Planting a Church
📖 1 Corinthians 3:6–9 (KJV)
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
📌 When it comes to planting a church in any area, there are a few things we need to understand:
We need to plant well, we need time, and we need patience.
1️⃣ Plant Well
✅ The Good Ground
Just like soil needs breaking up, people’s hearts often need preparation before they can receive the Word deeply.
People may have strongholds, traditions, or spiritual dryness that takes time to work through.
📌 This is why we need to preach about relevant issues relating to the culture or place where we are planting just like the Apostle Paul said:
📖 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 (KJV)
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
🔥 We need to understand the culture and where it needs attention address the issues at hand.
Here in Hawke’s Bay (Wairoa), the main issue is trust in general. The Māori people have been mistreated by the “white man system,” so now many are cautious and skeptical towards any religion especially Christianity, which they often view as a “white man’s religion.”
But can you fathom that? The majority of white men don’t even believe in Jesus anymore here in New Zealand!
Christianity is not a white man's religion.
Christianity comes from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the 12 patriarchs who are of Middle Eastern descent. They were olive-skinned or brown.
Just because God used the white man for a moment doesn’t make it a “white man’s religion.”
Look at the white man today many are the most unreceptive people I’ve met.
They’re just like the Jews who had the power of the Gospel but abused it. Now God has moved to the Gentiles.
We as Māori don’t want to abuse the free gift of eternal life and reject it without considering what Jesus did for us on the cross.
If we reject that opportunity, we too could end up like the Jews and the white man.
📖 Romans 11:19–22 (KJV)
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
📌 Let us not be “high-minded, but fear,” because God is showing mercy to us in Hawke’s Bay by giving us the chance to accept the free gift of eternal life.
📖 Romans 6:23 (KJV)
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
💭 The only way to plant a good garden is to first turn the soil. After that, we need to plant the good seed.
✅ The Good Seed
Once the soil is turned properly, we need to plant the right seed to get the right crops.
We don’t want artificial plants we want organic, real conversions and this is achieved by planting the right seed.
📖 Luke 8:11–15 (KJV)
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
📌 When we’re planting, there is only one good seed the Word of God.
It’s not about what people like. It’s not about singing Hillsong or building fancy churches.
It’s not about large numbers. That’s artificial.
Only the Word of God produces organic believers.
💭 Example: Peter at Pentecost he confronted the Jews directly, not with nice words, but with truth.
📖 Acts 2:36–38 (KJV)
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
🔎 Their issue was unbelief they didn’t realize they had crucified their own Messiah.
But when confronted, their hearts softened and they believed.
📖 Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
🔥 Let’s use more of God’s Word and less of man’s wisdom.
2️⃣ We Need Time (Churches Aren’t Grown Overnight)
📌 Just like fruit trees take 2–5 years to grow and bear fruit, church plants don’t grow overnight.
The process involves turning the soil, planting the seed, and waiting for God to give the increase.
📖 Luke 13:6–9 (KJV)
He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
📌 Even the dresser asked for one more year to work the soil.
A pastor I knew said his church didn’t start growing until year six but now it’s thriving.
So we need to give the Word time.
✅ Paul in Ephesus (Almost 3 years)
📖 Acts 19:8–10 (KJV)
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
✅ Paul in Corinth (1 year & 6 months)
📖 Acts 18:9–11 (KJV)
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
📌 Lesson: Planting a church is one thing. Maturing it takes even longer.
💭 In Wairoa, we are still turning the soil, but the Lord said:
"Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace" so we will speak the truth in love, no matter how long it takes.
📖 Isaiah 61:1–2 (KJV)
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;
he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.
📖 John 14:27 (KJV)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
3️⃣ We Need Patience (Don’t Give Up Before the Harvest)
📖 James 5:7–9 (KJV)
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.
Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it,
until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
📌 The farmer waits long for fruit.
We should too. Don’t get discouraged by slow growth.
Watch for grudges they ruin gardens and churches alike. Learn to forgive quickly.
📖 Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
📌 If growth is slow dig around it, fertilize, water again.
📖 Luke 13:6–9 (KJV) (repeated because it’s key)
...till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well...
💭 Whether it takes 1, 2, or 3 years or even 6 we will do our part,
and trust God to give the increase.
📖 1 Corinthians 3:6–9 (KJV)
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase...
