"I am becoming increasingly persuaded that the term 'church planting' is a significant hindrance to church planting." - Steve Timmis of the Crowded House (not the band)
I agree. Do you? Check out what Neil Cole said on the same topic (if I'm understanding Steve Timmis correctly) at the Verge conference:
"Stop planting churches. Plant Jesus and churches will be the by product." - Neil Cole
"It is possible to plant churches and never make disciples. Church is to be the outgrowth of the message." - Neil Cole
And check out the last paragraph of Tim Chester's article here.
"It is possible to plant churches and never make disciples. Church is to be the outgrowth of the message." - Neil Cole
ReplyDeleteI might argue that if disciples are not being made, then a church has not truly been planted. All that has happened is a group has separated from one local body and transplanted itself. I fear that a lot of what we call church planting is just moving people around from one church to another. Church plants should be a consequence of an increase of disciples, not something we presume upon a location of our choosing.
Dawne. Let me respond to you comment: Yes!
ReplyDelete