Partner Churches in Church Planting

Church leaders engage with the congregation during a collaborative church planting session, fostering community and faith growth.

From its inception, the early church was a global, diverse family of church-planting communities. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 calls for a vision of church planting that transcends local contexts.

The book of Acts is a testament to the partnerships between churches. For instance, the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to expand the mission field (Acts 13:2-3). Later, Paul returned to Jerusalem with a team that included representatives from churches in Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia—demonstrating the collaborative nature of these early communities (Acts 20:4). Similarly, Paul’s letters, such as his epistle to the Philippians, emphasize gospel partnerships (Philippians 1:5; 4:15-18), while his letter to the Romans sought collaboration for his mission to Spain (Romans 15:24).

These examples illustrate that gospel-driven partnerships were a natural outgrowth of the early church’s mission. Partnering churches amplified their impact, revitalized leadership, and reinforced a culture of multiplication.

1. Benefits of Partnering Churches

Church planting partnerships offer several advantages:

• Amplification of Missionary Impact: Partnerships accelerate the spread of the gospel through shared resources and efforts.

• Intense Discipleship Opportunities: Leaders are developed and sent out, fostering a pipeline for future leadership.

• Leadership Revitalization: Partner churches often experience a spiritual and organizational renewal as they engage in the planting process.

• Financial Support: Partner churches contribute to the financial needs of the new church, ensuring a stable launch.

• Minimized Isolation: Partnerships reduce the loneliness of the planter and core team, fostering a sense of collective mission.

• Culture of Multiplication: Partnering reinforces the church’s commitment to disciple-making and church planting.

2. Steps to Foster Healthy Partnerships

Creating a productive relationship between the mother church, partner church, and the planting team requires intentionality:

2.1 Share the Vision

Begin by sharing the dream of planting a new church with the mother church:

• Preach sermons on discipleship, multiplication, and sending.

• Organize leadership retreats to discuss radical discipleship and intentional multiplication.

• Involve the church in prayer walks through the target neighborhood, building ownership of the mission.

• Share updates, including photos and stories, from the core team’s activities.

2.2 Gain Formal Support

Present the church planting plan to the leadership team and congregation:

• Provide a clear rationale for the planting effort, including the mission, goals, and expected outcomes.

• Secure a formal vote of support from the leadership team.

2.3 Conduct a Sending Ceremony

Hold a consecration service where the mother church commissions the planting team:

• Invite the core team to the front, joined by ordained elders.

• Pray over the team, with the congregation laying hands in symbolic support.

• Reinforce the idea that the planting effort belongs to the entire church.

2.4 Equip the Mother Church

Train the mother church on how to support the planting effort effectively:

• Use leadership meetings to cultivate a multiplication mindset.

• Provide reading materials and workshops on healthy church planting partnerships.

2.5 Keep the Vision Visible

Use visual tools to maintain focus on the planting mission:

• Create banners, such as one announcing, “Our Church is Pregnant: Launch Date: ___.”

• Display a roadmap showing the phases of the planting process and the church’s progress.

• Distribute prayer cards with the new church’s vision.

2.6 Allocate Resources

Encourage the mother church to dedicate at least 10% of its budget to the planting project:

• Organize offerings specifically for the new church.

• Encourage members to contribute meaningfully to the mission.

2.7 Mobilize Prayer

Develop a robust prayer movement:

• Organize prayer groups focused on the target neighborhood.

• Transform midweek services into intercessory prayer meetings for the planting mission.

• Use visual aids like flipcharts to organize prayer themes, such as community needs and leadership development.

2.8 Release Leaders

The mother church should release some of its best leaders for the planting team:

• Encourage a culture of openness, where new leaders are consistently developed.

• Guard against favoritism or jealousy within the church by promoting a vision of shared mission.

2.9 Engage the Target Community

Involve the congregation in demographic and geographic studies of the target area. Share findings with the church to guide focused prayer and strategic planning.

2.10 Foster Strong Relationships

Encourage collaboration between the leadership teams of the mother church and the core team of the new church:

• Organize joint social events with food and fellowship.

• Pray together regularly to build trust and unity.

3. Shifting to a Culture of Teams

These efforts move churches from a culture of individualism to one of team collaboration. Partnerships promote coordinated, cooperative efforts for shared goals. They shift leadership from positional authority to functional gifting, emphasizing shared responsibilities over unilateral decision-making (Lanier, 1993).

Conclusion

Many existing churches resist church planting partnerships due to maintenance-focused mindsets. This culture of retention—hoarding resources and leaders—often stifles multiplication. While some church plants emerge from supportive partnerships, others face resistance from their sending churches, leading to tension and challenges for the planting team.

To ensure a successful church planting effort, planters must actively work to cultivate partnerships. Such collaborations harness available resources, renew the sending church’s vision, and foster pioneering efforts in unreached contexts. Without this critical engagement, church planting can become an isolating and discouraging endeavor. Building strong partnerships ensures that the planting mission is shared, supported, and sustained.

References

1. Keller, Timothy. Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.

2. Lanier, Sarah A. Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures. Hagerstown: McDougal Publishing, 1993.

3. Rowland, Trent; Rowland, Vivian. Pioneer Church Planting: Rookie Team Leader’s Handbook. Littleton, CO: Caleb Project, 2001.

4. Sinclair, Daniel. A Vision of the Possible: Pioneer Church Planting in Teams. Waynesboro: Authentic Media, 2006.

5. Steffen, Tom. Passing the Baton: Church Planting That Empowers. La Habra: Center for Organizational & Ministry Development, 1993.

6. Webb, Keith E. The COACH Model for Christian Leaders. Bellevue: Active Results, 2012.