| Plant pioneering |
January 2007 index| When we speak of planting churches, we use the term ‘church’ as the Bible does to refer to a local gathering of believers. So to plant a church is to establish a new local gathering of committed believers in an area where previously there was either none at all or an insufficient number of churches to reach the people there. |
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What is church planting?
This may happen through a sole pioneering evangelist (as with the Apostle Paul), or through a group sent with the support and blessing of an existing congregation. Like any church, the aim is to provide an authentic, faithful Christian family that is also a home for new believers who respond to the Gospel as it is proclaimed. The style, format and location of the regular meetings will vary depending on the context (perhaps the best way to understand the popular term ‘fresh expressions’). But at the heart should always be the same essential elements: a people devoted to God’s word, to prayer, each other and mission (Acts 2: 42, Philippians 1: 5), under godly leadership (Titus 1: 5) and in fellowship with other likeminded churches. Like church growth, church planting should always be on every church’s agenda as they seek to engage in God’s mission. Crosslinks Church Planting Project Each year we receive many requests for funding to help with church planting in a number of countries. A small amount goes a long way (see the report from Tanzania) and enables the training of evangelists and church leaders. From 2007 we will have an ongoing Church Planting Project, which will focus on a different country each year. All donations received for the project during the year will go to the selected country, through known channels. As with all our projects, regular reports will be given demonstrating that the money is used correctly. During the year we will all be involved through prayer, and needs and encouragements will be shared though Prayer News, Prayer Call and Prayer Line as usual. 2007: India
Our first Church Planting Project will focus on India; a country with a population of one billion people, predominantly Hindu but with 170 million Muslims. The total number of Christians continues to increase, but the proportion of Christians to the total population is decreasing – now less than 2.5%. Pray that through this project people will come to know the Lord Jesus daily and be gathered together in churches. Please send donations to Crosslinks clearly marked for the Church Planting Project. Crosslinks has been involved in evangelism and training since 1923. Now in 2007 it will be a privilege to facilitate church planting under this exciting new project. |
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