Summary
The book “Planting Churches Cross Culturally” is an informative piece of literature that supports the importance of evangelistic work. The book acts as a guideline or manual focusing on church planting in unreached areas. In the first part, David Hesselgrave argues that church leaders should gather more believers and proclaim the Gospel. The mission of Christian churches is to inform more people about the word of God.
Before beginning the journey of planting a church, the individual should begin by formulating a powerful strategy. The author indicates that many people executing their missions tend to undertake them in a haphazard manner or without a proper plan.1 The book shows clearly that the pioneers of the church were guided by God. Such men used to plan their missions and agendas wisely. Missionaries of today should therefore begin by developing a powerful strategy.
The second part of the text goes further to explain why the Christian leader should be aware of the targeted goal and message. Whenever planning to plant churches in a cross-cultural manner, it is appropriate for Christian leaders to have a solid strategy. The strategic leadership approach should target the right regions for evangelism.2 Competent leaders and missionaries should be identified in order to have a successful mission.
The right resources should be matched with the needs of the targeted regions. Since the Church is an organization aimed at fulfilling God’s teachings, it is appropriate for Christian leaders to use every available resource. The author indicates clearly that this is the will of God.
The book goes further to explore how the Book of Acts can be used as a powerful source of information for many Christian leaders. In “The Pauline cycle” explores the issue of calling on God’s missionary. God’s calling is the first step towards implementing a successful mission. The next step is ensuring that the right audience is surveyed. During the second step, it is appropriate to establish positive relationships that can eventually deliver positive results. The third step is communicating the intended Gospel to the audience.3 During the process, the author believes strongly that the message should be clear and understandable. The unique aspects of the community members should be taken seriously during this step.
The fourth stage is embracing the power of prayers in order to ensure more people become followers of Christ. The next step is bringing together the new followers together. The sixth step is to confirm the faith of the new believers. The process of consecrating new leaders is something critical whenever planting churches. Another useful idea presented by Hasselgrave is ensuring that the attracted believers are trained. Their pastors and leaders should be empowered in order to support the mission.
A transition should be considered to ensure the consecrated leaders take up their new roles. The process will create a seamless adaptation whereby the new leaders support the spiritual needs of the new believers.4 The leaders should also focus on the best approaches to support the established church. Cooperation should be encouraged since all Christian churches are brought together by Christ’s teachings. This kind of cooperation is appropriate because this is the main goal of the process of evangelism.5 Finally, the Pauline cycle can be completed whereby the planting process is implemented in a new area.
Critique
The author has used adequate chapters and sections to deliver the intended message to the reader. From the very beginning, the readers understand the importance of preparation before initiating the intended mission. The use of the Pauline cycle is a powerful initiative that can deliver tangible results whenever planting new churches. Throughout the process, the planters should not lose their focus on the mission. The author believes strongly that church planting is a practice that should only be aimed at delivering God’s message to more followers.
The author of the text has dealt with the major issues pertaining church planting. For instance, the presented ten steps in the book can be used by missionaries who want to pass across the message of Christ to more believers across the globe. When the Pauline cycle is followed in a proper manner, more people can inform more people about Christianity. This amounts to the expectations and will of God. The author goes further to address the issue of collaboration. The book shows conclusively that churches established in a specific area should collaborate with the existing Christian groups and religions in that area.6 This concept is necessary because all Christian churches are aimed at spreading the word of Christ.
It is agreeable that Hasselgrave’s book does not deviate from the true spirit of church planting. The author focuses on the messages presented in the Bible. The ultimate goal, according to the Holy Bible, is to ensure every church decrees the message of Christ.7
It is also appropriate for Christian churches to bring together believers and encourage them to strengthen their faith. Biblical revelations and ideas should be taken seriously in order to ensure the message of Christ is delivered to the greatest number of people. The message that comes out clearly is that the Holy Bible should be used as a powerful guide for church planting. Planning, strategy, and implementation should be executed in accordance with the teachings of the Bible. God’s word should be a useful resource throughout the process of church growth and planting.8
From this analysis, it becomes quite clear that Hesselgrave’s arguments and presentations are balanced. For instance, he views Christianity as a common religion that focuses on the teachings of God. It is appropriate for church planters to be aware of this notion in order to achieve their goals. This approach can make it easier for the missionaries to minimize conflicts and promote partnerships with other religious groups.
