DNA Characteristics of a Church Planting Movement
Missiologist David Garrison defines a Church Planting Movement as “a rapid and multiplicative increase of indigenous churches-planting-churches within a given people group or population segment.”
God
- God is the initiator of CPMs – they are His work and for His Glory (Habakkuk 2:14; Ephesians 3:20-21)
- The Holy Spirit is the Author, Equipper, and Empowerer of CPMs (Acts 1:8; 10:38; Romans 15:18-20)
- Scripture is the foundation of all beliefs and practices (2 Tim 3:16-17; guiding all changes in tradition)
Vision
- God gives vision for reaching an UPG/city/tribe/nation to a person/team (Mt 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-12; Acts 19:10) 5) Vision is shared and co-laborers are raised up (initially outsiders, but they then help those inside the movement reproduce vision casting)
Prayer
- Intimacy with God & hearing the Holy Spirit’s voice in prayer is primary (John 10:27; Act 1:14; 2:42; Eph 6:18)
- Desperate, continual, and specific intercession & fasting for the lost in the harvest is foundational (Luke 10:2)
- Pray for Kingdom signs and wonders to open the door for the Gospel of King Jesus (Luke 10:9)
- Doing spiritual warfare praying is essential (Ephesians 6:10-20; both personal & team)
- Mobilizing intercessors and prayer walkers is critical
Evangelism
- Holy Spirit-led relationships with the lost in the harvest create access for evangelism (Luke 10:5-8)
- Use access to find and cultivate “Persons of Peace” (Mt 10:1-16; Mk 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-12)
- Continually share Jesus in both truth and power (Luke 10:9; “The Kingdom of God is near” &“Heal the sick”)
- Use culturally-appropriate evangelism (1 Cor 9:19-23)
- Evangelism in Oikos (households and relational networks) is your main focus (Luke 10:5-8)
Discipleship
- Disciple lost people/oikos’ to commitment with Christ (Matthew 28:19; John 6:43-47)
- Teach them to love Jesus and obey His commands (Deut 6:4-9; Matthew 28:20; John 14:15)
- Train all new converts to begin reaching their oikos and reproducing immediately (Mt 28:19-20; Lk 10:5-12)
- Persecution is normal and prepared for (Luke 21:12-19; John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12)
Leaders
- Outside leaders Model, Assist, Watch, Leave (M.A.W.L.; reproducible by those inside the movement)
- Inside leaders lead everything
- Equip & empower all the saints to do the ministry through on-the-job training (Eph 4:11-13; Phil 4:9)
- Local leaders are self-supporting (outside funds that might create dependency are avoided)
- Reproducing multiplying generations of new leaders is critical – it should be your primary focus!
- (2 Tim 2:2; a CPM is really a leadership training & multiplication movement)
Churches
- Churches are discipled oikos’ that become obeying congregations (usually meeting in homes or wherever is safe and convenient)
- Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and good Christian modeling are all they need
- Gatherings: Often small & relational, simple, participatory, and led by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 14:26)
- Begin multiplying new generations of disciples, leaders, groups, and churches immediately (2 Timothy 2:2)
- Develop vision for the harvest and reach out beyond culture/group (Mt 28:18-10; Luke 10:1-2; Acts 19:10)
- Discern how to redeem local culture
Plan & Evaluate
- Prayerfully prepare a plan of “What God will do” for the End Vision (Acts 19:10; Romans 15:18-19)
- Be very honest in evaluating both strengths and weaknesses and make all necessary changes
- Be accountable to God and each other
Resources (Books / Websites)
Garrison, David. Church Planting Movements. / www.churchplantingmovements.com
Patterson, George. Church Multiplication Guide. / www.mentorandmultiply.com
Sergeant, Curtis. “First Steps” Training. / www.e3partners.org
Shank, Nathan. “Four Fields of Kingdom Growth” Manual. / www.churchplantingmovements.com
T4T: A Discipleship Re-Revolution. / www.t4tonline.org
Sutter, Kevin. Keys to Church Planting Movements. / www.CPCoaches.com
Watson, David. “Discovery Bible Studies.” / www.cpmtr.org