Planting an Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Second Edition—Table of Contents with Links to Individual Sections in PDF. For entire document, click here.

Preface

Introduction

• Why a manual?
• This manual will be for establishing Presbyterian and Reformed churches
• Other resources
  

Chapter 1—Understanding the Work of Church Planting

• The spiritual nature of church planting
• Understanding church growth
• The distinguishing characteristics of an organized congregation
• Establishing the right precedents

Chapter 2—Beginning a Mission Work

• Sound reasons for beginning a mission work
• Gathering a core group
• Forming a group into a mission work
• Finding an organizing pastor

Chapter 3—Overseeing a Mission Work

• The nature of a mission work
• The overseeing session of a mission work
• The work of an overseeing session

Chapter 4—Doing the Work of an Organizing Pastor

• Set in order what remains
• Care deeply about people
• Be concerned for what is believed
• Reach out to the unsaved
• Be concerned for how things are done
• Encourage the church to grow
• Manage yourself and your family

Chapter 5—Developing a Mission Work into an Organized Congregation

• Governing commitments for the development of a maturing Reformed congregation
• Some practical preliminaries
• Develop means to promote the spiritual growth of the people
• Develop ministries of outreach and evangelism
• Develop ministries of mercy and concern
• Develop sound administrative practices and procedures

Chapter 6—Organizing a Mission Work as a New Congregation

• Discerning a mission work's readiness for organization
• The training of office-bearers
• Developing congregational documents, policies, and procedures
• The involvement of the presbytery
• The Ecclesiastical Development of an Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Chapter 7—Leading the Particular Church into Its Future

• Being part of your denomination
• Being part of your presbytery
• Thinking to the future
• Moving forward in the strength of the Lord

Glossary of Terms

Appendices

Appendix 1—How to Receive a Mission Work into a Presbytery

Appendix 2—How to Call an Evangelist to Labor in a Mission Work

Appendix 3—How to Supervise the Progress of a Mission Work toward Its Development as a New and Separate Congregation

Appendix 4—How to Organize a Mission Work into a New and Separate Congregation

Appendix 5—How a Presbytery and the Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension Work Together to Start New Churches

Appendix 6—Sample Documents

Appendix 7—Enabling Motions

Appendix 8—A Procedure for Receiving an Organized Congregation into a Presbytery