Church Planting Movements

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The following article is from the introduction to David Garrison’s book Church Planting Movements. Garrison is one of the world’s leading experts on church planting movements. 

So, what is a Church Planting Movement? A simple, concise definition of a Church Planting Movement (CPM) is a rapid and multiplicative increase of indigenous churches planting churches within a given people group or population segment.

There are several key components to this definition. The first is rapid. As a movement, a Church Planting Movement occurs with rapid increases in new church starts. Saturation church planting over decades and even centuries is good, but doesn’t qualify as a Church Planting Movement.

Secondly, there is an multiplicative increase. This means that the increase in churches is not simply incremental growth—adding a few churches every year or so. Instead, it compounds with two churches become four, and four churches become eight to ten, and so forth. Multiplicative growth is only possible when new churches are being started by the churches themselves–rather than by professional church planters or missionaries.

Finally, they are indigenous churches. This means they are generated from within rather than from without. This is not to say that the gospel is able to spring up intuitively within a people group. The gospel always enters a people group from the outside; this is the task of the missionary. However, in a Church Planting Movement the momentum quickly becomes indigenous so that the initiative and drive of the movement comes from within the people group rather than from outsiders.

If this definition isn’t enough, we might also clarify what a Church Planting Movement is not. A Church Planting Movement is more than “evangelism that results in churches.” Evangelism that results in churches is a part of a Church Planting Movement, but the“end-vision” is less extensive. A church planter might satisfy himself with the goal of planting a single church or even a handful of churches, but fail to see that it will take a movement of churches planting churches to reach an entire nation of people.

A Church Planting Movement is a rapid and multiplicative increase of indigenous churches planting churches within a given people group or population segment.

A Church Planting Movement is also more than a revival of pre-existing churches. Revivals are highly desirable, but they’re not Church Planting Movements. Evangelistic crusades and witnessing programs may lead thousands to Christ, and that’s wonderful, but it isn’t the same as a Church Planting Movement. Church Planting Movements feature churches rapidly reproducing themselves.

Perhaps the closest thing to a Church Planting Movement, that still is not a Church Planting Movement, is when local church planters are trained and deployed to plant multiple churches among their own people. This is a highly productive method of spreading churches across a population segment or people group, but the momentum remains in the hands of a limited group of professional church planters rather than in the heart of each new church that is begun.

Finally, a Church Planting Movement is not an end in itself. The end of all of our efforts is for God to be glorified. This occurs whenever individuals enter into right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. As they do, they are incorporated into churches which enable them to continue to grow in grace with other like-minded believers. Any time people come to new life in Jesus Christ, God is glorified. Any time a church is planted— no matter who does it—there are grounds for celebration.

So why is a Church Planting Movement so special? Because it seems to hold forth the greatest potential for the largest number of lost individuals glorifying God by coming into new life in Christ and entering into communities of faith.

However, a Church Planting Movement is not simply an increase in the number of churches, even though this also is positive. A Church Planting Movement occurs when the vision of churches planting churches spreads from the missionary and professional church planter into the churches themselves, so that by their very nature they are winning the lost and reproducing themselves.

Let’s review some key points. Missionaries are capable church planters, but will always be limited in number. Local church planters hold more promise, simply because there is a larger pool of them available. Church Planting Movements hold an even greater potential, because the act of church planting is being done by the churches themselves, leading to the greatest possible number of new church starts.

How to Beat Pastoral Burnout

How to Beat Pastoral Burnout By Rick Warren

Ministry is a marathon – not a 50-yard dash. It’s tough. You’re in an invisible war where all kinds of forces are conspiring to keep you from doing what God wants you to do.

A few years back I made a list of young pastors in America that I needed to be praying for – like others had prayed for me when I was young. Today, more than half of the young pastors on that list are no longer in ministry—either they had financial problems, marital problems, or just got tired and gave up.

Pastor, we need for you to last in ministry.

The story of Elijah’s ministry burnout in Kings 19 gives us some great insights into how the cause and cures of our own burnout.

No doubt you’re familiar with the story. Elijah had challenged the 400 prophets of Baal to prove who was real: Baal or God. And, of course, God won the contest! Everyone in the nation turned back to God.

You’d think Elijah would be on a high after that. But he wasn’t. Ministry successes can drain you just as fast as ministry failures. When Queen Jezebel heard about what happened, she threatened Elijah’s life. Rather than being emboldened by this great ministry success and the revival of the nation, Elijah got so scared he ran to the other side of the desert, hid in a cave and asked God to kill him.

Elijah’s story gives us four signs of ministry burnout.

1 – We depreciate our worth. “Take my life for I’m not better than my fathers.” (I Kings 19:4, HCSB) Like Elijah, when we start telling ourselves we have no value, it’s a sign we’re burned out. Notice how Elijah compares himself with others. When you start comparing your accomplishments, your talents, or even your pain or problems with others, you’re headed down the wrong road.

You are your own worst critic. If you talked to other people in the same way you talk to yourself, you wouldn’t have any friends.

2 – We underrate our ministry. “Lord God Almighty, I have always served you—you alone. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed all your prophets. I am the only one left—and they are trying to kill me!” (1 Kings 19:10, NIV) Elijah starts berating himself for things that aren’t his fault. The nation of Israel was crumbling around him, and Elijah took it personally.

