Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply

by Ed Stetzer, Daniel Im

Planting a church is one of the most exciting adventures you’ll ever embark on. It’s also one of the hardest. It requires initiative, leadership, strategy, systems, and a lot of prayer. In this second edition of  Planting Missional Churches, not only will you find a completely redesigned book with new content in every single chapter, but you will also find several new chapters on topics such as church multiplication, residencies, multi-ethnic ministry, multisite, denominations and networks, and spiritual leadership. So if you’re planting a church, be prepared. Use this book as a guide to build the needed ministry areas so that you can multiply over and over again. For additional resources visit www.newchurches.com/PMC.

Genres: Church, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Ecclesiology

416 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2016

About the author

Ed Stetzer, PhD, holds the Billy Graham Distinguished Chair for Church, Mission, and Evangelism at Wheaton College and is the dean of the School of Mission, Ministry, and Leadership at Wheaton College. He also serves as the executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton. Stetzer is a prolific author and a well-known conference speaker. He has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; holds two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and has written or cowritten more than a dozen books and hundreds of articles.

Stetzer is a contributing editor for Christianity Today and a columnist for Outreach magazine. He is frequently interviewed for or cited in news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. He is also the executive editor of The Gospel Project, a bible study curriculum used by more than one million people each week.

Stetzer cohosts BreakPoint This Week, a radio broadcast that airs on more than four hundred media outlets. He serves as the interim teaching pastor at The Moody Church in Chicago. Stetzer lives in Wheaton, Illinois, with his wife, Donna, and their three daughters.



You can also connect with Ed on Facebook and Instagram.

Reviews

[Danny Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stetzer reminds me of why I both love and hate "definitive guide" books.

Love
If you want to plant a church, especially one in the United States, you should read this book. It's got so much about almost every topic related to church planting. Not only that, but I loved the emails from different church leaders describing the different models for doing church.

Hate
Hate's a strong word, that's not really true. But, it is really long. It clocks in at about 400-some-odd pages. Really better as (and maybe that's the intention) a reference manual. Something you read through once and leave dog-eared within easy reach.

[Jonathan Asbun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for church leaders

This is a masterpiece in Church planting. Although mainly purposed for people involved in the process of planting a church, it is also a must read for every Church leader, denomination committee, and Christian in general. If you are not in board with multiplying church plants, read this book, it will change your perspective

[Tyler Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a helpful book to read through while in the midst of planting. There were lots of good insights, helpful things to think through, and statistical gems. I read the second edition which seems like it might have ballooned to become the book for all church related insights. But the length was sufferable for the gems.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical but tethered to a specific vision. The authors are fair but I think it was a little too married to current trends in North American church planting.

[Josh G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Planting Missional Churches, Ed Stetzer and Daniel Im embrace the ambitious task of providing a comprehensive manual for missional church planting. Throughout thirty chapters broken up by five sections, Stetzer and Im provide a robust theological vision and practical advice surrounding several key aspects of church planting. The reader can expect to find much to think about regarding leadership structure, casting vision, developing small groups, cultivating spiritual health, establishing a multiplication vision, and so much more. Combining theological, statistical, and experiential analysis, Stetzer and Im give every ambitious church planter the necessary information to pray through as their role to advance the kingdom of God through church planting.

I must confess a personal weariness with respect to church leadership literature. At some point it feels like if you’ve read one book on church leadership, you’ve read them all. Of course, this isn’t entirely fair. There are, after all, different kinds of church leadership: personal leadership for the leader, team leadership for ministry teams, organizational leadership for ministry structure, theological leadership for establishing convictional foundations, and so much more.

However, my experience with church leadership literature, especially with respect to multiplying leaders and growing ministries has not been great. It seems like the practical realities of ministry are always much more nuanced and complex than the authors describe. Like listening to a sermon that explains the Bible without being equally serious about the complexities of everyday life, I often walk away from church ministry books discouraged and disenchanted with their practical value.

This is why I am so grateful for Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer and Daniel Im. As I read their book, I find myself simultaneously refreshed, encouraged, and inspired. In comprehensive fashion, the authors address the theological and practical elements of church planting that are essential for anyone in ministry to consider—even if church planting isn’t in their near future. I myself don’t have any plans to plant a church in the next 3–5 years, but as a teaching minister and leader of our men’s ministry, I found much to benefit from at several points.

