Pre-requisites

MS221.406

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

Unit Content

The unit commences with an introduction to the biblical, historical and contemporary models of church planting appropriate for both the Australian and overseas context. Particular attention is given to characteristics of effective church planters taking into account a variety of church planting contexts. Study in this area relates specifically to the practice of planting churches and developing leaders in a variety of settings.

The theoretical underpinning of a variety of strategies for church planting and church growth are examined. Emphasis is given to the issues of: team formation; the development of support structures for church planting teams; church planting both in Australia and overseas, leadership training, spiritual warfare and power encounter; homogeneous unit principle, resistance-receptivity theory, redemption and lift and people movements are considered along with the effect of culture and worldview on church planting and leadership training methods. Study in this area relates to the assessing strategies for a variety of situations.

The types of churches planted and the kind of leaders developed are explored. Church planting and leadership training principles for the band, tribal, peasant and urban context are considered with particular emphasis being placed on the issues of conversion and discipleship training in different cultural contexts; the dangers of introducing foreign traditions; the problems of paternalism and dependence; developing appropriate church organizational structures and worship styles in a variety of socio-political and cultural situations are also examined. The skills that are required to meet the demands made on the church planter and leadership trainer are identified.

Cultivating culturally appropriate leadership and recognising spiritual gifting in a variety of contexts is considered. The student analyses a series of case studies that deal with specific socio-political and cultural setting and require an understanding of the cultural issues involved in leadership selection and guidance.

The nature of a truly contextualised church is examined. Particular attention is placed upon the relationship between the newly planted church and the mission or denominational organization; establishing mission orientated-reproducing churches; and the signs of the church’s maturity and the planned departure of the church planting team. The student is required to evaluate the contextuality of a variety of churches by means of reflection on a series of case studies. The issues of appropriateness to context and church discipline in the church planting context are also considered.

At the conclusion of the unit, the student is expected to have developed a church planting mindset and to be able to analyse and evaluate a diversity of models and strategies for church planting in a variety of socio-political and cultural contexts.

Teaching Strategies

Teaching strategies include lectures, tutorials, weekend schools and presentation of instructional material in the form of printed documentation, OHP, DVD, video and audio tape and on-line interaction. Students also learn by class discussion, personal study, preparation of assignments and assessment comments on their work.

Textbook Information

Frost, M. and A. Hirsh, (2003). The shaping of thing to come: Innovation and mission for the 21st century church. Peabody, MA: Henrickson.

Hiebert, P. G. and Meneses, E. H. (1995). Incarnational ministry: planting churches in band, tribal, peasant and urban societies. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.

Murray, S. (2001). Church planting: Laying foundations. Carlisle, UK: Paternoster.