!!
More information helpful for church planting and church growth:
Mark Driscoll discusses Church Planting, Innovation, and Male Leadership:
