The Basics of Church Planting

Churches that are established following the biblical pattern set forth by the Apostles and first century missionaries will manifest "indigeneity." The term "indigenous" is a biological term used to describe a plant that thrives in a specific environment, type of soil, in a given location or climate. At present time there is much lip service given to the starting and establishing of "indigenous churches." Unfortunately many times even those most adamant about this principle and philosophy, in every day practice undermine or violate the principle as set forth in Acts 14 and Ephesians 4:10. The failure to follow biblical guidelines and patterns has led to the establishment of mission churches that are not self-governing, self-supporting or self-propagating. Churches started and established according to New Testament teachings will be able to exist and flourish without the foreign direction, subsidy and propping up which characterizes mission churches on so many fields.