Church Planting Research Articles

‘Are You Really Anglicans?’ Reflections on Church Planting, Innovation and Ecclesiastical Authority in the Church of England

Abstract This paper seeks to grapple with questions of polity and innovation in the Church of England and specifically to explore the place of non-parochial forms of church within this tradition of Anglicanism. The paper begins by outlining recent developments within the Church of England around the ‘mixed ecology’ and church planting, before summarizing Alison Milbank’s recent critique of these changes. Then, building on in example of the Guild Churches Act from London Diocese in the mid-twentieth century, it is argued that within a commitment to Anglican polity there lies a vision for creativity in mission which might sometimes mean the pursuing non-parochial forms of ministry.

<em>Faith Embodied: Glorifying God with our Physical and Spiritual Health</em> by Stephen Ko. Zondervan, 2024

This is a review of the book published by Dr. Stephen Ko in 2024, highlighting certain sections of the book, and is not meant to be exhaustive, but to provide an introduction to certain portions.Ko's book is mean to help healthcare professionals with a deep mature Christian faith appreciate their understanding of the human body and how it is crucial to the link between physical and spiritual health. At the same time, written by a pastor, it is also meant for pastors and church planters who can see this connection.

Public Witness through the Church as the Disciple Community in the Context of Christian Nationalism

In Central and Eastern Europe, some branches of the Church have formed alliances with nationalist politics characterized by fundamentalism and fanaticism. To identify this phenomenon, Czech theologian Tomaš Halik coined the term “f-word pseudoreligion.” Pavol Bargár suggests that such an approach to one’s faith and public witness is one of the most serious challenges the church’s mission in CEE must face. First, the other tends to be viewed as a menace rather than a precious gift. Second, its adherents can fall prey to idealized traditionalism rather than drawing from the treasures of Christian tradition, the gospel itself. After defining Christian nationalism, I will focus on the Visegrád nations: Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. In response to this missional challenge, I argue for public witness through the church as a disciple community. Discipleship as apprenticeship to Jesus does not lie in affiliation to an established church representing a particular national identity. Such idealized traditionalism found in settled religious forms can be called temple spirituality. The apostle Paul did not focus on temple spirituality or church planting; he nurtured disciple communities toward maturity in Christ. While Biblicism, crucicentrism, conversionism, and activism define a certain kind of evangelical piety, the church as a disciple community is both pilgrim and indigenous. When the telos of loving communion with God and neighbor shapes the disciple community’s identity and mission, churches can engage biblical resources and traditions to serve social realities in ways that bring hope, reconciliation, and healing.

A Comparative Study of Paul’s Ministry and some of the Pentecostal Pastors in Ika Land

This study examined a comparative study of Paul's ministry and some of the Pentecostal pastors in Ika Land. Paul who was persecuting the believers was converted on his way to Damascus by Jesus Christ himself, and became a preacher of the gospel and many souls were converted through him. 12 churches were established in the gentile towns and 13 Epistles were written to churches and individuals within the period of 15 years. Paul made Christianity to become a universal religion, as he made the gospel spread like wild fire. Some of the pastors did exploit for God through evangelism Church planting and children ministry, but non did as much as Paul. This study used historical and comparative methods and primary and secondary sources such as interview, books, journals and Bible were used. Paul worked very hard as an individual spreading the gospel in Asian Province, Greece and Europe. Individual pastors did not work up to Paul but collectively they worked more than him, because there are some areas they are working which he did not work.

A Biblical Theology of Church Planting

A Biblical Theology of Church Planting

Model učeništva T4T

In recent years many discipleship models emerged on the Christian global scene. One discipleship model that has garnered attention in theological seminaries, mission organizations, and churches is the T4T discipleship model (Training for Trainers). The T4T discipleship model is a part of Church Planting Movements (CPMs) and Disciple Making Movements (DMMs). This article provides information about the T4T discipleship model - what it is, what it does, and how is it applied. Further, this article considers its strengths and weaknesses regarding the use of it in the Croatian context. This article concludes that the T4T discipleship model is not suitable for use in local churches in Croatia unless there are substantial adaptations to its teaching and practices.

Dan Alger, <i>Word and Sacrament: Ancient Traditions for Modern Church Planting</i>

The book Word and Sacrament: Ancient Traditions for Modern Church Planting by Dan Alger is reviewed.

Power Relations and Breakaway in Pentecostal/Charismatic Denominations in Africa

Abstract Pentecostal denominations are undoubtedly spreading in Africa. While the proliferation of Pentecostal churches appears to be the resultant effect of church planting strategies and the works of the Holy Spirit, it is rather struggles from the power relations that serve as the underlying force behind the spread of these denominations. This is connected to the fact that Pentecostal churches govern themselves and hold real disciplinary powers that result in the subjectification of their adherents as docile bodies. This study therefore aims to analyze the roles as well as effects of the combination of the Spirit’s power and pastoral power that underlie the power relations, and result in the prevalence of breakaway among Pentecostal believers. Employing a literary criticism approach and using secondary data, the findings show that without careful understanding of power relations and openness of Pentecostal pastors to reason in their exercise of technologies of powers, the rising incidence of breakaway among Pentecostal denominations in Africa will undoubtedly continue.

