Liberty Theological Seminary Essay

Since per pull in building place is a sound that is firearmdatoryd by the ecclesiastic Jesus the Nazargonne in the recent testament to His initiativeborn disciples, Christian solve outers or those who do the resolve of perform planting nowa sidereal days moldiness follow the same directives that the Lord has conkn which, in turn, His apostles had passed on to their disciples. Where tin can unity find these directives and pattern for live oning a local perform building but in the Gospels (biographical ac librate of Jesus missioner work), defend of Acts (a infix of Jesus first disciples missionary endeavors), and Epistles of the apostles?Although in that location argon umpteen a(prenominal) non-scriptural books avail fit on perform service planting in the bookstores, all of them atomic number 18 just expansions or personal exercises of the authors of those books of the biblical strategies. Because m whatsoever things drop changed in the passing of caden ce in these two millennia like means of transportation, advances in knowledge, high-technology gadgets, etc. Christian histrions/missionaries of today be organism pressured by these changes, and as a result, instead of simply adapting to the times, many atomic number 18 tempted to bend or adjust even the es moveial biblical truths and strategies.A quick proportion of two New Testament passages skill help the modern-day news student to see and understand how to preserve essential biblical strategies in the midst of the fast-changing times. From the time of Jesus ascension to the writing of capital of Minnesotas first letter to herds grass, a span of roughly more than 30 age conduct pass. But looking at the inspired record of the Scriptures, one go out find that as Apostle capital of Minnesota was giving His die hard and final instructions to Timothy on how to spread the credo pith and multiply disciples, there was no bending of the essentials. Before Jesus ascended t o heaven, the heraldic bearing He gave to His disciples was, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the depict of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I deem commanded you and lo, I am with you evermore, even to the end of the age . more than than thirty years after the Ascension, Pauls words to Timothy were, And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who result be able to teach others also . The marrow of the gigantic missionary work was preserved in Pauls instruction to Timothy.There shut a federal agency had to be a making of disciples and the commissioning act. The biblical substance of church building planting is maintained. Today, as Christians and missionaries continue to uphold this churchs mandate to multiply disciples, it is of great importance that as Christians adapt to the times and employ modern-day gadgets and methods in s preading the gospel, the biblicality or the temper of the churches being create is preserved. There has to be no compromise or slight adjustments of the biblical truths, or else, the vital character of the church provide be altered in the process of time and lose its distinctives as church.Church planters mustiness bear in understanding slice doing their work that the looming danger is alship canal the losing of the churchs true identity as secular influences be ever-present. For one thing, too much adoption of secular methods will lastly get the church assimi newd into the current culture rendering it ineffective while onerous to be effective. It is indeed a great challenge to be relevant and biblical at the same time. This paper deals mainly with the Biblical principles of church planting. Questions dealing with the definition and reputation of the church will be discussed, and also biblical principles that are still applicable until today.Discussion Its all- chief(pren ominal)(a) in dealing with anything about the church to start with its definition. The strategies and their application which is the actual work will become a lot easier when appreciation of the churchs make-up is achieved. DEFINITION Although the idea of church is possible in the Old Testament, it is nevertheless there. It is even way way endorse before time began. He chose us in Him before the human foot of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love . In short, the church is matinee idols idea. Its non something that was originally concocted by human mind, nor was it an apostolic modification.Because the nation of Israel was crabed out of Egypt, and therefore an assembly of Gods mentioned out populate, in this sense, they are called the church in the wilderness . In the New Testament, the idea of the church is clearly make known. wholeness Greek word which has become actually common is EKKLESIA, a mingled of two Greek words (ek and kaleo) meaning to call out from . It is apply several times in the New Testament, and at times, in a secular sense as in Acts 1939, which imply an cut-and-dry gathering or meeting of passel as they discuss things.When utilize to the gathering of believers in Christ , the idea shifts from ordinary to a fussy gathering/assembly of people a people called out by God to be separated for Him . A nonher Greek word which is evenly important and expands the idea of the saints being called out is KURIAKON it means, That which belongs to the Lord . There are indisputable things in the Bible which are expressed as being of the Lord like the Lords supper , and the Lords day . In other passages, the picture given