Front Matters

F RONT M ATTERS : P REREQUISITE R EADINGS FOR THE E VANGEL S CHOOL OF U RBAN C HURCH P LANTING • 55

Source: Ripe for Harvest, pp. 90-92

community . This expression focuses on a particular geographic identity and proximity, highlighting the affinity, connection, and unique con text of the congregation and the surrounding community. It is developed around a deep calling and connection to a particular neighborhood, and typically requires a semi-stable place to meet (e.g., a park, community center, or school). This expression especially depends on and is enriched by explicit partnerships formed with other community churches, which effectively strengthens and feeds their growth and mission as individual assemblies. Mother Church (200+ people) The mother church (or “hub church”) represents a larger assembly of believers, and can be understood as a Walmart Superstore or Super Target, a store which houses a number of select entities that supply its patrons with many choices and opportunities . This kind of church, which has both the economic and spiritual resources for multiplication, can leverage its resources and capabilities to become both a sending/empowering church which reproduces itself many times over. Ideally, a mother or hub church is a congregation that is lead by clear missional intents that allow it to leverage its capabilities and gifts to become a center of compassion, mercy, and justice ministries. It can also come to serve as the nurturing headquarters for church planters and ministry starters, and can easily operate as an incubator of other effective ministries among the unreached urban poor. Such an expression usually is more rooted in a particular built-to-suit facility that allows it to leverage these kinds of capabilities.

Context Values/Vision Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter