There are a number of models for gathering people. For instance, will you develop a small or large group model? Small groups permit a closer, more relational focus, which allows small group leaders to develop more easily. Large groups allow the focus to be on the planter who directs the programs, projects, and systems. It […]

These are two separate issues. A start-up team, also known as a launch team (avoid the term core group), is composed of those persons who initially partner with the planter to start a new church. This team will do the hard work, including community research, completing surveys, preparing materials, speaking with unbelievers, building relationships, initiating discussions, […]

I picked this up to read and a friend immediately commented: “Is that one of those self-help books? What are you doing reading that?” I responded that I didn’t think it was, but would let them know when I’d read it. With a recommendation list that includes a practical ‘who’s who’ of the modern Evangelical […]

Church planters and/or those involved in revitalisation must know who it is they are trying to reach with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to consider our target community before we can proceed to establish/revitalise a church at any level. Here are some questions we ask our church planters to research in the initial […]

In order to secure the long-term viability of ministry on a scheme, we have to raise financial support. It is very rare for this to happen overnight, and so requires both faith and patience. Therefore, we need to be on the lookout for funding avenues at all times. This can come in the shape of […]

Andrew M Davis is a pastor I know through my links with 9Marks. I can’t remember if I bought the book or it was given to me (more likely) at T4G. Regardless, it’s written by a man with many years of experience in the ministry, and you can tell. Some books I just churn through […]

Do You Have 100 Prayer Partners? This is one of the targets we set for anybody wanting to plant or revitalise a church. A church planter needs lots of prayer support. When we enter the schemes, we are entering satanic territory. He has been quite happy for people to have been in spiritual bondage, without […]

I ran out of reading material on a recent holiday to the Highlands and I found this book in the home of my host. I’ve heard a lot about this Donald fella and so I thought I would give this little bad boy a bit of a whirl. Understanding the Atonement is the sub heading […]

So this takes the prize as the first book I read on my recent holiday. There is no particular reason it worked out that way. I merely woke up, reached out and picked up the first book from the pile on my bedside cabinet and it turned out to be this bad boy.  With a […]

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1) At Niddrie, we are having our annual ‘prune’ as we review our ministry across […]