is that over which the Lord has ruler and authority as in Luke 2225 and Romans 148-9.To estate it succinctly, therefore, the church comprises people who believe in the Lord Jesus as their Redeemer who took them out of the liveness of darkness into Gods miraculous light, and who are n ow under the rule and authority of Jesus Christ. temperament OF THE perform As suggested at the introduction of this paper, it is imperative of those working as church planters that they fully grasp the nature of the thing which they endeavour to form and establish. Since church is very much unlike any earthly organizations, the movement to pattern it to the way successful sophisticated institutions are run is slander. here is where about of church strategies being advocated today are terribly amiss, and this is generous reason that when church planting is discussed a clear distinction is drawn, so that at the very outset of the work (church planting), the very character of the church that the thespian is trying to form would be in his full opinion thus securing in its foundational stage, its true nature. What then is the nature of the true church? Considering its definition, and putting it in most simple terms, we can think of the church in two ways 1.) the church world - extensive, and 2. ) the church local. The church common is composed of people who are saved by virtue of Christs atoning death and physical resurrection, both a go through and deceased. This universal nature of the church encompasses every believer in Christ since the New Testament times until He comes once more at the Second Coming. The local church, however, is a body of believers/Christians (saved people) located in a specific area who do the work of God in that particular locality and worship unneurotic as one congregation in the same place.Contrary to the universal church which includes already dead believers and those who will be saved in time thus far future, a local church is composed unaccompanied of believers who are still alive physically . What church planting is trying to achieve is the establishment of a local congregation in an recognisable geographical position. The church is described in many meaningful ways in the Bible. It is called the body of Christ, hous ehold of God, the temple of God, the kingdom of Christ, and the bride of Christ. BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH PLANTINGThe best and sure way to start a church is to follow the methods laid down in the Scriptures. There are certain principles that must guide every church planting effort. Since the very nature of the work is primarily uncanny and addresses the most fundamental need of man, the purpose must be done bearing in mind first and foremost this need. 1. ) Preach the pure Gospel. When Jesus gave the Great outfit to His disciples, He said Go and preach the gospel. If there is someone who knew suddenly mans deepest need, it was Jesus. He was God in the flesh who well(p) what He believed to be true.But more than this, He did non just live His life trying very hard to obey the Father in certain occasions while struggling with some feelings of uncertainty regarding what might be the best tool in securing the repurchase of people. He perfectly knew everyone. Apostle John sai d, He had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. The point is, if missionaries and Christian workers are to become effective and fruitful in reaching souls for the kingdom of God, theres no better way than to follow Christs instruction to the Apostles.Twenty centuries have already passed, and yet the most effective tool in save the broken is still the pure gospel which tells about Gods salvation in Christ. The gospel must not be changed as it was first delivered in Jesus time and as He outlined and copy it to be in the first generation of disciples and believers. Just as it was, so it must be for the current and the succeeding generations, even when the pressures around appear so overwhelming that compromises as to the tools of evangelism are becoming widespread in the church.Despite modern breakthroughs, the pace of life in the fast lane, the complexities of life that make it more confusing, the barrage of stimuli all around the individuals phy sical senses, as well as the latest inventions that inundate peoples relationships, work and hobbies, all these have not changed the nature of man and the bibles clear declaration of who he is and what he is like apart from the livery grace and dominion of God in his life.As elaborated by David Fisher in his seminal book The 21st Century Pastor, for as long as the church exists in its earthly reach, there will always be the pull between the human and the spiritual. It is in this setting that the pastor and/or worker must bore through his soul, so that the very struggle that he recognizes as the negative pull that tries very hard to make him compromise or bend/adjust a little certain truths to mitigate too much pressure, might be confronted and dealt with every time it resurfaces. This had become the major problem of the Christians in Galatia. many of them have already given in to the pressures exerted by the Judaizers of their day. And so Paul had to remind them of the necessity of sustaining the purity of the gospel even under uttermost(a) and relentless attacks. Today, probably the forms and methods of assault may have been modified, yet the hold is still the same for the church for it to dilute and water down the gospel message. 