Global Church Planting: Biblical Principles and Best Practices for Multiplication

Ott, Craig & Gene Wilson. 2011. Global Church Planting: Biblical Principles and Best Practices for Multiplication. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. ISBN 978-0-8010-3580-7. 440 pages.Here is a church planting book par excellence. There is a proliferation of books on church planting compared to when I first went into church planting. Some of these books are valuable in one area - such as planting a church by the team approach or detailing some important ministry in church planting. However, this book is fully-orbed because it cares for (as the title indicates) both biblical principles and best practices.In this it is similar the great classic on church planting by David Hesselgrave Planting Churches Cross-Culturally in that it respects the biblical agenda. However, it is different in that Hesselgrave's book uses the Pauline cycle as found in Acts. Ott and Wilson use what they call "Developmental Phases" (Part III). But both approaches have value and I would encourage the study of both of these.The book is in four major parts starting with the biblical base and then moving on to strategy and phases in church planting. The fourth part deals with five critical issues.The "Parable of the Apple Trees" found in the Prologue is a fascinating start to this valuable book. Read it and use it if you teach church planting or are involved in church planting.It is to be regretted that there are no exercises at the end of each chapter to help apply the material. If this book is used by a church planting team or in a course, this need would need to be dealt with.The only other question is the size of the book. This is both a help as it enables one to deal with all the major questions but a starting church planter may find it overwhelming.I found this book so helpful that I purchased an additional copy and sent it off to a school in Ilesa, Nigeria, that has asked for help. Maybe you should do the same for some church planter or school.

I've been a missionary to Swaziland, Africa for 8 years, and we just started planting churches this year. I got my hands on a lot of books and resources on planting churches, but this one is my most prized resource. Each time I open the pages, I find myself highlighting, underlining, and quickly applying the concepts and practical steps for missions and outreach in rural Swaziland.The authors do an excellent job at explaining the essence of the church, despite cultural and government differences, and how to pursue building a church in a biblical way.This is a valuable wealth of knowledge and a huge reference full of valuable lists, comparisons, illustrations, case studies, and real world successes. Here are some golden nuggets:1. Garrison's Ten Common Elements of Church Planting Movements2. 10 Best Practices for Church Multiplication3. Comparison between a Pastoral Church Planter, Catalytic Church Planter, and an Apostolic Church Planter4. The 6 Roles of an Apostolic Church Planter5. The 5 Developmental Phases of Pioneer Church Planting6. 7 Keys to Effective Church Planting7. 13 Ways to Involve Short Term Mission Efforts in Church PlantingI highly recommend this book for any believer interested in pursuing a church plant, increasing/re-evaluating their church missions' vision, or helping struggling churches to become healthy and growing churches.

This book is one of the best books on church planting. There is so much information that will help any church planter be able to launch a new church.

Absolutely superb. For anyone involved in CP work whether at home or abroad or wondering how to move things forward in their local church this book offers clear principles and helpful anecdotes. It is a long book ... Perhaps more like a textbook, but it has relevance to many if not most Church situations. Read it!

This is an excellent read! For those of you that need a good book on planting churches in a global world this is the one to use.

I ordered this book for a class at my college (bible college) on Church planting. Even-though this subject isn't overly interesting to me; the book is well written and a good read for someone planning to plant a church!! Would recommend it! :)

Great material. Use it for missionary Called Out Assembly training

Great principles, lessons, and key dynamic on Church Planting. I used this book as a text book for a class of twenty-eight inmates and they loved. it.

It is helpful for church planter of if you want to change for your church ministries at the biblical foudation.

Purtroppo la stampa lascia molto a desiderare. Lo rimanderei indietro se non fosse che il libro lo devo leggere e non ho alternativa, peccato. Vedo che è stato stampato direttamente da Amazon a Torino, l'idea è buona, però la stampa è uscita proprio male.Allego una foto con il libro in questione in primo piano ed un altro libro (sempre stampato da Amazon, ma meglio) in secondo piano.Dalla foto forse non si capisce in quanto il cellulare tende a dare una visione più nitida, per quello ho messo un altro libro come paragone. Fondamentalmente dà fastidio agli occhi. Sembra come se hanno scansionato un libro a bassa risoluzione e poi stampato in grassetto, l'idea che dà all'occhio è quella.