III. How to plant churches C. A Pointed Approach 1. Establish a united core of people. Acts 1:14 -- “… all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” Homothumodon: Homou – “sameness” Thumos – “heat, passion, glow, ardor

III. How to plant churches C. A Pointed Approach 1. Establish a united core of people. a. United in Doctrine b. United in Purpose

Ministry Mission Statement –Broad Brush statement of why you exist today and/or what you are doing to pursue your vision of the future. Broad enough to allow the ministry to grow and realize its potential. Narrow enough to give direction and guidance to everyone involved in the ministry Specific, Measurable, Agreed Upon, Realistic, Time-related, Easily remembered. –Mission Statements should be owned by the people of the church and utilized as a guide for every ministry decision to ensure that all decisions are consistent with the mission of the church.

DBC: “to disciple believers in authentic biblical Christian living and spiritual service so that the church will be strengthened and the lost will be reached with the Gospel of Christ.” MCE: To permeate every identifiable Midwestern Community with the hope of the Gospel through the biblical ministry of a reproductive independent church.

III. How to plant churches C. A Pointed Approach 1. Establish a united core of people. c. United in Vision

To Reach... experience steady conversion growth, through the process of evangelism. We will reach the Tri-State area through the public proclamation of the Gospel and by our personal, intentional communication of the message and love of Jesus Christ in the home, neighborhood, workplace, or wherever we might already have, or be able to establish, strategic relationships. To Teach... encourage intentional spiritual growth, resulting in biblical life values and character transformation. We will achieve this by the public teaching of the Word of God and by the establishment of small, caring communities within our church where believers will be taught, equipped and empowered, in a relational context, for meaningful service for Christ through the use of their spiritual gifts, personal abilities and resources. To Reproduce... exhibit purposeful extensional growth, by consistently creating and enabling new ministries to specific people groups, by the strategic planting of daughter churches, and by sending out from our midst individuals who have committed themselves to vocational Christian service on the mission field, in a local church, or with a para-church organization.

III. How to plant churches C. A Pointed Approach 1. Establish a united core of people. d. United in Commitment

III. How to plant churches C. A Pointed Approach 2. Recognize spiritual leadership. a. Parent Ministry Leadership b. Local Leadership i. Vocational ii. Non-vocational

III. How to plant churches C. A Pointed Approach 3. Initiate the ministry. a. Reach out to new people / families. b. Build up the body.