U.S. Culture & Church Planting

Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age (Notes taken from Ed Stetzer’s book)

Broad Cultural Groups – U.S.

Modern Era (Age of Reason – 1950)Builders (50 million)

Transition Era (Starting around 1950)Boomers (70 million)

Postmodern Era (1965 to Present)Busters (30 million)Millennials (70 million)Babies (10 Million)

Broad Cultural Groups – U.S.

Builders (Modern Era)Self-sufficientIndividualisticPersonal responsibility

Broad Cultural Groups – U.S.Boomers (Transition Era)

First generation raised with absentee fathersFirst generation that grandparents had no

significant impact on their livesMost educated generation in historyRaised with extreme affluence & opportunitiesLess purchasing power than parents at each

stage of adulthoodRaised under the threat of nuclear warFirst generation with television as a

significant parenting tool

Broad Cultural Groups – U.S.Boomers & their church

Open to spiritual experiencesBible studies emphasizes practical livingPlace a healthy emphasis on relationshipsHave fewer titles and less formalityUnderstand the new family in AmericaShare their faith by what they say and doRecognize the ability of womenPlace emphasis on worshipHigh tolerance for diversityAction oriented

Broad Cultural Groups – U.S.

PostmodernsDenial of personal objectivityUncertainty of knowledgeDeath of any all-inclusive explanationDenial of the inherent goodness of knowledgeRejection of progressSupremacy of community-based knowledgeDisbelief in objective inquiry

Modernism Naturalism – reality consists of what is observed Humanism – humanity is the pinnacle of the universe Scientific Method – right method brings explains reality Reductionism – humanity the highest developed animal Progress – enough knowledge will continue progress Nature – evolution, not creator, the source of life Certainty – knowledge is objective Determinism – events happen because of fixed causes Individualism – supremacy of the individual Anti-authoritarianism – people are not under

constraints

Broad Cultural Groups – U.S.

Planting Churches - PostmodernsTen most frequent traits to plant a church

Being transparently spiritualStriving for an incarnational ministryService orientedAllowing for experiential praise in worshipPreaching narrative expository messagesValuing and participating in ancient patternsWorship with visual Technological utilizedCommunity atmosphereTransparent team leadership

Planting Churches - PostmodernsRepresentative culture

Prefer decisions made on their behalfLeadership is to provide guidance & regulationWork for rewardPeople cannot be trusted with personal freedom

in service to societyParticipatory culture - postmodern

Have multiple choices and make their ownLeadership is empowering others to leadPeople make sacrifices for the good of wholePeople can be trusted to use their resources

wiselyPostmodern Pilgrims by Len Sweet

Spiritual Decision Process Model-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

Awareness of a supreme being onlyInitial awareness of the gospelAwareness of gospel fundamentalsGrasp of implications of the gospelPositive attitude toward the gospelPersonal problem recognitionDecision to actRepentance & faith in Christ

The person is regenerated & becomes a new creature+1+2+3

Post-decision evaluationIncorporation into the BodyLifetime of growth in Christ

Mak

e Discip

les

ETERNITY

Nu

rture

Source: Spectrum, Winter, p. 5rejection

Engel Scale

Planting Churches - PostmodernsGray Metrix – Desire for people to move toward “C”

Planting Churches - PostmodernsPlanting Churches - Postmoderns

Planting Churches - Postmoderns

Stetzer’s Suggested Evangelistic MethodsMeeting and engaging unchurched peopleRelationship buildingMarketplace farming (intentional routines)Prospect cards (keeping track of contacts)Existing relationshipsThree-minute ruleEvery-Sunday registrationWelcome cardsGuest follow-upDoor-to-door survey through mission teams

Planting Churches - Postmoderns

Initiate church plant with core groupMembers from sponsoring churchRecruit temporary people from other churchesLeadership from other nearby churchesRecruit people who want to plant new churches

Planting Churches - Postmoderns

Planting Churches - PostmodernsAmerican’s Spiritual Needs – Gallup Poll

70% of Americans say the church is not meeting their needs – they desire to:Believe life is meaningful and has purposeHave a sense of community and deeper

relationshipsBe appreciated and respectedBe listened to and heardGrow in faithReceive practical help in developing a mature

faithFrom Dale Galloway, The Small Group Book

Planting Churches - PostmodernsEffective Elements for New Church Plant

Small GroupWorshipPrayerBible Study

Discussion oriented, not lecturePrepare leading questionsStay focusedAvoid sidetracksUse the same Bible textMake the pointFormulate questions carefullyUse the power of silenceDraw the conclusion

Fellowship

Planting Churches - PostmodernsEffective Elements for New Church Plant

Planting Churches - PostmodernsEffective Elements for New Church Plant

Planting Churches - PostmodernsEffective Elements for New Church Plant

Planting Churches - PostmodernsEffective Elements for New Church Plant

Planting Churches - PostmodernsEffective Elements for New Church Plant

Worship style should be biblical and fit the culture

Planting Churches - PostmodernsEffective Elements for New Church Plant

Reasons for sponsoring a daughter churchEvangelize the unchurchedDevelop new leadersGrow the kingdomTransmit a lasting legacyMeet ethnic and language group needsGlorify God

Planting Churches - PostmodernsEffective Elements for New Church Plant

Planting a Daughter ChurchSelect a mission committeeSelect a target areaSelect a sponsoring churchCultivate the target areaStart home Bible studiesBegin a mission chapel (public worship)Plan the financesSecure the facilitiesConstitute the church