LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
A STRATEGY TO PLANT A MISSIONAL, MULTIPLYING CHURCH IN PULASKI COUNTY, KENTUCKY
A Thesis Project Submitted to Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
By Daniel R. Basile Lynchburg, Virginia December 1, 2014 Copyright © December 2014 by Daniel R. Basile All rights reserved. LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET
______GRADE
Dr. Charles N. Davidson, Director, Doctor of Ministry Program MENTOR
Dr. David W. Hirschman, Assistant Professor of Religion READER ABSTRACT
A STRATEGY TO PLANT A MISSIONAL, MULTIPLYING CHURCH IN PULASKI COUNTY, KENTUCKY
Daniel R. Basile
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2014
MENTOR: Dr. Charlie Davidson
There is a desperate need for church planters to focus efforts on rural, established communities to reverse trends of declining church attendance and influence. Pulaski County,
Kentucky is one such community that sees the unchurched population continue to climb despite hundreds of church buildings. The goal of this thesis project is to reach the numerous unchurched inhabitants of Pulaski County by creating a comprehensive, holistic strategy to design and launch a missional church near Somerset, Kentucky, that will intentionally reproduce itself. Through interviews and surveys of at least 100 local residents, a careful analysis of area demographics and psychographics will guide a contextualized stratagem. Current church planting literature will inform the chronological design of gathering a core group, promotion, raising funds, and launching the church. Finally, a strategy to make disciples, and multiply leaders will be explained to aid our team. These efforts are the most effective way to revitalize and revive church effectiveness in this region.
Abstract length: 157 words. DEDICATION
To Stephanie Ann, Bethany Grace, Avery Danielle, Abigail Joy, and Josiah Philip;
For your sacrifice, encouragement, and boundless love,
this paper is affectionately dedicated.
Special thanks is given to Jeffrey Harris, who selflessly edited
the manuscript, provided invaluable insights, and
made the final edition far better. CONTENTS
ABSTRACT …………………………………………………………………………….……iv DEDICATION …………………………………………………………………………….….v CONTENTS ……………………………………………………………………………….….vi TABLES…………………………………………………………………………………….....vii ILLUSTRATIONS ………………………………………………………………...………….
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………..…....1 Statement of Problem ……………………………………………………………….…5 Special Terminology Defined …………………………………………………………7 Statement of Limitations .………………………………………………………….…..8 Theoretical Basis ..…………………………………………………………….…….....9 Statement of Methodology ………………………………………………………...…10 Literature Review ………………………………………………………..…………...13 CHAPTER 2 PULASKI COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS AND PSYCHOGRAPHICS.……23 Pulaski County History ………………………………………………………………26 Pulaski County Demographics ……………………………………………………… 27 Pulaski County Psychographics ……………………………………………………...32 Contextualized Strategy ……………………………………………………………...43 Contextualized Outreach Efforts ……………………………………………………..47 CHAPTER 3 A STRATEGY TO LAUNCH AN OPERATIONAL CHURCH…………....50 A Working Strategy ………………………………………………………………….50 Core Values …………………………….…………………………………………….51 Mission Statement …………………………………….……………………………...53 Vision ………………………………………………….……………………………..56 HFC's Launch Strategy…………………………………………………………...…..60 Community Outreach ……………………………………………………………….. 74 Finances ……………………………………………………………………………...76
vi Setting ………………………………………………………………………………..81 First Service Preparation ……………………………………………………………..82 Launch Date ………………………………………………………………………….83 Stabilizing Systems …………………………………………………………………..85 CHAPTER 4 A STRATEGY TO LAUNCH A MISSIONAL CHURCH……………….…89 Definitions of a Missional Church by Missional Leaders ……………….…………..89 Key Characteristics and Differences of Missional Churches ………………………..92 Merging Nomenclature for Harvest Fellowship Church …………………………….96 Overview of HFC's Great Commissional Ministry ………………………………….99 CHAPTER 5 A STRATEGY TO LAUNCH A MULTIPLYING CHURCH………….. ...106 Multiplication of Leaders …………………………………………………………...108 Multiplication of Churches ………………………………………………………….113 CHAPTER 6 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………….....115 Summary …………………………………………………………………………….115 Recommendations …………………………………………………………………...117 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………..123 APPENDIX A: Sample Survey ……………………………………………………..……....124 APPENDIX B: Definitions of 'Missional Communities'…………………………..……...... 126 APPENDIX C: Permission Letter……………………...………………………………….....127 BIBLIOGRAPHY ……………………………………………………………..………..…...12 VITA ………………………………………………………………………………...... 137 IRB Approval and Waiver Letter ………………..……………………………………...... 138
vii TABLES
1. Association of Religion Data Archives for Pulaski County 2000-2010 ………………….2
2. 2014 Population for Pulaski County, Kentucky ………………………………………...28
3. 2014 Race Diversity Indicators of Pulaski County, KY Residents……………………...28
4. 2014 Age Breakdown of Pulaski County Residents……………………………………..29
5. 2014 Income Level of Pulaski County Residents………………………………………..30
6. 2014 Education Level of Pulaski County Residents……………………………………..31
7. 2014 Labor Force Records for Pulaski County, KY……………………………………..32
8. The Six Doctrines of “Main Thing” Theology…………………………………………..46
9. Four Spaces People Need To Connect in Community…………………………………...61
10. HFC's Three Group Sizes and Corresponding Values and Outcomes…………………...62
11. Essential Concepts of a Life Change Group……………………………………………..68
12 Launch Team Selection Criteria…………………………………………………………71
13 HFC Start Up Costs for Phase 3…………………………………………………………77
14. HFC Recurring Operating Expenses……………………………………………………..78
15. Missional Leaders Definitions and Views of Missional Communities………………….90
16. Spiritual Growth Stages and Needs of a Disciple………………………………………100
17. Leadership Progression Plan For Missional Communities……………………………..110
18. Eight Habits of Effective Small Group Leaders………………………………………..110
19. Eight Steps To Develop Small Group Leaders…………………………………………111
20. Five Questions of Bible Storying……………………………………………………….112