The Church Planting Process 

 It can happen, and it will happen as we hear and heed God’s voice in the incredible church-planting opportunities available to Southern Baptists today.

Open your heart and your mind to the church planting process introduced by the North American Mission Board in this video. It is not business as usual. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is not a restrictive straight-jacket of do’s and don’ts.

It is a process that has been honed over a number of years in a variety of settings with a variety of people groups. It is a sound and proven comprehensive method for planting healthy churches that in turn plant more churches. It is biblical, and it is practical.

Each of the four steps of the church planting process, introduced in this video, is outlined in a companion brochure. If you have thoughts or questions, write them down! A new understanding or an “Aha!” moment? Jot it down! A sudden inspiration? Make a note of it! Know also that resources are available for each step.

The Four Components of the Church Planting Process

The church planting process is a series of four progressive components, including 18 activities. One naturally leads to the next . . . and then to the next. While the working through of this process may look different in varying settings, the end result is the same. That desired result is healthy and growing churches that are planting other new churches so that all people may come to know Him.

Readiness
	Affirm that the gospel is for all people Invest time in prayer, Bible study, building community of faith to support church-planting effort Examine personal call to church planting. Learn about context of proposed church start Understand people group—language, culture, needs, receptivity to gospel Begin to discover those in people group who are receptive to gospel message Readiness Resources
Enlistment
	Identify/enlist church planter or missionary Identify/enlist church planting team Identify/enlist partner churches   Identify/enlist other strategic partnerships  Enlistment Resources
Equipping
	Develop character within church planter Provide information/knowledge necessary for church planting   Teach specific skills related to church planting   Evaluate and provide additional training/resources as needed Equipping Resources
Multiplication
	Begin to sow gospel in unreached areas   Develop new disciples   Start new small groups   Enlist and support new leaders   Launch new churches Multiplication Resources

Think about Jesus’ time on earth. God prepared His people for the coming of the Messiah; God’s people were eagerly awaiting their Deliverer (Readiness). Jesus was born, grew up and launched His public ministry, beginning with the calling of the twelve disciples (Enlistment). Jesus spent three years teaching, training and discipling these disciples; He also taught and equipped others who would come to follow Him (Equipping). After Jesus’ death and resurrection, His people—those He had loved and taught and died for—turned the world upside down with the gospel message (Multiplication). What better example can we have, than Jesus Himself, for such a process?