Church Planting by Producing Multiple Congregations - Research Paper Example

Church Planting Methodologies Research Paper Research Topic: How is it possible to use the ‘Church Planting by Producing Multiple Congregations’ to reach ethnic minority young people in Leeds for the gospel? Introduction The Kingdom Ministry, United Kingdom has its location in Harehills, Leeds. In the last one year, I have been a member of this ministry. During the past six months, I have had great opportunity to observe the youth members of the ministry. I have also great interest in children and young people because of the personal childhood experiences, and as a mother of three children. Such observations led to interest development of an interest in the assessment of the place of young people and children within the ministry. From this perspective, I tend to determine the possibility of adopting and implementing ‘church planting by producing multiple congregations’ to reach ethnic minority young people in the context of Leeds for the gospel. Background Information/Problem Statement According to MS200 Study Guide, there are numerous church planting models. One of most effective models of church planting, which was essential in the development of this research paper, is the Church Planting by Producing Multiple Congregations. The research sought to incorporate this model because of the establishment of a regular service for children and young people following the achievement of the intended goals and targets1. The research focused on utilisation of the efforts of the congregation members to work effectively and efficiently in the course of identifying the youths. In addition, the efforts focused on bringing the youths back to study the Bible, pray together, and worship collectively. Furthermore, Church Planting by Producing Multiple Congregation model indicates the presence of worship service with the intention of exploiting the youth sub-culture, usage of music, and artistic forms, as well as the language of communication in accordance with the preferences of the target audiences2. Various researchers and religious practitioners tend to focus on the emerging needs of the young people within the modern society. It is critical to note that the young people continue to be the focus group for various studies. Nevertheless, none of the studies has been crucial in defining the most effective studies in relation to communicating the gospel to the youth. From the perception, it is of prodigious prominence for the researchers and religious practitioners to have increased awareness and understanding of the of the appropriate and efficient strategies in the course of communicating the gospel to the youth with the intention of transforming the lives of the target audiences during development stage or period3. It is critical for the preachers and religious practitioners to focus on the adoption and implementation of appropriate mechanisms and strategies in accordance with the demands and preferences of the young people in the modern society4. This is because of the diversity in the needs and wants of the young people in comparison to the demands of other members of the ministry. It is critical to note that young people face identify crises in the course of developing during their teenage years, as well as early adulthood. According to the biblical teachings, such as the book of Proverbs, the youth have substantial or significant chance in relation to participating fully in the service of God because of the potentiality of using their energy. During attainment of the objective, it is essential for the preachers to offer critical attention to the approaches while using such techniques for effective interaction with the young people in spreading the gospel. From the above illustration, it is vital for this study to concentrate on assessing the most effective approaches, as well as strategies for communicating the gospel to the young people in the modern society. Target Community The research focused on children and young people between the ages of 12 and 21 years. The target community or audience were mainly from the African community living across Leeds. In the course of developing this research, the focus was on identifying the target community as the third culture children. Moreover, the study focused on integration of both boy and girls into the target community with the intention of understanding the effectiveness and efficiency of the existing approaches towards communicating the gospel to the young people. This target group focuses on illustration of the ethnic minority within the church or the ministry, thus the need to adopt and implement appropriate strategy in the course of interacting with the group by the religious practitioner or preachers. Research Questions/Objectives The study focused on assessment of the primary question in relation to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Church Planting by Producing Multiple Congregations in reaching ethnic minority young people in Leeds for the gospel5. In addition, the research focused on evaluation or examination of the limitations or shortcomings of the model in reaching the ethnic minority young people in Leeds for the gospel6. In the course of assessing and evaluating the research questions, the study focused on addressing the following objectives: i. To analyse the spiritual needs of the youth in the contemporary society ii. To determine the strategies used by modern preachers while communicating the gospel to the youth iii. To define the most actual communication strategies for the gospel to the youth Significance of the Research Since