Introduction to Church Planting – EVAN 505

Course Description

An introduction to the skills and knowledge needed to plant a New Testament church “in culture.” A survey is given of the various schools of church planting with an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses. (Formerly EVAN 550)

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The Great Commission requires followers of Christ to make disciples. There are many occasions in which there are not local churches to begin and continue the disciple-making process. Therefore, church planting is an essential activity requiring called and equipped leadership. This course will expose students to the biblical foundation of the local church, the need for new churches, current church models, and the practical aspects of a contextualized ministry. All assignments will deal with principles, practices, and processes involved in providing church planting leadership.

Course Assignment

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

The student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided topic. Each thread must be at least 400 words, have assertions supported with 3 citations in parenthetical format, and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 250 words with assertions supported with at least 1 source. (CLOs: A, B, D)

The student will write a 2 – 3-page essay describing his/her experience in secular employment, experience in ministry, exposure to and experience in church planting, and long term ministry goals. (CLOs: A, B, D, E)

The student will complete three 4MAT Book Reviews. The papers must comply with current Turabian writing style and be 5 – 6 pages in length. (CLOs: A, B, C, E)

The student will submit a 4 – 6-page paper exegeting a community in which the student intends to plant a church. The student will use course readings, census materials, and other resources to present the church planting context. This assignment will build toward the Church Planting Project: Final Assignment. (CLOs: C, E)

The student will write a 4 – 6-page paper articulating the major church models, or elements thereof, to which the student proposes. The Model assignment will contextualize the corporate service and the resources to facilitate those services to be covered. This assignment will build toward the Church Planting Project: Final Assignment. (CLOs: C, E)

Church Planting Project: Final Assignment

The student will submit a 4 – 6-page paper presenting the strategy and the associated landmarks for the Church Planting Project. This paper will be the culmination of the Church Planting Project: Exegesis Assignment and the Church Planting Project: Model Assignment. (CLOs: B, C, D, E)