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Church Planting Methods - Good Practice

Bob Hopkins

Summary:

Is NOT

  • Building and Sunday centred
  • Transfer of a bit of worshipping church to new context
  • Thinking that a worship service in a new area would bring new folk

But IS

  • Motivated by mission
  • Arises out of engagement with the mission context
  • And the mission context shapes the outcome

Principles:

  1. Strong vision = clear mission focus (who reaching)
  2. Pioneer Leader(s)
  3. Committed team = Good relational dynamic & Includes evangelist(s) catalysing the team
  4. Follow a Process of Organic Development: (Life Cycle)

Fully Dedicated to the Task

  1. Laying foundation in prayer

  2. Develop understanding of cultural context

  3. Relate to folk and build meaningful relationships

  4. Respond to what God shows and felt needs/aspirations

  5. Disciple those who are open

  6. Build small group nurture with “locals”

  7. Develop a larger gathering when and how appropriate to what emerges

  8. Planting church provides appropriate support at start (coaching) and releasing time

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Just in:

Ordained Pioneer Ministry guidelines - download your copy!

The Fresh Expressions website is full of resources for those involved in church ministry. Amongst other resources - guidelines for Ordained Pioneer Ministry are available for download here.

Lambeth Gathering - Podcast

Over 40 candidates for ordained pioneer ministry gathered at Lambeth in October 2007 for a one day consultation with Archbishop Rowan and each other. Listen to the Archbishop's address here.

Job opportunity: Carptenters Community Church

Associate church of St Andrews are seeking a full time youth pastor to work with church and youth in the community. (Job Page)

Watchnight Prayers - Live Video stream for churches

Archbishop Rowan and Methodist President Martin Atkins will lead "Watchnight Prayers for Mission & the nation" on New Years Eve 2007. All churches will be able to get a video link for use in Watchnight events.

National Anglican Church Planting Conference 2007

This conference was a great success at the start of October 2007 looking towards 'Hope for the future'. The recordings and accompanying PowerPoints are now online for those who missed out or want to re-listen to the sessions. Click here

Is planning "Old Hat" for church planting and Fresh Expressions of church?

Bob Hopkins explores the conflicting values of planning vs the organic development of church plants and fresh expressions of church. Click here

Homogenous Unit Principle Paper

This paper by the Lausanne Committee for Evangelism has now been published to the articles section of the website. This is of particular reference to those on a Mission Shaped Ministry course. Click here

New Job Listing

Pioneer training opportunity with youth / families in Mansfield. Click here for more information

Cluster book

Bob Hopkins & Mike Breen explore the concept of mid-sized expressions of church - clusters, as a way of radically reconfiguring and recovering truly biblical congregations in their latest book. Click here for more details, and to purchase.

Mission Audit

This new section of our website seeks to meet the need for the increasing importance of new and up to date Mission Audit resources - including the new booklet 'Listening for Mission' released October 2006.  (Click here)

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Anglican Church Planting Initiatives (ACPI) Admin Office
Philadelphia Campus, 6 Gilpin Street, Sheffield S6 3BL - (Directions to office)
Tel: (0114) 278 9378 (admin)   Fax: (0114) 278 9600
Email:  admin@acpi.org.uk