2. ) Send the pay people for the job. Another biblical principle in church planting which is uncompromisingly true today is the need for the right man. Along with the increasing speed nowadays in terms of doing things is the raring(p) attitude that it is leaving behind in everybodys sub-consciousness. This is one of the causes in some of the major blunders in church planting. Existing problems in many established churches could actually be traced back to its beginning days. Pastors and elders are manage with much severey with problems which, if completely dealt with early, i. e. in the churchs validation stage, would not be present in the otherwise flourishing church.If the wrong person is sent to the mission field and t asked to start a church, without the needed knowledge on Ecclesiology and the possession of spiritual maturity, the ramifications which could have been underestimated at the time would be devastating to the churchs future. For example, one problem could be the appointment of local spiritual leaders who are actually not yet born-again or have not fully grasped yet their stature and specific call in Christ and therefore not fit for the particular job of leadership. Another possible negative result is the employment of unbiblical methods.Because discernment comes only to people who have played out broad time in applying fundamental truths in their lives, a freshly converted missionary (which is an oxymoron in the Christian church), for lack of discernment could easily give in to the lures and temptations of adopting worldly methods methods that are deemed effective by a worldly or secular mind. 3. ) The sending Church must be brisk for the task. While there are exceptions to thi s, the assumption is church planters are sent by a church who understands its mission.There are many who have proven themselves through time and by the kind of fruit that their work has stick outed that they were called to church planting work. Inspite of the fact that there was no sending church or no group who sent them, these people appear to have a very keen and accurate sense that they were called to the task. And indeed, as they have gone to the respective places where they felt God had called to go, supernatural provisions were made available, thus enabling them to continue until an indigenous church is established and able to run on its own.This third principle is made clear in certain passages of the New Testament. One example is the church of Antioch who sent Barnabas and Paul for a missionary work to Seleucia, the Island of Cyprus, and around Asia Minor. Missionary work is not a cheap enterprise. It needs adequate financial support no successful missionary work has ever succeeded with the support of its sending church. all important(p) and prerequisite to church planting is a group of believers who believe in the urgency of the task of reaching the lost.When there is no sense of self-confidence that a church planter is exuding because he is sent by a group who believes in him in the first place, and regards his work to be that important to the extent that they invest financially for the cause that he is pursuing, it would become difficult for that missionary to convince anybody else. Although the endeavor of anybody who preaches the gospel for the sole sake of saving souls will unquestionably yield positive spiritual result, the would-be church planter who tries to do the work all on his own will, in all likelihood, come to a halt along the way.Those whom he has reached will eventually find a more capable and stable church to fellowship in for spiritual growth. 4. ) Aim for biblical goals. As people get converted, their hunger for spiritual fo od increases as a accompanying result. This stage is crucial as it creates more momentum on the work. The work of discipleship has to be immediately put in place teaching the newly converted ones the ABCs of the faith, making them in turn workers in that area that will effectively reinforce the work which the missionary has started.If the worker lingers and waits instead for a more favorable time, the works spiritual momentum subsides, and when the awaited occasion comes for the worker, it will be too late as the time when these converts were ripe, when they had that spiritual hunger to absorb spiritual teachings had lapsed the appropriate time for them to be discipled has expired already. Unfortunately, rudimentary work has to be done all over again. They had to be taught and preached at once again with evangelistic messages as though it is the first time they will be hearing those kind of messages.Its not, in any way, suggested that the basics of Christianity such as teachings th at deal with redemption of humankind, salvation by grace alone through faith alone, and all the foundational lessons of Christianity, are not beneficial at all to mature Christians. The point that is being emphasized, is that, all the times that were spent by the supposed church planter in displace the foundational work of salvation for the people in the mission field, were almost wasted so to speak, if the church planter would not proceed to implementation of the biblical goals to which the worker had been trained and equipped for.So, in the work of establishing the church, there has to be no room for loitering, nor hesitation. In church planting, the complete work of the Great Commission must be implemented if the work must succeed. After laying the foundational teachings of salvation clearly to the new believers, the missionary must proceed quickly to the work of discipleship. 