Challenges of church planting in the book of Acts, its implications for contemporary church

Church planting is an essential instrument in God’s hand to redeem humanity through the power of the gospel. Several church planters and locations have utilised several church planting methods at different eras. The aim of this article is to find out how it was done during the apostolic period and its significance to the body of Christ. The historical-analytical method was used to discover the scriptural foundations of church planting, patterns of church planting in the book of Acts, the challenges accompanying the pattern and its implications for the contemporary church.Contribution: Therefore, the researcher believes that all Christian missionaries, missions agencies, church planters, missiologists and pastors will have a better understanding of how best to go about the business of Church planting in contemporary times as the article concludes that the church planting pattern in the book of Acts is fundamental and strategic in propagating the gospel in the world today.

Leaps in the womb of Asia: Transformative intercultural discipleship in a sacred space

The 21st century is marked by the explosive growth of Christianity in the Global South. While discipleship is identified as the key to success in the missional movement in the western church, it has been inherently embodied in the indigenous church movement in Asia in the endeavor of evangelism and mission. In addition to the traditional gospel proclamation through church planting strategies, spiritual companionship, a ministry of accompanying someone in a sacred space through deep listening and discernment, has been gradually recognized as an effective one-on-one discipleship in recent years among groups who are receptive to the untamed movement of the Spirit. Using the metaphor of a pregnant mother carrying a baby and experiencing leaps in the womb (Lk 1:41), this article traces the engagement of intercultural discipleship through listening to the sacred stories of several mission leaders in Asia. Following the transformative narratives of their divine encounters, it discerns three key movements of the Spirit, metaphorically speaking, the “leaps” in the womb: listening with trust; turning with symbols; and kicking with expectation. Drawing from the works of anthropologists, theologians, and missiologists, it interacts the contemporary Asian experience with ancient Confucian texts and the Christian Scriptures, nuancing the traditional understanding of intercultural discipleship and evangelism. It aims to show that prophetic spiritual companionship is an integral part of discipleship and evangelism, therefore indispensable to the indigenous church mission movement. It is hoped that it also provides an impetus and resources for teaching and practice of the global church in its endeavor to revitalize faith in a post-Christendom and post-secular world.

Language Changes and the Evolution of Christian Doctrines in Cameroon

This article examines how the world through Cameroon is experiencing rapid changes in the sphere of Christianity and how language is responding to such changes. Language is a tool of communication that enables societal realities to be effected. New doctrines, practices and ideologies conceived by denomination and church planters are advocated via meaningful words and expressions, including absolute adjectives in church names, songs, crusade and sermon themes, to communicate the intended information to participants. Preachers use words and expressions that are captivating enough to appeal to the senses of their followers and potential followers. They use words and expressions that purport to unveil the quality, objectives and mission statements of their churches in an attempt to attract members. Most of the names insinuate miraculous and deliverance practices that seem to meet the needs of potential followers, but the issue is that if the language of persuasion does not meet the needs of the converts at the end of the day, language use will be volatile as converts will subsequently backslide.

Book Review: Church Planters: Inside the World of Religion Entrepreneurs by Richard N. Pitt

Book Review: <i>Church Planters: Inside the World of Religion Entrepreneurs</i> by Richard N. Pitt

Developing Pentecostal church planting pedagogy that responds to social need and ecological crisis

ABSTRACT Assemblies of God (AOGGB) have consistently sought to respond to a fallen humanity which left to itself faces the fire of eschatological demise. AOG has been in the process of helping its churches to recapture their vision for church planting in order to help non-Christian peoples discover a Christian faith. A theology of the inbreaking of a new heaven and a new earth, as the goal of the church’s mission, is central to a missional ecclesiology based on the Missio Dei. AOG has rebranded its college as, ‘Missio Dei Leadership and Theological College’. It is seeking to equip leaders and churches for church planting and discipleship formation. This article makes a case for the development of church planting education programmes that can equip believers to bring hope to a world in need of God’s coming new creation. The body of Christ needs to represent the coming new creation by the way it seeks to participate in the Spirit of Christ’s healing presence in the midst of a fallen and compromised cosmos.

An IMB Trustee’s Perspective on Recent Events in South Asia

Recent explosive growth in evangelism and church planting in India resulted in an official inquiry by Trustees of the IMB. This article gives one of the Trustee's evaluations, and argues that toxic elements of CPMs were not found in this recent growth, but that Trustees should be vigilant against them and reject a false dichotomy between speed of evangelism and depth of discipleship.

