Comments on: Three Inspiring Church Planting Stories (And Two Big Questions)

By: Large Plant Pots

Large Plant Pots — Sun, 22 May 2011 18:37:00 +0000

This is the great blog, I’m reading them for a while, thanks for the new posts!

By: plantR.org » Book Review: Exponential » Austin Church Plant Network

plantR.org » Book Review: Exponential » Austin Church Plant Network — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:58:23 +0000

[...] post was adapted from http://www.chrismorton.info. If you have read a church planting or leadership book that you would like to review for [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:14:23 +0000

Good thoughts, Clint. I struggle to agree whole heartedly, because I just don’t see it happening. If the existing system you’re describing isn’t creating new churches, then we need to adjust the system. Is it possible, that part of our failure is starting with ecclesiology and never getting to missiology? Hirsch’s chapter on Apostolic Esprit in Forgotten Ways discusses this much more.

By: Clint Howard

Clint Howard — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:57:35 +0000

Hey Chris,

We certainly do need leaders who are driving forces to move a church forward by example…..but I believe the elders can and should take up this role. And one of them can step out (or even a Spirit-filled deacon or other Christian) to plant the next church. Surely a planted church can begin very early in inspiring and preparing for the planting of other churches (house churches, again, would be financially and practically more feasible).

But, you are right…….we need the church planter to kick it off in the first place…..or even a team of Christians, a few families/singles perhaps, willing to begin a community and invite others to join it. And that motivation/leadership IS often lacking because we are too busy with “life” or too involved in church maintenance.
Clint

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:09:36 +0000

Scott,
I definitely agree. However, don’t forget that structures do inform relationship. For instance, if we create a church structure that requires you to attend twice on Sundays, Wednesday Night, Small Group, Camp, Church Softball League, Men’s Breakfast, etc. when are you going to build those relationships? The key is a structure that aims to engage Christ-followers together through serving those around them.