Church Planting: A Biblical and Practical Guide

Church Planting: A Biblical and Practical Guide equips students to think biblically and practically about establishing a new local church. The course moves from biblical foundations and spiritual preparation to community understanding, evangelism, discipleship, team building, worship gatherings, leadership, pastoral care, finances, conflict resolution, and multiplication.

Course Overview

This course treats church planting as more than launching a weekly service. Students develop a ministry plan for cultivating a Christ-centered, Scripture-grounded, disciple-making community with healthy leadership and accountable ministry practices.

Learning Objectives

• Explain biblical foundations for church planting and local church life.
• Evaluate the calling and character expected of Christian leaders.
• Research a ministry community carefully and respectfully.
• Develop mission, vision, values, and realistic ministry objectives.
• Build and develop a healthy core team.
• Create evangelism, follow-up, and discipleship pathways.
• Plan Bible fellowships and public worship gatherings.
• Develop biblical leadership and volunteer systems.
• Establish pastoral-care, safeguarding, financial, and accountability practices.
• Address conflict and evaluate church health.
• Prepare a sustainable strategy for leadership and ministry multiplication.

Course Structure

The course contains 20 sequential lessons. Each lesson includes biblical passages, detailed teaching, practical application, a written ministry assignment, and four review questions. The assignments progressively develop components of a final church-planting plan.

Practical Ministry Note

Students should adapt practical plans to applicable local laws, registration requirements, safeguarding standards, financial regulations, property rules, and denominational or ministry accountability. The course provides ministry education and does not replace jurisdiction-specific legal, financial, or safeguarding advice.