GLOBAL CHURCH PLANTING

Biblical Principles and Best Practices for Multiplication

Craig Ott and Gene Wilson

Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

Grand Rapids, Michigan

© 2011 by Craig Ott and Gene Wilson

Published by Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakeracademic.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Ott, Craig, 1952–

Global church planting: biblical principles and best practices for multiplication / Craig Ott and Gene Wilson.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.

ISBN 978-0-8010-3580-7 (pbk.: alk. paper)

1. Chruch development, New. I. Wilson, Gene, 1953– II. Title.

BV652.24.O88 2011

254′.1—dc22

2010021084

Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all emphasis in quoted material is from the source.

Contents

Foreword by Rick Warren

Preface

Prologue: The Parable of the Apple Trees

Part I: Biblical Foundations

1 The Task of Church Planting

2 The Reasons for Church Planting

3 New Testament Beginnings

Part II: Strategic Considerations

4 Church Multiplication and Indigenous Church-Planting Movements

5 Apostolic Church Planters

6 The Shape of the Church

7 Pioneer, Reproduction, and Regional Approaches to Church Planting

Part III: Developmental Phases

8 The Developmental Phases of a Church Plant: An Overview

9 Preparing, Part 1: Targeting and Commissioning

10 Preparing, Part 2: Understanding and Strategizing

11 Launching: Evangelism and Discipleship

12 Establishing: Congregating and Maturing

13 Structuring: Expanding and Empowering

14 Reproducing: Strengthening and Sending

Part IV: Critical Factors

15 The Personal Life of Church Planters

16 Church-Planting Teams

17 Developing Servants, Leaders, and Planters

18 Partnerships and Resources in Church Planting

19 Planting Churches with Kingdom Impact

Epilogue

Works Cited

Index

Foreword

The church is the most brilliant concept ever created. It has outlasted cultures, governments, skeptics, and enemies from within and without, and it will continue to do so until Jesus returns. We must love the church as Christ does, and that love is at the core of Global Church Planting by Craig Ott and Gene Wilson.

These authors and experienced church planters remind us that our churches are growing, living organisms and therefore will naturally reproduce. If we’re not reproducing, it’s a sign something is unhealthy in our congregations. Ultimately, a church’s health is measured by its sending capacity, not its seating capacity.

In light ...