STRATEGY of Church Planting: REVISIT

Rev Derrick Lau, MMS Executive Director. He is interested in medicinal herb gardening.

Church Planting and Community Development has been the principal strategy for the ministry of MMS over the past three decades. It has provided the focus for her efforts in planting numerous churches and preaching points, and developing community projects via prayer and the mobilisation of human and capital resources.

As we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of MMS, a revisit of the strategy would be appropriate. This article will focus specifically on a brief review of the Strategy of Church Planting with the aim of engaging leaders and members (local and national leaders) in a deeper conversation, and into active participation on the nature and direction of our mission in a pandemic state whilst transiting towards a post COVID-19 endemic environment.

This is how a quick Google search defines church: “Etymologically speaking, the word church means ‘house of the Lord’. The modern word church is a direct descendant of the Old English word cirice or circe. The first recorded use of the Old English word is from the thirteenth century, and it could refer to either a body of Christian believers or to the place where they gathered.” (https://www. gotquestions.org/meaning-of-church.html).

The conventional understanding of church usually refers to a building. And for those of us are familiar with the language of the bible, we would adopt a different viewpoint. From a biblical standpoint, Christ has given us the mandate to build His Church (cf. Matthew 18:20; 28:19-20). The Greek word for ‘Church’ is ‘ekklesia’. It means “the called-out ones”. Paul reiterated the theological perspective that “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) and “Christ is the head of the church, his body.” (Ephesians 5:23)

Furthermore, when Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20), it suggests that the composite nature of a church is made up of members who profess faith in Christ as Lord and Saviour. Thus when two or three are gathered in His name, and God willing, they may assemble in a building (generally termed as a church building) or worship centre (that is within a church building or sited in an auditorium, concert hall, or residence). Church is therefore a living organism of all believers in Christ (cf. https://www.bibletruths.org/is-the-church-an-organization-or-an-organism). Even if the laws of a country impose restrictions for religious gatherings, the church continues to exist albeit differently. (Due to the sensitivity of this topic, there shall not be any elaboration on this point).

Over the two millennia, Christian disciples have been and continue to face persecution in certain parts of the world. But then again, that harsh reality has not thwarted the life of the church. On the contrary, the Church Father Tertullian (AD 197) in the wake of widespread persecution remarked, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church!” We affirm Christ as Head of the Church and His love for his members will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Furthermore, in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a digital platform serves as the equivalent, but prayerfully temporary, option of an actual assembly itself although the Administration of the Sacraments such as Baptism and Holy Communion would have to be celebrated differently.

I am persuaded that a revisit of the Strategy of Church Planting will inevitably challenge us to return to the historical root of defining what a church is really like. “Two or three gathered in Jesus’ Name.” Based on this notion, we praise God that He has raised over 40 full-time missionaries and a band of 2000 prayer intercessors, two dozen partnering local Methodist Churches (in Singapore plus one in Sarawak), and a wonderful team of church leaders and members actively engaging in fulfilling the strategy in ways that will build His church, numerically and spiritually!

Other issues associated with church planting are the equipping and empowerment of national leaders (clergy and laity), and the establishment of church polity (including doctrinal distinctiveness, appointment of pastors/officers, conduct of meetings, governance, accountability, sustainability, etc.). Wherever possible, practical or permissible, planting churches will encompass the conduct of worship services, fellowship meetings, Bible study, evangelism, and social concerns outreach as well as the setting up of schools, hostels, income-generating projects, etc.

In tandem with the theme of MMS VISION 2025 i.e. “Enlarge the Tent, O Lord”, we encourage and invite you to pray, participate and give towards the planting and nurturing of churches in the seven mission fields and beyond. To the end, we seek to fulfil the prophetic call to fill the earth “with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters covers the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9, NIV)

Come, plant a church! Let the earth hear the Good News!