Church Planting Research Articles

Church Planting in the Secular West: Learning from the European Experience, written by Stefan Paas

Church Planting in the Secular West: Learning from the European Experience, written by Stefan Paas

Church Planting in the Secular West: Lessons from the European Experience, written by Stefan Paas

Church Planting in the Secular West: Lessons from the European Experience, written by Stefan Paas

The centenary of Assemblies of God in South Africa: Historical reflections on theological education and ministry formation

The Assemblies of God (AOG) celebrates its centenary in 2017. The paper aims to show the historical development of theological education and ministerial training and formation in this denomination. It starts by showing how internationally AOG embraced the Bible Institute movement as a way of evangelism, church planting and growth from the early decades of the 20th century after the birth of the Pentecostal Movement. Then there is a South African scenario, lamenting the de-emphasis of the importance of theological education, though there was emphasis on evangelism and missional endeavours on the grassroots. The research unfolds the development of institutions from 1949 to the present. All in all, 10 institutions are identified and briefly explained, some of them with their demise. The article concludes by historical reflections on what was taught and identifies the gaps by suggesting that the Pentecostal curriculum should be relevant to the context of Africa by embracing inclusivity: Hidden Curriculum, Gender Studies, Inculturation and Liberation ideals and renaissance of pneumatology.

Church Planting and the Parish in Durham Diocese, 1970–1990: Church Growth Controversies in Recent Historical Perspective

AbstractThis article unearths the forgotten history of the first modern church planting scheme in the Church of England: an attempt to restructure parish ministry in Chester-le-Street, near Durham, in the 1970s and 1980s. This story of rapid growth followed by decline, and of an evangelical church’s strained relations with their liberal bishop, David Jenkins, has pertinence for contemporary Anglican antagonisms over ‘fresh expressions’ and other church planting programmes. A culture of mistrust is arguably apparent both then and now, between liberals and conservatives in ecclesiology, even as the same line divides those of the reverse tendency in broader, doctrinal theology: conservatives from liberals. Developments, decisions and, indeed, debacles in the story of Chester-le-Street parish point to the urgent need for liberals and conservatives in Anglican ecclesiology and theology to overcome their mistrust of each other by recognizing the other as valuable for the mutual strengthening and renewal of the Church.

