1 / 44

Case Study: The African Village Church Planting TM Program

Case Study: The African Village Church Planting TM Program. Approach, Processes, Results, and Lessons Learned July 2009. VCP ™ and Village Church Planting™ are trademarks of OMS International. Some History. Evolved out of initiatives by OMS Intl to intensify church planting in Africa

landen
Download Presentation

Case Study: The African Village Church Planting TM Program

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Case Study: The African Village Church PlantingTM Program Approach, Processes, Results, and Lessons Learned July 2009 VCP™ and Village Church Planting™ are trademarks of OMS International

  2. Some History • Evolved out of initiatives by OMS Intl to intensify church planting in Africa • Began work with African Diaspora in South African inner-cities in December 1999 • Fruits were mixed: • 50% of trainees never returned to home country • Costly to implement • But, resulted in good ministry networks • By March 2009, students had started 1,500 churches Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  3. Crossroads • By 2002, barely 60 churches established • Extensive training was not necessarily resulting in spontaneous church planting • Recognized the need to be far more strategic to have a meaningful impact • How to train and deploy church planters and pastors in unreached African villages? • How can this be achieved without taking trainees out of their village environments? Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  4. VCP Approach • Built upon a training-in-ministry philosophy • Work with partner denominations to relocate pastors with a passion for church planting • Each trainer targets a region that can sustain between 100 and 200 churches • Trainers locate training centers (or hub churches) in middle of selected area • Recruit 15 church planters (trainees) from 15 surrounding villages within walking distance Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  5. VCP Training Structure People of Peace Students are recruited through the people of peace strategy articulated by Jesus in Matt 10 & Luke 10. Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  6. Training of Students • Students are required to pass on their learning according to 2 Timothy 2:2 • Find at least other 2 students from 2 villages, whom they train concurrently with own learning • Learn and implement Biblical truths through planting reproducing churches • Monthly training cycle during 3-year period • 20 hours in a classroom setting • Trainers coach & counsel in villages on other days Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  7. Training Scenes Dr. Emmanuel Tshilenga Coaches Trainers Supervisor with Trainer and Church Planters Training Session for Church Planters Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  8. Key Elements • Unearthing Biblical principles & embedding in them a clear church planting process • Church planting can be like baking a cake: • Appropriate Biblical principles (right ingredients) • Raising appropriate resources (right equipment) • Identifying a successful church planting process is indispensable to facilitating a CPM (right recipe) Only a small number of those trained in church planting move on to become successful church planters. Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  9. The VCP model enumerates Biblical principles, mobilizes appropriate resources, and focuses training around the implementation of clear plans. Chronological BibleTeaching Program Village Church Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  10. Casting and passing on planting vision and passion Students need to articulate a clear call to this ministry Importance of sound plans Use of bi-vocational church planter pastors Praying for increased faith to discern God’s plans Being faithful to our call and finishing the task Using gift of exhortation Primacy of philozenos (hospitality) in planting & seeking people of peace Finding synergy in healthy Kingdom partnerships Confronting inappropriate extra-Biblical practices Equipping, empowering & releasing a new generation Pauline model of missions: itinerant missionaries and indigenous leaders Principles Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  11. Resources • Manpower: missionaries, coordinators, intercessors • Finances: training materials, trainer grants, seminars, travel and Bibles • Systems: website and online database to track and manage church planting and pastoral training • Training and discipleship programs, consisting of: • Evangelism methods: Sowers, EE3, Jesus File, etc. • Discipleship training: Chronological Bible Teaching • Theological training: VCP Pastoral Training Course • Practical church planter training: Omega materials Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  12. Some Important VCP Tools Delivering Bicycles for VCP Trainers VCP Manual Bible inSwahili Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  13. Sources of Support • Conscious not to create dependency, rather responsibility; growing number of volunteer trainers – 97 paid and 89 volunteer trainers • Sponsorship of VCP activities, with 2 partners covering the full VCP program in Liberia, and foundations supporting various initiatives • God is providing resources through multiple partners, and the cost of planting churches & training pastors is among the best in Africa Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  14. Processes 3-Year VCP Phase 2 3-Year VCP Phase 1 The VCP model has a structured implementation process with two defined phases. Each phase has clear sequential steps that can be placed within a scheduled implementation plan. Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  15. VCP Phase 1 • Trainers operate training centers close to 100-200 unreached villages for three years • Trainers train first generation church-planter-pastors for three years. • The trainees, in turn, train daughter church planters as they continue their learning 3-Year VCP Phase 2 3-Year VCP Phase 1 Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  16. VCP Phase 1 Results Graduation of Church-Planter-Pastors A Young Church Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  17. VCP Phase 2 • Trainers return to their denominations, and a strategy administrator supervises churches • Strategy administrators conduct continuing education & oversee continuing planting • Admins ensure quality of training by planters & help partners develop church organization 3-Year VCP Phase 2 3-Year VCP Phase 1 Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  18. Implementation Considerations - 1 • Project and annual plans with date-based “to do” lists for coordinators, trainers, pastors • Simple three month plans are updated every 3 months for alignment with overall plans • Meetings occur every 3 months to flesh out the simple plans & set detailed goals: • Supervisors meet with project coordinators • Coordinators meet with trainers • Trainers meet with student pastors Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  19. Implementation Considerations - 2 • Principles and resources are balanced and managed within the overall project plan • Sequenced use of Biblical principles and resources to achieve outcome of “spiritually maturing churches in unreached villages” • Project programming based upon research, gathering information, planning, reflection, & redirecting plans answers questions such as: “What is the first step?” or “Who is available?” Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  20. Scenes from the Field VCP Classroom Training Walking to a Baptism Baptism in Rural Africa Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  21. VCP Ministry Results • VCP model, initiated in 2003, has a presence in 19 African countries: • 5,500 African pastors trained • More than 5,000 churches planted in formerly unreached villages, with over 300,000 members • Average daily growth of the VCP program: • 5 new churches • 400 new members • Investment cost of $250 per church in 2008 Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  22. African VCP CountriesAs of March 2009 Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  23. African VCP Church MembershipYear-End Statistics Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  24. VCP Generational Profile 249 First generation churches (hub churches) 2,616 Second generation churches 1,635 Third generation churches 425 Fourth generation churches 63 Fifth generation churches 10 Sixth generation churches 5 Seventh generation churches 2 Eighth generation churches Youth Are the Future – Preparing for Baptism Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  25. African VCP ChurchesYear-End Statistics Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  26. Lessons for VCP Dynamics • The “Fringe” Principle • Without Faith It is Impossible • Apostolic Leadership – Expanding Kingdom Frontiers “Through Self-Replicating, Harvest-Focused Churches” • Rapid Deployment of Leaders • Growing Leaders • VCP Structures Advance the Cause • VCP Mobilization for World Evangelism • VCP Approach and Long Term Sustainability • VCP Multiplicative Potential Walking to Church Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  27. 1. The “Fringe” Principle • Initially, VCP program was pioneered through “fringe” groups of ecclesiastical structures • CPM movement was often seen as being out of sync with traditional mission strategy • Initial resistance can be attributed to lack of understanding and poor communication • With effective communication, the VCP program is being increasingly embraced by church leaders, accelerating church planting Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  28. 2. Without Faith It Is Impossible • African church has passion, faith, and vision • Like 18th century US counterparts, African VCP leaders are willing to risk everything to win new generations to Christ • Zeal and passionate faith are paving the way in taking the Gospel to new frontiers West African Mosque Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  29. 3. Apostolic Leadership – Expanding Kingdom Frontiers“Through Self-Replicating, Harvest-Focused Churches” • Apostolic leaders have been crucial to large scale church planting in the past centuries • John Wesley, Methodism in Britain • Francis Asbury, American Methodism • In African VCP program, Dr. Emmanuel Tshilenga, Reverends Matthieu Kazadi, Thierry Bossenga, Theodore Burakeye, & André van Blydenstein • Apostolic vision and determination in Africa are inspiring new generations of pioneers Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  30. African VCP Pioneers Theodore Matthieu Emmanuel André Thierry Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  31. 4. Rapid Deployment of Leaders • VCP program based on rapid equipping, empowering and releasing of workers • Training-in-ministry philosophy based on 2 Tim 2:2, investing in “reliable people” who are “training others” • The sooner disciples commence discipling others, the more effective they become Teaching from a Boat Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  32. 