AN APPRAISAL OF CHURCH PLANTING ACTIVITIES ( A CASE

STUDY OF MFM CHURCH)

 ABSTRACT

This research work looked at an appraisal of Church planting activities in

Mountain of Fire And Miracles Ministries as a case study. The research
methodology employed was historical method. The researcher discovered
that some churches were planted with the wrong approach to church
planting strategies. It was also discovered that prayers was the foundation
that triggered motivation for church planting with the power of the Holy
Spirit and vivid reliance and confidence on Christ Jesus, the planter and
builder of His Church. Similarly, the researcher discovered that crusades,
house fellowships, evangelism, strong visitations and follow-up and
commitment of man power coupled with proper finances and strategic
locations were some trade marks for church planting and church growth.
The researcher therefore recommended that communication and cordial
relationship between the pastor, his wife, church council and the church
members should be well channeled and structured for synergy of visions
and purposes towards church planting and church growth.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

This section focuses on background to the study. It also includes

statement of problem, purpose of the study, the significance of the study,

research methodology, scope of the study and definition of terms.

1.1 Background to the Study

Church planting is an area of practical and pastoral theology.

Practised in various ways since New Testament times there have been

periods of increased activity especially at times of population growth, social

upheaval, increased missionary activity, or spiritual revival. Present

renewed interest in church planting may be attributable to the influence of

the Church Growth Movement, and also to what Christine describes as the

recent experience of the Holy Spirit. Missiologically, and sociologically,

there is a concern to relate the gospel into western secularised society, and

reverse the trend of church decline by establishing culturally relevant

mission-minded churches.

Church planting is the sending out of people, by a church, churches,

or mission agency, in order to establish a new congregation, revive a

struggling one, or even replace a closed one. The result may be separate
independent churches, congregations responsible to a “mother church”, or

congregations which are part of a network with sister congregations.

Ethically, if a new church undermines the work of existing ones it

may be regarded as unloving and a hindrance to the unity of the Church.

Wagner, for example, responds polemically to this emphasising that unity

which aids evangelism, rather than hinders, is in accord with the Jesus’

prayer in John 17.

Wagner gives five reasons for church planting: it (i) is biblical, (ii)

facilitates denominational survival, (iii) develops new leadership, (iv)

stimulates existing churches, and (v) is efficient. He identifies three

imperatives for church planting: the biblical imperative, the demographic

imperative of reaching people without a “viable, evangelizing church in

their culture,” and the practical imperative inherent in the evangelistic

effectiveness of church planting. A number of “secondary reasons” include

making a new start, relieving pressure on a full building, catering for those

who commute to worship, reaching a new estate, and responding to a

sense of call and a commitment to growth. However, these “reasons” may

also result in forms of mission other than church planting.

 Both the reasons for and the objections to church planting beg the

question of what theological foundations underlie such considerations.

Therefore it is intention of the researcher to give an appraisal of Church

planting activities in MFM Church using Headquarters as a case study.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Since the task of Church Planting is so enormous, Church planting

advocates recognize and respond to supposed objections arising from

theological, ethical, and pragmatic concerns, and thereby supply an

apologetic to assumed, unnamed, detractors. Theologically, some consider

evangelism and church planting to be inappropriate, others have

ecumenical concerns and reservations about denominational or

independent initiatives, whilst others fear that church planting can become

an end in itself.

Pragmatically, some assume that there are too many churches and

energy should be expended on improving existing ones. A planting church

may face objections from its own members arising from a “maintenance

mentality”, a focus on cosy fellowship rather than on mission, fears of the

risks and costs involved, and accusations of dissipated resources.[9] Years

of decline and the closure of churches has also created negative

expectations.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

This research targets at the following:

1) To clearly show all aspect to be taken care of in Church planting

activities by the Local Church through a thorough research.

2) To educate the Pastor, church administrator, leaders, church

workers, and members on the need to plant more churches.

3) To elucidate on the Biblical basis of Church Planting

4) To ignite passion in local churches to participate directly or

indirectly in the work of mission.

5) To emphasize the relationship between Church Planting and

Church Growth.

6) To provide researchable material for the Pastor, church

administrator, leaders, church workers, theologians and members

on the Subject of Church Planting.

7) To help identify challenges of Church planting activities and

determine a strategy for planting new churches in MFM Church.

8) To show how well trained, well-structured and well functioning

leaders determine the level of success of a church–planting

activities.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The research work will be an immense blessing to MFM Church and

other Christian denomination on strategic involvement in Church planting

activities.

Pastors, leaders, worker, and Church planters will appreciate the

significance of planting more churches and need to adequately develop

them.

This research work will be a reference material for future researcher.

It will provide insight on the church planting activities.

The research will also contribute to knowledge. Scholars have made

several researches in different field of study which contributed knowledge

on the field study, on the same vein this research is a contribution to

knowledge.

1.5 Delimitation of the Study

 This research is not aimed at discussing the whole concept of Mission

and Church Growth. Its concern is basically on the church planting

activities in MFM Church.

1.6 Limitation of the Study

Despite the end product of this research work, this project faced

some constraints such as time, fund, gathering of’ materials and co-

operation from question respondents at the collection of data.

There was also problem of getting the documentation of church in

case study, which posed a delay in the compilation of the work. There was

also problem of misplaced laptop of the typist which led to the delay of the

project work due to retype of the entire project work. However, the

researcher did this possible best to present a valid report.

1.7 Research Methodology

The historical approach, being the fitting procedure is thereby chosen

by the researcher with the Turabian style (8th Edition) as the format of

documentation. For the purpose of the research, journals, books, internet,

interviews were consulted.

The major libraries consulted were:

1) Internet

2) E-libraries

3) Personal Library

4) Borrowed resources (on the subject of Church planting)

1.8 Definition of Terms

For the purpose of this study, the following terms are deemed fit to

be distinctively defined as follows:

Church: On the basis of the Greek word “ekkaleo,” a composition of two

words: ek and kaleo meaning “out of” and “call” respectively, the Church

may therefore be defined as an individual or a group of persons who

answered to the call of God’s love demonstrated in the salvific work

perpetuated by Christ and so believe on Him as Saviour and Lord.

Activities: This is a process that an organism carries on or participates in

by virtue of being alive. In relation to the Church planting, it means all

undertakings of the Church in order to remain alive, relevant, active and

growing.
 REFERENCES

Cavalcanti, H.B. "Human Agency in Mission Work: Missionary Styles and

Their Political Consequences". Sociology of Religion, 2001. 66 (4):
381–98.
Gledhill, R. "New church plant bishop will be Rev Ric Thorpe". Christian
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Hayward, K. God and a Godward Worldview for the IMB - Concerns about
CPM Theory. GlobalMissiology.org, 2016. p 27
Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.
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McCallum, D. Planting Home Groups. Planting Home Groups. Xenos
Christian Fellowship, 2012.
Neander, A. History of the Planting and Training of the Christian Church by
the Apostles. Trans. J. E. Ryland. New York: Sheldon, 1865. Print. pg.
58-84.
Ruhl, Mike. Church Planting: A Historical Look, 2014. p. 1-4.
Wright, M. Rev. of The Church Mission Society and World Christianity,
1799-1999 by Kevin Ward". Church History, 2003. 72 (3): 679–
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_of_Fire_and_Miracles_Ministries