Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

P ART III: P LANTING U RBAN C HURCHES • 349

Practical Steps in Church Planting Knowing Your Call and Your Community Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

Abstract The first step in effective cross-cultural church planting is becoming clear regarding your personal call from Christ to engage in this endeavor, discerning whom you are to partner with, and learning the people and community to which God has given you to reach. No one can be effective in the beginning stages of urban mission unless they take time to re affirm their call, and study the people and place to which God has called them. This session gives guidelines for confidently knowing your call and your community.

I. Know Your Personal Call.

A. Begin by becoming familiar with the biblical vision and rationale for church planting.

1. The theology of the Church

2. The role of the Holy Spirit

3. The vitality of the apostolic band

B. Renew your personal commitment to the missionary vision, and to urban missions.

1. Recall your own “Damascus Road” experience: salvation, gifts, and ministry given to you from Christ.

2. Reconsider the nature of Christ’s call on your life.

3. Assess your ministry life right now, and discern if God is still calling you to this kind of ministry.

4. Reaffirm your call to the gospel ministry: Is this God’s particular call for you right now?

C. Circumcise your heart in dependence on God alone.

1. Acknowledge to the Lord your helplessness before him.