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Index of book Chapters/Appendices:
- Why a manual?
- This manual will be for establishing Presbyterian and Reformed churches
- Other resources
Chapter 1 – Understanding the Work of Church Planting
- The spiritual nature of church planting
- Understanding church growth
- The distinguishing characteristics of an organized congregation
- Establishing the right precedents
Chapter 2 – Beginning a Mission Work
- Sound reasons for beginning a mission work
- Gathering a core group
- Forming a group into a mission work
- Finding an organizing pastor
Chapter 3 – Overseeing a Mission Work
- The nature of a mission work
- The overseeing session of a mission work
- The work of an overseeing session
Chapter 4 – Doing the Work of an Organizing Pastor
- Set in order what remains
- Care deeply about people
- Be concerned for what is believed
- Reach out to the unsaved
- Be concerned for how things are done
- Encourage the church to grow
- Manage yourself and your family
Chapter 5 – Developing a Mission Work into an Organized Congregation
- Governing commitments for the development of a maturing Reformed congregation
- Some practical preliminaries
- Develop means to promote the spiritual growth of the people
- Develop ministries of outreach and evangelism
- Develop ministries of mercy and concern
- Develop sound administrative practices and procedures
Chapter 6 – Organizing a Mission Work as a New Congregation
- Discerning a mission work’s readiness for organization
- The training of office-bearers
- Developing congregational documents, policies, and procedures
- The involvement of the presbytery
- The Ecclesiastical Development of an Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Chapter 7 – Leading the Particular Church into Its Future
- Being part of your denomination
- Being part of your presbytery
- Thinking to the future
- Moving forward in the strength of the Lord
Glossary
Appendix 1 – How to Receive a Mission Work into a Presbytery
Appendix 2 – How to Call an Evangelist to Labor in a Mission Work
Appendix 4 – How to Organize a Mission Work into a New and Separate Congregation
Appendix 8 – A Procedure for Receiving an Organized Congregation into a Presbytery