By J. D. Payne; Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press(2015) Softcover, 126 pages; Reviewed by ANDERLINE BREDY
The heart of Apostolic Church Planting is understanding and establishing how church planters define the local and universal church. In the words of the author, “ecclesiology is supremely important. It shapes everything” (p. 21). Over his years of training church planters, Dr. J. D. Payne encountered questions that were not addressed in his previous workend packed with supporting citatio from leading thinkers in leadership theory and research (there are over 60 in textbook references). Yet, “these authors can settle some of our most stubborn ideas about leadership” by the way they are approached in this work (p. 310). their personal stories about challenge and triumph are can did yet hopeful. If one is searching only for “tips” on leadership, this book will seem a bit too long. however, its length is appropriate for encouraging the kind of reflection necessary for those who dare to lead and thrive, with christ as center and guide. I highly recommend this book for both professional and personal growth.
Apostolic Church Planting, in Payne’s words, “is my attempt to respond to some of those questions and to connect the practical steps in a more developed manner” (p. 9). the principles of Apostolic Church Planting are outlined in 12 chapters, which range from defining church planting to having ethical guidelines for a church plant. Each chapter discusses the content with the recent questions from various church planters in mind and then offers a summary of practical steps and critical principles. throughout Apostolic Church Planting, the author discusses the importance of organic growth as modeled in early church history in acts, the allowance of time for the power of the Holy Spirit to move in the community, and the importance of choosing leaders from within the church plant. the author places a special emphasis on allowing the Holy Spirit to direct the timing of the church plant stages. this is important because the sanctification process of the new disciples can only be determined with time in relationship and in community, as shown in the lists of qualifications for a good leader in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus as the author states, “the Bible has delineated the requirements and expectations for those who oversee churches. Your team must hold to these and do not deviate from them” (p. 100). Further, the six stages of planting proffered are relationally interconnected steps that will require role changes for the church planter, at different times serving as learner, explorer, evangelist, teacher, developer, mentor or partner as prayerfully determined in relationship with the Holy Spirit. Simply understood, “church planting is a process” (p. 54).
Apostolic Church Planting is a concise and current addition to the subject of church planting. Readers will enjoy the easy-to-read format, simple strategies, and answers to questions that are current to their time. this book is recommended as a small group study tool for new church planters or as a refresher study for seasoned church planters. General readership will find great principles applicable to forming small groups.
Anderline Bredy is a native of Grande Goave, Haiti, by way of Stratford, Connecticut, but is currently a graduate student at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where she is pursuing Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work degrees.