Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

312 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

V. WHERE Ought We to Begin Such Efforts, and from What Venues Are We Likely to Find Champions to Stimulate in Such Church Planting Movements to American Inner-City Contexts? Making the church the locus of all spirituality, authority, and governance eliminates the need for unnecessary and weighty bureaucracies, and ensures that the movements will be ecclesial and biblical in orientation. Furthermore, unlike many of the current mini-movements suggested as alternative venues for spiritual revolution, keeping the church as the center of spiritual vitality and mission allows for a new resuscitation of biblical language, a strident application of apostolic tradition, and a fresh rediscovery of the church’s insights throughout its history. 1 Tim. 3.15-16 (ESV) – . . . if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 1 Pet. 2.4-5 (ESV) – As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. A. The Church as the where of authentic kingdom spirituality and Spirit-directed growth: Twelve biblical reasons for starting a new church (from the Book of Acts) [Marlin Mull, p. 19]

1. A new church brings the Kingdom of God to earth (Acts 1.3; 8.12; 14.22; 19.8; 20.25; 28.23; 28.31).

2. A new church helps fulfill the Great Commission (Acts 1.8; Matt. 28.18-20; Mark 16.15-16; Luke 24.46-49; John 20.19-22).

3. A new church p rovides a place of prayer to meet God with others (Acts 1.14; 4.31; 12.5).

4. A new church provides another public preaching place (Acts 9.20; 10.42; 14.7; 16.10; 20.20).

5. A new church is the most effective evangelistic tool (Acts 2.38-39; 14.21).