Customer Reviews

Multiplying Churches

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This book is written by four UK church planters. The goal is laid out, ¡§This book has been written with a conviction that church planting is a God-ordained strategy for fulfilling the command to ¡ĄGo and make disciples.¡¦ Therefore church planting is an activity in which, in various ways, we all should and could be involved¡¨ (p. 13). The editor, Stephen Timmis, has been involved in planting four churches in England. After ¡§Setting the Scene¡¨ in chapter one, the remaining six chapters deal with theological and historical perspectives, contemporary initiatives (in the UK and then around the world), key principles, and a final chapter on resources for church planting.
The first chapter will ring true to those who believe in daughter church planting with all its joys and problems. I particularly liked the following quote after his description of a church planter named Pete seeking to plant two daughter churches, ¡§a refusal to undertake a gospel initiative out of fear of failure is a far greater problem than a gospel initiative failing. Church planting is, as Pete¡¦s story illustrates, first and foremost a gospel initiative.¡¨ (p. 12).
I particularly appreciated chapter two entitled, ¡§Church Planting: A Theological Perspective¡¨ because it draws us back to Scripture rather than pragmatism for planting new churches. This chapter points out two reasons for church planting:
X ¡§church planting is vital for mission
X church planting is vital for the church.¡¨ p. 45.
Chapter three gives a historical perspective on church planting in the UK and chapter four contemporary initiatives in the UK.
Chapter five deals with ¡§Contemporary Initiatives from Around the World¡¨ and gives case studies from South India, Australia (2 case studies), and South Africa. If you are church planting in any of these countries, you will find some help in this chapter.
Chapter six gives you seven ¡§Key Principles¡¨ for church planting and, I believe, is the most helpful part of the book. Timmis says that the way to plant a church is to think in seven ways, ¡§Think gospel, Think church, Think leaders, Think Team, Think Strategy, Think creative, and Think long-term.¡¨ You will want to procure the book [I got it through Amazon.com] to see how he develops each one of these. Here is a good phase plan for church planting teams to work with.