When we talk Church Planting, there isn’t just one way to do it.

In fact, Church Planting can take various forms, each with its own philosophy and methodology. Here are some different models:

1. Traditional Model: This model typically involves planting a church by a team sent out from an existing congregation. It often includes a pastor and some support from the mother church.

2. Campus Model: In this approach, a larger church plants smaller congregations, often termed “satellite campuses.” These campuses may have their own worship services but are typically under the leadership and resources of the larger church.

3. Simple Church Model: This model focuses on simplicity in structure and worship. It emphasises the basic elements of following Jesus and making disciples without the complexities often found in traditional church setups. It may rely heavily on lay leaders and a decentralised approach.

4. Disciple Making Model: This model emphasises making disciples to form a church instead of planting a church to make disciples. The disciple in the church will be tasked with making more disciples who will then come together for worship and other church activities.

5. House Church Model: This model emphasises small, community-centric gatherings usually held in homes. It focuses on relationships and informal worship rather than formal church structures.

6. Micro Church Model: Micro Churches are similar to the House Church Model but typically will have a strong emphasis on pursuing the Great Commission to make disciples and ultimately multiplication.

7.Missional Model: This approach focuses on the mission of the church in the community, focusing on serving and meeting the needs of people in the local context. It often includes reaching out to specific demographic groups or needs within a geographical area and encourages active participation in local service.

8. Cell Church Model: In this model, small groups (or “cells”) gather together often in homes. A prime aim of these groups is generally that of forming community. Generally the Cells will come together for larger gatherings for worship.

9. Marketplace Model: This approach emphasises being a presence in the public spaces and engaging with the community through events, worship, and service, often seeking to attract new members through community involvement.

10. Network Model: In this model, multiple churches link together to offer support and training to plant new churches. They may share leadership, training, and outreach efforts while maintaining their distinct identities.

11. Organic Church Model: This model emphasises natural growth and development of church communities rather than programmed events. It often fosters spontaneous gatherings and deeply relational structures that emerge from the community itself.

12. Intentional Community Model: This focuses on creating communities that share life, faith, and witness intentionally, often centered around shared beliefs and practices

13. Digital Church Planting: This model is a response to an increasingly digital world, and focuses on establishing church communities primarily online using platforms like social media, webinars, and virtual gatherings.

14.Online Hybrid Model: These churches offer a blend of physical and online elements, incorporating both in-person community gatherings and online engagement, allowing for greater flexibility and reaching a wider audience.

Do all these models add to the confusion you may be feeling? Perhaps that may be because choosing the “right” model may not be the best starting point. The range of possible models is virtually unlimited, with there often being a crossover between different models.

The various models frequently will normally be based on similar biblical principles but with varying emphases and different practices that may make the models unique.

Each model has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice often depends on the specific context, target community, resources available, and the vision and mission for church-planting.

Ultimately, whatever model is chosen, the end focus should be the Great Commission focus of reaching those who do not know Jesus and making disciples.

My preference is not to start with the model, but instead start with the principles that come from scripture, and then work through what that looks like in terms of the context and style a planter and the team feels drawn to. When this approach is taken, a model emerges through the process rather than the model being the starting point.

Feel free to contact me if you would like to explore this further.

Tim O’Neill

National Leader, Exponential Australia

tim@exponential.org.au