PRINCPLES IN CHURCH PLANTING
LESSON THREE: PRINCIPLE OF HARVEST
PURPOSE OF MISSIONS WORK: We use "work" to refer to a new concentration of ministry and gospel work for the purpose of planting a church.
I. THEOLOGY OF MISSION: That all of mission FUNCTION should aim at the planting of a church.
A. "Search Theology" says that all God asks of us is to proclaim the Gospel; if people reject it that is their responsibility. But this is inadequate "theology" because the Method (searching) becomes the Purpose itself, an end in itself! And it is just a partial fulfillment of the Great Commission! MAT 28:19-20. To leave the results to chance or to God sounds beautiful but not faithful to God's command!
B. "Harvest Theology" says that the search and the planting are only means to an end - the restoration of that which was lost, the harvest from the seed which was sown, and bringing them to the barn! It does not leave the results to chance or to God. The result is established as a CHURCH in the community!
Our preaching and other efforts must be geared to God's purpose as our priority. Failure to accept God's purpose as our priority will hinder us! Every activity must be geared towards the essential TASK: that is of PLANTING NEW CHURCHES!
God's Purpose in Searching: LUK 15 Not one of these parables ends simply in searching, but in the joy of finding what was lost! The search is essential, but the priority of purpose behind it is to find the lost and bring them home to God. AVOID EXTREMES: Churchless missions and missionless church.
II. CHURCH PLANTING CYCLE
Let us understand missions as a CYCLICAL task, aimed at the planting of churches
at every turn, and continuing on until Jesus comes. It is not a LINEAR concept.
The planting of a church begins as an END, then the new church will become the
MEANS to plant others.
A. THE CONVERSION. The primary mission is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and gather [organize] believers into local churches where they can be BUILT UP in the faith and MADE EFFECTIVE in service.
B. THE CONGREGATION. Not just to bring new converts but also to plant new congregations in the world. Not just to plant a church but to grow a church.
C. THE COMMISSION. Not just to grow a church as an end but a church as a means. OUR GOAL is a church-planting church. Our Task is accomplished when
- The WORKERS were SENT,
- The GOSPEL was PREACHED,
- The PEOPLE were CONVERTED,
- And CHURCHES were ESTABLISHED.
- These churches REPEAT the cycle.