young people have been the target group in various studies, they tend to be significant aspects of the modern churches7. In the contemporary society, young people have the tendency of facing various pressures, as well as varying spiritual and emotional demands. It is critical to focus on the communication of gospel to the contemporary youth under the influence of approaches, which are more appealing to the target group. Furthermore, preachers need to understand the most effective strategies, which can generate positive outcomes while interacting with the young people through gospel8. The approach is essential in enabling numerous preachers to reach the hearts of the numerous young people. The tendency of reaching the hearts of the youths or young people within the ministry is essential in the generation of a bright future for the church, as well as the target audiences or the minority youths within the society. Literature Review Previous researchers have focused on the assessment the influence of the young people as critical aspects of the modern or contemporary church. It is essential to note that the young people form a remarkable percentage of the modern church, which is essential in ensuring that the church adopts and implements appropriate mechanisms to enable young people understand and accept the gospel. According to diverse researchers, youths in the modern society continue to grow and develop in diverse societies and cultural facets, which are critical in the generation of numerous pressures and certain risks9. From this perspective, it becomes extremely difficult for the young people to determine the appropriate path while staying on the right track throughout their lives. Similarly, the previous studies note that the young people are prone to the crisis in relation to their identity emanating during adolescence, as well as young adulthood. In most cases, such identity issues relate to the physical, emotional, and psychological or mental changes, thus affecting the young people in the course of making appropriate decisions concerning establishment of the right path. These changes tend to have overwhelming implications to the various young people. In this context, it is essential for the preachers and other religious practitioners to focus on helping the young people internalise the gospel with the intention of enhancing their chances of handling or countering these changes effectively and efficiently10. Moreover, numerous young people have the tendency of exhibiting their concern in relation to understanding the purpose of life. It is possible to obtain the right definition, as well as understanding of the meaning and purpose of life through effective and efficient communication practices and strategies by the preachers and other religious practitioners in enabling the young people to grasp and understand aspects of the gospel11. In the current context, young people tend to define at-risk or vulnerable group requiring sensitivity from the preachers to address the needs and attributes, as well as perceptions of the target community or group. In extreme cases, young people have the tendency of experiencing isolation and unacceptance within the church. In such cases, it become more difficult for the young people to accept the content of information or gospel by the preachers and other religious practitioners in the course of developing as moral and ethical persons within the modern society12. It is the obligation and responsibility of the church leaders to take substantive influence in the creation of favourable environment within the church for the young people to accept and understand the gospel. The youths will have the opportunity to identify with such strategies, which appeal to them in the course of grasping and understanding gospel. Additionally, the strategies need to focus on understanding the diversities in relation to the needs and wants of the young people within the society. The achievement or attainment of increased understanding of the diverse need for the young people in the modern society will enable preachers and other relevant religious practitioners to adopt and implement, as well as define effective and efficient preaching strategies, which are appealing to the youths13. The approach is essential in the generation positive influence in relation to the growth and development of the young people14. In the course of adopting and implementing appropriate strategies for the young people, previous researchers have focused on the immigrants, ethnic minorities, and multiple cultures in the modern society15. The church’s mission should focus on integration of careful, as well as balanced complementarity in relation to the universality and particularity with the intention of striving to be a multi-ethnic as the environment or surrounding contexts. In addition, previous researchers and practitioners have focused on the assessment of the reasons behind planting of churches. According to these researchers, the vigorous, continual planting of the new congregations comes out as the single most crucial strategy towards realisation of the numerical growth and development in relation to the Body of Christ within the context of any City. The approach is also effective in the continual corporate renewal, as well as revival of the existing churches or religious entities within the city16. The approach tends to have consistent implications on the dynamic and extensive church planting in comparison to the congregational consultation, church renewal processes, outreach programs, crusades, and development or growing of mega-churches. According to the previous researchers and