Getting Involved with Church Planting
by: Dr. Winfield Bevins, Director of Church Planting, Asbury Theological Seminary
When it comes to church planting, diversity seems to be the game. In the same way that the need for new churches is diverse in nature, church plants do not follow a single mold of structure and execution. Upon a study of the movement, you will find missional, multi-site, ancient-future, multicultural, urban, and house churches. These only skim the surface of the spectrum. Some new churches meet in buildings, while others meet in homes. Some church plants meet in bowling alleys, funeral homes, YMCAs, schools, and even outdoors under a tree. Some new churches are traditional. Some are contemporary, and some are home fellowships. In spite of the diversity, each new congregation of believers gathers as a local expression of being the global church wherever they are.
The reason we see such a variety is because one size does not fit all, and one church cannot win all. Enacting the mission of God takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. It is important to take into consideration the culture, race, and ethnicity of the area in which you plan to plant a church.
For instance, some people choose to plant as a team, while others may choose to plant as a solo church planter. These factors are dictated by the setting of the envisioned church plant. God uses connections and regional factors to help shape a vision for how the church should begin.
This diversity allows everyone to play a part in church planting. From being the planter to partnering with a planter in prayer, I believe everyone should be involved in a church plant in some form or fashion. Maybe you’re feeling called to be a part of a church plant, but don’t know where to start. Perhaps you’re asking yourself the question, “How can I be involved in church planting?” or “Am I called to plant a church?”
If you sense a call to church planting, we would love to connect with you at the Asbury Church Planting Initiative. We will be hosting an annual event titled, “Exploring the Call” in Spring 2016 for those who are discerning a call to church planting. Please let us know if you are interested in attending this event or would like more information. Contact Dr. Winfield Bevins, Director of the Asbury Church Planting Initiative, at winfield.bevins@asburyseminary.edu.
We were planting house churches a few years ago, and am currently serving as an associate pastor at Klein United Methodist Church in Spring TX. I am exploring a call to church planting, attending the New Church Leadership Institute for the Texas Annual Conference in a couple of weeks. Am definitely interested in your “Exploring the Call” event in the spring. Please send more information. Thanks.
I am an Asbury grad (M.Div. 1978) planting a new church in Lexington, KY. We are targeting UK students. We purchased and renovated a warehouse surrounded by UK off campus apartments. We renovated the building into a Recreation/Community center, coffee café, rock climbing wall, student gathering and study areas. We are at 480 Curry Ave. in Lexington. Church service is Sunday at 11am
I would like to connect with Dr. Bevins to discuss this and possibility of interns from ATS.