Sustained church planting as a primary means of fulfilling the Great Commission, with special reference to New Covenant Ministries International
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South African Theological Seminary
Johannesburg, South Africa
Abstract
This study examines the Biblical pattern for church planting as a primary means of fulfilling the Great Commission. David Bosch (1980:184) once said: “...it is not true that there is a mission because there is a Church; rather, there is Church because there is a mission”. In essence, the primary mission of the Church is to ‘preach the Gospel to all nations’ by planting vibrant churches. Jesus’ ministry reveals a clear pattern for the training of disciples. Part of that training included a pattern for Church Planting. By observing the ministry of the early apostles, there is clear evidence that they adopted this pattern by planting churches wherever the Gospel was proclaimed. By studying several Christian movements from the eighteenth century to the present day, it is clear that by following similar patterns, they were very effective in fulfilling the Great Commission. The thesis also examines how these movements often lost their initial effectiveness by the second generation. By drifting from their initial focus on the Word and the Spirit, they succumbed to a number of influences which robbed them of their initial effectiveness. In essence, they became institutional, bureaucratic, over organisational, professional and traditional, resulting in the loss of their initial vision and desire to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Included in this thesis is the study of a current apostolic movement, New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI). The study is used as an example of a movement using the biblical pattern. The thesis demonstrates the effectiveness of the biblical pattern and examines what NCMI has put in place to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous movements. Finally, the thesis shows that when the principles and pattern laid out in God’s Word with regard to the nature, calling and mission of the Church are adhered to, the movement has been effective, not only in the proclamation of the Gospel, but in establishing healthy churches that in turn continue with Jesus' command to take His Gospel to all the world.
This study examines the Biblical pattern for church planting as a primary means of fulfilling the Great Commission. David Bosch (1980:184) once said: “...it is not true that there is a mission because there is a Church; rather, there is Church because there is a mission”. In essence, the primary mission of the Church is to ‘preach the Gospel to all nations’ by planting vibrant churches. Jesus’ ministry reveals a clear pattern for the training of disciples. Part of that training included a pattern for Church Planting. By observing the ministry of the early apostles, there is clear evidence that they adopted this pattern by planting churches wherever the Gospel was proclaimed. By studying several Christian movements from the eighteenth century to the present day, it is clear that by following similar patterns, they were very effective in fulfilling the Great Commission. The thesis also examines how these movements often lost their initial effectiveness by the second generation. By drifting from their initial focus on the Word and the Spirit, they succumbed to a number of influences which robbed them of their initial effectiveness. In essence, they became institutional, bureaucratic, over organisational, professional and traditional, resulting in the loss of their initial vision and desire to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Included in this thesis is the study of a current apostolic movement, New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI). The study is used as an example of a movement using the biblical pattern. The thesis demonstrates the effectiveness of the biblical pattern and examines what NCMI has put in place to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous movements. Finally, the thesis shows that when the principles and pattern laid out in God’s Word with regard to the nature, calling and mission of the Church are adhered to, the movement has been effective, not only in the proclamation of the Gospel, but in establishing healthy churches that in turn continue with Jesus' command to take His Gospel to all the world.
This study examines the Biblical pattern for church planting as a primary means of fulfilling the Great Commission. David Bosch (1980:184) once said: “...it is not true that there is a mission because there is a Church; rather, there is Church because there is a mission”. In essence, the primary mission of the Church is to ‘preach the Gospel to all nations’ by planting vibrant churches. Jesus’ ministry reveals a clear pattern for the training of disciples. Part of that training included a pattern for Church Planting. By observing the ministry of the early apostles, there is clear evidence that they adopted this pattern by planting churches wherever the Gospel was proclaimed. By studying several Christian movements from the eighteenth century to the present day, it is clear that by following similar patterns, they were very effective in fulfilling the Great Commission. The thesis also examines how these movements often lost their initial effectiveness by the second generation. By drifting from their initial focus on the Word and the Spirit, they succumbed to a number of influences which robbed them of their initial effectiveness. In essence, they became institutional, bureaucratic, over organisational, professional and traditional, resulting in the loss of their initial vision and desire to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Included in this thesis is the study of a current apostolic movement, New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI). The study is used as an example of a movement using the biblical pattern. The thesis demonstrates the effectiveness of the biblical pattern and examines what NCMI has put in place to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous movements. Finally, the thesis shows that when the principles and pattern laid out in God’s Word with regard to the nature, calling and mission of the Church are adhered to, the movement has been effective, not only in the proclamation of the Gospel, but in establishing healthy churches that in turn continue with Jesus' command to take His Gospel to all the world.
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Missions