On page 152 in their chapter, “Choosing a Focus Group” Stetzer and Im rightly emphasize the importance of identifying the worldview of the focus audience. In the Bible Belt, it can be tempting to assume that everyone has a Judeo-Christian worldview. But that’s not always the case and the authors rightly emphasize the importance of learning their explicit worldview, identifying their “decision making patterns,” and “lock your lips and really listen” (Pg. 150).

In the same section, the authors speak about the importance of moving “From Felt Needs to Real Needs.” This is such a valuable section and rule of thumb for people in ministry. If we stay at the level of felt needs, we may only give them a truncated version of the Scripture—settling for self-help techniques and as a result, giving no mark of distinction from the culture that ultimately prevents people from experiencing true freedom in Christ. However, this doesn’t mean we should ignore the felt needs of people. Instead, as Stetzer and Im observe, “We may begin with felt needs in order to gain a hearing for deeper needs…” (Pg.151–152). Indeed, my experience has shown that when we start with the felt needs of people, we establish a connection to show them how Jesus meets both their felt and their real needs in a way that brings lasting transformation.

Moving into matters of ministry structure and expectation, Stetzer and Im observe, “We must create an atmosphere of expectation…When pastors do for people what God has called them…to do, everyone gets hurt and the mission of God is hindered….The church is mostly alive when every believer serves in the mission of God where assigned by the Spirit.” They continue: “Growth demands empowered leaders and unafraid pastors. Too many pastors are afraid of people” (Pg. 227, 229).

It’s amazing how timely these words are for me in this present season of ministry. I’ve recently been assigned to lead our Men’s Bible study as a central element of our men’s ministry. In this current setting, our men are engaged in passive learning with no active participation. I’ve begun having meetings with prospective leaders and elders to help facilitate a change to a direction that requires the men to be more active and empowered (cf. Eph. 4:11–16; 1 Pet. 4:10–11).

As I read through chapter twenty one, I found myself wishing I would have had this chapter when I began my small group journey as a layman nine years ago. Even more, I wish I would have had this information when I began serving and leading in small group ministry as a minister around 7 years ago. Two of the most beneficial elements of this chapter was the section “Small Group Models” and “Developing an Effective Small Group Plan.” Each of these sections gave specific counsel to the often nebulous notions of “community” and “discipleship.”

[Ross Hearne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of all the church planting books I have read this one was the most beneficial and with much of the methodology within it I am familiar with. I would say this is a great resource for all elders of the church to read to gain a better understanding of mission minded multiplication. Nevertheless, there is a programmatic side to the evangelistic philosophy within the vision if the book. Its ties to liturgy, expositional preaching, and the sacraments are what framework the church. Much of those are missing from the book. Yet, a great resource to understand the mission behind church planting and how we can see it biblically and instilled by Christ himself.

[Stephen Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the weeds of church planting

Thesis books makes it an aim to address details that can easily be overlooked by those considering a church plant. It helps bring perspective that planting a church is about far more than simply being a pastor. It also is a call for more churches to become reproducers. There are very helpful categories and models given of different kinds of church plants, small groups, children’s ministries a, and evangelism practices. It is. A great resource to return to when seeking to gain ideas and clarity about a specific area of church ministry.

[Lea Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisdom and practical advice for the church planter

Planting Missional Churches is a book chock-full of wisdom and practical advice for the church planter. The authors do well not to stick to one idea for church planting. They present a variety of ideas for the church planter to consider when planting a church. However, they put the will of God and guidance of the Holy Spirit front and center. Well worth the read for anyone who wants to plant a church or has already planted a church.

[George P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed Stetzer and Daniel Im, Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches That Multiply, 2nd ed. (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2016).

Though I am neither a church planter nor the son of a church planter, I read the second edition of Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer and Daniel Im with interest. Why? Because it raises questions and teaches ways of thinking about the answers that all North American church leaders need to consider in our increasingly post-Christian society.

The process of post-Christianization may be further along in Canada, but of late, the United States seems to be making up for lost time. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of Americans identifying themselves as Christians declined from 78.4 percent to 70.6 percent of the population between 2007 and 2014. In that same period, the number of Americans practicing non-Christian faiths grew by 25 percent, from 4.7 to 5.9 percent. The number of religiously unaffiliated Americans grew by 42 percent, from 16.1 to 22.8 percent. Given that 34 percent of “Older Millennials” (b. 1981–1989) and 36 percent of “Younger Millennials” (b. 1990–1996) are religiously unaffiliated, the trend of post-Christianization is going to gain rather than lose steam in the coming decade.

