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Planting Fast-Growing Churches

Written by Stephen Gray with Trent Short

Testing Common Assumptions

In this book, Gray tests the soundness of many commonly-held church planting strategies and theories by surveying plants from around the country and analyzing the significant differences between those that struggle and those that thrive. The results of this report offer an array of rich findings for church planters, planting coaches and denominational leaders, who should find in it encouragement and helpful information, as well as a few warnings.

Church planters should be encouraged that many of Gray’s findings support the conventional wisdom about church planting. For example, the study found that church planters who had strong emotional support, personal investment and conceptual freedom were more likely to succeed than those who had weaker support, investment or freedom. The research should also push planters to more and better preparation, as it confirms the effectiveness of the steady plodding by those who allot time to raise their own support and maintain relationships with coaches or other supportive figures.

Listen and Heed

So where do we go from here?  “Listen, listen, listen!” the Proverbs repeat, reminding our prone-to-wander ears of the rewards of wisdom. When attempting a work as important to the Kingdom as church planting, this advice is essential. Gray’s report is a significant addition to the conversation about church planting strategies and, if the planter is prepared to accept it, a new tool to help church planters plant more and better churches.

It is not often that you get the advice of 112 church plants, with clear results from some that are thriving and some that are struggling.  So, seize the opportunity provided by this unique book.

...Ed Stetzer, Ph.d