Where can we learn Church Planting Principles?
PRINCPLES IN CHURCH PLANTING
LESSON ONE: PRINCIPLE OF SENDING
PROGRAM TO WIN THE WORLD. The field is the world, so Jesus must have a program to win the world! He started in Israel, with one eye to reach the whole world, by concentrating on a FEW MEN, the APOSTLES. He POURED OUT His life on these few, TRAINED and EMPOWERED them, and SENT them to the field as apostles. They will stand on the cutting edge of kingdom invasion and expansion. Here are some of the aspects of that program:
1. THE ORIGINAL TWELVE:
A. SELECTION LUK.6:13. People were GOD'S methods. Jesus called them to follow Him. He prepared them to continue the work the Father committed to Him. He chose them; they were not volunteers. Training qualifications are: willingness to learn, teachable, honest, sincere, pliable, willing to confess their need to Him. They were unlearned and ignorant men by the world's standard (Acts 4:13). They were busy men, involved in active secular work when he called them. The Teacher's plan is to multiply Himself through these men who will lead others. Everything done with the few is for the salvation of the multitude, MAT 28:19-20.
B. ASSOCIATION MAR 3:14 He stayed with them: He was the school and the lesson, if they stay close to Him they will know. He is the Teacher and the Lord, JOH 13:13, to give INSTRUCTIONS and COMMANDS.
The Teacher aims for transference of His life to believers. He demonstrated life to them. He gave them more time, not less. He got alone with them (JOH 11:54), to pray and share with them. He told them the clear purpose for staying with Him from the beginning: to be His witnesses, JOH 15:26. He cared for them as a Personal Guardian (Comforter) so later they will know how to care for others.
C. CONSECRATION - MAT 11:29 Obedience was required; they have to be loyal to Him for their own safety, LUK 6:46-49. They have to walk the way of the cross: self-denial, joyful acceptance of the cross and uncompromised submission and obedience to Him MAT 16:24-26 The rest of the crowd thought this was hard teaching, JOH 6:60, 66. They must count the cost, MAT 18:19-20, LUK.9: 57-58 Only few would pay the price, JOH 6:67-69. Their obedience will be the proof of their love, JOH 14:15, 21-24. This was clearly demonstrated by Jesus, JOH 4:34, 5:30, LUK 22:42. Nobody should do as he pleases.
D. DEMONSTRATION JOH 13:15 He showed them how to live, how to pray, how to use Scriptures, how to minister to the needy. He demonstrated a servant attitude, showed them how to handle problems, testings, sufferings, and even how to face death, 1PE 2:21-23.
E. DELEGATION: MAT 28:19-20 He assigned them work as "Fishers of men" He sent them, MAR 6:7. He gave them their goal and method. Mission was not left to human impressions or convenience. It was a mandatory mission. It was an urgent mission.
F. IMPARTATION JOH 20:22 He gave them credential and power for ministry, MAT 10:8. He gave them the authority of His Name - to preach, to teach, to heal, to cast out demons and even to raise the dead. He baptized them with the Holy Spirit for enduement of power, ACT 1:8, 2:4. They have to wait for this supernatural enablement before they go out to the world, LUK 24:48-49. Later it became an apostolic practice of laying on of hands an endorsement and impartation of a gift, 1TI 4:14.
G. SUPERVISION LUK 10:17-22 He checked on them. They reported to Him. He corrected them, rebuked them and challenged them. He checked their attitudes and ideas. There was a continuous review of lessons and application. MAT 17:16-21.. REPRODUCTION JOH 15:16 He expected them to reproduce, JOH 17: 20-23. They are to make disciples, baptize them and teach them to obey what Jesus has commanded, MAT 28:19-20. They have to concentrate on maturing, reproducing, and conserving of believers.
LESSONS: 1] Emphasis on Men as God's Primary method. 2] There is power in quality training of men for service. 3] One can do plenty by concentrating on a few productive men.
II. THE OTHER APOSTLES
Besides the Twelve, there were other apostles (Sent-Ones). They were God's workmen sent out. They are not primarily men of special gifts; they are men of special commission. Today they are referred to as "missionaries", but the rightful term should be "apostles."
1CO 15:5-7 Apart from the twelve there was other apostles.
1CO 4:9 "us the apostles," could refer to Paul, Sosthenes and Apollos
ROM 16:7 Among the apostles, they are the notable ones.
1TH 2:6 Paul, Silas and Timothy (1:1). Paul's young workers, apostles
1CO 15:8-9 Paul did not say he is the last, but the least.A. EXPANSION MINISTRY. ACT 13:2, 14:4
- Sent of God to exercise gifts of ministry in different unreached places. Dedicated to establishing churches according apostolic truth and purity.
- They manifest extra-ordinary leadership and power to confront directly the powers of darkness and to confirm the gospel with miracles.
- They gather converts into local assemblies (ecclesia), appoint church leadership [Pastors, Elders, Bishops, Deacons, etc.], bring along and train future workers.
B. CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES.
- Confirmed and supported by the church definitely to establish new congregations in other areas, ACT 13:2-3. SPIRIT-CALLED, CHURCH-COMMISSIONED: The Holy Spirit designates them, the church recognizes them.
- Commissioned representative of the church sent to do special task, 2CO 8:23.
C. EQUIPPING MINISTER. EPH 4:11-16
- One of His ascension gifts to the Church, assuring the organic character of the church as a Body, where Christ is the Head and each believer a ministering part of the Body. To prepare the saints for work of service in an established church.
- They are given a desire to maintain the church purity and its separation from sin and the world. They are to ensure that these churches are founded on, or restored to, sincere devotion to Christ and NT faith, JOH 21:15-17 1CO 12:28 2CO 11:2-3 PHI 1:17
- They also have a continuing burden to proclaim the NT GOSPEL and to defend it against heresy and false teachers.