Key: Plan
PLAN for a Church Planting Movement
Stephanas realized that it was people with clarity of purpose who planted churches among the unreached. They knew what God wanted them to do—they had a strategy!
As he prepared to go, Stephanas worked at writing down his vision. His goal could be described as: “an indigenous movement of spontaneously multiplying churches.” Here is what he meant by that:
a) Indigenous
Well adapted to the local community, reflecting its language and culture. An indigenous church is generated from within; supported by the local people, led by the local people, and grows as a result of the faith and obedience of the local people.
b) Movement
The people move together toward a common vision and goals. It is self-propelled and alive.
c) Spontaneously multiplying
Growth occurs without being pushed from the outside. When churches plant their own churches, multiplication increases more rapidly and the movement gains momentum.
d) Churches
Three simple definitions:
- A community reflecting Jesus Christ.
- People moving together under the Lordship of Christ.
- Groups of believers of any size, committed to one another and to obeying Jesus’ commands.
While Stephanas’ goal described what he planned to achieve within the people group he would go to, his strategy described how he intend to achieve it. He trusted God to lead by His Word and His Spirit. He learned principles from Scripture and the apostles’ teaching.[1] These principles for planting churches would apply in every context; however he also knew that the methods would differ from culture to culture.
Stephanas intended to follow the basic instructions Jesus gave the 12 apostles [2] and later the 72 disciples [3] when He sent them throughout Judea spreading His message.
Jesus told them:
o Team-up [4]
o Pray [5]
o Go! [6]
o Look for a person who welcomes you into his house [7]
o Stay with that family, eating and drinking [8]
o Heal the sick [9]
o Tell them of the kingdom of God [10]
From this household, new disciples might be made and fellow workers raised up who reach their own villages and beyond. (This in answer to prayer, “to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”)
o Waste no time if people are not open, look for another who welcomes you [11]
The 72 returned with joy. Jesus was filled with joy.[12]
Stephanas’ strategy would be:
- Scriptural (following the pattern used by Jesus [13], Peter [14], Paul [15], etc.)
- Low-profile (avoiding public gatherings when authorities are too hostile)
- Inexpensive (most of the unreached are also quite poor)
- Simple structure (meeting in homes, led by local volunteers)
- Easy to imitate and pass on
Someone once said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Stephanas planned his work and now he would work his plan.
[1] Today of course, we have both the Old and New Testament!
[2] Luke 9:1-11
[3] Luke 10:1-24
[4] Luke 10:1 Jesus appointed 72 of His disciples and sent them out 2 by 2 to places He Himself was about to go.
[5] Luke 10:2 Jesus told them to pray for even more workers for the plentiful harvest. As they saw the ripe harvest, they were to pray for people to be set free. New workers would thereby be mobilized for the cause.
[6] Luke 10:3-4 Jesus commanded,” Go!” In the first three verses, the word “go” is used twice along with the words: sent, send and sending. They went out: Defenseless but victorious. Dependent on hospitality. Determined to obey Jesus.
[7] Luke 10:5-8 Jesus told them to look for persons of peace who would welcome them into their houses.
[8] Luke 10:7 Jesus told them not to move from house to house (door to door).
[9] Luke 10:9a
[10] Luke 10:9b
[11] Luke 10:10-15
[12] Luke 10:17, Luke 10:21
[13] Luke 9:1-11, Luke 10:1-24
[14] Acts 10-11:18
[15] Acts 13-28