EM026-712 – Church Planting

12 Credit Points (CPS)

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Functional knowledge and understanding of church planting.

B. Be able to

1. Critically Analyse the principles and practices of church planting

2. Evaluate models of, and the Foundational steps in, church planting

3. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on church planting

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives and skills from ‘Church Planting’ to ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Section A: Principles

1. Biblical perspectives on Church Planting:
   1. Church planting and the teaching and example of Christ;
   2. Theology of church;
   3. New Testament approaches to church planting.
2. Personnel issues in church planting:
   1. Personal factors: spiritual life, personality, call, aptitude, leadership styles, relational skills and philosophies of ministry;
   2. Selection and preparation of teams for church planting.
3. Alternative models of church planting (eg sodality, modality, migration): strengths and dangers; suitability for particular situations (urban, rural, tribal peoples etc).
4. Strategies for church planting at regional level: multiplying local churches or developing a central church; church planting movements.

Section B: Practice

1. Feasibility studies: gathering and interpreting relevant data; defining a people group, measuring receptivity; issues in location for ministry, transport, psycho-socio-cultural factors.
2. Stages in Church Planting:
   1. Initial contacts; initial evangelism; name; home meetings; first services;
   2. Embryonic stage: charter statement; building issues; structures, government, leadership;
   3. Maturity: becoming autonomous; church reproduction; second-generation believers.
3. Case studies in various church planting models used in different cultural settings.