Can anyone plant a church? Yes! Moving immediately beyond theoretical, classroom-based approaches, this course incorporates theory of current church planting strategies from various texts with practical outreach. It re-focuses a view of “church” in pluralistic cultures, allowing for revitalized dynamic missional church which see communitas and "Jesus movements" within secular culture. The hermeneutics of apostolic ministry and apostolic agency is then examined in terms of intercultural church planting. Current studies on apostolic agents/ministries are also debated in understanding how the gospel message can cross cultural and spiritual boundaries. Students begin, or continue a ministry project which includes either mentoring (discipling) another, younger, or pre-believer, and/or participating in a mono- or intercultural Discovery Bible study, at the same time examining and analyzing various hermeneutical stances related to these church planting strategies.
A blend of academic knowledge and practical application is used to allow students the means to explore their specific ministry interests both practically and academically.
It has been said that the only way the Kingdom of God can become evident in our world is through the planting of churches. This course is designed for the student to do church planting in a real-life context, undergirded by currently discussed church planting strategies and the hermeneutical trajectories that support those strategies.
No one was a better teacher of church planting than Jesus, and His apostles and disciples. This course presents the current discourse on New Testament church planting methods from a Biblical theological basis.
Students apply new learned theory in a real-life context and as they apply these theories and strategies are able to examine and assess their viability and workability.
Learned theory is developed through trial and error in practice which aids in developing intercultural knowledge and understanding.
Focusing on the patterns, methods and cultural issues being dealt with in Scripture and church planting discourse, and putting these into practice in an intercultural setting gives the student the means of moving the gospel across cultural lines.
A church planting course should be, first and foremost, done as praxis. While mistakes are part of the process, they enable each one to develop wisdom and understanding through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
While it is important to be informed on current discourses on church planting, the greatest value must be placed on putting the eternal spiritual truths of the Great Commission into practice in our own lives, which in turn may eternally change those with whom we are connected.
