A. Planting and reproducing disciples and churches should be infused into every church. The Dominion Mandate that was given to Adam, and the Covenant that God made with Abraham requires a posture and attitude of multiplication. Churches and believers are not exempt from this mandate.
B. Be sure you are seeking the Lord for fresh vision, wisdom and direction as you repeat the process and train others to do the same. While reproducing, new leaders will need to be released to lead and grow. It is possible that the new leaders you raise up and release will eclipse your ministry influence. Rejoice with these who succeed in God’s plan!
C. The model of reproduction and discipleship encouraged by the apostle Paul contains four or more generations. (2 Timothy 2:2)
Paul (1st generation) to Timothy. (2nd generation)
Timothy to faithful men. (3rd generation)
Faithful men to others. (4th generation)
D. Practical reasons for repeating and reproducing the process.
Planting a new church is the most effective form of evangelism. Statistically people may respond in large numbers to evangelistic crusades, yet up to 80% of them will leave the faith if they are not connected and engaged in a local church. Therefore a church with strong evangelistic outreach is the most effective form of evangelism.
A new church offers a place of help and nurture to those who are in need. Churches are to proclaim the good news, liberty to the captives and to help the oppressed. (Luke 4:18-19) Although humanitarian outreach is necessary and vital, it does not replace the need for the proclaiming of the Gospel! The spiritual state of people is more important than anything else. (Mark 8:36)
An existing church offers stability and resources to new churches. Once a new church is established, it is positioned to launch other new churches and be a place of stability and strength for God’s Kingdom.
An existing leadership team can offer prayer, support, wisdom and counsel to the new church plant. Just as parents train their children for entering the world, a new church can rely upon an existing church for guidance and support. All churches should prepare to be spiritual parents and daughter new churches on a regular basis.
Reproducing churches stirs spiritual passion and excitement in a region. People get excited about new things, and as followers of Christ this is especially true. A new church plant will invigorate a community and will instigate change in the spiritual atmosphere.
Reproduction leads to multiplication, which is much more effective in growth than addition. Multiplication comes from a proactive approach, seeking ways to increase influence in a broad way. Reproduction is much easier when all team members are encouraged to engage their sphere of influence for the Lord.