religious practitioners, church planting is essential for the churches to remain true to the Biblical mandate. The gospel notes that Jesus’ essential call was to focus on planting or churches. Various great evangelistic challenges in the New Testament are calls towards church planting rather than sharing of the faith. In addition, Paul’s whole strategy was to plant various urban churches under the influence of the two-fold strategy. This is through visiting of the largest city of the region, as well as planting of churches in each city. It is also critical for the religious leaders, preachers, and practitioners to become true to the great commission through church planting17. From this perspective, new churches have the obligation of planting churches with the intention of reaching new generations, residents, and people groups effectively and efficiently18. For instance, younger adults have always been disproportionately found in the newer or developed congregations. In addition, long-established congregations have the tendency of developing traditions with reference to time or worship, length of service, sermon topics, emotional atmosphere, emotional responsiveness, and leadership-style19. These attributes tend to reflect the sensibilities of the long-time leaders in relation to the older generations with the influence and money control the church life. It is critical to note that the aspects fail to reach the younger generations or the ethnic minorities. Secondly, previous articles note that new resistant are almost reached in accordance with the new congregations, thus the need for the churches and religious organisations to generate multiple congregations in the course of addressing the demands and preferences of the ethnic monitories within the society. New congregations have the potentiality of empowering new people, as well as the ethnic minorities within the shortest time possible in comparison to the older churches. Church planting is also essential in the renewal of the whole of Body of Christ. From this perspective, it is essential to note that multiple congregations or new churches have the tendency of generating new ideas to the whole body, thus the renewal of the objective of Christianity. Similarly, such congregations are appropriate in surfacing creative, as well as strong leadership for the whole church. There is also the potentiality of such churches to challenge other churches towards increased self-examination. From the above review, it is essential to note that few researchers have focused on enhancing the understanding of the effectiveness and efficiency of the strategies for church planting. In the execution of this research, the focus was on the utilisation of numerous or multiple congregations with the intention of meeting the needs and preferences of the young people within the church. The study focuses on examination of the benefits, as well as effectiveness of the approach in accordance with the demands, needs, and wants of the young people. Similarly, the study will act towards enhancing the existing body of information or knowledge with reference to the concept of church planting. Research Methodology The research focused on the utilisation of ethnographic research design with the objective of addressing the research questions aforementioned in this paper. Like in the case of other ethnographies, the study focused on defining the research questions forms foremost strategy in attainment of the goals and objectives of the study20. Prior to the collection of the data, the study focused on gaining substantive access to the youth ministries, as well as sessions in within the local placement church for efficiency in the observation and collection of data. The study focused on identification of the potential informants, particularly young people and preachers or ministers specialising on the youth programs, sessions, and ministries. Semi-structure interviews formed the main data collection techniques. The next step was the data analysis and interpretation of the data following successful data collection. The final step in this study was documentation and compilation of the findings of the research paper in accordance with the universal research approach and structure, as well as the research questions and objectives21. From the above illustration, the focus will be on utilisation of qualitative research with reference to the examination of the phenomenon, as well as relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The approach was effective in the collection and analysis of valuable data in relation to the influence, implications, and effectiveness, as well as efficiency of the creation of multiple congregations towards reaching the young ethnic minorities in accepting and understanding the gospel22. Additionally, the approach was essential in identification of the shortcomings of the previous researches, thus the opportunity to lay substantive platform for the future researches. Ethnography research design is the most appropriate in the course of studying the complex cultural, societal interactions, and unpredictable situations, as well as too complex relationships, which are difficult for the implementation of qualitative methods or techniques23. This calls for the integration of ethnographies for the surveys and statistical analysis of the numerical data. It is also essential to note that ethnography can assess a range of experiences in a manner, which is sensitive in relation to the uniqueness of the subject group. Moreover, this research design provides the perfect platform for the development of the voice for understanding. Ethnographies allow