Introduction: From Gathering to Going
Opening Thought:
“Healthy churches don’t just grow—they multiply.“
Scripture Anchor:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” – John 20:21
Guiding Question:
“Is our church growing by addition or multiplying through sending?”
What Is the Advancement Element?
Definition:
The Advancement Element is how your church multiplies its impact through sending leaders, launching new expressions of church, forming mission partnerships, and investing in church planting.
Why It Matters:
- Fulfillment of the Great Commission requires multiplication.
- Keeps the church outward-focused and Kingdom-minded.
- Empowers leaders and creates space for new people and movements.
- Leads to long-term Kingdom growth beyond your church walls.
Core Expressions of the Advancement Element
Let’s look at how churches advance the mission outward:
1. Short-Term Mission Trips
- Purpose: Engage your people in hands-on, cross-cultural ministry that inspires global vision.
- Best Practices:
- Build long-term relationships with mission partners.
- Prep and debrief teams well to maximize growth.
- Integrate the experience into the life of the church.
- Guiding Question: “Are we giving our people a taste of God’s heart for the nations?”
2. Mission Partnerships
- Purpose: Multiply effectiveness by supporting existing missions, organizations, and missionaries.
- Best Practices:
- Vet and align with ministries that share your values.
- Support financially, relationally, and strategically.
- Celebrate and tell stories of impact to the congregation.
- Guiding Question: “Are we empowering others who are already doing great Kingdom work?”
3. Multisite Campuses
- Purpose: Expand your church’s reach to new geographic or demographic areas under unified leadership.
- Best Practices:
- Clear leadership structure and vision alignment.
- Local contextualization while sharing DNA.
- Defined launch criteria and success measures.
- Guiding Question: “Is there more Kingdom potential in our city or region that we’re not yet reaching?”
4. Church Planting
- Purpose: Start new, self-sustaining churches in unreached or underserved communities.
- Best Practices:
- Identify and develop potential planters early.
- Build sending culture into discipleship pathways.
- Partner with networks or denominations for support.
- Guiding Question: “Who are we raising up and sending out?”
5. Leadership Pipeline for Sending
- Purpose: Develop a pipeline that forms leaders who are ready to be sent.
- Best Practices:
- Apprenticeship, internships, and residency programs.
- Regular “sending Sundays” or commissioning events.
- Coaching and covering for leaders post-sending.
- Guiding Question: “Is our leadership development aimed at release, not just retention?”
Activity: Multiplication Map
Instructions:
Draw or list your current multiplication efforts in the following categories:
- Local (e.g., partnerships, outreach, new campuses)
- Regional (e.g., church plants, parachurch collaboration)
- Global (e.g., missions trips, missionaries, global church support)
Reflection Questions:
- Where are we active?
- Where do we feel called but not yet moving?
- What barriers (financial, cultural, structural) are limiting our sending?
- What mindset shifts are needed for our church to become a sending church?
- How do we develop leaders without fearing the cost of sending them away?
- What would it take to send your first (or next) church planter or missionary?
Application: Becoming a Church That Advances
Challenge to Pastors:
“Choose one sending initiative to explore or expand in your church this year.”
Ideas for Action:
- Identify someone to raise up and prepare for planting or missions.
- Launch a mission team or global outreach strategy.
- Explore becoming a multisite church or partnering with one.
- Build a local church planting residency.
Closing Thought:
“Everyone eventually leaves your church. We can be part of planning how people leave…”