Church planting
As a church, we have a value to multiply everything that’s healthy. This includes followers of Jesus, leaders, small groups, and churches. From day one, Elm City has had a desire to be a church planting church. Our vision has been to multiply 25 healthy Life Groups and start 2 new churches in the next ten years. This all comes from a desire to obey the Great Commission and see disciples made.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20, ESV
1
Training & Equipping
In "Phase 1" we are focusing on equipping followers to realize that they are as "ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). In this season, we are gathering in Walpole as a large group every other Sunday night to do gospel trainings. We are studying God's story, learning how to share our story, and make disciples.
2
Multiplication
In "Phase 2" we will take the things we have learned and multiplying it. Our plan is to go from one large group to several small groups with identified leaders who can lead others to follow Jesus in the places that they live. Our hope is that this season produces leaders and new disciples.
3
Sunday Launch
In "Phase 3" we will develop a mechanism to gather back together all of those small groups for corporate worship together. This will likely be a Sunday service that includes all the traditional elements of a larger gathering: the preaching of God's Word, singing, prayer, communion, and a space for kids to grow and learn.
And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Luke 10:2, ESV