Church planting?

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Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,760
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#41
Pretty much every Epistle of the Apostle Paul is addressed to churches he "planted." Jesus instructed us to do so when He said.......Go ye into all the world....." Every community in the New Testament had a "church" within it. All local churches are a part of the One Church.
Exactly. And anyone who comes along and says otherwise is simply sowing seeds of spiritual confusion. At the same time, all churches today should be following the New Testament pattern of gathering, worshipping, and evangelizing. Sadly, this is lacking, but the principles do not change.
 

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,458
460
83
#42
Absolutely there were churches, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying Paul and everyone else preached Jesus; they planted the seeds of the gospel. The Holy Spirit established the churches.

We've somehow gotten the idea that all we have to do is go off and plant some "churches" and Jesus and the Holy Spirit will automatically show up. That's not how it works. If it's not the Spirit's will, we're just wasting time. We have to obey the Spirit; we have to do it His way. And His way is for us to preach the good news and let Him establish the churches.
I am certain that Paul intended for a church or called out assembly of believer to result from his preaching in each new location. Part of making disciples of all nations is to help them establish a community called a church. We don't just get them saved and leave them to figure it out on their own. It's a family thing. It was then, it still is.
 
R

RichMan

Guest
#43
Planting churches is a term I only recently heard. Do not really like this term.
As Paul traveled, He preached the Gospel. Those that believed he baptized and those baptized were than a local church.
Call it what you wish, but to say Paul did not start, organize, or "plant" churches simply shows a lack of understanding of Scripture.
But some just have to rant in their effort to justify their sin of not assembling.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,760
113
#44
Planting churches is a term I only recently heard. Do not really like this term.
Actually it is a very appropriate term, given the fact that the Gospel (the Word of God) is deemed to be "the seed" of the New Birth. When you plant seeds you expect plants to grow out of them, and churches are the plants which grow out of sowing the Gospel seeds.
 

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,458
460
83
#45
Actually it is a very appropriate term, given the fact that the Gospel (the Word of God) is deemed to be "the seed" of the New Birth. When you plant seeds you expect plants to grow out of them, and churches are the plants which grow out of sowing the Gospel seeds.
I use the term because it is a concise way of communicating what I believe to be the heart of God as it relates to what we are supposed to be doing while waiting for the return of Jesus Christ. It cuts to the chase and says a lot in two words.

People who want to know "How should they fulfill the Great Commission? What specifically can I do?" can understand that planting churches is an objective that they can wrap their heads around. This is something that will result in spreading the Kingdom of Heaven like the leaven in the loaves Jesus spoke about. It's the mustard seed growing into a mighty tree.
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
3,159
1,045
113
46
#46
Sounds like you're afraid and unwilling to give up the status quo. Lead, follow or get out of the way.

"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”—Revelation 21:8
Hahah so that’s what your ongoing threads about “The Church“ sound like? Somehow a problem with me?
 
C

ChristianTonyB

Guest
#47
This is disingenuous in the extreme. The first church to be planted was the one at Jerusalem. Subsequently churches were planted throughout the Roman empire (and beyond). Therefore we have epistles to the churches at Rome, Corinth, Galatia (a region), Ephesus, Philippi. Colossae, Thessalonica, etc. Then we have the letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor (Turkey). And no doubt there were churches which had been planted in many other towns and cities.
The OP can answer for himself, but I think he was alluding to the fact that eg, the church of England planting/establishing a church in another country, and calling it the church of England there as well, is an insult to the Lord Jesus.... and it's just cementing the fact that it is a counterfeit church. The same could be said for any similar organisation and institution.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,760
113
#48
The OP can answer for himself, but I think he was alluding to the fact that eg, the church of England planting/establishing a church in another country, and calling it the church of England there as well, is an insult to the Lord Jesus.... and it's just cementing the fact that it is a counterfeit church. The same could be said for any similar organisation and institution.
To label the entire Church of England over the centuries as a "counterfeit church" does not line up with the facts. All you have to do is read the Thirty Nine Articles of the Faith to see that. And there were also evangelicals within the Church of England, So tell me if you can take exception to these:

VI. OF THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES FOR SALVATION
HOLY Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the holy Scripture we do understand those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

XI. OF THE JUSTIFICATION OF MAN
WE are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings: Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.