한국 교회개척의 현재와 미래에 관한 선교학적 분석: 기독교한국침례회를 중심으로

한국 교회개척의 현재와 미래에 관한 선교학적 분석: 기독교한국침례회를 중심으로

The Apostolic Fathers and Paul eds. by Todd D. Still and David E. White

Reviewed by: The Apostolic Fathers and Paul eds. by Todd D. Still and David E. White Sandy L. Haney todd d. still and david e. white (eds.), The Apostolic Fathers and Paul (Pauline and Patristic Scholars in Debate 2; London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2017). Pp. xxii + 282. $114. As the second volume of the Pauline and Patristics Scholars in Debate series, The Apostolic Fathers and Paul examines the reception of Paul in the Apostolic Fathers. Readers will appreciate the volume's broad understanding of the reception history of Paul and the Pauline tradition. The editors acknowledge the complexity of defining both "reception" and "Pauline" material. The volume gives attention to each text of the Apostolic Fathers, even those without obvious connection to Paul, thus nuancing and expanding the conversation regarding Paul's relation to the corpus of the Apostolic Fathers. Such breadth in content is echoed in the myriad methods and approaches offered by the authors. David L. Eastman ("Paul as Martyr in the Apostolic Fathers") discusses the beginnings of the Pauline cult and particularly the development of the view of Paul as martyr. He addresses the import of this concept for ecclesial authority and its rhetorical weight during times of persecution. Through a comparative analysis in "The Implications of Paul as Epistolatory Author and Church Planter in 1 Clement and Polycarp's Philippians," Paul Hartog explores how both epistles provide insight into Paul's letter-writing ministry as well as his church-planting approach, focusing particular attention on the way Philippians may assist in determining the date of Revelation. [End Page 361] Clayton N. Jeffords ("Missing Pauline Tradition in the Apostolic Fathers? Didache, Shepherd of Hermas, Papias, the Martyrdom of Polycarp, and the Epistle to Diognetus") nuances the ways in which Pauline influence in these works might be determined and defined, probing reasons for possible absences. In "The Absence of Paul in 2 Clement," Paul Foster examines 2 Clement and its supposed Pauline parallels, arguing against any direct dependence on Paul and Pauline writings and attributing the similarities between 2 Clement and Paul to shared Christian traditions. Carlton Paget problematizes the quest for Pauline influence on Barnabas in "Paul and the Epistle of Barnabas," teasing out the various levels of Barnabas's potential "Pauline" knowledge. Reading 1 Clement as an allegorical letter in "The Reception of Paul in 1 Clement," Clare K. Rothschild demonstrates 1 Clement's multifaceted, purposeful use of Paul's 1 Corinthians to address a new situation involving issues of authority and schism. Todd D. Still's short essay on Ignatius and Paul, "Ignatius and Paul on Suffering and Death: A Short, Comparative Study," argues, against Arthur J. Droge, that Paul does not share Ignatius's pathological desire for death. David J. Downs ("The Pauline Concept of Union with Christ in Ignatius of Antioch") analyzes the theme of union with Christ in Ignatius, contending that Ignatius's thoughts share great similarity with Paul's theology, even if direct dependence cannot be proven. Through a sociogeographic perspective in "Paul, Ignatius, and Thirdspace: A Socio-Geographic Exploration," Harry O. Maier compares and contrasts Paul's and Ignatius's creation of Thirdspace, particularly regarding their vision of church. He focuses attention on the way Ignatius employs civic language and imagery in the controversies over ecclesial leadership. Giving attention to social setting in "Neither 'Pure Evangelic Manna' nor 'Tainted Scraps': Reflections on the Study of Pseudo-Ignatius," L. Stephanie Cobb proposes that Pseudo-Ignatius uses the apostolic authority of Paul and Ignatius—particularly Pauline reception through Ignatius—to offer a moderating ethical position in the polarized ascetic environment of fourth-century Antioch. In "Polycarp's Reception of Paul and Rhetorical Structure: Can One Inform the Other?," David E. Wilhite analyzes the potential connections between the rhetorical aims of Polycarp's first letter to the Philippians and Polycarp's use of Pauline materials, particularly in light of Polycarp's use of Johannine, not Pauline, material in his attacks against docetism. Andrew Gregory's "Afterword: Some Reflections on Methods and Approaches," provides a helpful, critical synthesis of the volume's essays, highlighting the relations among the authors' arguments and marking intersections between this work and other recent publications. The volume is...

선교지 예배당 건축에 대한 선교인류학적 이해

선교지 예배당 건축에 대한 선교인류학적 이해

선교지 예배당 건축에 대한 선교인류학적 이해

선교지 예배당 건축에 대한 선교인류학적 이해

A Case Study of Church Growth by Church Planting in Germany: Are They Connected?

It is widely believed that the planting of new churches is a cause of church growth, regardless of culture or context. However, surprisingly little reliable and relevant data are presented to support this claim. In this article recent membership data of the Bund Freier evangelischer Gemeinden (Association of Free Evangelical Congregations) in Germany is explored to examine the relationship between church planting and church growth. The data show that there is indeed a positive correlation, but since there is also a clear correlation between rapid growth and decline, the evidence should be treated with care.

‘Solid Learning … Never an Encumbrance’: C. H. Spurgeon and the Necessity of Theological Education

ABSTRACTMany Christians and churches reject the need for a theologically educated ministry, and have found support for such a position in Spurgeon’s never having trained at a Baptist college, his emphasis on gospel preaching, success as a church planter, and mission work. In fact, many think of Spurgeon predominantly – or even solely – as a preacher and evangelist, overlooking the contribution he made to Christian education through his voluminous literary output, the College that now bears his name, and all the students who have passed through its doors.

Personality Traits of Church Planters in Europe

In this article we present the results of a Big Five personality test among 59 religious entrepreneurs (church planters) in Europe, and we compare these results with (a) a general database, and (b) existing research among secular entrepreneurs. Our study concludes that church planters are significantly more extravert and significantly less neurotic than the general population. Although our research also indicates that church planters are more agreeable and more conscientious than the general population, differences on these items were not significant. As to openness to experience, there was no difference between church planters and the general population. Comparison with research among secular entrepreneurs leads to rather ambiguous results. The only shared trait that can be established with some reliability is that both church planters and secular entrepreneurs are less neurotic than other people.

