Show Notes
Can church planting be done wrong?
This episode of The Missions Show explores the debate around Church Planting Movements (CPMs), interacting with a Lausanne article that presents them as a highly effective missions strategy. Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford explain what CPMs are and why they generate both enthusiasm and concern, especially regarding their emphasis on rapid multiplication and minimal training.
Alex and Scott raise key theological and practical questions about doctrine, discipleship, and the definition of the church. While affirming the desire for gospel growth, they caution against prioritizing speed and numbers over biblical faithfulness, urging listeners to focus on sound doctrine and trust God for lasting fruit.
Key Topics:
What Church Planting Movements (CPMs) are
Why CPMs are controversial in missions
Speed vs. depth in discipleship and church growth
The importance of doctrinal accountability
Evaluating success beyond numbers
We recently made some upgrades to our studio and we needed a table that didn't just look good on camera, but could handle the demands of a production studio. That's why we partnered with Oak Park Tables. Oak Park Tables, located right near us in central Pennsylvania, makes hand-crafted legacy furniture that lasts, looks beautiful, and shares our values.
If you need a beautiful signature piece of furniture, we highly recommend checking out Oak Park Tables. Find them at oakparktables.com
Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.
Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights
Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers
Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow.
The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
More from The Missions Show
What does it take to go from feeling called to missions to actually reaching the field? And how can you trust God through the challenges of raising support?
How should missionaries teach deep biblical truth in cultures where storytelling, rather than reading, is the main way people learn?
What is God’s mission—and how does the church fit into it?
In the final installment of the Defining the Missionary Task series, Alex and Scott explore what it means to entrust the mission to others. The missionary task doesn’t end when people are evangelized, churches are established, and leaders are equipped. Healthy churches should grow into sending churches—taking responsibility for making disciples, planting churches, and carrying the gospel to other peoples and places.
Are missionaries doing their job if they never work themselves out of one?