Additionally, the author does not ignore the changes in the modern world. The author indicates clearly that church planters should engage in practical reflections in order to promote innovative communication. Since the world is characterized by diverse communities, it would be appropriate for church missionaries and planters should try new strategies to communicate the message of Christ adequately.9
It is agreeable that the author has used many pages to deliver a message that could have been simplified. This is the case because the information outlined in the book could have been communicated using fewer words. The use of a concise approach or narrative would have made it easier for the targeted readers to understand the intended message.10 However, this weakness does not compromise the quality of information presented to the reader regarding the issue of church planting. The author has also failed to identify adequate measures that can be used by church planters to reach out to individuals from diverse backgrounds. This is the case because every society is characterized by unique cultural values, views, attributes, and beliefs.
Evaluation
Hasselgrave’s text has widened my understanding of the intended subject. From the very beginning, I used to think that church planting was a powerful practice that could be implemented by reaching out to more people in different regions. The book has gone further to support the importance of having a proper strategic plan. Prayers should be used to guide the plan from the beginning to the end. Having a proper plan is necessary in order to ensure the intended mission is successful.
The text has made it easier for me to appreciate the importance of sourcing the right resources.11 Such resources will ensure the church planting process is successful. Leaders of such initiatives should liaise with the other Christian churches in the targeted region. The presented information can therefore make it easier for me to achieve my future ministerial goals.
The ideas and concepts presented in this book are applicable to my ministry. The unique steps outlined in the book can guide our ministry to implement adequate strategies to deliver the Gospel to more people in different regions. The leaders of the ministerial projects can begin by identifying the right resources and leaders. The individuals can use the information to create a powerful strategic leadership.
The right mission or area of evangelism can also be identified. God’s should be the guiding principle throughout the ministerial work.12 The bond established by Christian churches can be used to establish new relationships. This practice is applicable to my ministry and can eventually support the spiritual growth of many believers.13 The text should encourage church planters to consider various biblical models in order to ensure their missions are successful.
Another important thing is that Hasselgrave’s text presents useful ideas to the ministry field. Members of the ministry can identify the ideas and guidelines presented in the text to implement powerful church planting missions. The power of prayers can guide many religious leaders to realize their goals. The ideas and notions about prayer can guide the ministry field to focus on the best initiatives that seek to support the needs of more people. The information gained from the book can also be used by Christians to deliver the message of God to more people from diverse backgrounds. This approach will ensure every ministerial duty is completed successfully and eventually ensure more people become followers of Christ.14
The book by Hasselgrave is therefore a meaningful resource that can be read by many people to transform their Christian ministries. This book is appropriate for every individual who plans to implement a powerful church planting mission.
The information presented in the book is also appropriate for students of theology. The guidelines and steps outlined in the text are practical and can help every individual who plans to plant a church successfully. The book is founded on Biblical teachings and ideas that can be used to deliver positive results.15 The scholarly approach has been presented in a proper manner in order to support the needs of missionaries and religious leaders. The guidelines will eventually ensure more churches are planted cross-culturally. Such readers will eventually take up ministerial roles and spread the word of Christ to more people in different corners of the world.
Biography
Hasselgrave, David. Planting Churches Cross-Culturally: North America and Beyond. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2000.
Footnotes
- David Hasselgrave. Planting Churches Cross-Culturally: North America and Beyond (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2000), 33.
- Hasselgrave, Planting Churches, 42.
- Ibid., 78.
- Ibid., 279.
- Ibid., 279.
- Ibid., 24.
- Ibid., 17.
- Ibid., 39.
- Ibid., 157.
- Ibid., 165.
- Ibid., 93.
- Ibid., 28.
- Ibid., 182.
- Ibid., 74.
- Ibid., 197.