Church Planting Multiplication in the Evangelical Free Church

Church Planting Multiplication in the Evangelical Free Church of Germany – Three Case Studies

The value of church planting �Denominational leadership �Budget �Church Planting department �Sustaining structures �Publications �Vision – 100 new churches in ten years!

Three Case Studies �Berlin �Bünde �Ulm

Berlin – Berlin Project Creative Young Politically liberal Atheistic Promiscuous

Characteristics of Berlin Project Redeemer Church as model Church planters love their city Highly relational Church planting internships Intentionality Christ-centered, apologetical preaching Finances raised by church planters themselves

Bünde Rural Slow paced Family oriented Small businesses Nominally protestent

Characteristics of Bünde People – oriented church planters Apostolic calling – to reach an entire region Strong use of OIKOS network On site leadership training Church planting as a family affair

Ulm – City Church Highest church steeple in the world Population 100, 000 Protestant

Characteristics of Ulm City Church Highly relational church planter Servant minded behavior Culturally relevent Strong leadership gift Entire family is involved Boldness Church Planter spends 50% of his time among non-Christians

Common Characteristics �Holy Living (Christ-centered, no other gods before Him) �A love for the people and the cultural context in which they live. �Serving the real needs of the non Christian community. �Upholding an out-ward focus. �Seeing the church plant as a training center for both discipleship and leadership development. �Intentionally seeking to plant multiple churches. �Excellent communication skills. �Ability to raise funds from outside sources. �Good gospel communication �Strong leadership gift among the primary leaders (on the DISC profile, these would be D and I personalities), able to motivate and influence others.

Discussion Questions �How to we find stellar church planters in our country? �What examples of church planting multiplication from Norway could we give? �Of the ten characteristics just listed, which would be strong in the Norwegian context? Which would seem to be weak?