Trying to control everything – as if you’re holding your church together by yourself – will have disastrous results. Truth is, it’s not up to you to make the world work. God never intended for you to carry that kind of burden. You’re not responsible for anyone else’s response. You’re responsible for proclaiming the truth and leading people the best you can – but not the responses of others. You are only responsible for your own response. You’re responsible to teach God’s truth but not what they do with it.

3 – We exaggerate our problems. “I am the only one left—and they are trying to kill me!” 1 Kings 19:10. NIV) Elijah said he was the only one left trying to do what was right, but that just wasn’t true. The nation had just experienced a revival, but Elijah’s view was distorted.

Never make a major decision when you’re depressed, discouraged or tired. It’ll be the wrong decision! When you’re on empty, you inevitably don’t have a clear view of reality. Elijah was so drained from being in the midst of a spiritual high that he couldn’t see the situation clearly. The whole nation wasn’t against him. It was one woman who made an empty promise!

Dig into God’s Word. You can’t focus on your emotions. The Bible doesn’t say that your emotions will set you free. It says the Truth will set you free. The more you know the truth, the freer you will be.

4 – We abdicate our dreams. “’I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘ Take my life.’” (1 Kings 19:4) When you get depleted of energy, you start shrinking your dreams to the size of your remaining energy. You lose your vision and forfeit your goals. This is the most destructive sign of burnout because when you lose your dreams, you lose hope. You want to give up.

Don’t you dare give up. Don’t give up on your family, on your church, on your dream or on your life.

Fortunately, the Bible doesn’t just tell us the causes of burnout. It tells us the cures as well! To get out of burnout and back on the road to recovery, you need to do the four things that Elijah did in this story.

Recharge. (1 Kings 19:5-8) God’s first prescription for Elijah’s burnout isn’t a sermon, confession or a lecture. He lets him eat and sleep. You need this, too. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap. Vince Lombardi once said, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” You need a day off. In fact, if you’re not taking a day off every week, you’re breaking one of the 10 commandments.

Release your frustrations. (1 Kings 19: 9-19) God can handle your frustrations. When you take it to other people, that’s gossip. When you take it to God, that’s worship. Complaining to God can be an act of worship because you’re telling God you trust Him with your feelings. Twice during this passage God encourages Elijah to tell Him what’s on his heart. God isn’t shocked when you complain. If you’re feeling down and depressed, tell it to God. It also helps to tell at least one other person. You need a spiritual confidant or a small group where you can unload.

Refocus on God. (1 Kings 19:11) Get your eyes off of your problem and onto God. Get alone with Him. God loved Elijah so much he sent a multi-media presentation to Him. He sent a hurricane wind, an earthquake, and a firestorm – until God finally spoke through a soft whisper. God showed his power and lets him know that He is in control. You need to relax. The root of all of your burnout is trying to be God. Whenever I start getting burned out, I get alone with God and focus on Him instead of my problems.

Resume serving others. (1 Kings 19:15-16) God gave Elijah a new assignment. He wasn’t done with him. And He isn’t done with you either. You’ve got to start thinking of someone other than yourself. The quickest way to defeat depression is to get involved in helping other people.

Some days you may not feel like getting out of bed. If you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, follow these steps. This is God’s recovery plan.

Schedule for the Remissioning Conference

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We are excited about the upcoming Remissioning the Church Conference on August 28-29th at All Saints Church in Pawleys Island, South Carolina! 

It will be a dynamic two day event that is designed to help clergy, church planters, and lay leaders discover and fulfill God’s mission for the local church. Day one will focus on remissioning and day two will focus on church planting. The plenary addresses and workshops will explore a variety of issues relating to the mission of the church such as: discipleship, leadership development, outreach, and mission. 

Here is a list of speakers, plenary talks, and workshops. 

1-2 p.m. “What is Remissioning and why we need it?” Canon Winfield Bevins, Kardia

2-3 p.m. “Churches Can Change” Bishop Steve Wood, Diocese of the Carolinas

3-4 p.m. Panel Discussion on Remissioning 

4-5 p.m. Workshops:

  1. “Developing Small Groups” Rev. Todd Simonis, City Church 
  2. “Discipleship and Leaders” Canon Ron Jackson, Diocese of the Great Lakes
  3. “Outreach and Mission” Rev. Ron Grieser, Church of the Resurrection 
  4. “Leading Your Church Through Conflict” Rev. Rob Grafe, All Saints Church

5 p.m. Dinner on Your Own and Time for Networking 

7p.m. “Leading Your Church on Mission” Rev. Scott McLucas, Orchard Hills Church 

Intercessory Prayer Offered

Day 2 Friday (Church Planting) 

8-9 a.m. Breakfast and Church Planting Roundtable 

9-10 a.m. Workshops: 

  1. “Raising and Handling Funds” Rev. Hamilton Smith, St. Timothy Church 
  2. “Building a Core Group” Rev. Josh Yerton, Restoration Church 
  3. “Developing a Strategic Plan” Rev. Rob Sturdy, Ridley Institute 
  4. “Gospel Renewal and Mission” John Hall, Kardia Team 

10-11 a.m. “The Vision for Church Planting” Rev.  Jeff Shipman, Mission Carolinas 

11-12 a.m. “The Church Planter’s Personal Life”- Rev. Will Plitt, Mission Carolinas 

12 p.m. Close and Intercessory Prayer Offered

1-5 p.m. “Church Planting Intensive Training” Canon Dan Alger, Diocese of the South

To find out more information and to register please visit the event page at http://www.kardiaanglican.com/events.