This post is a compilation of wisdom from church multipliers all over the world. It appears in a book I was invited to contribute a case study from Japan for church planters. Once again, it proves the wisdom/value of being a God cooperator relying on the sometimes serendipitous grace of God. As you read these numbered points, which ones do you resonate with?
Best Practices of Successful Church Multipliers
- Recognize that God orchestrates the changes in global missions.
- Expect divine encounters.
- Know that relationships greatly determine outcomes.
- Implement an exit strategy.
- Work in CP-1 (same culture) and CP-2 (closely similar culture) more often than CP-3 (different culture).
- Avoid burnout by trusting Jesus to build his church.
- Accept that long-term impact requires long-term participation.
- See transformation holistically.
- Facilitate sustainable human and economic resources.
- Make sure sound missiology drives the training, strategy, and curricula.
- Focus on holistic church multiplication.
- Recognize the reality of persecution and martyrdom.
- Guard against stereotyping the form facilitation should take.
Takeaways from "Facilitative Church Planting in Japan"
- God gives tremendous influence to expatriates who submit themselves to local leadership.
- God draws people to himself through the active love of his people in community.
- Supernaturally-empowered relational evangelism is very effective discipleship.
- Job descriptions should remain fluid.
- The goal is not evangelism or discipleship, but church multiplication.
- Newly developing churches can inspire the birthing parent church.
Resources:
- “Best Practices of Successful Church Multipliers” in The Facilitator Era: Beyond Pioneer Church Multiplication. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers. 350
- “Facilitative Church Planting in Japan” takeaways in The Facilitator Era: Beyond Pioneer Church Multiplication. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers. 333
Feedback
Which of the above are counter-intuitive for you? Which are "no brainers?" Which ones make you want to make a change?
I would very much welcome feedback.
Mike
