Built to Last: How Christar Establishes Churches Among the Least-Reached

Christar’s primary task is to establish churches among the least-reached. But what do we mean when we say, “establishing churches”? And what does establishing a church actually entail?

Surprisingly, these aren’t questions we hear a lot, perhaps because many of us already have an idea of what church planting is. The churches in which we were raised or with which we’re familiar tend to shape our expectations of the process and our assumptions about what an established church will look like, both in our own communities and overseas.

Some of those preconceptions may paint a relatively accurate picture of establishing churches in least-reached communities, but others may not. And, when they don’t, they can create expectations for cross-cultural workers that don’t align with their ministry strategies or the challenges they face.

Understanding Christar’s approach to establishing new churches among the least-reached is vital for anyone interested in cross-cultural ministry through Christar and for those who come alongside them. Below we explain several key points, seeking to clarify common misconceptions.

One strategy doesn’t fit all.

Regardless of the strategy, Christar seeks to establish new churches that are built to endure and multiply. Christar workers are trained in a model, known as Polaris, that helps church-planting teams create strategies that fit their ministry contexts. It’s not a one-size-fits-all structure but a framework that helps teams evaluate methods, principles and tactics and form an approach in light of the culture and worldview of the people they’re seeking to reach.

This model includes distinct stages:

• Prepare: Equip for effective ministry through training and building a support team
• Survey: Empathize with least-reached people by learning the local language and culture
• Contact: Engage people in spiritual conversations
• Proclaim: Enfold people in a plan for sharing the gospel
• Disciple: Establish new believers in their faith, discipling them to serve
• Gather: Empower believers to gather and form into a church
• Equip: Empower local leaders by equipping them through discipleship and biblical training          
• Send: Extend & Exit as local believers share the gospel locally and cross-culturally while the church-planting team carries out their exit plan

These stages don’t represent a strictly linear process: For example, workers don’t stop engaging new contacts while discipling those who have believed. Rather, they’re activities that build upon one another and that provide guidance for cross-cultural workers in moving toward a fully established church.

Not all planted churches look the same.

Depending on the context and culture, a church may take varying forms. So how do we know when a church has been established? We compare it to this definition:

The church is the body of believers whose head is Christ, whom God has called, whom the Holy Spirit has baptized and whose purpose is to glorify God through worship, edification and disciple-making. The ideal elements of a local church are:

a. Believers – a sustainable nucleus, identifying with Jesus in baptism.

b. Meetings – believers assemble consistently in whole or in part for worship, teaching, prayer and fellowship.

c. Leadership – spiritually qualified, selected from the local church.

d. Ordinances – regular practice of baptism and communion.

e. Outreach – spreading the faith locally and, if possible, abroad.

A church that exhibits all of these elements may or may not have a building, might meet at a time other than on Sunday mornings and could have a range of leadership and governance structures. This definition helps us differentiate which aspects of a church are scriptural essentials and which ones are rooted in cultural norms.

“Church planter” doesn't necessarily equal “pastor.”

Christar workers serve in teams that reflect the diversity of gifts that are needed within the Body of Christ. Their shared aim is to establish self-sustaining churches overseen by local believers, not fellowships led by expats. So, while in some cases a team member may serve in a leadership role within a church plant for a time, the team works to equip believers from the least-reached community so that the church can operate independently.

The goal is to leave.

Christar church planters seek to work themselves out of a job. Their goal isn’t to become a permanent part of a local church but to equip, encourage and coach local believers so that they can lead within the church and eventually help that church reproduce itself among its own people and beyond. The Christar team members seek to instill in every believer an understanding that God has given them gifts designed to benefit the Body of Christ.

It's often hard and messy—and always requires prayer.

Establishing new churches in communities where the gospel isn’t yet known can be very different from establishing a church in a place where many people have a baseline understanding of Christianity. Many of these differences pose significant challenges or add layers of complication that can make the process long and difficult—and rarely linear or predictable.

Before most cross-cultural workers begin the relational and visible work of establishing a new church, they first spend significant time learning the local language and culture so they can clearly communicate the gospel and share truth in relevant ways. Though this is a worthwhile investment, it adds significant time to the process.

Then, they may spend years building relationships before they see one person believe, and those who profess faith in Christ may not become part of the new church. Sometimes, after celebrating a baby step forward, workers grieve sizeable setbacks and face unexpected hurdles.

In addition, persecution is a common reality for those from least-reached backgrounds who follow Christ, adding additional challenges for both those who are establishing new churches and those who leave their former religion behind to follow Jesus. Believers may not be able to gather openly and often struggle to trust one another in places where being “outed” as a Christian could lead to harm to them and their families.

Though Christ can and does establish local expressions of His Church in least-reached communities in spite of these challenges, it’s important to recognize that church planters’ ministry is often hard, and they may minister faithfully for a long period of time before they see the Lord work through their efforts.  But despite all the efforts of hell’s gates, Christ prevails in and through the work of establishing new local churches!

That’s why it’s vital that cross-cultural workers and all who come alongside them consistently seek God’s help. As one worker shares, “Ultimately Jesus is the One who is building His Church. PRAY!”

Establishing new churches involves not only the workers on the ground but the larger team that participates in cross-cultural workers’ ministries through sending, praying, giving and volunteering. Click here to explore your role and get resources to help you participate in the Great Commission.