In the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak with several people who have expressed a call to plant churches or at least a strong inclination that this might be what God has for them. However, after recognizing God’s call it is often difficult to know where to start. There are so many resources on church planting that it is difficult to know where to start.
If you are starting out the church planting process or have a strong inclination to do so, we would recommend that you begin by reading three church planting manuals. All three manuals have been invaluable to Sojourn and its leadership. These manuals will provide a rich theology of church planting, as well as practical information about what is involved in planting a church. Most importantly, the manuals will guide you on where to start.
The first recommended manual is The Reedemer Church Planter Manual developed by Tim Keller and J. Allen Thompson at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York. The manual “is an extensive compendium of outlines, lectures, essays, exercises and other materials that prepare learners for church planting especially in an urban setting.” Unlike some manuals which are too general or too context specific, the Redeemer Manual is designed to “equip the reader to think creatively about how to start churches in any context, culture or people group.” The manual is divided into five parts: 1) Owning the Church Planting Vision, 2) Learning and Planning, 3) Launching the Church, 4) Spiritual Renewal Dynamics, and 5) Changing the Fabric of the City.
The second recommended manual is First Steps for Planting a Missional Church by Gary Rohrmayer. Rohrmayer’s manual is a comprehensive workbook for planting a missional church developed out of FirstSteps Seminars on church planting. Robert E. Logan, who wrote the forward to the manual, explains the title of the manual. He states that “The idea of ’steps’ is an important concept, because it is a double entendre. The word evokes both movement and foundation … it explores the idea of moving forward to reproduce churches while being founded and grounded in the glory and mission of God.”
The third recommended manual is actually two manuals available through Global Church Advancement trainings directed by Steve Childers. The first manual is Church Planting Foundations and the second is Church Planting Essentials. At Sojourn, we recommend all church planters who are beginning the process to attend the GCA training. The trainings and manuals guide the church planter through what GCA calls, “the seven seasons of church planting and multiplication.” The first manual covers vision, calling, focus, prayer, learning, philosophy, purpose, values, styles, ministry model, discipleship model, planting model, finance plan, ministry plan, and personal plan.
These three manuals have played important roles in Sojourn’s development. I hope that they may help you as well as you seek to obey God’s call and see the Gospel transform your life, your city, and the world. HT
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