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YOU WILL BE MYWITNESSES
“ “
...TO THE END OF THE EARTH.
A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
• We want to catalyze, equip, partner with and resource a new generation of
church-plant leaders with the character and competencies necessary to plant
Christ-centered, multiplying, disciple-making churches.
• Church-plant leaders whose aim is to see the full evangelization of a
defined people in a defined place.
• Church-plant leaders whose goal is to give every man, woman and child
repeated opportunities to see, hear and respond to the gospel.
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OVERVIEW.
WE BUILD THEM.
A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
What kind of churches change the world?
What kind of leaders does it take to multiply
these churches?
Where will we find these leaders?
This proposal is meant to be a high level model of a customized learning
process that is aligned with the vision of Asbury Theological Seminary’s
Church Planting Initiative. It gives a potential framework for the formation
of the next generation of church-plant leaders.
With a global focus, this innovative learning process will establish univer-
sal convictions and practices on the nature and purpose of the Church and
Leadership. We refer to this as the “Operating System” (OS). It rises out of
Scripture and transcends culture and context.
In addition, through decentralized learning “Labs” in distinct parts of the
world, leaders will be educated, discipled and apprenticed by practitioners,
experts and scholars on the distinct “applications” (Apps) necessary for the
full evangelization of their context.
A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
GLOSSARY.ENVISIONING
RESIDENCY
LABS
COACHING GROUPS
Establishing universal Biblical convictions and
practices on the nature and purpose of the
Church and Leadership.
The local church context where church-plant
leaders are apprenticed by faithful practi-
tioners, while serving, experimenting and
engaging in ministry.
Decentralized learning communities in distinct
parts of the world, where leaders will be educat-
ed, discipled and apprenticed by practitioners,
experts and scholars over a two-year duration.
A weekly discipleship environment that develops
the character of the church-plant leaders and
equips them to live out their calling to love and
represent Jesus.
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Build and multiply an innovative learning process for forming church-plant leaders that establishes
multiplying churches through reformational content, theological education, apprenticing relationships,
reproducible vehicles and learning community “labs” that engage the mind, heart and will.
“We must always realize, when we talk to others, that the heart is never to be approached directly. I
go further, the will is never to be approached directly either. This is a most important principle to bear
in mind both in personal dealings and in preaching. The heart is always to be influenced through the
understanding — the mind, then the heart, then the will.” - Martin Lloyd-Jones
All around the world, different geographic environments produce different types of fruit-bearing trees.
There’s a reason oranges don’t grow in Ohio but thrive in Florida. The problem with many training
practices is they are a one-size-fits-all approach that attempts to plant the same thing everywhere.
A Lab is where we work together to figure out what unique fruit-bearing tree will grow in specific
cultural contexts to bear the fruit of leadership, discipleship and mission.
VISION.
A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
THE PROBLEM AND THE OPPORTUNITY
“The heart is always to be influenced through the understanding...”
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Before completion, each church-plant leader is able to demonstrate
specified Core Competencies. These are demonstrated as leaders em-
brace daily practices that challenge them to experiment each day and
learn in their context, with regular debrief touch points.
I N F O R M AT I O N - D R I V E N :
There is foundational information that every church-plant leader needs
to know: theological, administrative, team-leading, Gospel content,
conflict management, fundraising, etc.
A P P R E N T I C E S H I P :
Church-plant leaders become knowledgeable in specific competencies
by learning from faithful practitioners; skills are passed on.
I M M E R S I O N :
Church-plant leaders learn by regularly being immersed in the kind of
culture they are learning to multiply. Much learning is “caught” rather
than “taught”.
IDEAS THAT INFLUENCE THE PROCESS:
A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
MEASURED OUTCOMES
3 LEARNING METHODS
Each learning space provides unique
opportunities for teaching and practice.
SPACES OF LEARNING4
4
1
PRIVATE
2
PERSONAL
3
SOCIAL
PUBLIC
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We identify, envision and train existing Methodist churches to begin embodying the future of the
church in North America. These churches will serve as the training sites for residencies and ongoing
apprenticeships. This has the two-pronged win of developing a pathway for future established church-
es to transition successfully, while also creating ‘buy-in’ for the training and sending of a new wave of
circuit riders (church-plant leaders).
