The Foundation, DNA, and Methodology of Being a Church Planting Church According to Vintage Church of New Orleans

Abstract

ABSTRACT

THE FOUNDATION, DNA, AND METHODOLOGY OF

BEING A CHURCH PLANTING CHURCH

ACCORDING TO VINTAGE CHURCH

OF NEW ORLEANS

Robert Edwin John Wilton, D.Min.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2016

Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Eric Geiger

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to this project by stating the purpose and goals of the foundation, DNA, and methodology of being a church planting church according to Vintage Church of New Orleans. This chapter introduces the ministry context and rationale of how Vintage Church started a church plant, planted other churches, and has now started a network of churches that will do the same.

Chapter 2 presents a biblical understanding and overview of the church. This chapter also presents a biblical understanding of church planting specifically as it is found in the book of Acts. This biblical understanding is the foundation of why Vintage Church is a church planting church.

Chapter 3 reveals the specific DNA of Vintage Church that has mobilized their mission of being a church planting church. Explained in this chapter under the category of DNA are the statement of beliefs, leadership, membership, and mission of Vintage Church. This specific DNA establishes what unites Vintage Church around being a church planting church.

Chapter 4 establishes the strategic methodology of Vintage Church as a church planting church. This chapter includes a full explanation of how Vintage unites, equips, and multiplies. Vintage Church unites around what is presented in chapters 2 and 3 of this project. In chapter 4, the strategy of equipping and multiplying is explained in more detail. Equipping involves a thorough and consistent assimilation process. Multiplying is executed at all levels but strategically through planting new locations and church plants around New Orleans and the world. This methodology is not only relevant to the mission of church planting but is also implemented at every level of Vintage Church with the hope and potential of sending out many more church plants.

Chapter 5 describes how the foundation, DNA, and methodology of Vintage Church being a church planting church has resulted in the formation of a new network of church plants called the Gx Network. Presented in this chapter are the confirmations and testimonies of five church planters who have been sent out by Vintage Church as a result of uniting, equipping, and multiplying. The mission of the Gx Network is to unite, equip, and multiply church planting churches around the world.