Resources on church planting

Changing the Expectations of Church Planting

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Article about Church Life and Leadership

David Fitch suggests different expectations for church planting, including more gradual growth, living in the neighborhood, listening so as to tailor the way the gospel is proclaimed, and not overhyping the program.

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Church, Gospel, Hope, Listening

Planting Tears and Harvesting Joy

Joan Stott | The Timeless Psalms

Scripture Meditation or Sermon and 2 more types

Joan Stott offers a call to worship, prayers of thankfulness and petition and a meditation on Psalm 126. She writes that those who plant tears will harvest with joy, for “nothing is impossible with God.”

Psalm 126

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Hope, Joy, Healing, Restoration

Birth Pains of the North American Church

Mandy Smith | Missio Alliance

Sermon Preparation or Illustration and 1 more types

This article reflects on the pain of the declining church of North America and how it can be a sign of hope. The story also illustrates bearing one another's burdens and the power of prayer.

Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2

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Hope, Pain, Despair, Prayer

Troubled Corinthian Church

Scott Hoezee | Center for Excellence in Preaching

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

An Advent sermon starter and illustration for 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 by Scott Hoezee. The Son of God willingly became incarnate and entered our troubled lives because we could never save ourselves.

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

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Advent, Incarnation, Grace, Hope

A Bright Light in Deep Shades

Charles Haddon Spurgeon | The Spurgeon Center

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

In this sermon, Charles Spurgeon preaches on Isaiah 51:1 by considering what this text means for Israel, what it means for the state of the church, and what it means for the believer.

Isaiah 51:1-2

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Church, Light, Abraham, (biblical Patriarch), Hope

Songs for Desolate Hearts

Charles Haddon Spurgeon | The Spurgeon Center

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

Charles Spurgeon's sermon applies the images of desolation and rejoicing in Isaiah 54:1 to the church: "at all seasons when the Church has been desolate and has become barren, God has appeared to her."

Isaiah 54:1

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Church, Singing, Children, Pentecost

New Heaven and New Earth

Edith M Humphrey | Ancient Faith

Article about Scripture

Edith Humphrey of the Orthodox Church offers an extended commentary and application on the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21:1-8.

Revelation 21:1-8

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Apocalypse, Earth, Heaven, Hope

Ministry in Enemy-Occupied Territory

Ephraim Radner | The Living Church

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

In this commencement address sermon, Ephraim Radner tells the story of Andre Trocmé who pastored a church in France during World War II, and offers biblical and practical encouragement for doing ministry in "enemy-occupied territory."

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Hope, Ministry, Obedience, Goodness

Music is a Tilling of Soil

Steve Bell | Faith and Leadership

Article about Music

In this interview, Steve Bell says that music breaks open hard ground preparing it for a seed to be planted. When he plays, he lets go of the outcomes allowing people to experience the mystery.

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Hope, Music, Mystery

Only the Gospel Will Do

Roger E Van Harn | Reformed Worship

Article about Preaching

Funerals draw people from all walks of faith to church, long-time believers and unbelievers alike. According to Roger Van Harn, when a minister is asked to preach to a diverse crowd, only the gospel will do....

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Funeral, Preaching, Hope

The Flip Side of Justice: Preaching Notes

Discipleship Ministries

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Discussion Questions

Douglas Ruffle's preaching notes for Psalm 71:1-6; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 13:10-17; and Hebrews 12:18-29 emphasize that doing justice results in joy. Provides clickable links to additional resources, including planning notes, hymn suggestions, faith formation, and graphics....

Psalm 71:1-6; Jeremiah 1:4-10 Luke 13:10-17

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Hope, Joy, Justice, Kingdom Of God

Longing, Hope, and Solidarity

Cory Wilson | The Banner

Discussion Questions, Article about Theology

Cory Wilson describes the cycle of hope and disappointment that comes with infertility. He highlights the importance of solidarity and communal lament in keeping hope alive in the face of suffering.

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Suffering, Hope, Lament, Community

Search Results for "church planting" on Hymnary.org

Father, we thank thee who hast planted©
Grace is a plant, where'er it growsPD
Planted in Christ, the living vinePD
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Planning Sunday after an Unexpected Tragedy

Bob Kauflin | Worship Matters

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

Following the tragic death of a beloved worship leader, Bob Kauflin shares the story of how he and his team composed an order of service focusing on Christ our hope in times of grief and sorrow....

Psalm 31:7; John 11:1-44 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

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Death, Hope, Leading Worship, Worship Planning

Waiting in the Margins

David J Swanson | Missio Alliance

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

In this reflection on Psalm 25:1-10; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Luke 21:25-36; and 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, David J. Swanson encourages us to approach Advent with hope and faith in God even in the dark times.

Psalm 25:1-10; Jeremiah 33:14-16 Luke 21:25-36

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Advent, Hope, Suffering, Waiting

A Prayer for Peace through the Cross

Graham Hill | Global Worship

Prayer

"A Prayer for Peace through the Cross" is an updated version, by Graham Hill, of a song by Saint Yared of Ethiopia (505–571). It offers many statements of the power of the cross.

Genesis 5:15

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Hope, Peace, Cross, Reconciliation

Tree of Life

Alice Wolters | Reformed Worship

Sermon Preparation or Illustration and 1 more types

Meadowlands Fellowship Church's Visual Arts Committee shares its process and method for creating a communal art installation based on the image of the Tree of Life and offers supporting sermon notes.

Ezekiel 47:12; Revelation 22:1-2, 20

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Hope, Banner, Intergenerational Issues, Redeemer’s Return

Advent Prayer Stations

Erica Schemper | Reformed Worship

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

As the coming of Christ approaches, reflection and mediation are important. Instructions are provided for Advent prayer stations in your church for all generations to experience as you anticipate Christ.

Isaiah 11:1, 6, 35:1-2; Matthew 1:20, 25:44

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Advent, Fruit, Hope, Waiting

The Sermon

Aurelia Joy | Joysong

Poetry

"To speak it / gives life / hope." A poem about preaching and hope by Aurelia Joy.

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Sermon, Hope, Preaching, Poetry

What Does Belief in the Resurrection Look Like?

David Fagerberg | Church Life Journal

Article about Theology

Drawing on a remarkable collection of authors, David Fagerberg considers, from a philosophical standpoint, what it means to believe in Christ's resurrection. Faith, hope, and love are the names for such a state of belief.

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Faith, Hope, Love, Resurrection

A Sermon from a Rush

Charles Haddon Spurgeon | The Spurgeon Center

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

A sermon on Job 8:11-13 by Charles Spurgeon, who explores the text's comparison of hypocrites to rushes, reeds, and weeds, which spring up quickly but have a shaky hope for the future.

Job 8:11-13

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Hypocrisy, Hope, Future Life, C. H. Spurgeon