Starting a New Church: The Church Planter's Guide to Success

by Ralph Moore

Rising generations of Americans are ignorant of Jesus Christ and have virtually no moral absolutes.    So who will evangelize them and whats the best way to go about it? Ralph Moore says the answer is aggressive church planting. But he is emphatic that established churches cant do the job alone.    Why? Because new churches can better meet the needs of each new generation by presenting biblical truth in the cultural context that best reaches these people. This book will challenge you to consider becoming a church planter, without sugarcoating the problems and practical challenges involved.     Moores authoritative, edgy message is based on firsthand experience in overseeing the movement that has planted more that 200 new churches. Starting A New Church not only covers everything you need to know from the ground up, but it also reveals why church planting may be the most dynamic movement in evangelism!    If you like this book, be sure to check "How To Multiply Your Church," a guide for an existing congregation that hopes to reproduce. Also by Ralph Moore.

Genres: Theology

244 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

20-25 years ago, when Purpose Driven & Willow Creek were innovating, there was a parallel movement…and a new spark in church planting and church planting manuals were in abundance. Most that I read were endorsed by NAMB, Acts 29, & the Exponential networks. But this was always one of the top recommendations. It has that Purpose Driven/Hawaii ethos.

I read it over 10 years ago, but picked it up off the shelf to skim through. It’s pragmatic and some good principles still apply. But, in the talk of “multiplication” - sometimes we don’t realize what we’re multiplying isn’t always healthy or sustainable. Multiplication is biblical, of course. And most principles stand the test of time. But chasing current trends with the justification to be “missional” often ends up watered down. Anyways, decent book. But 20 years later, it’s equally interesting to see unintended consequences of our “cultural” ecclesiology in a particular era.

[Aaron Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly practical guide to starting a church. Each chapter offers a checklist for a potential planter to process through, concerning vision, financial support, managing people and budgets.

[Kelvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book, it was set way to deep in American culture and was way to misogynistic for me. It did have some good points in it and perhaps for many will be well worth the read.

[Noah Stepro Stepro · Rating 4 out of 5]

great tool

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Good thoughts and insights. It's tough when comparing how to do things from a church in Hawaii when you're in MN.

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book for a few practical ideas I picked up.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical advice from his journey as a planter. He highlights things to watch for and also to look into. I will attempt to use many of the things that He brought out in this book.

[E. Scott Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has become one of my favorite books on church planting.

Moore is smart, down to earth, and speaks from a place of wisdom and experience.

[Kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pragmatic, pragmatic, pragmatic...oh and did I say pragmatic?
Good practical pointers but wouldn't read it for any exegetical value..

[Jonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just incredibly basic teaching about church planting. Moore has a story and the experience worth mimicking. Big fan. Easy read too, for the busy church planter.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great practical guide on church planting

[Ryan Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good book as well