5. Growing Leaders • Church planter pastors may initially be “undereducated and under-funded” • Structures are in place to upgrade their education constantly: 600 hours over 3 years • Division between well educated seminary clergy in early Methodism and “upstarts” generally not seen in new VCP pastors • Seek to work with groups that embrace VCP ministries in existing ecclesiastical structures Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  33. 6. VCP Structures Advance the Cause • VCP model structured for rapid multiplication with trainers equipping, empowering and releasing pastors into increasing authority • Pastors, in turn, release members from their congregations into the ministry • VCP leaders are constantly encouraged to seek opportunities for new VCP projects • Local autonomy supported by ecclesiastical structure supportive of shared authority Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  34. 7. VCP Mobilization for World Evangelism • VCP partners are encouraged to be bold and courageous responding to Great Commission • VCP coordinators are encouraged to: • Seek new volunteer trainers • Start new movements in unreached areas • Intentionally allow projects to cross intl borders • Encourage denominations to band together in sponsoring initiatives in other lands Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  35. 8. VCP Approach andLong Term Sustainability • Church planting is a process – not an event • Church planting & growth are integrated • Constant need to evangelize, disciple & train for churches to mature and multiply • Goal of embedding church planting DNA in partners through intense 3-year relationship followed by 3-year decreased relationship • Trust denomination as guardian of VCP DNA Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  36. 9. Multiplicative Potential • Generational profile shows potential for more churches to be planted through: • Increased faith goals • Increased reproduction rates • Deliberate planning • Consider impact & potential for new church planting streams through volunteer trainers • Pursue God’s purposes to facilitate new churches in unreached areas vigorously Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  37. Where to from Here? • Villages, Rural Communities, Informal Communities, and Cities • From “Into Africa” to “Out of Africa” • VCP Pastoral Training Course VCP Program Started in Villages Like This Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  38. 1. Villages, Rural Communities, Informal Communities, and Cities • Indication that VCP principles and processes could be transferable to larger towns & cities • Not surprising, since urbanization is result of rural populations migrating to cities • Many African city churches slow to respond to spiritual needs of relocated rural groups • Future of Village Church Planting model? • Create new model, or rework and rename Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  39. 2. From “Into Africa” to “Out of Africa” • VCP program gaining attention outside Africa • Embryonic VCP ministry in Ecuador • Partnership in India for launch in four states • Training and project launch in S.E. Asian country • Potential to internationalize VCP model is encouraging, and could lead accelerated church planting in other regions of the world Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  40. VCP Vision Casting Outside Africa SoutheastAsia India Ecuador Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  41. 3. VCP Pastoral Training Course • Current rewrite of VCP Pastoral Training Course will add significant value to the VCP program, with the following new modules: • Mending Broken Lives, cross cultural ministry, Islamic studies, train the trainer, children’s ministries, and youth ministries • Translations into key international languages • Contemplating online church planting study: • VCP methodology, VCP Pastoral Training Course, Omega, Chronological Bible study materials Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  42. Reflective Questions – 1 • What are the major similarities between the VCP ministry and the Methodists and Baptists on the American frontier? • What are the major differences between the VCP ministry and the Methodists and Baptists on the American frontier? • What do you consider are the three most important factors that have contributed to the spread of the VCP approach around Africa? • As you consider the VCP case study, are there any obvious unbiblical principles or practices espoused within the model? Can these be remedied without destroying the essential ministry philosophy and church planting DNA of the VCP model? Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  43. Reflective Questions – 2 • What are the three most significant obstacles for implementing the VCP model in your ministry region? Can you think of ways to overcome these obstacles? • Can you think of improvements to the VCP model that would enhance its effectiveness? Prior to embarking on this exercise we recommend that you read the VCP manual. To download the document, please visit the Into Africa website at www.intoafricaproject.org and click on Resources at the bottom of any page. • Compare your ministry philosophy with that of the VCP approach. What fundamental changes would you need to make to align your ministry to that of the VCP model? Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

  44. The End Please be in prayer about being a part of what God is doing in Africa (or elsewhere). Sun Setting over the Congo River Case Study: The African Village Church Planting Program

More Related