Church planting is hard work. Biblical, cultural, historical, and contemporary dimensions of church planting the missiology of Jesus' ministry and teaching on the kingdom of God. Resources to sustain the spiritual formation of church planters, leadership teams, and church member show to contextualize the gospel message and planting methods in different cultures and communities Sent to Flourish.
"Again I am proud to count Fuller's church planting program among our partners in this work. Cotherman's quick and deep picture of mission history, Woodward's clear and honest take on the work and his journey in it, and Tang's pastoral take on leadership are all gifts to the conversation. Whenever I encounter an honest response to the colonial and mission history of the church and the prevailing culture that surrounds planting in evangelical traditions, I am glad for the courage that gives itvoice. This book's four-part structure offers fresh insight, and the third section, reminding us that the God who sends us is also out in front of us, already among those to whom we go, is an insight worth delving into and pushing deeper. Read thisbook for fresh takes, bubbling up from the canonical work of evangelical and missional theologians and embodied by the familiar voices of practitioners as well as scholars."
Karen Rohrer, director of the Church Planting Initiative, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
"As I settled in for a flight, I asked my seatmate about his work. 'I am a church planter,' he said enthusiastically. 'That's interesting to hear,' I responded, and then asked with apparent naiveté, 'So what does it take to plant a church?' 'Two simple things: a good sound system and a dynamic speaker!' This rich volume offers multifaceted wisdom about how much more church planting actually requires than just those two things. I hope my seatmate, and all who read this very helpful book, willsee that church planting is about deep sowing and nurturing, about how much God has a passionate purpose in all of it, and about what a faithful adventure and daunting challenge church planting really is!"
Mark Labberton, president, Fuller Theological Seminary
"Drawing from Scripture and the experience of many church starters and reproducing churches, this book has the capacity both to inspire and to guide planting initiatives into healthy, practical activation. Along the way, the authors remain ever attentive to helping startup teams cultivate the supportive environments and practices conducive to their flourishing and the multiplying of new churches. What a helpful resource for anyone or any church considering a role in planting!"
Daniel Steigerwald, missional catalyst and coach at Artesia ReSourcing