To counteract this trend, North American Christians need to plant missional churches.

Stetzer and Im define mission as “all that God is doing to bring the nations to himself.” They define missions as “the pursuit of sharing and showing the gospel to all corners of the earth,” that is, presenting the gospel in word and deed. Missional means “adopting the posture of a missionary, joining Jesus on mission, learning and adapting to the culture around you while remaining biblically sound” (emphasis in original). Missional churches, then, understand themselves as missionaries to their respective cultures.

The image of missions as “planting” is well known in the New Testament. It is found in Jesus’ parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1–9). Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 3:6 when he writes, “ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” Taken together, these two passages suggest that there should be a relationship between personal evangelism and church planting. A church plant that merely draws existing Christians from other churches is not acting missionally. Church plants should focus on evangelizing those who have not already heard or seen the gospel.

Planting Missional Churches outlines for readers how to do this. Section 1 addresses “The Foundations of Church Planting.” Section 2 outlines various “Models of Church Planting. Section 3, “Systems of Church Planting,” answers questions about systems and structures that should be in place before and immediately after a church plant launches. Section 4 describes “Ministry Areas for Church Planting,” namely, teambuilding, evangelism, small groups, worship, preaching, spiritual formation, and children. Finally, Section 5, “Multiplication and Movements,” shows how church plants can (and should) themselves plant churches.

Obviously, Planting Missional Churches is a manual for church planters. So, why should non-church planters like me and (maybe) you read it? I can think of three obvious reasons:

First, to familiarize yourself with the theory and best practices of church planting. Here, the goal is understanding. Far too often, existing churches and church plants are viewed as competitors. This competition can be turned to cooperation when you remember that the goal of church planting is to evangelize non-Christians.

Second, either to consider a call to become a church planter yourself or to help your existing church plant other churches. Here, the goal can be either a change in your ministerial vocation or an expansion of your church’s efforts to evangelize people in word and deed.

And third, as I suggested above, to better understand what ministry in an increasingly post-Christian society looks like. Here, the goal is to change the mindset of American church leaders so that they think more like pioneer missionaries rather than institutional chaplains. By nature, institutional chaplains have the support of the institution. They can assume certain things about people in their care. Pioneer missionaries can’t assume anything. They must listen and talk to people who do not know and in many cases do not care about the gospel story.

So, while I strongly recommend Planting Missional Churches to prospective church planters, I also think it might be a helpful read for established church pastors, whether or not they are considering planting a church. In an increasingly post-Christian society, all church leaders—whether pastors of church plants, revitalized churches, small churches, or megachurches—need to think and act like missionaries…for that is what we in fact are. Just as God sent Christ, so Christ is sending us (John 20:21).

_____
P.S. This review first appeared at InfluenceMagazine.com.

P.P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.

[Josh Loomis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comprehensive look at church planting, albeit mostly from a North American perspective. Broken up into five sections, each chapter is challenging and informative on how to effectively engage in church planting, while giving room for different styles and preferences amongst planters. Great for giving clarity on what church planting can look like in your specific context. Would recommend for anyone interested in engaging in church planting.

[Shaun Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good practical steps for those wanting to plant multiplying churches

As a cross cultural missionary I found some good practical information to use in ministry. Their church planting techniques are biblically sound with a lot of biblical examples. Much of it was however targeted towards institutional western church models with less emphasis on house churches.

[Allen Mandap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good things here, I do appreciate their zeal to reach the community whereas this is something that other tribes miss.

But the focus of this book has been mostly evangelistic outreach via practical and pragmatic things such as type of music, direct emails, outreach programs, welcoming atmosphere, etc., rather than the power and sufficiency of the Bible.

[Traikon Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most practical and clear books on church planting. Planting Missional Churches reads like a textbook, but one that’s easy to understand and deeply biblical. Stetzer gives step-by-step guidance on everything from vision and leadership to finances and launch day—nothing feels outdated. I love how it’s both realistic and encouraging, rooted in Scripture yet focused on real-world ministry. A must-read for anyone serious about planting or revitalizing a church.

[Nelson Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended

I truly recommend this book if you are passionate about church planting ministry. It gives you the foundation of what kind of ministry you would like to see.

