CALVIN AND HOPS

"For the advocate is judged by the response of those whose minds he seeks to change, and nothing is more likely to spoil his persuasive effect than to be caught out in a factual mistake, especially if the fact relates to a precedent of which the hearer has independent knowledge. 'It wasn't that way' easily transforms itself into 'The whole case must be wrong.'" - Neustadt and May in Thinking in Time (Free Press 1986)

Church Planting



Why Keep Planting Churches in America? 
Why Not Leverage Existing Structure?

"The sad reality is that many of our established evangelical churches seem determined to reach only people who look like themselves -- if they are committed to reach anyone at all." Pastor Al Mohler -blog

Thursday May 15th
TIME: 7:30-9:00 p.m.  (6:30 for last supper! No...I'm not going to wash your feet!)


Some questions to ponder in preparation:
  1. How many theologically orthodox churches already exist in the greater Spokane and/or CdA area?
  2. Is gathering a bunch of believers together to a new location, when they mostly/entirely come from other churches, legitimately planting a church? 
  3. Is our infatuation with planting new churches a reflection of our throw away culture?
  4. Is it wrong to come to a church with the purpose of proactively influencing the body in a direction different from the church's current emphasis toward what you are convinced is a more biblical expression of worship?  Is this honorably leveraging your influence for God's glory?  Is it not wise to take advantage of the material capabilities already existing in established churches which appear to have lost their way rather than fighting the battles and expending the resources to find/buy a facility in which to plant?
  5.  Is there a biblical pattern for local church bodies owning/renting property for the purpose of corporate worship? Does lack of facilities inhibits the outreach of many churches to unbelievers   Does having a facility necessarily facilitate (pun intended) outreach? 
  6. Is the multi-campus model (ala Mars Hill, Bethlehem Baptist, etc.) one we should pursue instead of planting multiple individual church bodies, each with its own preaching pastor? Would it not better capitalize on the few who are prepared to teach well a unified gospel while enabling local shepherding by those who haven't the responsibility to perform in the pulpit each week?
  7. "Mass" is a solidly validated principle of war. Do large churches tend to more effectively capitalize on this principle?  How about Unity of Command?


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