Planting Churches Cross-Culturally: North America and Beyond

by David J. Hesselgrave

A practical approach to church planting that uses cultural and experiential data to facilitate the founding of new churches in unreached areas of the world.

Genres: Christian, Church, Theology, Cultural

348 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1971

Reviews

[Russell Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty years after its initial publication, David Hesselgrave’s “Planting Churches Cross-Culturally” is still an excellent presentation of theology and a philosophy for church planting. To one familiar with the discussed material and church planting circles, it does not contain a lot of radical, groundbreaking, or new information in the book. Despite this basic nature, it offers an excellent distillation of New Testament church planting principles and philosophy. It is an excellent tool to open one’s eyes to the mechanics of this worldwide effort.

Planting Churches Cross-Culturally is an excellent book for the minister and layperson alike. The biblical foundation of church planting is laid out in harmony with the Scripture because it is taken from it. The material is familiar, but it is presented thoroughly and thoughtfully. It does not provide a step-by-step guide but is a manual of church planting principles. If someone plants a church according to the biblical model, the skeleton of that church will likewise bare the marks articulated in this book. It is a timeless work.

[Carlyn Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at seminary, re-read now. Still a gold standard. Helpful to think through the issues involved in any church planting, but of course especially in regards to doing so cross+culturally.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book on the process of church planting in other cultures.

[T.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent reference book for church planting

This book was required reading for a class I was taking. I did enjoy the read and found it to be helpful in many ways. I would recommend it for those getting into ministry.

[Brent Rosendal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've now read through this book 3 times. The first 2 because I wanted to, this last time because it was required reading. I've enjoyed the book each time and learned new things and been challenged in new ways through each reading. Each time I've read it I've been at a new point in ministry and so it has been extremely helpful in pointing out where I've been doing well and what areas I need to improve on. The edition I have is very outdated, probably printed in the 80s and so I think there is a lot of updating that would improve the book greatly that is the only reason I didn't give it a five star rating.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very strong book on cross-cultural missions that emphasizes local church autonomy and is very respectful toward other cultures. The "new missions" is really a breath of fresh air. I like the "Revolution in World Missions" perspective, but I think it's unrealistic to think that the developing world doesn't need (or at least wouldn't benefit from) a continuing influx of missionaries from the West as teachers, church-planters, etc. Hesselgrave's ideas are a strong middle ground.

[Joel Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a few notes I made.

171-75 - the motivation for conversion does not necessarily have to be perfectly pure.
180-82 - group decisions aren't necessarily invalid.
247 - bringing in Western money on the mission field is generally a bad idea because it stifles indigenous giving.

[Bro · Rating 3 out of 5]

must read for church planters

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hesselgrave has given us a thorough look at cross-cultural church planting. His work guides the reader through the development of a "master plan" for church planting. He leaves "no stone unturned" where cross-cultural church planting is concerned. So much to consider when working cross-culturally, and Hesselgrave's books help one consider all the details.