the culture to speak about the views, as well as perspective, which would otherwise drown out under the influence of the dominant culture. Ethnography has the potentiality of offering substantial window for the individuals outside the culture to enhance their understanding of the concepts and duties, as well as responsibilities of the group. Similarly, ethnography research design has the potentiality of probing the deep or in-depth attributes of culture or religious aspects, which would be relevant in the course of executing this research design. The research design is also appropriate and effective because it is difficult and expensive to replicate ethnographies. Moreover, the research design is primarily applicable to the subjects within the study, thus heavily dependent on the ethnographer. The research design requires substantial or extensive training and practice in relation to interviewing methods, taking of notes, and integration of data collection, as well as analysis methods. The research design is also appropriate because of the existence of the special attention for ethics in the course of collecting and analysing data. These attributes are essential in understanding the concepts of the study. The research design provides the opportunity for critical assessment and evaluation of the phenomenon while utilising the broader perception, thus the perfect platform for understanding of the concepts. Research Findings and Discussion One of the critical reasons in relation to inability to reach numerous ethnic communities in the case of Britain relates to inadequate theological and missiological training. Lack of information or research to mobilise a ministry to reach such groups has been one of the major issues in relation to their ability to grasp and accept the gospel. It is critical to note that adequate theological and missiological training is essential in the preparation of the leaders in the course ministering beyond the traditional white middle-class24. In addition, they need to be adaptable to the needs of the ethnic and diaspora people. It is critical to have enough or sufficient people prepared for the urban mission through gaining a firm hold on an adequate theology in relation to the demands and expectations of the ethnic minorities. One of the most effective approaches in handling the demands and expectations of the ethnic minorities or the young people in our ministry is the usage of the divide-and-conquer approach to work within the context of the growing church25. It is critical to note that the church was never planned in the way it is now. According to the existing information from the observation and interaction with the people within the ministry, the church had no plan to do diverse services each weekend. Nevertheless, integration of the multi-congregational approach is essential for the growth and development of the organisation or ministry26. The ministry will have the opportunity and the perfect platform to achieve diverse goals and targets while learning a few things, some the hard way, about making the multi-congregational approach or model to work effectively and efficiently in accordance with the demands and preferences of the young people27. Like in the case of various churches, the organisation will have the opportunity to organise and execute various worship services for the church to grow under the influence of developing new congregations. It is critical for the church to adopt and implement various multi-congregations with the intention of designing programs or services, which will appeal to some people, but not other. In addition, the approach should consider utilisation of the concept to consider full functioning congregation. In the course of making the approach to be effective and efficient, it is critical to incorporate six diverse perspectives. In the first instance, it is essential to be strong on the Congregationalist perspective of the view of the church, thus the need to refuse to separate church identity, as well as scope of the authority beyond the single congregation, which gathers weekly. The congregation should organise and execute weekly meetings with the objective of addressing the needs and expectations of the target audiences. The approach will facilitate effective leadership for the ethnic minority with reference to the case of the ministry in Leeds. Secondly, it is critical to focus on the utilisation of the multiple services, but maintaining ways to express the identity in relation to the multiple services as an element of the single gathering genuinely28. According to this perspective, it is critical for the religious practitioners to work hard towards combining services under the influence of the church principles, as well as the identity. The new congregations should concentrate on the promotion of the church identity, as well as the obligations, thus the perfect platform for understanding and acceptance of the gospel29. This is also essential in ensuring that the ethnic minority, especially the young people participate in the church activities. Thirdly, the multiple congregational models will focus on placing the new services or congregations on the long-term trajectory in relation to becoming separate, as well as independent churches. This relates to the implementation of the Mars Hill Strategy with the intention of planning effectively and efficiently in accordance with the demands and preferences of the target audiences. It is critical for the new congregations to free the definition of church from necessary gathering as the aspects of the entire community or under the influence of separate leadership. There