Common Actions: Participatory Action Research as a Practice for Promoting Positive Social Action among and between New Canadian Church Planters and Denominational Leaders

The Greater Toronto Area remains the major immigrant destination centre in Canada. New Canadians are welcomed but not necessarily well integrated into the lives of churches. Our experience and research has shown that this lack of integration can extend to new Canadians who start churches yet are not integrated with denominations or church planting organizations. The New Canadian Church Planter project is an ongoing participatory action research project that brings together new Canadian church planters and denominational leaders as equals. It engages these groups in conversation to identify issues of concern, facilitate shared learning, and promote positive social action. This paper uses data from that project to explore the effectiveness of participatory action research in facilitating those objectives. The project was effective at breaking down isolation, encouraging limited collaboration, developing localized resource sharing, and in disseminating learning but not at developing positive social action external to the meetings themselves.

Book review: Church Planting in the Secular West: Learning from the European Experience

Book review: Church Planting in the Secular West: Learning from the European Experience

Book Review: Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches from New Believers

Book Review: Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches from New Believers

在韓 중국인 교회 설립과 발전에 관한 역사적 고찰

在韓 중국인 교회 설립과 발전에 관한 역사적 고찰

Die <i>Fresh Expression</i> beweging en die Hervormde Kerk – ’n nuwe manier van kerkwees?

The Fresh Expression movement is well-known in Great Britain and other Western countries like the USA, Australia and lately South Africa. During 2013, a task team launched two pilot courses in Cape Town and George that marked the beginning of Fresh Expressions in South Africa. The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa – NRCA) exposed 125 of her pastors to the Fresh Expression movement by means of the annual continuous theological training program during 2015. Three of the pastors underwent the ‘Train the Trainer’ course and are currently involved in the presentation of courses in the Pretoria region. The Fresh Expression movement hold the possibility for pioneers in church planting to reach the people who have no ties with the established church. By entering a certain context, faith communities are established by means of listening to the people in their context, serving them in a loving way, creating a community, evangelise and discipling them and starting their own unique way of worshipping. The new faith communities are not in competition with the established church but it is rather a question of a mixed economy where different types of church exists alongside each other in mutual respect and support. This study tries to establish basic criteria to distinguish a Fresh Expression from random missional outreaches by a congregation. Two potential Fresh Expressions in the NRCA were evaluated by the set criteria.

Missing in Action: Theological Reflection on the Absence of the Aged, Poor, and Disenfranchised in Contemporary Church Planting Movements

ABSTRACTContemporary church planting in the major cities of the West has been on the ascendancy over the last decade. Numerous homogenous-based expressions of Christian faith have appeared, with many having numeric success. This article seeks to address a blind spot in the world of church planting by providing theological reflection on the shortcomings of the homogenous-based approach to ministry, particularly as it relates to the isolation and oversight of the aged, the poor, and the disenfranchised in the body of Christ. The author seeks to overview the Biblical theology of caring for the marginalized, a critique of contemporary church planting movements' neglect of these people, and some pastoral exhortations on the place of the aged, the poor, and the disenfranchised in contemporary church planting.

제3세계 전(全) 성도의 선교사화를 통한 교회개척 사역과 선교: 2010년 제3차 로잔대회 공식 문서를 중심으로

제3세계 전(全) 성도의 선교사화를 통한 교회개척 사역과 선교: 2010년 제3차 로잔대회 공식 문서를 중심으로

Reconsidering the Role of Music in Worship: A Tale From the Vineyard

In 2002 I was a year into my first full-time job serving as a music minister in a church plant on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. As part of my attempt to keep tabs on the increasing amount of new worsh...

Equipping the deaf Worldwide

Equipping the Deaf Worldwide” describes recent efforts to apply the principles of indigenous church planting to the evangelization and equipping of Deaf people, and the organization of Deaf churches, throughout the world. This article underscores the Deaf as a language group, “oral learners,” bound together by common cultural bonds, capable of sharing the Gospel, planting churches, and developing leaders within the context of deafness. “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world” John 17:18, NIV).