Reaching Out to All Generations:
CHURCH PLANTING

Passion and enthusiasm abounded at the Council of Twelve’s evangelism seminar on church planting in North America, held January 16-18 at the Temple in Independence, Missouri. Approximately 80 people attended the event, which focused on theological and institutional issues as well as the church planting environment.

Apostle Steve Veazey coordinated the event. President of Seventy Bob Kyser chaired the planning committee, with Presiding Evangelist Danny Belrose and Apostle Larry Tyree. Veazey explained that there were two major purposes of the seminar: “…to orient World Church leaders, resource producers, and educators regarding church planting strategies and terminology; and…to network church planters in the field with each other and World Church staff.”

An appearance by world-renowned author Tom Beaudoin was a highlight of the three-day event. Beaudoin’s 1998 book Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation X has earned him invitations to speak before many major groups and denominations. Beaudoin is considered an expert in the field of young adults and spirituality. Tyree said, “We wanted him to come because young adults particularly are least served by churches today. We need to have a better understanding of this generation if we want to make a significant impact and reach out to young adults.”

Beaudoin made a presentation, then opened the floor for discussion. He helped the group to see with new eyes how to involve and relate to young adults, in ways that most people would not know. Veazey said, “He provided a lot of good insight into reaching young adults.”

Tony Chvala-Smith, theologian in residence, spent several hours with the group discussing theological barriers and other reasons behind the lack of evangelical growth in North America. Mark Scherer, World Church historian, made a presentation on the history of growth and church planting methodology in the North America Church. Participants also addressed the gathering during daily “Planting: What Works?” sessions, where planters shared the ministries that are reaching out to and embracing their unique communities effectively.

The atmosphere was enlivened as the group worshiped, taught, learned, and laughed together, and supported one another. On one day participants experienced a Pizza Church lunch. On another, the evening was spent playing a World Church version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Kyser said that overall response to the seminar was very positive. “Participants indicated that this has been helpful in their personal ministry,” he said.

As a primary outcome of the seminar, Kyser developed five principles for North American church planting to which the church has already committed. These principles resulted from the collaboration of ideas brought to light at the gathering. The principles are:

• team planting (implement a team approach for current and future plantings),

• diversity in decision making (create a church planting task force),

• sustained funding strategy (develop a funding plan to include personnel, facilities, and programming),

• bridging (between jurisdictions and planting teams through communications and training),

• and disciple making (using planting as a core process).

Kyser said, “Attention is being given already to how to implement these steps in the church’s planting strategy.”

-Kendra Friend