Introduction
“Church planting as mission, or mission as church planting.” This remains a debatable theme among missiologists. For some of them, there is no mission without church planting while others think that mission is not about church planting. I argue that church planting is the most effective way of carrying out the Missio Dei in Africa today. For all other aspects of mission such as discipleship, leadership development, public engagement, worship, and many others find their meanings in the ecclesiastical environment. I propose to use five pillars to support my argument.
- Church planting is the focus of Christ’s missional statement in Matthew 16:16–18
Church planting is central in Christ’s exchange with his disciples in Matthew 16:16–18. He came to save the lost and constitute a new family for God on earth. He promises to build up his church and he affirms the authority and the power given to the church. The building of this church took place on the day of Pentecost as Peter together with other disciples preaching in Jerusalem resulting in three thousand people becoming followers of Christ (Acts 2:14–41).
If Christ himself made the building of the church a priority, we should make church planting the first item on the agenda of our church denominations’ strategic goals. It is sad to note that what was a priority for Christ has stopped to be an urgent matter to his followers after several centuries. Wagner (2010, 19) is right to say that “church planting is a kingdom activity, strongly endorsed by God our king. Collectively, as the community of the kingdom, we can scarcely feel that we are obeying God if we fail to plant churches and plant them intentionally and aggressively.”
From a missiological perspective, we cannot talk about mission without putting church at the center of our endeavors. Mission is complete when churches are being planted, otherwise, we will be missing the mark.
- Church planting creates a good environment for discipleship making (Matthew 28:18–20)
Discipleship making is an essential component of the great commission. But this missional mandate has its meaning in the ecclesiastical context. It would be difficult if not impossible to talk about discipleship outside of the church. In other words, the fulfilment of the great commission is made possible through church planting. Marlin (2004, 25) believes that “church planting is the heart of the great commission. Church planting exalts Christ, it crosses all cultural barriers and continues to be the best method under heaven to effectively advance the gospel.”
As the church reaches out to the lost, new churches must be planted for discipleship making to take place. As a matter of fact, strong churches train disciples to plant churches. The right environment where discipleship can take place and where disciples can be given opportunities to grow is the local church. We belong to Christ by becoming members of the local church. Therefore, any discipleship practice taking place outside the church’s framework is a waste of time and resources. This explains why some western evangelists include local churches in their public crusades especially when they visit Africa. Just as the home takes care of newborn children and help them to grow, the church does the same for those who believe in Christ.
- Church planting contributes to the extension of God’s kingdom on earth (Matthew 6:10)
God’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom which is also invisible to most people. But the church serves as the representative of the heavenly kingdom on earth. Every time people see the church, they are reminded of God’s existence and his kingdom. I like how Marlin (2004, 22) puts it, “building God’s kingdom means new church planting with all of our spiritual hearts, souls, minds and bodies.” I believe that not planting churches is fighting against the extension of God’s kingdom on earth. Through the church, Jesus Christ’s work continues on earth through his body which is the church. Therefore, church planting is important because it ensures people’s awareness of God’s kingdom.
- Church planting contributes to the transformation of the human society
Church planting becomes even more important as we consider the role the church plays in human society. The presence of the church in every country, city, and village contributes to the change of human behavior and character. Wagner (2010, 13) says, “in most cases than not, a new church in the community tends to raise the religious interest of people in general.” Church planting is vital in improving human cohabitation and morality in society. Marlin (2004, 12) observes that evangelism of the lost becomes easier through church planting. Those who are unchurched are more readily to be saved because a new church is planted in the area.
- Church planting fosters denominational church growth
Through church planting there is a rapid growth in the number of branches or local churches in any church denomination. Wagner (2010, 12) acknowledges that “without exception the growing denominations have been those that stress church planting.” From my own experience as a church denomination leader and founder, I can confirm this. When I started stressing church planting in my denomination, we began to see new branches coming up. If we did not venture into church planting, we were likely to remain with just one church in the city of Lubumbashi where we serve the Lord. But thank God, the church planting method has increased the number of our churches in the area, and it has become a priority for every church member.
Conclusion
In this blog, I have demonstrated the necessity of church planting in mission. Planting churches is embedded in Christ’s missionary vision. It makes God’s kingdom more visible on earth and it facilitates the discipleship making process. All other ministries described in Ephesians 4:11 find their place within the community of believers. Ultimately, the church serves as an agent of life transformation and preparation of God’s people for eternity.
Works cited list.
Marlin, Mull. 2004. A Biblical church planting manual., Eugene, Origen: Wipf & stock publishers
Wagner, C. Peter. 2010. Church planting for a Greater harvest – a comprehensive guide. Eugene, Origen: Wipf & stock publishers,
Short Bio:
Dr Jesse Fungwa Kipimo is a Doctor of Theology from the University of South Africa (UNISA). His areas of expertise include Missiology in general, Pentecostal, and charismatic studies, Pneumatology, discipleship, African Christianity, marriage, and family. He is the SATS’ Head of Programme Delivery and MDiv Coordinator, a postgraduate supervisor, and a lecturer. He is the current moderator for Francophone African Theologians’ network gathering more than three hundred scholars. Dr Jesse Kipimo is an author of several Christian books and articles an ordained minister of the Gospel under the Pentecostal Assemblies of God and a senior pastor for the Liberating Truth Mission Church International in Lubumbashi, DRC Congo.
