Planting Healthy Churches CrossCultural Church Planting School Craig

Planting Healthy Churches Cross-Cultural Church Planting School Craig Ott

Planting Healthy Churches It doesn’t happen by accident. And that all grew out of a mustard seed!

Our Mission Statement Reach. Global exists to glorify God by multiplying healthy churches among all people.

Health Mission Healthy Effective Empowered Reach. Global Ministry Hedgehog Guiding Principles The Global Sandbox We are committed to multiplying churches that are: n n n Healthy Indigenous Interdependent Self-supporting Reproducing

Back to the Bible Revelation 2 -3 p Biblical examples of unhealthy churches… p Biblical descriptions of healthy churches… p

Ten Indicators of a Healthy Church Centrality of God’s Word p Passionate Spirituality p Great Commission Driven p Fruitful Evangelism p Intentional Disciplemaking p Leadership Multiplication p Church Planting p Spirit-Filled Worship p Stewardship of Resources p Loving Relationships p

Teaching Church Health Case Study: Dar es Salaam p Biblical passages addressing church health and sickness were discussed. n n n p Revelation 2 -3 Ephesians 4: 11 -16 Texts suggested by the leaders Indicators were listed on a white board.

Teaching Church Health

Teaching Church Health Biblical passages addressing church health and sickness were discussed. p Indicators were listed on a white board. p These were written on 3 x 5 cards and sorted into related categories. p

Teaching Church Health

Teaching Church Health Biblical passages addressing church health and sickness were discussed. p Indicators were listed on a white board. p These were written on 3 x 5 cards and sorted into related categories. p A list of indicators was formulated. p This list was compared with the EFCA list. p

A Healthy Church is Like a Wheel a Hub: Centrality of God’s Word b h Spokes: a. Great Commission Driven b. Fruitful Evangelism c. Intentional Disciplemaking d. Church Planting e. Leadership Multiplication f. Loving Relationships g. Stewardship of Resources h. Spirit-Filled Worship c g d f e Rim: Passionate Spirituality

Six Guidelines for a Healthy Church Plant Give attention to the spiritual health of the leadership p Structure the church ministry according to biblical values and purposes p Assimilate new persons continually into the ministry and leadership of the church p

Six Guidelines for a Healthy Church Plant Launch Stage provisional leadershi p Early Development newcomers original core church Later Development & Growth Newcomers Original Core Leadership Nearly everyone ministers Responsibility is shared Leadership is transparent Newcomers partially assimilated Original core retains most responsibility Newcomers poorly assimilated & remain passive Growing burden of ministry is born by few Leaders retain power Burnout & stagnation inevitable

Six Guidelines for a Healthy Church Plant Alternative Development Newcomers Ministry team leaders Cell group leaders Leaders

Six Guidelines for a Healthy Church Plant p p p Give attention to the spiritual health of the leadership Structure the church ministry according to biblical values and purposes Assimilate new persons continually into the ministry and leadership of the church Prepare the core church for change Create appropriate structures Remain flexible and encourage steps of faith

Discussion Describe a specific example of an unhealthy church situation that you are personally acquainted with. n n n What led to the sickness? What measures might have prevented the sickness? What was the outcome and why? What biblical principles are involved? Which of the 10 indicators apply?