• Decentralized learning communities in distinct parts of the world, where leaders will be educated,
discipled and apprenticed by practitioners, experts and scholars over a two-year duration
• Labs in multiple geographies, serving as gateways to specific continents and beyond
I N I T I A L S I T E S :
KEY STRATEGY POINTS.
A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
NORTH AMERICA1
GLOBAL LEARNING COMMUNITY
NORTH AMERICA | ASIA | WESTERN EUROPE | LATIN AMERICA
2
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Asbury serves as the catalyst for all of these activities through providing the organizational hub,
facilitating theological formation, and equipping and resourcing leaders to plant multiplying Churches.
• Assessment Center to qualify potential candidates
• On-campus Envisioning Experience for church/denominational leaders and investors as well as
current undergraduate students
• Research + Development Collective: receiving ongoing data from global labs, sifting it, modifying
the applications that are bearing fruit, and redeploying the most important ‘on-the-field’ learnings
back into the mission contexts
• Formal Education specialists: Content Development + Sending Faculty to assist Labs
A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
Catalyzing, Facilitating, Equipping and Resourcing.
ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY3
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A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
YEAR 1
SEND
LAB 1 LAB 5LAB 3
LAB 2 LAB 4
YEAR 2RETREAT
WEEKLYCOACHING
GROUP WEEKLYCOACHING
GROUPRETREAT
ASSESSMENT
LEARNING COMMUNITY LAB RHYTHM.RESIDENCY
F I R S T 6 - M O N T H C Y C L E
Sample Focus: The New Testament Operating System for the Church
1. The Church Planter is assigned to their Residency Church and enters into Lab 1 and leaves with a
detailed 6-month action plan.
2. Weekly Coaching Groups begin, providing an apprenticeship model for discipling others while
being discipled.
3. Course work for theological formation begins.
S E C O N D 6 - M O N T H C Y C L E
Sample Focus: Building a Disciple-Making Culture
1. Planter enters Lab 2 and leaves with training that builds on the previous, leaving with a detailed
6-month action plan.
2. Weekly Coaching Groups continue, and planters start their first discipleship groups in their
Residency Church.
3. Course work for theological formation continues. / 7
A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
T H I R D 6 - M O N T H C Y C L E
Sample Focus: Multiplying Missional Leaders
1. Planter enters Lab 3 and leaves with training that builds on the previous, leaving with a detailed
6-month action plan.
2. Weekly Coaching Groups continue, and planters continue their local discipleship groups in their
Residency Church.
3. Course work for theological formation continues.
F O U R T H 6 - M O N T H C Y C L E
Sample Focus: Releasing Families on Mission
1. Planter enters Lab 4 and leaves with training that builds on the previous, leaving with a
detailed 6-month action plan that begins the process of being released and sent out.
2. Weekly Coaching Groups continue, and planters multiply their groups in their Residency Church
so that disciples are making disciples.
3. Course work for theological formation continues.
R E L E A S E
Sample Focus: Pioneering Kingdom Movements
1. Planter enters Lab 5 and leaves with training that builds on the previous, leaving with a detailed
6-month action plan that begins the process of being released and sent out.
2. Church-plant leaders are sent to plant with ongoing monthly coaching calls.
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A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E
LEARNING COMMUNITY LAB FORMATION PROCESS.
4 PILLARS OF INFORMATION 1/3 FORMAL 2/3 INFORMAL
- Personal- Theological
Education &Training
- Missiological- Leadership
Discipleship &Apprenticeship
LEADING IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD
BEING LEDBY GOD
LEADERSHIP THAT LASTS
LEADINGOTHERS
MONTHS 1-6 MONTHS 13-18
EXAMPLE SEMESTERS
MONTHS 7-12 MONTHS 19-24
CHARACTER
2 43
CONTENT CONTEXT
1
COMPENTENCY
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