95 Theses of Church Planting Apologies to Martin Luther*

95 Theses of 95 Theses of Church PlantingChurch Planting

Apologies to Martin Apologies to Martin Luther*Luther*

95 Theses of Church 95 Theses of Church PlantingPlanting• 1. Christianity has always expanded 1. Christianity has always expanded

through the multiplication of churches.through the multiplication of churches.• 2. The apostles believed the 2. The apostles believed the

multiplication of churches to be the multiplication of churches to be the pivotal cog through which the power of pivotal cog through which the power of God would be transferred into the world.God would be transferred into the world.

• 3. To remove church planting from the 3. To remove church planting from the New Testament would delete virtually all New Testament would delete virtually all Scripture that emerged after Jesus’ great Scripture that emerged after Jesus’ great commission in Matthew 28.commission in Matthew 28.

• 4. The gospel commission assumes 4. The gospel commission assumes aggressive, continuous and spontaneous aggressive, continuous and spontaneous church planting.church planting.

• 5. Church planting is not a fad; it’s a 5. Church planting is not a fad; it’s a mandate.mandate.

95 Theses of Church 95 Theses of Church PlantingPlanting

• 6. Radical love for the lost drives us to 6. Radical love for the lost drives us to plant new churches.plant new churches.

• 7. Church planting focuses our vision on 7. Church planting focuses our vision on the future rather than on the past.the future rather than on the past.

• 8. The only way to predict the future is to 8. The only way to predict the future is to create it through the planting of new create it through the planting of new churches.churches.

• 9. We can only hope to reach America’s 9. We can only hope to reach America’s growing population through the aggressive growing population through the aggressive planting of new churches.planting of new churches.

• 10. The true fruit of an apple tree is not 10. The true fruit of an apple tree is not another apple, but another apple tree.another apple, but another apple tree.

95 Theses of Church 95 Theses of Church PlantingPlanting• 11. Anyone can count the seeds in an 11. Anyone can count the seeds in an

apple, but only God can count the apples apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed.in a seed.

• 12. The function of an apple is twofold: to 12. The function of an apple is twofold: to provide nourishment today for one provide nourishment today for one person, and to provide for the person, and to provide for the nourishment of thousands in generations nourishment of thousands in generations to come.to come.

• 13. Signing up for church planting is 13. Signing up for church planting is signing up for sacrifice.signing up for sacrifice.

• 14. Church planters become experts in 14. Church planters become experts in how to handle hardship.how to handle hardship.

• 15. The word ‘passion’ means to suffer. If 15. The word ‘passion’ means to suffer. If you want to plant a church but you aren’t you want to plant a church but you aren’t willing to suffer, it’s not your passion.willing to suffer, it’s not your passion.

95 Theses of Church 95 Theses of Church PlantingPlanting• 16. Church planters learn how hard it is 16. Church planters learn how hard it is

to plant a church the way deer learn to plant a church the way deer learn about deer-hunting season – they get about deer-hunting season – they get shot.shot.

• 17. Church planters never ask, “Is it 17. Church planters never ask, “Is it easy?” They instead ask, “Is it God’s easy?” They instead ask, “Is it God’s will?”will?”

• 18. Church planting requires an extra 18. Church planting requires an extra measure of faith in God’s sovereignty.measure of faith in God’s sovereignty.

• 19. Church planters necessarily pray 19. Church planters necessarily pray without ceasing.without ceasing.

• 20. Church planting attracts people 20. Church planting attracts people with big hearts for the lost.with big hearts for the lost.

95 Theses of Church 95 Theses of Church PlantingPlanting• 21. Church planting also attracts 21. Church planting also attracts

dysfunctional Christians so be careful when dysfunctional Christians so be careful when you launch regarding those you bring next to you launch regarding those you bring next to you..you..

• 22. Many lost people long to find God; new 22. Many lost people long to find God; new churches make it easier for them to do so.churches make it easier for them to do so.

• 23. Lost people can tell when they are 23. Lost people can tell when they are genuinely loved. Planting a church for them is genuinely loved. Planting a church for them is undeniable evidence.undeniable evidence.

• 24. Upon all who believe, God has placed the 24. Upon all who believe, God has placed the burden of raising up churches.burden of raising up churches.

• 25. Church planting is not optional for 25. Church planting is not optional for Christians; it’s our calling.Christians; it’s our calling.


• 26. Not every individual is called to plant 26. Not every individual is called to plant churches, but everyone is called to pray churches, but everyone is called to pray and encourage those who do.and encourage those who do.

• 27. When a group of people senses God’s 27. When a group of people senses God’s call to plant a church, healthy churches call to plant a church, healthy churches and leaders find a way to encourage them.and leaders find a way to encourage them.

• 28. Church planting is a bold challenge to 28. Church planting is a bold challenge to Satan’s authority.Satan’s authority.

• 29. Church planting is a front-line raid on 29. Church planting is a front-line raid on the kingdom of darkness.the kingdom of darkness.

• 30. Every church is a planted church at 30. Every church is a planted church at one time or another.one time or another.