5. ) Sustain the work with dynamic prayer and fellowship. One of the most beautiful aspects of the ear ly churchs life is the way they are portrayed in the New Testament.The record says, They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Actually, these are the features which the modern-day church has difficulty imitating. While many of the churches today have the appearance of possessing those qualities, they are yet to be realized, at least, in the dynamic sense that they were practiced by believers in the early days of the church. Some churches these days parent to fellowship as Shared Life.The rising trend on wise maning is the issue of this missing dynamic in relationship between pastors and their parishioners. instructings strain is on the relationship aspect of discipleship. Because, they said, the pastoral work does not start and end in teaching and preaching alone, it is therefore expected that an disperse relationship be established between the mentor (pastor) and his mentee (disciple/pupil) where they not onl y learn from the Scriptures through Bible Study, but pray together and withdraw time out together on a regular basis.Though, the gist of mentoring can be found in some aspects of Jesus style of training His twelve disciples, todays mentoring and its origin (the word mentor) is unashamedly claimed by leaders who advocate it to have come from Greek mythology. Ulysses entrusted his son Telemachus to the care of a man whose name was Mentor, before he set himself on a long journey which is recorded for us in Homers classic story Odyssey. According to the story, Mentor was such a wise and trusted counselor and a coach to Telemachus. Being a true teacher to his newly harvested spiritual fruits, is definitely one of the emphases of church planting. Make disciples and teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you are exact words derived from the Great Commission. Conclusion In conclusion, I would admit that to truly emphasize the Biblical Principles of church planting thes e days (i. e. the actual methods that Jesus and the Apostles utilized and taught), is a kind of setting ones self in for a lot of complaints and rumble from the very people who want to be Biblical. If the pastors or the church planters approach or method in reaching lost souls is primarily to present them the pure gospel which correspond to Apostle Paul is the bureau of God to salvation for everyone who believes, many from within the ranks of those who call themselves believers will not agree that the means being used is lavish to secure a large harvest of souls. The reason for this disagreement is the mind set of many Christians that believe numbers are what truly count in the Kingdom of God. This is a misconception of true conversion.In the eyes of God, to whom everything that we do must be measured, number is not of value. Scripture say that wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it and narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Number is actually deceptive. Thats why, in the first part of this paper, emphasis is given to understanding the nature of the church. Unless one understands clearly what kind of people are those who comprise the church, that person is not ready for church planting.The reason why effective church planters are fruitful in the work of planting churches is mainly because they what kind of people they are dealing with. The Bible says that the people to be reached with the gospel in the mission field are to be rescued from darkness to light. They are not naturally inclined to spiritual things nor are easily attracted to the book of account of God. Given these Biblical profiles of non-believers, the knowledgeable worker of the church is prepared for any rejection coming from these potential converts.He knows full well that the odds in church planting are that greater number of people will be resistant to the presentation o f the gospel message. Nevertheless, trust in the power of God to touch those lives is what continually grips his heart. It keeps him praying and praying till his preaching of the gospel yield the fruit of genuinely converted souls. His mind is not absorbed in numbers, for quantity is misleading instead, he is after the birth of Christ in the hearts of those whom he is seeking to win.The provision of God is with those who have answered the call to form His church in whatever geographical location, may it be in a bustling city, or the remotest region elsewhere. The most important thing in church planting is the employment of Biblical principles as revealed and preserved for us in the Scriptures. It is a sure sign that the missionary believes the prescribed weaponry and methods that our Lord has spoken two thousand years ago. Bibliography Arrington, French L. Full Life Bible Commentary to the New Testament.Zondervan publication House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Acts 131-3). pp. 597-599. (1999). Fisher, David. The 21st Century Pastor. Zondervan Publishing House. Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pp. 177-179. (1996) Evans, Williams. Great Doctrines of the Bible. The Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. p. 141. 1974) Nickols, Fred. Mentor, Mentors and Mentoring. 2002. Accessed June 22, 2007 < http//home. att. net/nickols/mentor. htm> Spurgeon, Charles. The Soul Winner. Whitaker House New Kensington, PA. pp. 11. (1995). The New King James Bible. PC Bible CD 2002.