Individual Preparation Church Planting

Here are some things you can do to begin to prepare for Church Planting:

  • Evangelism training. Learn how to share and teach others to share their faith. Concentrate on not using church words like “walk the aisle,” etc.
  • The basis of your ministry will be building relationships through which you can share your faith. Read one of the books below to help you prepare for sharing through your relationships:

Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels

Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels

Peppermint‐Filled Piñatas by Eric Michael Bryant

Questions to all of Your Answers by Roger Olson

Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller

More Ready Than You Realize by Brain McLaren

God’s Blogs by Lanny Donoho

Getting Your Feet Dirty: A down‐to‐earth Look at Following Jesus by Don Everts

The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel

What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey

  • Prepare 4 sermons, bible studies or devotionals.
  • Practice leading bible studies/small discussion groups/prayer groups.
  • If you can lead music or sing solos, begin to get the tools together that you may need:

cds, accompaniment music, download songs to an iPod or mp3 player, etc.

  • Physical fitness. You will be walking and using public transportation. You need to be in good shape.
  • Do personal visitation on your campus either to start a bible study, follow up on new people at church/BCM, etc.
  • Make an appointment and visit with a pastor of a new church or local mission. Ask them about their work and how you can best prepare for the summer.
  • Familiarize yourself with Backyard Bible Club and VBS material. Check with local Baptist Association office and Baptist Bookstore for sample copies. Attend a VBS or BYBC training seminar offered by the local Baptist Association. One online resource for Children’s Material is http://www.missionarlington.org/resources/rainbowexpress/
  • Work on your scripture memorization.
  • Read a good book on Prayer Walking like: Prayer Walking: Praying on Site with Insight by Hawthorn and Kendrick or Walking the Talk by Dan Crawford and Calvin Miller.
  • Find ways to involve your home and local church. By asking them to:

Pray for you and those you will work with

Help collect small gifts for you to give away to children: stickers, pencils, etc.

Help you collect supplies for VBS, like crayons, construction paper, glue, etc.

Conduct a Prayer Walk at your church

  • You will most likely be living with a host family for the summer. Purchase a hostess gift to thank them for letting you be a part of their family for the summer.
  • Visit these websites to find out about your state or country and people group:

http://www.joshuaproject.net/index.php http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

http://www.infoplease.com/states.html http://www.peoplegroups.info/

http://www.churchplantingvillage.net/ http://www.visionsandiego.com/