Brian Vaatstra shares the Kingston experience of Church Planting, outlining the five stages leading up to the establishment of a core group and the steps to launching a new church.

  Posted initially March 9, 2012 in www.crcsouthtas.org.au by Brian Vaatstra

Stage 1 – Clear vision & gaining commitment & cultivating values

Put the case for church planting – why do it, what values, how people can be involved Take a congregational decision to be proactive in church planting Identify a leader responsible for church planting (a man full of faith, confident in the gospel, and bold for Christ) Pray

Stage 2 – Identify an area & establish a core group

Our approach is to hive-off small groups of eager people to a church plant Encourage all growth groups to consider being a core group See where people live that could be part of church plant Invite them and anyone else interested to a meeting to discuss the possibility of a CP Survey the group to identify those really interested & get their commitment

Stage 3 – Focus & unite the core group around the gospel

To grow together in Christ through studying his word To grow in understanding of the gospel and what it means to be mission-minded Teach the group members how to share their faith Pray together for the work & the Lord to lead it The book to study is The Gospel-Centred Church by Steve Timmis & Tim Chester

Stage 4 – Encourage the core group to be active in evangelism

Invite non-Christian friends and neighbours over for social evenings Do this together so you meet each others’ non-Christian friends Invite them to do one-to-one or small group evangelism courses

Stage 5 – As the Spirit leads and it becomes obvious that we need to step out in faith, start planning the practical steps as follows:

1. Appoint leaders

The Leader will appoint fellow leaders from the core group who will prepare plans for the group to process and report to Session & the planting church regarding the progress of the work.

2. Name
Ie., Blackmans Bay Christian Church
3. Vision
Ie., “Bringing the love of Christ to the Blackmans Bay community”
4. Mission
ie WIN, BUILD, SEND

Winning people to a living faith in Christ Building a committed community of believers for Christ Sending well-equipped disciples of Christ to serve him with the gospel

5. Values (by God’s Grace)

To be a community that seeks God’s glory above all else. To be a community that calls upon God to pour out His Spirit to strengthen his people for godly living and bold witness. To be a community that equips every person to make disciples who will make disciples To be a community that reaches out to Blackmans Bay with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ To be a community that is welcoming and takes every opportunity to practice hospitality towards others.

6. Ministry Approach

To implement the above goals the ministry of the Blackmans Bay Christian Church will be conducted at three levels as follows: One to one ministry and discipling Ministry through small groups Ministry through public meetings

7. Areas of organisation and involvement ie

Each of these leaders will take responsibility for one of the major area below, and will work with a team of co-workers. One to one ministry and discipleship team Welcoming/newcomers/hospitality (incl Sunday am welcoming) Organising one to one discipleship Discipleship training One to one evangelism training Club 5 and MTS apprentices Small Groups ministry team Organisation & Resources Training Growth Group leaders Evangelism including Introducing God courses (whole church & Ggs) Ministry of Mercy Childrens and Youth mid-week meetings Prayer ministry Public meetings ministry team Administration and facilities (equip/cleaning/set-up/coffee/lunch) Meeting format & Bible focus Music / singing / song leading Bookstall and flyers ministry Evangelistic events Children’s ministries (crèche/Sunday School/in meeting)

8. Find a suitable venue
9. Set a time and date to commence
10. The myriad of practical issues

Facilities Secure contract Lectern Musical instruments Pew Bibles Tea/coffee/cups/spoons Chairs/tables/dividers Weekly setup plan/rosters Store room for our gear Commissioning of Core Group Advertising Meetings Personal invitations Phone call follow-up Letterbox drop Signage for outside of hall Advert in Newspapers Meeting hospitality Ushers/Greeters Coffee organisation roster Set-up/Tidy-up roster Literature Logo Literature about the church Giving to the work of the Lord (Preaching, MC, Bible Reading, prayer) Weekly Running Sheets Children’s Talks Music Children’s program Program activities plan Roster Discipleship Record of who coming New Visitors follow up Care group roster