[Katie Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very beginner book. Basic information. Might be helpful for someone approaching

[Josh Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro into Church Planting

[Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, not a fan. There are a few practical things to consider here. Very “movement” heavy and reflects modern excitement behind CPM type thought.

[Mads Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thankful for this book!

[Ryan Denton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some decent info on a practical level. A lot of pragmatism per the usual with these types of books.

[Bjørn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many nugts, a must read for people who consider to Plant Church and or Mission

[Ally Curry :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very beneficial and broke down key aspects of the church planting process. It was an easy read and was super helpful. I was assigned this for seminary and truly enjoyed the read.

[Tyler Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good analysis on the church planting landscape and keeps the focus of being missional central. I would recommend for any and all church planters to get a good feel of the church planting landscape looks like.

[Darryl Dash · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I moved into a condo, only the best books moved with me. To make the cut, a book had to be indispensable.

It says something, then, that I kept Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer. I've consulted it many times as I've planted. Stetzer is a church planting expert. He's planted churches, researched church planting, and consulted with church planters across the globe.

Planting Missional Churches is a good book, but it needed a refresh. That's why I'm glad to see this new edition, cowritten by Daniel Im. What's new? Ed and Daniel have changed 50% of the content. They've added new stories, models, and content in every chapter. They've also added five new chapters:

Chapter 8: Multiethnic or Monoethnic Churches
Chapter 9: Multisite Planting
Chapter 27: Residencies and the Future of Theological Education
Chapter 28: Denominations and Networks
Chapter 30: Spiritual Leadership

They've reorganized the structure of the book, and included new research from the new State of Church Planting study, a research partnership of over a dozen denominations on church planting in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The book is substantially different than the 2006 edition I moved into my condo.

I've been reading the new edition over the past couple of weeks. It's split into five sections:

The Foundations of Church Planting
The Models of Church Planting
Systems for Church Planting
Ministry Areas for Church Planting
Multiplication and Movements.

It's hard to think of a church-planting topic they don't cover. While this book covers various models of church planting, most of the book is for the traditional vocational North American church planter. There's a wealth of information, though, for anyone.

As I've read the book, I've had three thoughts.

First: these guys know church planting. The topics they cover are the ones that I've wrestled with. I have the feeling that Daniel and Ed understand what a church planter goes through, and they are on my side.

Second: these guys are evenhanded. They not only cover the breadth of thinking around church planting, but they present their own perspective. I generally agree with them, but even when I don't, I have to admit that they are fair and generous in what they write. I appreciate the amount of wisdom that's packed into this book.

Finally: this book is timely. It covers new issues that weren't on the radar ten years ago. I especially appreciate the chapter on multisite planting, and the section on Multiplications and Movements.

Planting Missional Churches is a book I'd recommend to anyone who is thinking of planting a church, is planting a church, is training others in planting, or is pastoring and considering planting or multiplication. The new edition has earned a place on my bookshelf, and I'll be consulting it for years to come.

[Bud Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested or participating in church planting this book is a must read. Ed and Daniel bring some much practical and useful knowledge to the surface for consideration. If you are reading this review and debating the purchase. Do it. If you want a sample of the minds of these two guys go to their website NewChurches.com and listen to the NewChurches.com podcast. They guys have a heart for church multiplication and they are leveraging their knowledge and experience to equip others. Great Book!

[Nathan Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the books and resources I have utilized, PMC is the most thorough work in this field. I was continually impressed and grateful for the biblical focus and awareness of Ed Stetzer and Daniel Im and believe that their intentionality with the Gospel brings full validation for their practical work here. Whether addressing the person planting or the purpose and charge for planting, this book covers it!

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

This is one of my favorite books on church planting, I appreciated the material so, so much.

"The goal of church planting is glorifying God, growing his kingdom, and developing healthy churches with new converts."

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have had such a strange experience reading this book and another, similar to it. Both were filled with wise practical advice that would be very helpful for launching almost any franchise for any business. But it is pervaded with all sorts of god-talk that tries to baptize the very pragmatic and common sense stuff about franchising. So much on prayer and dependence and missiology. What if you are a Muslim planting a mosque? Do they sometimes not succeed due to a lack of prayer? Or are there synagogues that do succeed because their missiology is right on? One wonders both whether all the church planters who failed didn't pray enough, and whether only those who prayed among those who started new McDonalds franchises succeeded. And yet, leaving aside the notion that prayer actually has some sort of pragmatic benefit by way of its ability to change the prayer or influence God, some good stuff here.