Strategic Church Planting
This course focuses on the principles and strategies of planting healthy, sustainable churches, especially in urban and diverse environments. It emphasises:
- Church planting dynamics
- Urban ministry contexts
- Sustainable church growth
Key ideas include:
- Self-governing churches
- Self-propagating churches
- Self-supporting churches
Special attention is given to reaching the lost in multi-housing and urban communities.
Course Description
This course explores the dynamics of church planting, especially in urban settings, focusing on building churches that are sustainable, reproducing, and contextually relevant.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will:
- Understand principles of church planting in urban environments
- Develop biblically grounded church growth strategies
- Learn strategic planning and implementation skills
- Examine early apostolic church planting (Book of Acts)
- Design a church multiplication strategy
Course Content
- Introduction to missions and church planting
- The role and profile of a church planter
- Church growth strategies and definitions
- Apostolic church planting (Book of Acts model)
- Evangelistic soil testing
- Research and spiritual mapping
- Church planting strategies and evangelism
- Church planting models
- Leadership in church planting
- Financial and structural considerations
- Cultural barriers and church growth challenges
- Strategic planning and implementation
- Church multiplication planning
Mode of Delivery
- Lectures
- Classroom discussions
- Assignments
- Independent study
Reading Materials
- Church planting and missions textbooks
- Biblical references (especially Acts)
- Ministry strategy resources
Evaluation
- Examinations: 60%
- Coursework and participation: 40%
Weekly Schedule
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Church Planting |
| 2 | Urban Ministry Dynamics |
| 3 | Biblical Foundations ? Book of Acts |
| 4 | Church Growth Strategies |
| 5 | Evangelistic Soil Testing |
| 6 | Research and Spiritual Mapping |
| 7 | Mid-term Review |
| 8 | Church Planting Models |
| 9 | Leadership in Church Planting |
| 10 | Financial and Structural Considerations |
| 11 | Cultural Barriers and Growth Challenges |
| 12 | Strategic Planning and Implementation |
| 13 | Church Multiplication Planning |
| 14 | Final Review and Examination Preparation |
Church planting frameworks, strategy notes, and case studies for this course are available as downloadable files. Materials include structured lesson documents and ministry strategy resources provided by the instructor.
Required Readings
- Church planting and missions textbooks (provided by instructor)
- Biblical references, especially the Book of Acts
- Ministry strategy resources and case studies
Media Resources
This section includes church planting teachings, strategy and leadership sessions, and ministry case studies. Audio resources include recorded lectures and ministry teachings. These materials provide practical tools and real-world examples for effective church planting.
Types of Assignments
- Church planting strategy plans
- Essays
- Case studies
- Ministry project work
Submission Guidelines
- Submitted via course platform or directly to instructor
- Accepted formats: PDF, Word documents (.doc / .docx)
Requirements
- Practical application of church planting principles
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Clear and structured presentation
Academic Integrity
- Original work required
- No plagiarism
- Proper referencing