We are attempting to create a thorough list of resources on this topic to help you in your ministry and personal life. Many of these are available for check out in the Outreach America library on the 2nd floor of the McInteer Bible building at Harding University.
If you buy these books using the Amazon links provided, Outreach America will receive a small percentage of the purchase price .
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A researcher for Christian churches and church-related groups, Barna presents a series of church growth principles found in successful churches of today. At the end of the book he addresses ten programs commonly found in American churches, but are absent in growing churches.
Conn, Harvie M, ed. Planting and Growing Urban Churches, from dream to reality. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1997.
Focuses on church planting in urban areas from conception to birth. Various author’s essays are combined into four themes, research, planning, targeting and examples of successful urban ministry. Each section is substantially introduced with additional resources to consult.
Hesselgrave, David J. Planting Churches Cross-Culturally: North America and Beyond. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2000.
This book provides a dual perspective of church-planting, looking back to the early church as well as looking forward to the future cultures. He gives you strategies for church planting (Pauline Cycle), as well as discussing once the church has been formed many topics, including its faith, optimal size and the nature of worship. Hesselgrave presents Biblical principles and precedents for every topic covered.
Hybels, Bill and Mark Mittelberg.Becoming a Contagious Christian. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
This is a wonderful book that helps you discover your own natural style of communicating your faith. Using a formula of principles of evangelism, this book is full of helpful tools and illustrations to best communicate the message of the cross in your style. **I highly recommend**
Jones, Tom, ed.Church Planting From the Ground Up. Joplin: College Press Publishing Co, 2004.
A practical resource of various Biblically grounded topics covering everything from why plant a church, to issues in church planting, developing leadership, raising money, all from various authors. This would be a very helpful guide for someone new to the idea of church planting, or someone trying to get started.
Malphurs, Aubrey.Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.
A great guide to developing “culturally relevant, strategic, high-impact churches” in the 21st century. Malphurs presents the idea that the new generation is an unchurched generation and will therefore have to be reached in a way different from how their parents were reached. He covers everything from understanding who you are to the principles of church planting and the process of church planting. There are various worksheets to do alone and with your small group or team.
Mannoia, Kevin W.Church Planting: The Next Generation. Indianapolis: Light and Life Press, 1994.
A guide for intentional cultivation of church health, growth and multiplication. Mannoia identifies key resource areas as well as key structures and processes. He gives practical strategies for creating a system, as well as how to then implement the system. There are charts and graphs throughout.
In this book Murray discusses the questions whys and whats of church planting. He gives a theological basis as well as a historical perspective regarding church planting as practiced in the New Testament. He calls it not a “how to” manual, but “a well seasoned volume of ecclesiology.” He also addresses the different types of church planting models.
