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Research

The fine folks at NAMB have agreed to let us release some new research. The research was done at the Center for Missional Research.

You should visit their site-- you can download over 2000 reserach presentation on a myriad of topics. The CMR web portal is one of the things I was most excited about when I worked at NAMB. (PeopleGroups.info was another). Richie Stanley is now coordinating research at NAMB and they continue to do good work.

Here is a rundown of what church planting research you can download.

First, is the full report of the Church Planting Survivability and Health study, a study involving 11 denominations and networks. You can download a presentation of that study here.

Second, are four articles that came from that study.

Part 1: The Survivability and Health Study

Part 2: How Many Church Plants Really Survive--and Why?

Part 3: 10 Factors for Higher Attendance in Church Plants

Part 4: Higher Baptisms in Church Plants

Third, is a new piece of research that looked at denominational "best practices" that led to higher church planting survivability and health. To do this, we did more in-depth analysis of several denominations to look for best practices. When we found a practices that was "statistically significant," we reported it and then I asked representatives to present what they did at last years National New Church Conference in Orlando.

So, you can find the full report here and a PowerPoint of that data here.

Finally, you can find my presentation of the best practices research that I recently gave at the NAMB State Summer Leadership Conference. It is a big download, but you can get it here.

In that presentation, I combined the presentations of 4 denominational leaders who shared their best practices in the areas we found statistically significant. Each network or denominational leader presented their overall church planting system, then presented their specific best practice as determined by our research. Each of them gave their permission to share their presentation. The presenters were:

Steve Childers presented the Presbterian Church in America assessment system.
Rod Koop presented the Foursquare peer support / mentoring system.
George Klippenes presented the Evangelical Free team approach and funding system.
Steve Pike presented the Assemblies of God community minsitry approach.
Tom Nebel and Gary Rohrmayer presented the Baptist General Conference training for local church giving.

At LifeWay Research, we are oversampling several additional groups to build on this study. Contact Lifeway Research if you are interested.

We are also discussing some new research projects for the next year. One may involve researching church planter profiles to create an on-line research validated assessment tool. Another involves best practices of mother churches.

More soon...

At next year's National New Church Conference (now called The Exponential Conference), I will again be coordinating the Best Practices track. Here is the info soon to be published at the Exponential Conference site:

When: Monday, April 21, 1-5 pm and Tuesday, April 22, 9-11 am

Leaders: Ed Stetzer, author and missiologist

Description: This pre-conference intensive is intended to connect church planting leaders for a discussion of best practices and trends in church planting. Stetzer and several other presenters will share research and observations on best practices. Specific topics will be determined several months before the conference based on a survey of registered participants. The intent is to discuss topics of mutual interest to church planting leaders.

Likely topics include:

  • General trends in church planting
  • Multi-site and church planting
  • Collaborative networks
  • Movements: What can we learn from overseas?
  • Urban and ethnic planting
  • The growing influence of megachurches in church planting
  • Recruiting, assessing, and selecting church planters
  • Training, equipping, and supporting church planters
  • Accountability systems (e.g. coaching, supervision, management teams, etc)

Many denominations, church planting networks, and leading organizations are expected to participate in this cross-denominational event. A number of organizations are planning to bring their national leadership teams to participate. You will not want to miss this opportunity to network with and learn from other like-minded leaders.

Free Church Planting Survivability Report - Click here for a report on key factors for church plant survivability by Dr. Ed Stetzer and Phillip Connor of the Center for Missional Research, NAMB. Click here for a PowerPoint presentation to go with it. 

Articles

Dissertations

Case Studies

Many of these case studies were written by students who were committed to studying the successes and failures of the church planting journey. Credit should also be given to the churches and planters who opened themselves up to the scrutiny of research. These are shared with you that they might help you in your church planting journey.

Church Plants

  • Highpointe Church in South Hill, WA (PDF)
  • Journey Fellowship in Orlando Florida (PDF)
  • Sojourn in Louisville, Kentucky (PDF)
  • The People's Church of Central Kentucky (PDF)
  • Northstar Church in Panama City (PDF)

International Mission Board, SBC (pdf files)