XV. OF CHRIST ALONE WITHOUT SIN
CHRIST in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only except, from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be the Lamb without spot, who, by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world, and sin, as Saint John saith, was not in him. But all we the rest, although baptized, and born again in Christ, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
 
C

ChristianTonyB

Guest
#49
I am certain that Paul intended for a church or called out assembly of believer to result from his preaching in each new location. Part of making disciples of all nations is to help them establish a community called a church. We don't just get them saved and leave them to figure it out on their own. It's a family thing. It was then, it still is.
What regular family gathering has a present list of items or observances to go through. We've surely lost the plot, and in truth have allowed it to be taken from us by the institutionalised and commercialised church enterprises. Jesus will have nothing to do with those, and I'm staying with Him.
 
C

ChristianTonyB

Guest
#50
To label the entire Church of England over the centuries as a "counterfeit church" does not line up with the facts. All you have to do is read the Thirty Nine Articles of the Faith to see that. And there were also evangelicals within the Church of England, So tell me if you can take exception to these:

VI. OF THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES FOR SALVATION
HOLY Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the holy Scripture we do understand those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

XI. OF THE JUSTIFICATION OF MAN
WE are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings: Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.

XV. OF CHRIST ALONE WITHOUT SIN
CHRIST in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only except, from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be the Lamb without spot, who, by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world, and sin, as Saint John saith, was not in him. But all we the rest, although baptized, and born again in Christ, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
You're lost.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,760
113
#51
That is the pathetic response of someone who has been proven wrong. Why did you make this an ad hominem attack rather than admit that you were wrong about the Church of England (as originally constituted)?
 
J

joecoten

Guest
#52
Church planting is exciting, as this is when I've seen God move powerfully and is an excellent way to evangelize and raise up new leaders. However, established churches may see you as muscling in on their territory and will be very unimpressed when some of their people leave to join what the Lord is doing with your group. Expect the cold shoulder.
 

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,458
460
83
#53
What regular family gathering has a present list of items or observances to go through. We've surely lost the plot, and in truth have allowed it to be taken from us by the institutionalised and commercialised church enterprises. Jesus will have nothing to do with those, and I'm staying with Him.
There are a dozen churches in several mile radius that I would not be interested in. They have old beautiful stone buildings but are full of dead religious ceremony where people don't even know what it means to be born again. I get it.

But that does not mean I have to stay home. There are others that are full of holy living, on fire for God, Jesus preaching soul winners who live like believers in the book of Acts. Lots of them.

If it is not that way in Australia then maybe you need to do something about that. Sounds like you have found your mission field. That is how I think about things. We need to go where there is no vibrant, full Gospel, evangelic church in a community and start one. And keep doing that until Jesus comes back again.

Defeat or giving up is not an option to the Faith Filled, Holy Ghost Filled Man. Can I get an Amen! Somebody! :)
 
J

joecoten

Guest
#54
There are a dozen churches in several mile radius that I would not be interested in. They have old beautiful stone buildings but are full of dead religious ceremony where people don't even know what it means to be born again. I get it.

But that does not mean I have to stay home. There are others that are full of holy living, on fire for God, Jesus preaching soul winners who live like believers in the book of Acts. Lots of them.

If it is not that way in Australia then maybe you need to do something about that. Sounds like you have found your mission field. That is how I think about things. We need to go where there is no vibrant, full Gospel, evangelic church in a community and start one. And keep doing that until Jesus comes back again.

Defeat or giving up is not an option to the Faith Filled, Holy Ghost Filled Man. Can I get an Amen! Somebody! :)
Amen! :)
 
C

ChristianTonyB

Guest
#55
That is the pathetic response of someone who has been proven wrong. Why did you make this an ad hominem attack rather than admit that you were wrong about the Church of England (as originally constituted)?
No, it's not. It's one of concern for your welfare. The reason why I can say it, is you are exactly where I was before God made me a Christian. I'm not saying you can't be found, but at the present time, you are lost!
 
J

joecoten

Guest
#56
Oh boy, this should be good. Where's my popcorn? I think a can of Schweppe's should wash it down fine! lol
 
J

joecoten

Guest
#59
Man, I'm just about finished my popcorn and drink...and no action! What a rip-off! Just like the 2-headed lady thing! Oh well. I guess it's past my bedtime anyway. Stupid PM!
 

wolfwint

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2014
3,589
873
113
61
#60
Paul didn't start churches, he planted seeds and the Lord grew the churches: "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted [the seed], Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."—1 Corinthians 3:5-6

Paul's mission was never to plant churches but to preach the gospel.
Well, what is the different between planted seeds and planting churches?
He set in eldest in the churches and he gave directions for the churches. He was not the only one who plantet churches, thats right.
What he refused was a person cult.