• 31. There are no unplanted churches in 31. There are no unplanted churches in North America.North America.

• 32. Every member is a member of a planted 32. Every member is a member of a planted church.church.

• 33. If we were as unintentional about the 33. If we were as unintentional about the other facets of ministry as we are about other facets of ministry as we are about church planting, we would be a church in church planting, we would be a church in crisis.crisis.

• 34. When church planting becomes the 34. When church planting becomes the normal way to evangelize America’s lost, normal way to evangelize America’s lost, soul winning will increase exponentially.soul winning will increase exponentially.

• 35. The reward for church planting is never 35. The reward for church planting is never monetary.monetary.


• 36. Church planters know they are 36. Church planters know they are making a difference today.making a difference today.

• 37. Church planters know they are 37. Church planters know they are making a difference in eternity.making a difference in eternity.

• 38. Church planting is an adventure 38. Church planting is an adventure of joy so enjoy the ride.of joy so enjoy the ride.

• 39. New churches rarely turn out 39. New churches rarely turn out like you expected.like you expected.

• 40. There is not one right way to 40. There is not one right way to plant a church.plant a church.


• 41. There are wrong ways to plant a 41. There are wrong ways to plant a church.church.

• 42. Every denomination that has an 42. Every denomination that has an aggressive church planting strategy is aggressive church planting strategy is growing.growing.

• 43. Every denomination that does not have 43. Every denomination that does not have a church planting strategy is not growing.a church planting strategy is not growing.

• 44. In early Baptist work, church planting 44. In early Baptist work, church planting was the primary way to reach the lost.was the primary way to reach the lost.

• 45. Two hundred years ago, all Baptist 45. Two hundred years ago, all Baptist pastors were church planters.pastors were church planters.


• 46. New churches grow at ten times the rate 46. New churches grow at ten times the rate of established churches.of established churches.

• 47. Every city in America has the same 47. Every city in America has the same number of Baptist today as it did twenty number of Baptist today as it did twenty years ago, the only exceptions being cities in years ago, the only exceptions being cities in which we have planted churches during which we have planted churches during those twenty years.those twenty years.

• 48. If every church in your city was filled to 48. If every church in your city was filled to capacity ten times every Sabbath, thousands capacity ten times every Sabbath, thousands would still not be able to attend.would still not be able to attend.

• 49. There is one Baptist church for every 49. There is one Baptist church for every 59,000 people in North America.59,000 people in North America.

• 50. Mature churches give birth to new 50. Mature churches give birth to new churches.churches.


• 51. It’s easier to have babies than to 51. It’s easier to have babies than to raise the dead.raise the dead.

• 52. It’s more fun to have babies than 52. It’s more fun to have babies than to raise the dead.to raise the dead.

• 53. Most churches are old maids; 53. Most churches are old maids; they have never given birth.they have never given birth.

• 54. Church planting turns old maids 54. Church planting turns old maids into proud parents.into proud parents.

• 55. If the church is fat, it’s because 55. If the church is fat, it’s because she is pregnant.she is pregnant.


• 56. The good news: most churches are 56. The good news: most churches are pregnant. The bad news: some of them pregnant. The bad news: some of them are in their 99th month.are in their 99th month.

• 57. When a parent is pregnant, she must 57. When a parent is pregnant, she must deliver or her own life is in danger.deliver or her own life is in danger.

• 58. God has already put the desire to 58. God has already put the desire to plant new churches into the minds and plant new churches into the minds and hearts of many Christians.hearts of many Christians.

• 59. Instead of discouraging baby churches 59. Instead of discouraging baby churches from being born, healthy churches pray from being born, healthy churches pray for them to flourish.for them to flourish.

• 60. A thriving church says, “Whatever it 60. A thriving church says, “Whatever it takes to win the lost!”takes to win the lost!”


• 61. Plateaued churches can best contribute 61. Plateaued churches can best contribute to the spread of the gospel by giving birth to the spread of the gospel by giving birth to new churches.to new churches.

• 62. Congregations that give away their best 62. Congregations that give away their best to establish a new church grow stronger to establish a new church grow stronger themselves.themselves.

• 63. The fruit of a healthy, new church is not 63. The fruit of a healthy, new church is not just winning more lost and spiritually just winning more lost and spiritually blessing the planters. Established churches blessing the planters. Established churches in the area also benefit from the reflex in the area also benefit from the reflex action.action.

• 64. Churches that don’t give birth are 64. Churches that don’t give birth are scared, sick or selfish.scared, sick or selfish.

• 65. Turf wars are for the Balkans, not for 65. Turf wars are for the Balkans, not for Baptist in North America. Baptist in North America.

95 Theses of Church 95 Theses of Church PlantingPlanting• 66. The Methodist, Adventist, Catholics or 66. The Methodist, Adventist, Catholics or

even atheists never oppose the starting of a even atheists never oppose the starting of a new Baptists church, but sometimes new Baptists church, but sometimes opposition arises from within.opposition arises from within.

• 67. Church planting directly causes kingdom 67. Church planting directly causes kingdom growth.growth.