must be significant recognition by the practitioners concerning the existence of multiple churches sharing common resources, thus the need for the ministry to build in relation to careful guidelines for the preservation of genuine cooperation or involvement of the society or ministry members. According to this perspective, there are problems concerning the independent churches, thus giving up too much of their identity, as well as authority to the ‘share coop’ of leadership and management of the financial resources30. The approach is also effective and efficient in facilitating or enabling the partnership prior to careful description of how relationship works, as well as how the individual congregations can cede from the partnership in accordance to their needs and wants31. The perspective will be critical in preserving the formal governing representative leadership among the congregations, thus undermining the control of the senior leader of the congregation32. It is critical for the religious practitioners and preachers within the ministry to focus on the assessment of the needs and wants of the group to provide the perfect chance towards handling and addressing their demands in relation to understanding and accepting the gospel33. It is also essential for the model to promote recognition of the existence of multiple congregations sharing common resources, as well as leadership, thus utilisation of lean management platform for maintenance of the costs while concentrating on the improvement of efficiency in the delivery of services. This aspect of recognition is ideal in the reduction of any confusion, which might develop between the existing mother ministries and the new congregations. Multi-congregational model comes out as a ‘middle ground’ between the essence of simply doing a second service and a traditional church planting scenario. The difference exists being that the new church would continue to exist and function under the leadership structure, as well as vision of the redeemer rather than having the goals to become its own self-governing entity. This refers to the concept of particularisation. It is essential to note that the new congregation might categorically decide to particularise under the influence of the initial goals and targets34. From this perspective, researchers and religious practitioners should focus and concentrate on understanding the needs of the ethnic minority while adopting the most appropriate mechanisms towards the achievement of the goals and targets with reference to grasping and acceptance of the gospel35. The approach is essential in the course of achieving the goals and targets in the course of reaching for the ethnic minority. In the first instance, it is essential to note that the model is the fastest, as well as most effect approach towards facilitating plantation of churches36. The approach will enable the ministry to limit the needed time in the process of achieving goals and targets37. Secondly, the model is vital in facilitating the efforts of the planter in the course of enabling her or him to quintessence on the essence of evangelism, as well as community formation rather than focusing on the issues in relation to preaching and administration. Similarly, the model is adequate in aiding the achievement of the best possible incarnational approach to the ministry within the context of the Leeds City38. Finally, the approach will enable the ministry and the multiple congregations to be very much similarly, thus the perfect platform towards understanding and maintaining the identity of the model39. In the course of addressing the needs and preferences of the target audiences, the model for church planting will be essential in the generation of numerous services. Some of these examples include corporate worship, shepherding, Bible studies, evangelism activities, and community groups40. The approach will focus on the utilisation of the special talents of the members of the ministry, thus incorporation of an inclusive approach in relation to the demands and expectations of the ministry with reference to the practitioners and preachers. Conclusion In the MS200 Study Guide, there are numerous church planting models. One of most effective models of church planting, which was essential in the development of this research paper, is the Church Planting by Producing Multiple Congregations. The research sought to incorporate this model because of the establishment of a regular service for children and young people following the achievement of the intended goals and targets. Church planting by creation or production of multiple congregations provides the perfect opportunity for the ministry to focus on the utilisation of the resources within the shortest time possible. Secondly, the model is vital in facilitating the efforts of the planter in the course of allowing him or her to concentrate on the essence of evangelism, as well as community formation rather than focusing on the issues in relation to preaching and administration. Similarly, the model is adequate in aiding the achievement of the best possible incarnational approach to the ministry within the context of the Leeds City. Finally, the approach will enable the ministry and the multiple congregations to be very much similarly, thus the perfect platform towards understanding and maintaining the identity of the model. From the above research process, there is substantial need for the researchers to focus on assessment of the limitations of this model in the course of reaching to the ethnic minority with reference to the young people in this context. Similarly, it is essential for the institution to consider utilisation of other approaches with the intention of curbing any potential limitation of the model discussed in the development and documentation of this study. Bibliography Berlinger, L. R., & Teeni, D. (1999). Leaders attitudes and computer use in religious congregations. