The Selection of the Planter: Foundations and Practices for a Biblical and Effective Ministry

Church planting plays a vital role in the expansion of the gospel and the global mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For church planting to be effective, the selection of the planter must be a strategic and spiritual process, grounded in biblical criteria and aligned with the Adventist DNA. This article explores the theological guidelines, essential characteristics, and contemporary challenges in selecting church planters, aiming to offer a comprehensive and relevant guide for mission leaders.

1. Biblical Foundations for Selection

The Bible provides clear guidelines for spiritual leadership, emphasizing character, calling, and divine empowerment. Texts such as 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and Ephesians 4:11-13 form the basis for identifying leaders prepared for ministry. Christian leadership is fundamentally service-based, as exemplified by Jesus (Mark 10:45).

The apostles also selected leaders based on spiritual criteria, such as the choice of Stephen and other deacons filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3-5). These biblical examples highlight the need for a church planter to be spiritually mature, willing to lead by example, and capable of equipping others for discipleship.

2. The Adventist DNA in the Selection of the Planter

The Adventist Church has a prophetic identity that must be present in every church planter. As a missionary movement, the denomination is called to make disciples of all nations under the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12 (White, 2006a, p. 19). This identity shapes the selection criteria, which include:

1. Missionary Calling: Planters must understand the urgency and relevance of the Adventist message in the prophetic context.

2. Servant and Discipling Leadership: The ability to train and equip local leaders is essential for the continuity of the mission (Palmeira, 2019, p. 36).

3. Cultural Contextualization: The planter must be a cultural interpreter, sensitive to the social and spiritual needs of the mission field (Schwarz & Greenleaf, 2009, p. 102).

4. Practical Spirituality: A life of prayer, Bible study, and reliance on the Holy Spirit is indispensable (White, 2005b, p. 18).

3. The Planter Selection Process

The selection process involves steps to ensure the planter is well-prepared for the challenges of ministry:

3.1 Spiritual Assessment

Candidates must demonstrate evidence of divine calling, spiritual commitment, and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Local spiritual leaders and conferences can assist in confirming this calling.

3.2 Behavioral and Vocational Profile Analysis

Tools such as DISC and APEST (Ephesians 4:11) are useful for identifying candidates' skills and strengths (Palmeira, 2019, p. 67). This analysis helps align personal talents with the specific needs of the mission field.

3.3 Training and Preparation

Training schools, such as the Level 5 Church Planters School, provide essential theological, missionary, and practical training for developing effective church planters (Palmeira, 2019, p. 35).

4. Challenges in Developing Church Planters

The shortage of trained church planters is a global challenge, especially in regions with established churches. Ellen G. White warned that "ministry focused solely on church members weakens the mission" (White, 2005b, p. 18). Excessive focus on institutional maintenance limits the missionary vision.

To overcome this challenge, the Church must prioritize:

• Continuous Training: Equipping planters to face complex cultural and social realities (Dias, 2016, p. 19).

• Local Mobilization: Encouraging local churches to become self-sustaining and to send missionaries (Burrill, 1999, p. 55).

• Redefinition of the Pastoral Role: Reviving the itinerant model of early Adventists, where pastors were primarily evangelists and planters (Schwarz & Greenleaf, 2009, p. 140).

Conclusion

The selection of the planter is an essential component of the church planting process. This leader, more than an administrator, is a catalyst for missionary movements, someone who reflects Christ's character and embodies Adventist DNA. To achieve the goal of multiplying self-sustaining, replicable, and culturally relevant churches, the Church must invest in a robust and spiritual process of selection and training.

References

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2. Bosch, David J. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1991.

3. Burrill, Russell. Recapturing the Mission of the Church. Hagerstown: Review and Herald, 1999.

4. Dias, Wagner Kuhn. Radical Transformation: Seeking the Whole Gospel. Engenheiro Coelho: Unaspress, 2016.

5. Palmeira, Alex. Churches That Plant Churches: Planting Self-Sustaining, Self-Replicating, and Indigenous Churches. Curitiba, 2019.

6. Schwarz, Richard W., Greenleaf, Floyd. Light Bearers: A History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Engenheiro Coelho: Unaspress, 2009.

7. White, Ellen G. Evangelism. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1946.

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11. White, Ellen G. The Acts of the Apostles. Mountain View: Pacific Press, 1911.