Indigenous Church Planting - A Practical Journey

Read a recommendation by Dr. Jerry Rankin, President International Mission Board, SBC

I am convinced of a need for radical revision of the traditional concepts of church and ministry. Fresh, Biblical church planting will be made possible only with corresponding Biblical theology.

The theme of this book is indigenous church planting. This kind of church planting is as thrilling and as uncontrollable as the Holy Spirit of God. After many years of practicing indigenous church planting, I have a greater conviction that it is the only kind of church planting in which I want to invest a life.

As you read the contents of this book you will quickly see the planter is of importance, but the key to success lies in proper dependance on the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

With these two in the forefront, it is easier and natural for the church planter to fade into the background as an instrument.

This does not minimize the church planter, but it relieves him of struggling to win people and give birth to churches. His struggle consists of maintaining spiritual readiness and availablity.

In this book there is an attempt to be very practical in many areas of the life of a church planter, whether he be a national or foreigner.

— Dr. Charles Brock

Section I - PRELIMINARIES TO PLANTING

• Motivation for the journey
• Absolute essentials and excess baggage
• Who can plant churhes
• What are we seeking to plant
• Roles of ministry for the pastor and Church members.
• The lifestyle of a church planter
• The church planter and the language
• Concentration: This one thing I do

Section II - FOCUS BEFORE STARTING

• Know your parameters and determine your objectives before starting
• What is an indigenous church
• Identify your target before firing
• Finding a place to plant a church
• A pause for some practical questions
• What strategy and methods will I use
• What style of leadership will I use
• What do you do when there is little or no response
• Clearance from community officials to have a Bible Study
• Promotions and Invitations

Section III - THE CHURCH PLANTING PROCESS

• The Pre-Salvation Stage
• Salvation: The first objective
• One technique illustrated

Section IV - THE BIRTH OF A CHURCH

• They have been born again, what next?
• The second objective reached: The birth of a church

Section V - POST BIRTH

• After the birth: Development
• Leadership Training
• Church Organizational meeting
• The church receiving new members
• How does a church get a pastor?
• What titles do we use when referring to religious leaders?
• What do we do when there is an emergency need within the church family?
• How can we encourage members to reach the lost?

Sectin VI - THE CHURCHES IN FELLOWSHIP

• The birth of a Fellowship or Association

APPENDIX

• Church Planting Process
• Testimony Sheet
• Bible Reading Calender
• Church Growth Definitions
• Bible study materials for Church Planting and Church Growth

RECOMMENDATION

Indigenous Church Planting, A Practical Journey by Charles Brock is one of the most effective and widely-used books in the church growth field. It grows out of the author's personal experience in discovering a return to practical Biblical and spiritual models of the New Testament church. Once a local church is released from superfluous forms and practices imposed by tradition and society, there is nothing to hinder its growth and reproduction. The book has been used for practical training across the United States and around the world and continues to be an inspiring practical tool reflecting principles and methodologies that are timeless and universal.

Jerry Rankin,
President International Mission Board, SBC