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 9(4), 399-412. Buck, S. R. (2003). Staying power: Pastoral tenure in church planting. Chaney, C. L. (1993). Church planting at the end of the twentieth century. Tyndale House Pub. Chaves, M., Konieczny, M. E., Beyerlein, K., & Barman, E. (1999). The national congregations study: Background, methods, and selected results. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 458-476. DeHaven, M. J., Hunter, I. B., Wilder, L., Walton, J. W., & Berry, J. (2004). Health programs in faith-based organizations: are they effective?. American Journal of Public Health, 94(6), 1030-1036. Garrison, D. (2003). Church Planting Movements, How God Is Redeeming a Lost World. WIGTake Resources. Garrison, D. (2003). Church Planting Movements, How God Is Redeeming a Lost World. WIGTake Resources. Garrison, D. (2004). Church Planting Movements: The Next Wave?. International Journal of Frontier Missions, 21, 118-21. Garrison, V. D. (1999, October). Church planting movements. Office of Overseas Operations, International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Herrington, J., Bonem, M., & Furr, J. H. (2000). Leading congregational change. San Francisco: Josey-Bass. Hesselgrave, D. J. (1980). Planting churches cross-culturally: A guide for home and foreign missions. Baker Book House. Hibbert, R. Y. (2009). The place of church planting in mission: towards a theological framework. Evangelical Review of Theology, 33(4), 316-31. Iannaccone, L. R., Olson, D. V., & Stark, R. (1995). Religions resources and church growth. Social Forces, 74(2), 705-731. Jones, T. (Ed.). (2004). Church Planting from the Ground Up. College Press. Kilpin, J., & Murray, S. (2007). Church planting in the inner city: the urban expression story. Grove Books. Lewis, R. (2007). Promoting movements to Christ within natural communities. International Journal of Frontier Missiology, 24(2), 75-76. Lings, G., & Murray, S. (2003). Church planting: past, present and future. Grove Books. Malphurs, A. (2011). The nuts and bolts of church planting: A guide for starting any kind of church. Baker Books. McKinley, M. (2010). Church Planting is for Wimps: How God uses Messed-up People to Plant Ordinary Churches that do Extraordinary Things. Crossway. Mcnamara, R., & Davis, K. (2005). The YBH Handbook of Church Planting (Yes, But How?). Xulon Press. Mueller, C. W., & McDuff, E. (2004). Clergy‐Congregation Mismatches and Clergy Job Satisfaction. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 43(2), 261-273. Murray, S. (2001). Church planting: Laying foundations (p. 259). Herald Press. Olson, D. V., & Perl, P. (2005). Free and cheap riding in strict, conservative churches. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 44(2), 123-142. Payne, J. D. (2009). Discovering church planting: An introduction to the whats, whys, and hows of global church planting. Biblica. Pennycook, A. (2005). The modern mission: The language effects of Christianity. Journal of Language, Identity, and Education, 4(2), 137-155. Perl, P., & Olson, D. V. (2000). Religious market share and intensity of church involvement in five denominations. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 39(1), 12-31. Schwadel, P. (2002). Testing the promise of the churches: Income inequality in the opportunity to learn civic skills in Christian congregations. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 41(3), 565-575. Schwartz, G. J. (2007). When Charity Destroys Dignity: Overcoming Unhealthy Dependency in the Christian Movement: a Compendium. Author House. Sinclair, D. (2006). A Vision of the Possible: Pioneer Church Planting in Teams. Biblica. Stetzer, E. (2003). Planting new churches in a postmodern age. Broadman & Holman. Stetzer, E. J. (2003). The impact of the church planting process and other selected factors on the attendance of Southern Baptist church plants. Timmis, S. (2008). Total church: A radical reshaping around gospel and community. Crossway. Todd, K. H., Heron, S. L., Thompson, M., Dennis, R., O’Connor, J., & Kellermann, A. L. (1999). Simple CPR: a randomized, controlled trial of video self-instructional cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in an African American church congregation. Annals of emergency medicine, 34(6), 730-737. Towns, E. L., & Porter, D. D. (2003). Churches that multiply: A Bible study on church planting. Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City. Wagner, C. P. (2010). Church Planting for a Greater Harvest: A comprehensive guide. Wipf and Stock Publishers. Wald, K. D., Owen, D. E., & Hill, S. S. (1988). Churches as political communities. American political science review, 82(02), 531-548. Wassie, A., Sterck, F. J., Teketay, D., & Bongers, F. (2009). Effects of livestock exclusion on tree regeneration in church forests of Ethiopia. Forest Ecology and Management, 257(3), 765-772. Webb, R. J. (1974). Organizational effectiveness and the voluntary organization. Academy of Management Journal, 17(4), 663-677. Williams, R. (2004). Mission-shaped church: Church planting and fresh expressions of church in a changing context. Church House Publishing. Wilson, G. L., Keyton, J., Johnson, G. D., Geiger, C., & Clark, J. C. (1993). Church growth through member identification and commitment: A congregational case study. Review of religious research, 259-272. Read More