The Nuts and Bolts of Church Planting: A Guide for Starting Any Kind of Church

by Aubrey Malphurs

Most books on church planting offer a model for churches to replicate--usually one that is tied to a particular style, generation, or demographic. But what churches really need is a process that is flexible, not bound to a particular time or current fad. In The Nuts and Bolts of Church Planting , trusted author and church-planting expert Aubrey Malphurs shares the basic steps any church planter will need, regardless of his or her generation now or in the future. These steps include


establishing values, mission, vision, and strategy
reaching the community
making disciples
recruiting a team
determining location and facilities
raising money for the ministry


With instant practical takeaway based on proven techniques, this book will be invaluable to any church planter.

Genres: Leadership, Church, Ecclesiology, Christian, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ross Hearne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The basic premise of the book i understand and currently live in. I do think the frame of this book and what it sought to accomplish was obtained, but the lack of biblical doctrine, truth when it comes to who can actually plant a church, and love for the Lord was lost within the program. A church that focuses on the program over the gospel and Gods word isn’t what is glorifying to the Lord. Programmatic ministry is something that is on the way out when it comes to ministry philosophy. People long for doctrine and for the word of God. For it is the word that builds up the church, and in turn multiplies. Not a program. If we want a bunch of saddleback churches this book can help you accomplish that, but true success in my eyes within the church is replication of disciples that love the Lord with all they are (this includes the word),and their neighbor as themself (this includes intentional discipleship). Success is deeper than attendance and butts in pews. It’s longevity in faith and perseverance unto the end for Christs glory alone. I did see things like a promotion of a discipleship pathway and leadership development which are good things, but when they lack backbone to biblical doctrine, flimsy ministry sets in and lack of true vision takes place.

[Danny Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book 4 stars, I really did. The only reason that I say three is because it is needs to be about 75 pages shorter. Cut out a lot of the redundancies, application questions, and most of the personality test appendixes and you would have a great resource.

I was especially helped by the bell curve illustration of the church, and the nuts-and-boltsyness of how to practically run a church. Really good resource that is bogged down by a lot of unnecessary verbiage.

[Josh Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Most Practical Book on Church Planting

This is a generalists book. Malphurs' goal for the whole book is to help plant any kind of Church and be faithful to the teachings of scripture on Church planting. I recommend this book because he gives good concepts as handles to hang the practical stuff you need to know as a church planter. If you want to know the Nuts and Bolts of Church Planting, then pick up this book and read it.

[Nate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is aimed at hitting a large swath of issues related to church planting from theology, to finances, to disciple making. It's orientation is primarily practical in nature, emphasizing "what works" over a strictly theological vision.

I'm afraid it wasn't of much help to someone in the field. I'd recommend looking elsewhere both for a philosophy of church planting and the practicals.

[David J. Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some unique insights scattered through lengthy stretches of pragmatic advice for people who are more interested in being what Eugene Peterson may have called "religious entrepreneurs" as opposed to ministers.

[Stephen Carrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, helpful, and easy to read.

[Will Dole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Very nuts and bolts. Lots of helpful checklists, little helpful theology. But nuts and bolts are important.

[Heidi Leatherland · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read it for school. Don’t waste your time.

[Keith Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book which could outline the basics of how to go about starting up a new church, as we are considering such a project on Seattle's east side. For that purpose this book did not disappoint. Malphurs does an excellent job of pointing out factors which need to be considered each step along the way. However, he also emphasizes a theological fundamentalism which I do not agree with, nor do I see it as essential to a successful start-up. Malphurs does make a point which less conservative church traditions do need to consider: a successful church start-up does require that those involved share a passion for reaching out to people not presently in the faith. While more liberal churches might not feel they are "saving the lost from hellfire", they do need to be passionately convinced that they are offering something spiritually which such people need -- and sometimes even desperately need. Otherwise, why bother with all the work this entails? People do need a life-affirming, grace-filled relationship with God. Many are out of harmony with life and feel alienated from their Creator. People also need a sense of purpose and a feeling they can make a difference in this world. And people need a healthy way of dealing with the guilt which piles up in their life. Cannot liberals be passionate about making these available?

Another difference I had with Malphurs is he treats caring for the poor as extraneous to the "true mission" of the church, which he views only as making disciples (adding more church members and helping them mature as church members.) But Christ said how we treat the poor and needy was the central factor in whether or not we enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 25:31-46.) Isn't helping people to follow such teaching a central part of "making disciples" for Jesus Christ?

So Aubrey Malphurs does well in outlining the "nuts and bolts" of starting a church; but he does seem to be off-base at putting the Christ-like spirit into that church.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone considering planting a church: it's practical advice that can be applied to many different models/structures. If you already feel called to plant a church then this book will help you design a ministry plan, figure out how to handle resources, and encourage you to stay focused.

If you are uncertain whether you want to be involved in a church plant, this book will help you understand that it's a very particular calling and really not meant for everyone. The book provides several tests to determine if you have the right temperament. Organizations are wise to put potential church planters through a rigorous screening process.

I knew before starting book that I didn't have the temperament to be a lead in a church plant but I was/am interested in what it would look like to be part of a planting team [after all, the leadership of a church plant needs a mix of spiritual gifts and temperaments]. I'm glad I read this book because it delivered "nuts and bolts," just as the title suggests. Good read.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basic premise behind this manual on church planting is similar to Willow Creek's Ministry advantage series, which is sometimes given credit by the author. The assumptions limited my receptivity to the book.
Assumption#1 the planter will be male. I am a church planter and am female. When will church authors embrace gender neutral language? 'All men' does not include female by default. Christ made us equal - try reflecting that please.

Assumption #2 the plant is in an urban context. I am a rural church planter in small Australian farming communities. Lots of practices just don't fit the context and there are no alternatives offered.

Assumption #3: the plant will be a clone church to the parent church. All the research I have undertaken over the past 10 years indicate this is likely to not succeed, because the community context and demography needs to be reflected. The churches planted by Paul across Asia Minor were not all the same...the local people made them their own.

The appendices, although dated were still helpful to reflect upon.

[Starla Gooch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent starting book for church planting. It may not be helpful for those who are deeper into their preparation, but Malphurs provides great content for those beginning the journey. He discusses everything from vision and putting together a team to location and fundraising. A great starter!

[Zachary Mosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great resource for anyone who needs a quick overview of all that goes into Church Planting. It was brief to the point and well thought-out. I am thankful for the direction and encouragement it gave me.

[Emil Bredahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good practical church planting book that I had to read for my class at school. It's focusing mainly on American church planting, but still most of the principles were applicable and important and all people involved in any form of ministry can use.

I would like to recommend this book

[Ronald J. Pauleus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real technical but good stuff. I appreciated the truth here.