Getting a Church Started - A Student Manual for the Theological Foundation and Practical Techniques of Planting a Church - Elmer L. Towns

Aug 7, 2026

A student manual by Elmer L. Towns outlining a theological foundation and practical techniques for starting and planting a church. It begins with the introduction to church planting challenges and goals, then develops a biblical basis, the nature of the church, and the planter’s role and theology of the chartering service. It also addresses questions from Scripture and presents six planting methods, ending with 84 steps and appendices such as constitution guidance and chartering statements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages202

Reading Time8 h 29 min

AccessFree to download

SECTION I. BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR CHURCH PLANTING

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. The Biblical Basis of Church Planting

Chapter 3. Church Planting and the Nature of a Church

Chapter 4. The Role of the Church Planter

Chapter 5. The Theology of the Chartering Service

Chapter 6. Biblical Answers to Questions About Church Planting

SECTION II. SIX METHODS OF CHURCH PLANTING

Chapter 7. Mother-Daughter Church Planting

Chapter 8. Mission Sunday School Church Planting

Chapter 9. Bible Study Church Planting

Chapter 10. Associational Efforts to Plant a Church

Chapter 11. Planting a Church From a Church Split

Chapter 12. The Pioneering Church Planter

SECTION III. 84 STEPS TO PLANT A CHURCH

Chapter 13. Steps to Plant a Church

SECTION IV. APPENDIX

Chapter 14. Constitution

Chapter 15. Chartering Statement

Chapter 16. Community Survey

Chapter 17. Liberty Baptist Fellowship for Church Planting

G.M.Elliott Library Cincinnati Bible Coege &Seminar2700 Glenway AvenueP.O.Box04320Cincinnati,Ohio 45204-3200 895 GETTINGA CHURCHSTARTED A student manual for thetheological foundation andpractical techniques ofplanting a church. by Elmer L.Towns THE CINCINNATI BIBLE SEMINARYLIBRARY G.M.ELLIOTTLIBRARYCincinnati Bible College &Semirery Copyright 1982,Elmer L.TownsLynchburg,VA 24502 254.2午g TABLE OF CONIENTS Chapter 1.Introduction.· :······· · ··· ··Beginning a church is not an automatic task even whenthe principles of this book are followed.Planting achurch is an insurmountable task,but it can beaccomplished.It faces difficult circumstances,butcan be victorious.It usually is conceived withlimited resources,but history demonstrates thatchurches will prosper because this task is the geniusof Christianity. # SECTION I.BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR CHURCH PLANTING Chapter 2.The Biblical Basis of Church Planting.···· ·...11Church planting is the logical outcome of the GreatCommission and the best method to evangelize theexploding population centers of America. Chapter 3.Church Planting and the Nature of a Church: ···21The church planter must understand the Biblical natureof the church that he is starting.Many new congre-gations have failed because they did not fit the NewTestament criteria of a church. Chapter 4.The Role of the Church Planter..29 The church planter must understand his gift,callingand office to successfully bring a New Testament churchinto existence. Chapter 5.The Theology of the Chartering Service .....···45The chartering service recognizes that a new congre-gation has been brought together by God and that it isnow recognized as a New Testament church that canadminister the ordinances. Chapter 6.Biblical Answers to Questions About Church Planting..55There are many questions a church planter must answeraccording to the Word of God if he will have the fullblessing of God on the new church. # SECTION II.SIX METHODS OF CHURCH PLANTING Chapter 7.Mother-Daughter Church Planting. ···· ···69Many churches have been successfully mothered by amature congregation to evangelize a new area. Chapter 8.Mission Sunday School Church Planting....Many mission Sunday Schools never become a New Testa-75ment church,but other missions grow in outreach andnurture so that they become an indigenous church. Chapter 9.Bible Study Church Planting.·· ··· ··Bible study groups have been used of God to reach manyindividuals for Christ.However,those that become achurch apply principles that are contained in thischapter. Chapter 10.Associational Efforts to Plant a Church........Some new churches are the result of the cooperativeefforts of a group of churches.Whereas no one may bestrong enough to plant a church by itself,several canfellowship together for the task. Chapter 11.Planting a Church From a Church Split. .There are many tragedies involved in a church split,and in some occurrences a new congregation emerges outof the turmoil.If certain biblical principles arefollowed,a New Testament church can emerge out of theashes of a church split. # Chapter 12.The Pioneering Church Planter The pioneering church planter does not work through amothering church,mission Sunday School or Bible studyclass.He goes to an area because God has called himthere to start a new church to evangelize the area forChrist. # SECTION III.84 STEPS TO PLANT A CHURCH Chapter 13.Steps to Plant a Church .... ..... There is no one correct avenue in starting a church,but there are general guidelines that the churchplanter shouid follow if he wants to be successful. # SECTION IV.APPENDIX Chapter 14.Constitution ..........· · ·Many soul winning churches fail because they have usedthe traditional church constitution that gave theleadership of the church to someone other than thepastor or organized the church for purposes other thanfulfilling the Great Commission. Chapter 15.Charteri

FAQs

Why is church planting described as difficult yet achievable?

The manual explains that beginning a church is not automatic and faces difficult circumstances, but it can be victorious and prosperity can result from the genius of Christianity.

What biblical areas must the church planter understand before starting?

It emphasizes understanding the biblical nature of the church, the planter’s gift, calling, and office, and the theology of the chartering service so the new congregation can function as a New Testament church.

What are the six methods of church planting covered in this manual?

The manual presents Mother-Daughter church planting, Mission Sunday School church planting, Bible Study church planting, Associational efforts to plant a church, planting from a church split, and the pioneering church planter approach as a separate chapter.

What practical guidance does the manual provide for implementing church planting?

After discussing methods, it provides “84 steps to plant a church,” along with appendices such as constitution guidance, chartering statements, and a community survey to support healthier church growth.

Aug 7, 2026

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