Challenges of Church Planting in the Book of Acts, its implications for Contemporary Church

Challenges of Church Planting in the Book of Acts, its implications for Contemporary Church

What’s in a Name? An Examination of Current Definitions of Resource Churches

AbstractThis article is the first in a trilogy exploring the concept of resource churches, providing a starting point to develop a comprehensive understanding of their implications for the Church of England. The scene is set by introducing the impact of this recent model of church planting, which has become widespread since the ambitious programme of church development in London in the 1990s. This opening piece examines understanding of what constitutes a resource church and identifies flaws in the existing definition. The existence of resource churches as a distinct model is demonstrated by comparison to concepts of hub churches, megachurches, minster churches and resourcing churches. The need to discuss such distinctions provides evidence that an unambiguous definition for ‘resource church’ is needed. Evaluation of the five core elements in Bishop Ric Thorpe’s definition of resource churches establishes the need for research to determine beliefs and practices of current resource churches.

SEJARAH DAN PROFIL GEREJA KELUARGA TABGHA ALMA JAYA MALAYSIA

This study aims to describe the history and profile of the Tabgha Family Church Alma Jaya in Malaysia, the background before starting church planting in Malaysia, building partnerships with local churches until the formation of the Tabgha Family Church Alma Jaya. The method used in this study is a qualitative approach, using the snowball technique with heuristic steps through observation, interviews, study of documents and determination of informants, data analysis, field observations, interviews with witnesses and historical actors, and focus group discussions. Data analysis by interpreting documents and information obtained in the field. Interpretation and discussion in the form of a description. The results of the data analysis show that the early entry of the Tabgha Family Church was born from a vision received by Pdt. Hanny Andries during a prayer and fasting movement for two years, from 1998 to 2000, the entry and development of the Tabgha Alma Jaya Family Church applied the model of cooperation with the local church with the characteristic of building friendship. The pattern of approach that stands out in outreach is to make the congregation feel at home and part of the family. The characteristics of the ministry of the Tabgha Alma Jaya Family Church are Prayer Strengthening, Worship Praise and the development of cell groups and the empowerment of the lay congregation.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation- A Case Study

Knowledges pirals a sequence of effects that influences reasoning and reinforces one’s ability to handle the complexities of day-to-day occurrences, thus positively or negatively affecting attitudes. Consequently, practices are developed. In most cases, attitude characterises a conceptual status towards an external stimulus that emotionally impacts practices. The declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation established the hegemony of Christianity and reinforced ecclesiastical activities which included engaging the nation in prayers and proclamation of the Christocentric Gospel. This study aimed to assess how knowledge, attitudes and practices following the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation. A cross-sectional dual research approach was applied to collect data. A total of 384 (189 females and 195 males) individuals and 15 FGD were interviewed. Our results showed that 53.39% (205/384) indicated that Church planting, prayers, and Christian rites of passage were prevalent. The study also showed that 12.50% (48/384) performed Christian rites which included criminals. While 30.21% (116/384)stated that the declaration did not affect them in any way, 3.91% (15/384) thought the declaration divided the Church into denominational lines. It was conclusively suggested that activities which ensued from the declaration enhanced the conception of biblical awareness. As a result, knowledge affected attitudes and practices among Zambians.

The Glocalization of Methodist Christianity in Colonial Korea

AbstractModern Protestant missions were launched in East Asia based on previous experiences in South and Southeast Asia. Regional nations, including Japan and China, encountered the Christian movement within the context of the global phenomena of colonialism and imperialism in the 18th and 19th centuries. While Joseon Korea had not been fully known among outsiders, the US Methodist Church, along with the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, did send pioneers in 1884. What, then, was the influence of the Methodists’ work? Who was Victor W. Peters (1902–2012)? Why was he unique compared to his other colleagues? What was his cultural philosophy in colonial Korea (1920s–1940s)? This article explores these questions through the historical records of the Christian mission to establish the Korean Methodist Church, focusing especially on the principles that Peters applied. The article argues that, unlike other Americans, Peters endeavoured to promote the indigenization of Western religion through his personal experience of entering a cross‐cultural marriage with a Korean woman. The philosophy of regionalism, in terms of a “soft power,” is likewise demonstrated by Peters’ Korean lifestyle – living in a hanok (Korean house), wearing hanbok (traditional Korean dress), eating hansik (Korean food), and speaking Hangul (Korean) – while he voluntarily involved himself in church planting and advocating for Simeon Lee Yongdo (1901–33).

Orality Reality: Implications for Theological Education in Romania and Beyond

Orality, generally defined as the preference for the spoken over the written word, is an academic discipline that has only recently received attention from the missiological community. The reality of widespread oral preference, also known as “secondary orality,” is no less true in Europe. In this article, the author focuses on the Romanian context. Using qualitative research gleaned from interviews with nine university-educated Romanians, patterns are developed that display how “secondary oral learners” choose to learn and retain new information. Specific attention is given to theologically-related material. Six implications for theological education are advanced in the areas of (1) hermeneutics, (2) preaching, (3) evangelism, (4) discipleship, (5) church planting, and (6) leadership development. Paths forward for ministry in oral preference cultures like Romania are developed. The author concludes that the implementation of such suggestions could lead to more holistic ministry and is potentially transferrable to similar contexts.