Two Case Studies Regarding the Application of Principles of a Church Planting Organization in the Texas District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Abstract

The mission of the Texas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is "to strengthen congregations to reach the lost, disciple the saved, and care for people, locally and globally." In fulfillment of that mission, the leadership of the district has adopted the key idea of catalyzing a mission movement, with church planting being a primary strategy. New church plants, as this paper will show, are especially productive at reaching those who are far from God.

The district has been blessed to begin over 122 new churches in thirteen years. It is grateful to God for that growth, yet there are so many more people to be reached. It is incumbent upon the district to employ the best methodology available to multiply the number of churches within its sphere of influence. To that end, the study will have a threefold emphasis: to rediscover and explicate the theological and historical roots of church planting in the LCMS, to isolate the principles of a church planting organization in salient literature, and finally to explore the application of those principles by the district in two of its church planting networks by utilizing case study methodology.

The intended result is a district staff that understands more clearly how to apply the principles of a church planting organization so that the district more closely fulfills its mission. The study is also intended to provide information and inspiration to others involved in similar work.