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