The Ten Most Important Things I've Learned about Church Planting - Part 6

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AEC2001

Plenary Session 3:

The Ten Most Important Things
I’ve Learned
about Church Planting
Part 6

Stuart Murray

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6. Don’t settle for cloning

Too many new churches are clones rather than plants. A church plant shares the genetic make-up of the church or churches that gave birth to it, but it develops in ways that will make it significantly different from its parents. The analogy with human families is helpful: children do not turn out the same as their parents, even though they share many values, interests, and cultural norms. But a clone is an exact replica.

There has been considerable interest in cloning technology recently and concern about the ethical implications of what is now technically possible. No doubt the debates will continue. But cloning is not an effective way to establish new churches. It may well be easier in the short term, but it represents missed opportunities for vital reflection on missiological and ecclesiological issues and for experimentation. I mentioned this in an earlier session, but it is so important that I want to underline this again here. I want to urge planting churches and denominations to encourage church planters to:

	Ask radical questions about church and mission. Why do we do things the way we do? What are the alternatives? These questions will not always lead to radical answers. Often our traditions are there for good reasons! But asking the questions is important.
	Attempt to distinguish non-negotiables from negotiables in church life. What is essential and what might be done differently or not done at all?
	Take the opportunity to explore issues of contextualisation. What is good news in your context? What kind of church will incarnate this?
	Be creative and be prepared to take risks. Too often churches appear to encourage a risk-free, safety-first culture. This is not their most attractive feature.

In a rapidly changing and plural culture, questioning received structures and styles and exploring new possibilities is very important. Church plants can pioneer on behalf of the whole denomination and help older churches reflect on their own activities and priorities.

Continue to Next Section: #7 - Identify core values

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Plenary Session 3:

The Ten Most Important Things I’ve Learned about Church Planting Part 6

6. Don’t settle for cloning

Continue to Next Section: #7 - Identify core values

Go to: Beginning of Article 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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The Ten Most Important Things
I’ve Learned
about Church Planting
Part 6