How to Plant a Church?
The Church Planting Manual of Open Kingdom Church Planting Network
Introduction
This manual is a suggested manual for church planting in Open Kingdom Church Planting Network (OKCPN). It is not intended to say everything that needs to be said on the vast subject of church planting. Instead, it provides Consistories, church planters, and core groups with a plan for and advice on establishing a church in the Open Kingdom Church Planting Network.
Why Should We Plant More Reformed Faith Churches?
As true churches of Jesus Christ are obligated to fulfill our Lord’s Great Commission to make disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28.18-20).
The book of Acts reveals how this is fulfilled through the planting of churches and the ordinary means of grace. After receiving the power of the Spirit (Acts 2.1-4), the apostles preached the gospel (2.14-36), baptized believers with their children (2.37-41), and began meeting regularly with those who “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (2.42). Thus, the first new covenant church was established.
This same pattern of planting churches unfolds throughout the entire book of Acts as the apostles went throughout the world preaching Christ, baptizing believers and their households, and planting churches with appointed elders to oversee the new disciples (Acts 14.21-23).
The necessity of the local church for the making of disciples can hardly be overemphasized. This is our Lord’s chosen means for gathering his redeemed people, feeding them with his Word, receiving their worship, nurturing their faith, and bonding them as a community rooted and established in love (Rom. 12; Eph. 4; Phil. 1.27-2.11). The local church is a manifestation of the people who belong to Christ, and also the place where he meets them through the means he has ordained. This makes the local church essential to church planting.
Because the church must continue to fulfill the Great Commission until the return of our Lord, true churches need to be planted where few or none exist. We must be committed to the task of making disciples not only by the weekly means of grace in our congregations, but also by planting new churches (congregations).
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When Should We Plant More Reformed Faith Churches?
We should plant more churches when God provides us with a special opportunity to do so. Given the fact that large parts of North America are without sound Reformed churches, the harvest is indeed plentiful and the laborers are few. Truly, we must “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9.37-38). But we must also pray that the Lord of the harvest opens doors of opportunity so that these laborers may be sent (Col. 4.2-3).
The book of Acts is replete with examples of how the Lord opens doors of opportunity for church planting. Acts 13-14 reveals how Paul and Barnabas were set apart by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of missions. They were sent by the church at Antioch and went through the regions of Cyprus, Lycia, and Galatia, preaching the gospel and evangelizing. This led to the planting of churches in the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch Pisidia, where Paul and Barnabas appointed elders (Acts 14.21-23). When they returned to their mother church at Antioch in Syria, they “gathered the church together” and “declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (14.27).
God opens doors of opportunity at particular times, in particular places, and with particular people. When a family or a group of people in an area where no Reformed Faith churches exist, contacts Open Kingdom Church Planting Network.
Where Should We Plant Reformed Faith Churches?
While there are cities large enough for a plurality of Reformed churches, we should focus our efforts on planting them where none currently exist. Just as our Lord commissioned his apostles to be his witnesses beyond the boundaries of Jerusalem and Judea and go into Samaria and to the end of the earth (Acts 1.8), so also we must go to places where there is no Reformed witness. Presently, there are huge geographical areas and many major cities in the United States and World.
We must take this into consideration before we set out to plant a Reformed church in a city where several like-minded churches already exist.
When opportunities to plant a church arise, we must find answers for at least two important questions:
(1) Why do the interested parties want to plant a Reformed church in this particular place?
(2) Are there any confessional Reformed or Presbyterian churches within reasonable driving distance?
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How Should We Plant More Reformed Faith Churches?
Church planting can only be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit and the means he has chosen to bless, namely his Word. The New Testament is clear that Christ uses his gospel to create his church. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10.17).
How is Initial Interest Established?
There are several ways that initial interest in a new church plant can be established.
Case 1: Members of a church who live a long distance from the church ask their Consistory about the possibility of planting a church closer to their home.
Case 2: A member family of a church relocates to an area where there is no confessional Reformed church.
Case 3: A number of Christians in a particular location discuss the need for a Reformed church in their area. This group of people may already be meeting on a weekly or otherwise regular basis.
Case 4: Many members of their congregation drive a very long distance to church. They inquire of their members to determine if there is a reasonable number of people interested in planting a church.
Case 5: A minister or seminary student has the desire to plant a church in a particular area.
What Should be considered?
1. How many people/families seem genuinely interested in being part of this new work?
2. Why does this group want to plant a Reformed church?
3. What are the basic demographics of this particular area?
4. Where would the core group meet for a weekly Bible study?
5. Who would teach this Bible study?
6. How will the Consistory provide oversight for the weekly Bible study?
7. What would it cost to finance a church plant (i.e. the calling of a pastor, rented facility, etc.)?
1. First Step: Developing Interest
2. Second Step: Developing a Core Group
3. Third Step: Launching a Planting Church
4. Fourth Step: Organizing a Church
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