• 68. The money to win the world is in the 68. The money to win the world is in the mouth of the fish that we catch when we mouth of the fish that we catch when we plant new churches.plant new churches.

• 69. New churches are planted not for the 69. New churches are planted not for the planters but for the plantees (those who will planters but for the plantees (those who will be won to Christ).be won to Christ).

• 70. It is possible to be on spiritual autopilot 70. It is possible to be on spiritual autopilot in an established church and the church can in an established church and the church can survive; being in a church plant, however, survive; being in a church plant, however, requires constant, vigorous prayer and requires constant, vigorous prayer and action.action.


• 71. Church planting is as vital to church 71. Church planting is as vital to church growth as breathing is to body health.growth as breathing is to body health.

• 72. Properly planted churches will reach 72. Properly planted churches will reach population segments currently unaffected population segments currently unaffected by the Baptist message.by the Baptist message.

• 73. New churches have an inherent vitality 73. New churches have an inherent vitality that attracts the unchurched to Christ.that attracts the unchurched to Christ.

• 74. Former Baptist are more likely to 74. Former Baptist are more likely to return to a new church.return to a new church.

• 75. Church planting is an opportunity to be 75. Church planting is an opportunity to be faithfully Baptist while being culturally faithfully Baptist while being culturally current.current.


• 76. New wine is good, but it doesn’t belong 76. New wine is good, but it doesn’t belong in old wineskins (read: in old wineskins (read: old churchesold churches).).

• 77. Changing ministry methods to reach the 77. Changing ministry methods to reach the lost is wise, not wrong.lost is wise, not wrong.

• 78. Changing ministry methods to reach the 78. Changing ministry methods to reach the lost is Biblical, not wrong.lost is Biblical, not wrong.

• 79. Church plants that go astray make it 79. Church plants that go astray make it harder for others to plant churches in the harder for others to plant churches in the future.future.

• 80. Church planting raises up new leaders 80. Church planting raises up new leaders both in the parent church and in the new both in the parent church and in the new church.church.


• 81. Church plants galvanize Christ’s 81. Church plants galvanize Christ’s followers to serve together.followers to serve together.

• 82. Instead of worrying about losing leaders 82. Instead of worrying about losing leaders to a new church plant, healthy churches to a new church plant, healthy churches praise God that they have room to grow and praise God that they have room to grow and have more placeshave more places

• for new servants.for new servants.• 83. Seed planting precedes the harvest.83. Seed planting precedes the harvest.• 84. There can be sowing without reaping, but 84. There can be sowing without reaping, but

there cannot be reaping without sowing.there cannot be reaping without sowing.• 85. Whoever sows with tears will reap with 85. Whoever sows with tears will reap with

joy. joy.

95 Theses of Church 95 Theses of Church PlantingPlanting• 86. A Sower who talks but doesn’t plant is 86. A Sower who talks but doesn’t plant is

not a Sower.not a Sower.• 87. A Sower who prays but doesn’t plant is 87. A Sower who prays but doesn’t plant is

not a Sower.not a Sower.• 88. When a church decides to tithe its 88. When a church decides to tithe its

membership for the purpose of planting a membership for the purpose of planting a church and reaching the lost, God makes church and reaching the lost, God makes the 90% who remain go farther than the the 90% who remain go farther than the 100% who were there before.100% who were there before.

• 89. When a church tithes its best members 89. When a church tithes its best members for a church to be planted, it is laying up for a church to be planted, it is laying up treasure in heaven.treasure in heaven.

• 90. There is more joy in heaven over one 90. There is more joy in heaven over one church that is planted than over 99 that church that is planted than over 99 that need not to be planted.need not to be planted.


• 91. Church planting is the greatest 91. Church planting is the greatest missionary work in the world.missionary work in the world.

• 92. Church planting is the gospel 92. Church planting is the gospel commission at its finest.commission at its finest.

• 93. Church planting is the hope of 93. Church planting is the hope of North America.North America.

• 94. Church planting will hasten the 94. Church planting will hasten the coming of Jesus.coming of Jesus.

• 95. If Martin Luther were here 95. If Martin Luther were here today, he would plant a church. today, he would plant a church.


• ““This is the day that North America turns This is the day that North America turns a corner. Or to change the terminology, a corner. Or to change the terminology, today the North American Church today the North American Church establishes a new battle plan. Today we establishes a new battle plan. Today we drive a corner stake. Today we are drive a corner stake. Today we are pouring a footing. Today we nail the pouring a footing. Today we nail the theses to the church door at theses to the church door at “Berrienburg”. Today the Church “Berrienburg”. Today the Church Planting Group launches the most Planting Group launches the most aggressive and intentional church aggressive and intentional church planting initiative in its history. And let’s planting initiative in its history. And let’s not be afraid to go out on a limb. They not be afraid to go out on a limb. They tell me that’s where the fruit is!” tell me that’s where the fruit is!”

• *(Adapted by Tom Cheyney)*(Adapted by Tom Cheyney)

95 Theses of Church Planting Apologies to Martin Luther*

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