Customer Reviews

Church Planting

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Previously published in the UK, I paid 44 dollars for a copy of this book that was special ordered from England. I was furious at having to spend so much -- but upon reading it, I found that not a penny had been wasted...and that this book is actually worth its weight in gold!

Essentially, this book is a primer on issues of ecclesiology (the way in which theological assumptions and messages are found in how we structure the church and our efforts at building it up). Stuart notes that far too little attention has been paid by most church planters and people seeking to renew the church. He calls upon the church to take seriously how the shape of the church determines the message it will proclaim.

Murray takes the reader through a comprehensive and sweeping survey of many ways in which church planting is done and ways in which congregations are structured. What he is getting at here is not about what committees or boards a church may have -- but more fundamental issues of how laity and clergy interact, the significance of buildings and properties, and the relationship between notions of parish church versus a more missional organization.

Murray offers up useful commentary throughout this book, pointing out strength and weaknesses where he finds them. Even if one does not agree with every point he makes, he provides a priceless explanation of many different approaches to being the church today.

This is a SUPERB book. On a five star scale I would give it ten stars if they would let me. I give this book my highest recommendation.

This is by far the best of the best. It challenges pragmatic approaches by most popular models/methods of church planting and calls for planters to understand their greater purpose as the missio Dei (mission of God). It is a trenchant critique of the idols of "purpose," "programs," and "personalities" over and above kingdom principles and perspectives.

Thoroughly biblical, yet liberating!

This book is insightful, thought provoking, and practical. This isn't a "how to" book, so anyone looking for a step-by-step book should look elsewhere. However, Murray offers something much more--an approach to church-planting that is both practical AND based in solid ecclesiology. Ecclesiology is lacking in my faith tradition (evangelicalism). This book helps to fill the void. Anyone considering being a part of a church plant MUST get this book.

Previously published in the UK, a year ago I paid a small fortune for a copy of this book that was special ordered from England. I was furious at having to spend so much -- but upon reading it, I found that not a penny had been wasted...and that this book is actually worth its weight in gold!

Essentially, this book is a primer on issues of ecclesiology (the ways in which theological assumptions and messages are found in how we structure the church and our efforts at building it up). Stuart notes that far too little attention has been given to these issues by most church planters and people seeking to renew the church. He calls upon the church to take seriously how the shape of the church influences the message it will proclaim.

Murray takes the reader through a comprehensive and sweeping survey of many ways in which church planting is done and ways in which congregations are structured. What he is getting at here is not about what committees or boards a church may have -- but more fundamental issues of how laity and clergy interact, the significance of buildings and properties, and the relationship between notions of parish church versus a more missional organization.

Murray offers up useful commentary throughout this book, pointing out strengths and weaknesses where he finds them. Even if one does not agree with every point he makes, he provides a priceless explanation of many different approaches to being the church today.

This is a SUPERB book. I give this book my highest recommendation.

Murray and Kraybill have produced a comprehensive book that examines Church Planting from a very balanced perspective. Their treatment of the objections to church planting is extremely valuable. Although their efforts to stay balanced cause the book to occasionally "bog down," the net effect is a classic work that will stand the test of time. This book will be a helpful guide for the leaders and participants in any church planting movement.

this man is a lawyer, and he writes like one. at first this style takes a bit of getting used to as it seems many times he is arguing both sides of the arguement. this all in all is probably a good thing as it gives you a bigger overview of diffrent models, but so often i wanted to know what the author himself, an experienced church planter, recommended. he raises a lot of good questions to get us thinking, but doesn't always give answers. some of you may want this, others of you may be looking for something to give clearer direction rather then a (very good and very detailed) overview of differing view points related to ecclesiology.

Church Planting: Laying Foundations. 2001. Stuart Murray. Scottsdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press.
288 pages, paperback. ISBN: 0-8361-9148-X

Here is a different book on church planting which can be seen in its subtitle "laying foundations." Rather than just dive in and deal pragmatically with planting churches, Murray asks some key questions. The first chapter is entitled "Church Planting: Listening to the Critics" where he deals with three major objections to church planting (1) "There are enough churches already;" (2) "Church planting weakens the mission and ministry of the churches;" and (3) "Church planting has become an end in itself." Murray shows how each of these objections needs to be dealt with.

In the second chapter, the author takes on the task of building a more adequate theological framework for church planting relating it to the mission of God, incarnation, and the kingdom of God. A thoughtful church planter will take what Murray calls "theological perspectives" on starting new churches and build a strategy of church planting on a more solid base. Any tension between what is called the missio Dei (the mission of God for the world) and the mission of evangelistic church planting needs to be looked at in the light of the whole of Scripture.

In the third chapter, Murray is concerned lest a New Testament base for church planting be exegetically superficial and many books on church planting that give biblical reasons for church planting will need to do a better job in the light of Murray's remarks.

The remaining chapters deal with the history and methodology of church planting. A church planter will want to look at these to see some of the advantages and disadvantages found in various approaches.

My suggestion is to read Murray, interact with his thinking and then develop a more solid foundation for your own strategy of planting churches. And this is what he seems to be concerned about.