“New churches that have a significant partner or parent


continued from page 7 evangelism training must be available to all believers. Pastors must personally engage with lost people, not just with Christians. Church planters must be active evangelists. Effective evangelism not only transforms lives, but should also transform families and even communities and cities. Without effective evangelism and transformation there is no point in church planting.


Empowered Leadership The third essential is Empowered


Leadership. Church planting movements require a significant number of spiritually and strategically empowered leaders. We


tend to think first about the church planter, and a movement needs many of these. But church planting movements need many kinds of leaders including the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers mentioned in Ephesians chapter 4, as well as intercessors, assessors, coaches, and fund raisers. Not to mention a bunch of children’s workers, youth workers, and worship leaders are also needed. The selection of young emerging leaders for apprenticing and mentoring creates a pipeline of future church planters. Church planter assessments help ensure that the best church planters are selected and empowered. Coaches help to encourage the church planter and his effectiveness.


Partner and Parent Churches The fourth essential is Partner and Parent Churches. Partner and parent churches are


existing congregations committed to the planting and multiplication of new churches. This is a special kind of church, first because they


have a vision beyond themselves and their immediate community. Secondly, they practice exceptional generosity as they give leaders, dollars, and other resources to launch the new church. And thirdly, they have no unhealthy need to control the outcome! Partner churches are those who come alongside to resource or sponsor a new church. Parent churches are those who conceive of the new church and take primary responsibility to see it established. New churches that have a significant partner or parent church have a much greater likelihood of success.


8 theGLEANER n July/August 2011 Dr. Steve Ogne is an


internationally recognized church planting coach and trainer with Church Resource Ministries. Steve and his wife Jane live in southern California. For more about Steve, his ministry and church plant- ing, see www.steveogne.org or pick up Steve’s latest book TransforMissional Coaching.


church have a much greater likelihood of success.”


Personal Coaching and Training The fifth essential is


Personal Coaching and Training. According to studies


completed by LifeWay Research and various individual denominations, planters who receive encouragement and guidance from a trained coach will have a 50 percent higher survival rate after three years, and their churches are likely to grow twice as big as those who do not. Coaches help people develop their God-given potential so that they grow personally and make a valuable contribution to the Kingdom of God. They provide a safe place of strong encouragement for the church planter and team. Quality training is also essential to the start-up process. This training can be provided online, at week-long intensive training events often called BootCamp, or individually by the coach. Church planter training is the only place that equips leaders for the formation and start-up process in addition to the development of ongoing ministry skills.


These are five essential activities that the Baptist


Missionary Association is committed to providing in order to fuel a church planting movement. How are we doing with each of these? Where are we strong? Which one needs the most help? Which one can really move us forward? What can you do? How can you be a part of the movement? n


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