Multiply the Church
PLANTING CHURCHES THAT PLANT CHURCHES
WHAT DOES JESUS COMMAND US TO DO?
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Our strategic plan aims to plant 3,500 churches globally in 7 years.
— Kingdom Advancement Roadmap
So why do we want to plant churches that plant churches?
There is no biblical command to plant churches. However, there are sound reasons to prioritize church multiplication.
First, in the Great Commission Jesus commands us to “go make disciples.” In the New Testament, we see that when disciples make new disciples, a new church is the natural by-product. Studies show that new churches reach unreached people more efficiently than do existing churches. Therefore, church planting is an effective means for the Global Methodist Church to fulfill our mission of making disciples.
A second reason to prioritize church multiplication is that the future of the GMC rests on our effectiveness in church planting. Just as a local church grows as it multiplies new groups for new people, denominations grow as they multiply new churches for new people. Studies suggest that a denomination must start new churches at a rate equivalent to 3% of its total number of congregations per year in order to maintain current membership. To grow, it needs to start more.
Church multiplication is also part of our heritage. Because early Methodists had a passion to see people won to Christ and transformed by the Spirit’s power, at one time they were planting one church per day in the United States.
As new Methodists committed to fulfilling the Great Commission, church multiplication will shape the Global Methodist Church’s future.
Our goal is for local churches to start churches that start churches, and so multiply into a movement that will spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
10 Guiding Principles
1. Making reproducing disciples is the mission of Jesus. It is also the mission of the Global Methodist Church.
2. We seek to catalyze a global, Wesleyan church multiplication movement.
Goal is to start 3,500 new churches by 2031.
This represents approximately 3% new churches
We can organize for growth or control, but not both.
3. Starting a church may or may not result in making disciples; but making disciples will always result in churches planted.
4. We will empower catalytic, apostolic leaders.
5. Our goal is not to “grow larger” but to “multiply at all levels. ”
A church multiplication movement requires a culture of multiplying disciples in local churches -> leaders multiplying leaders -> churches multiplying churches. Then repeat the cycle.
A church-planting movement requires a denomination-wide culture of multiplication.
6. All Global Methodists in good standing are empowered to plant churches. ¶ 450.1 in BDD.
7. The local church owns the church planting task.
Churches start churches.
Spiritual calling and a desire to make disciples are the only essentials for planting a church.
Financial resources can be helpful, but lack of money is no reason for not planting.
8. We encourage working as networks.
Individual churches may not see themselves as able to plant a church by themselves.
We encourage churches to network with 4-5 other churches to plant.
We will encourage the voluntary association and cooperation of local leaders and churches in the mission of church planting.
9. We celebrate a variety of methods for planting churches
All of those that result in the effective making of reproducing disciples are acceptable.
10. We encourage multiple forms of new churches.
It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people.
The three main categories required for a comprehensive church multiplication strategy are:
“Prevailing model” church plants.
Culturally targeted and first-generation church plants.
Unconventional: micro-churches; multi-housing; online; collegiate, etc.
Next Steps
Planting a new church is an exciting journey of faith and service. At the Global Methodist Church, we are committed to equipping leaders and congregations with the tools and support needed to grow vibrant, Christ-centered communities. Whether you’re just starting to explore church planting or are well underway, this page offers resources, and connections to help you answer God’s call to make disciples and expand His kingdom.
You can contact our Regional Coordinators in your region for more information. Also, the articles below provide guidance on how to get started with church planting, along with links to helpful resources and additional information. Many annual conference websites have dedicated sections on church planting specific to their regions, so we encourage you to explore your annual conference page for further support!
Church Planting, the GMC and You by Steve Cordle
Global Methodist Church Announces Partnership with Planters Field Training Academy by Dianne Burnett
Our Strategic Partners
The River Network
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The River Network International is a US-based 501(c)(3) organization that serves to strengthen church planters through discernment, training, coaching and continuing education. The River Network International has a partnership with the Global Methodist Church to assist new church plants, but also welcomes church planters from a variety of denominations and non-denominational backgrounds.
Planter’s Field Training Academy
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Planter's Field Training Academy is designed to equip you with the practical and spiritual tools needed to launch a new church in the modern age. 100% online and self-paced, our new video courseware offers nearly five hours of instruction from a diverse community of presenters.
Asbury Seminary GMC Grant
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The Asbury Seminary–Global Methodist Church Grant program provides financial support for Asbury Seminary graduates who are planting a new Global Methodist Church.
Application Requirements:
Graduates of Asbury Theological Seminary
Planting a new congregation of the Global Methodist Church
Church plant must be located in the United States
Have not received a previous Asbury Seminary–Global Methodist Church Grant
Grant Details and Deadlines:
Grant Applications are due March 1 (for April disbursement), June 1 (for July disbursement), September 1 (for October disbursement) and December 1 (for January disbursement)
Grants are available in increments of $5,000; $10,000; $15,000 and $20,000
Grants will be dispersed as a one-time gift from the Global Methodist Church
For additional information, please contact Asbury Seminary directly (here).
Imagine.
Hear from Pastor Luciano in Portuguese & from Judith in Spanish as they tell their incredible story of evangelism, discipleship, & church multiplication through the GMC in Panama.