There is much talk in home-church circles today about someone called "the church planter." It is said, that without this "itinerant worker" there is no hope of seeing the restoration of the primitive church. Hence the search for the mystical church planter ensues. Many, upon hearing the news of a so-called "church plant," which of course is the exclusive work of the church planter, have packed up their families and moved long distances to be part of it. If "church planters" were essential to the founding of the early church, one would think that something this important would be found on every page of the New Testament scriptures. So grab your concordance and open to the section entitled "church planter." Not there! Try "plant churches." No!

Everyone agrees that the term "church planter" is not found in the scriptures. So we must at least conclude on the outset that the term itself is extra-biblical. But I would also suggest that the concept, denoted by the term "church planter," is extra-biblical as well. By this I mean that we cannot find within the New Testament scriptures, one instance where apostles concerned themselves with such matters as the term "church planter" implies. The term "Church planter" being a short job description, is an attempt to sum up in two words the supposed goal and passion of the first century Apostle. This is where the danger lies in that this two word summary title sets forth a false priority and goal, which is fortified every time it is spoken.

As best I can tell this term finds its origin not in the early church but in the 20^th century apostolic movement, which resulted in horrendous abuses. Perhaps the extra-biblical term "Church planters" was substituted thinking that to refer to ones self as an "apostle" would sound too arrogant. Whatever the reason the damage is done.

The current church planting mentality goes something like this, "If church planters are needed, then we will have church planters. We will teach, we will council and write books of the need for such church planters."

Consequently, there are church planting schools, where you can receive your "church planting diploma", (I'm not kidding) and thus become a bona fide, card caring "Church Planter." There is even a "bootcamp" for the intensified training of "church planters." There are books galore. "Church Planting made easy" "The church planter's tool kit" "The church planter's workbook". There is something out there, to suit every one of your "church planting" needs. Yes, for only $12.99 you can solve all of your "church planting" problems.

If we can imagine Paul or Peter writing books and articles on the necessity of themselves as "church planters," telling believers that the church was sure to fail without them, then we might, with a wild stretch of the imagination, justify today's church planter logic. But we can find no biblical example of the early apostles assuming such a mindset or doing such a work. None the less, this is clearly happening today in institutional and home churches alike. A titled job has been created, by the very ones hoping to fill it. Articles and books are being written by supposed "church planters" in what is an apparent attempt to convince the body of Christ of their need of them. In marketing, the selling of the idea precedes manufacturing. Likewise, one has to sell the idea of the Church planter before he can fully step into the role. To my knowledge, no one has written on the subject, except those who perceive themselves as such. Please forgive my bluntness but the Lord has made this exceedingly evil in my sight. Such was not the case with Paul who wrote, "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." (2Corinthians 4:5)

Although he claimed to be the least of the apostles, Paul undoubtedly made the greatest impact. In God's calling and equipping of Paul, we see a clear contrast between the first century Apostle and the supposed 20^th century equivalent the "church planter." With this in mind, please consider the following.

Paul was called, and equipped, by Jesus himself. Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.(Gal.1:1)

Paul received no human training to be an Apostle. He did not confer with flesh and blood. (Gal.1:15-16)

Paul's gospel was not his own, but was a gift given to him by the revelation of Jesus Christ. "I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." (Gal.1:12)

Paul was taken up into the third heaven where he saw unutterable things. (2Cor:12:2)

Paul's ministry was confirmed by "the signs of an Apostle." (2Cor:12:12)

The Greek word for the English word apostle is apostolos. It also is a job description. It means an envoy or messenger, which lays stress upon a message. Apostles (envoys) were heralds sent to declare a message. Accordingly Paul, in 1Cor:1:17, concisely defines his job description or commission, which he had received directly from the Lord Jesus.

Did Paul travel throughout Asia Minor, bringing a message about home-churches? No. He was sent to preach the good news about Christ. The first century Apostle never graduated from a "church planting school." However, as God empowered them, they accomplished something that today's church planters have failed to do, they "Turned the world up side down", and they did it without a "church planting diploma."

The contemporary idea of the Apostle the "Church planter", is taken from First Corinthians chapter three, where Paul is bringing a word of correction to the Corinthian believers.

If we take the interpretive logic, used by today's church to justifying the existence of "the church planter" by their interpretation of the passage above, why do we not have church waterers? Didn't Paul say, "I planted, Apollos watered"? There is as great a biblical basis for the title "Church waterer" as there is for the title "church planter."

