The Work of a Planter: Invite to Biblical Community

If we are correct that the Christian life is meant to be lived in community, the culmination of the missional work of a church planter is to involve the previously unreached in a biblical community.  This is what sets the church planting movement apart from some previous missionary strategies.  We are not seeking only to present the Gospel, though that is a worthy and vital task.  We are not seeking only to lead the lost in a sinner’s prayer, though that is a worthy task.  The goal of a church planter is to present the Gospel to the lost, walk them through the ramifications of the Gospel and their response, AND get those who trust in Christ involved in a biblically faithful community.

Initially, this assembled community may explore the basics of the faith in a more thorough and in-depth way.  At NFCC, we work through Mark Dever’s What is a Healthy Church?.  This is a great resource as it makes plain the essentials of biblical community.  A tool like this is very effective in a more “churched” culture, like Shreveport.  In a less churched culture, Greg Gilbert’s What is the Gospel? is a great resource.  There are a number of resources that will help a planter to present a basic understanding of biblical theology.  The goal is to set forth clearly what the biblical community stands upon (biblical truth) so that those who have interest understand what it means to covenant with other believers in a biblical community.

Once established, the biblical community begins to grow together as they seek the Lord and desire to accurately reflect His character to those within their spheres of influence.  We seek to have an Acts 2 community: 

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

(Acts 2:42-47 ESV)

As we strive to be faithful to the Great Commission, may we commit ourselves to the concept of biblical community as the method displayed in the New Testament to growing the Kingdom, its subjects,  and, ultimately, accomplishing the mission of God here on earth.

Soli Deo Gloria