Church Planting in the Book of ActsSample

Demonstrating How the Church is Unique

One of the biggest moments in a church planter’s life is when they receive clarity about the place of their assignment. God gives a unique sense of calling to a particular city, town, or region. For Paul, it came through a vision of a man from Macedonia who appeared and said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:9 (NIV)

With this prophetic insight, Paul and his companions boarded a ship and determined to base in Philippi. It was here that God unlocked three key things that every church planter needs:

1. A KEY PERSON - As they were going to the river to pray, they met Lydia. She was a woman who sold “purple cloth,” a designer cloth used exclusively by the Emperor and the royal family. Lydia was probably one of the wealthiest women in town. When she receives Jesus as her Savior, she invites Paul and Silas to base out of her home.

Every planter needs a person of influence to help make connections for them, offer spaces to them, and invest finances in them. God was preparing Lydia for Paul. He is preparing a person of influence for you as you step into your assigned location.

1. A KEY MIRACLE - In Acts 16:16, a female slave who worked as a psychic began following Paul and creating a huge distraction. Paul cast a demon out of her, setting her free but infuriating her owners who made significant money from her fortune-telling. This supernatural deliverance caused a stir in the whole town. While some attacked and beat Paul and Silas, many responded to the gospel.

Every church planter needs the power of God to be demonstrated as they preach the gospel. Miracles are signs that point to the risen Jesus. Answers to prayer not only meet needs, it causes lost people to become curious about the message you are preaching.

1. A KEY DECISION - After Paul and Silas are beaten, they are arrested and thrown into prison. They could have been tempted to quit. Why would God allow this if they were doing all the right things? But in that moment, rather than complain and quit, they chose to praise. Their worship shook the prison and a breakthrough was released.

In every planting journey, there are pivotal moments where we must make the right decisions. We must choose to keep working, to keep praying, and to keep worshipping until the breakthrough arrives.

I love how Acts chapter sixteen ends. Paul and Silas went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the “brothers and sisters” and encouraged them. Who might these people have been? Lydia and her business associates. The formerly possessed slave girl. The blue collar jailer and his family. A group of ex-cons, who had been in the same jail as Paul, were set free in the earthquake. All classes. All ages. All meeting together as a family of believers. This is the vision we have when we plant a new church!