Paul concludes,

Here Paul simply changed the allegorical context from planting to building. What was it that Paul built? The seed planted and the foundation upon which God builds His building are one and the same.

What was this "foundation" Paul spoke of here? The "foundation" that Paul laid was Christ himself.

Christ Himself is the "seed" and the "foundation." There was no such thing as a first century conference on how to plant churches. The sole purpose and work of the apostles as well as the ekklesia, was to plant the seed, and lay the foundation, which is Christ. How much space did the idea of "church planting" occupy in the minds of the first century apostles? Was Paul concerned with "planting Churches" or declaring "the gospel"? Below is a list of scriptures that clearly defines the work and passion of an apostolos (GK). I know this list is quite lengthy but the length of the list is one of the most impressive evidences. As you read them ask yourself, what was the foremost concern on Paul's heart? Was he concerned about planting churches or preaching the gospel? You be the judge.

Acts:14:7: And there they [Paul and Barnabas] preached the gospel

Acts:14:21: And when they [Paul and Barnabas] had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Acts:20:24: But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Rom:1:1: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Rom:1:9: For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Rom:1:15: So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Rom:1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom:2:16: In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Rom:10:15: And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Rom:15:16: That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Rom:15:19: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel

Rom:15:20: Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

Rom:15:29: And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

In Romans chapter ten verses fourteen through fifteen, Paul asked four leading questions that also clearly set forth the function of an apostle.

1. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
2. And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
3. And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
4. And how can they preach unless they are sent?( apostello-one sent forth)

What message did Paul bring with him? People cannot be saved unless they believe in Jesus. They cannot believe in Him unless they hear about him. And they cannot hear about Him unless someone preaches to them. And how can anyone preach unless they are "sent". Paul was sent to preach the gospel, in order that those hearing it might be saved, in order that God might add them to the church.

Men do not add to the church, that's God's job. God "sent", Paul "Preached", God gave the "increase", "added to", and "built" the church. All Paul did was herald the good new about Jesus Christ.

The scriptures clearly state that there are signs which prove whether or not, a person is "one sent". Paul's ministry was being questioned by the Corinthian ekklesia. He wrote them and reminded them that "the signs of an apostle", had accompanied his ministry. The article "the" in "the signs of an apostle", implies that it was common knowledge in the first century ekklesia, that these signs would confirm the ministry of those who were truly sent. These signs were, miracles, wonders, and works of power (dunamis).

When Paul preached the gospel, it was "fully preached", "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God."

I would ask the following question to all that think they are church planters/apostles. Are you sure? Do the signs of an apostle bear witness of your ministry? Are you truly a "sent one"? This is clearly the only true test of an apostle. If these signs are absent, you are not an apostle. Sorry! I would remind those that insist on indiscriminately planting churches, in a kind of wholesale manner, of the following words of our lord. "Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up." (Mt:15:13) We know that Jesus was referring to the work of scribes and the Pharisees. They had indeed planted something that was uniquely theirs own. What is more, that which they planted was constantly at enmity with God. Let every man take heed! May God restore to us the glorious seed of the gospel, and the men and women sent to "fully" preach it. By today's standard, the single sign of an apostle is the number of church plants left strewn in their wake. However, this criterion is not listed among the proofs of an apostle.

I cannot find one Biblical reference where any of these brethren (apostles) expressed a specific desire to go and "plant churches." Neither can I find where the Lord specifically commanded them to go and plant churches. They were witnesses of the resurrection. They were consumed with an altogether different passion - the declaration of a PERSON, the Lord Jesus Christ. Can you imagine them spending their waking hours pondering the profundities of ecclesiology or agonizing over how they might establish home-churches? They were heralds sent to extol Christ. And until such men/women, of like passion, walk the earth again the Fathers purposes will suffer the ongoing adulteration of ambitious men.

Churchishness or Church-centeredness does to the Church what selfishness/self-centeredness does to an individual. In the context of the Bride and the Groom, such a church is like a self-absorbed wife, who, rather than being lost in the arms of her lover, is instead, in her vanity, constantly standing before the mirror, looking at herself.

We should not be ekklesia-centered but Christ-centered. Truly the pivotal question is not how to "build the church" (for this is Christ's responsibility) but how to follow the Lamb? Anything other than this is much ado about nothing.

I leave you with an excerpt, taken from Alan Richardson's excellent article entitled "breakout," in which Alan insightfully describes the danger of churchishness.