Malphurs serves as Professor of Pastoral Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. Malphurs planted a church in Miami, Florida in the 1970s. Malphurs also wrote Planting Growing Churches (Baker Books). Malphurs attempted to provide a book which transcends a specific genre of church plant. He endeavored to bring principles applicable to any church planter in most situations. Current church planting books present models for the church planter to replicate. Malphurs bucked the trend and supplied the church planter with a timeless approach.
The book may not connect with the younger church planters—those in their twenties. Deconstructionalists or emergent church adherents may not appreciate the practicality and “cut and dried” approach to church planting. However, the observations are generally accepted and helpful. Ed Stetzer recommended the book on his blog in Spring of 2011.
Malphurs separated the book into two sections: preparation for church planting, and the process of church planting. He envisioned the church planting process as a fourfold event of presenting core values, mission, vision, and strategy. Likewise, Malphurs indicated that the church’s strategy must include five core components: community outreach, finances, setting, team building, and disciple making. In essence, Malphurs presented a church plant from start through early growth stages. At the close of the book, Malphurs included sixteen appendices which contained assessment tools and samples which may serve as a resource for church planters. This book may be one of the most comprehensive, accessible books available on the subject of church planting. The book also could provide inspiration for those seeking to revitalize an existing church.
Characteristic of Malphurs, the book emphasized the nature of the local church as a disciple-making entity. This concept occupied the driver’s seat in his ideal of creating a healthy church. In Appendix M entitled “Jesus’s Command to Make Disciples”, Malphurs outlined the disciple as a bi-part responsibility: evangelism/baptism and maturation through teaching. This information clarified the role of planter as a disciple-making evangelist.
A point of interest, Malphurs wrote in Appendix I concerning the role of church planter as one who grows a healthy church rather than becoming entrenched in a pastoral care-driven ministry. Malphurs identified dangers for church planters who may have compassionate inclinations. His writing identified the potential pitfalls of replacing visionary leadership with chaplaincy.
Malphurs wrote a great deal about finances and church planting. This was well done. Chapter fourteen may be the most practical chapter in the book from the standpoint of preaching. Malphurs gave an adequate theology of biblical stewardship which would easily convert to a preaching series.
Malphurs presented a simplified, solid look at the church planting process. His writing was interesting and practical. This book would be a “must read” for a core group. This book was written to help church planters answer the question, “How?” Likewise, the book is worth the price for the appendices alone. The following chapters stand out has highlights: Chapter three—“How Much Will it Cost? New Church Funding,” Chapter twelve—“Who Will Equip the Implementers? Building a Staff Team, and Chapter thirteen—“Where Will the New Church Locate? Establishing a Ministry Beachhead.” Malphurs created a church planting textbook which will be used for the next decade.
