We plant churches

It makes sense that if the mission is to “make disciples” (and it is), then the mission also includes starting churches for those disciples to gather together. In fact, that first group of disciples who form a church will soon find that the church they start is itself a tool that God uses to draw even more people to Jesus. So, make disciples and plant churches are really a mission tandem. They go together. This Sunday, as we continue our We are Harvest series, we’ll look at the declaration that “We plant churches.” This will lay out the biblical mandate, the practical outworking of it in our context, and the partnerships that play a big part of it for us.

Series: We Are Harvest
Message: We plant churches
Pastor Todd Dugard
Harvest Bible Chapel
February 20, 2022

We plant churches…

…because Jesus loves the church (Ephesians 5:29-30)

…in partnership with others (Acts 13:1-3; 14:24-26)

Acts 29 is a diverse, global community of healthy, multiplying churches characterized by theological clarity, cultural engagement, and missional innovation.

…by developing and appointing planters (2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5)

…dependent on the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:47; 16:6-10)

…to influence and bless the culture around us (Matthew 5:13-16)

…to save sinners (1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14)

By planting churches, we have the privilege of being in on God's sovereign work in the world. God's redemptive plan has always involved having a people for himself. When you start a church, you're doing more than starting an event at a storefront, a school, under a tree, in a house, or at some other location. You're actually participating in this grand narrative of God having a people for himself, a story that culminates in John's glorious vision in Revelation where a people from every tribe and language and people and nation are giving praise to the Lamb. This vision compels us to be faithful in our present generation until the mission is finished.
Tony Merida