Recently on the Mark Prater podcast, Mark shared about church planting. Here is a clip from that conversation with Ben Kreps. The full podcast is linked below.

Assumption number 1: We want to plant churches, and here's the reason why. We as a family of churches, we desire to reflect the New Testament model of advancing the gospel by sacrificing for the mission and sending people to plant new churches to reach people that haven't heard Christ or reach an area that may not have a solid gospel preaching church. So that's a biblical conviction. That's a New Testament model that we are wanting to reflect in Sovereign Grace.

Assumption number 2: We want to plant for endurance. So we want to plant churches that will be faithful to God's word, faithful to our theological convictions and endure over time. So what that means is we're not as interested in numbers and we're not going to have these goals for numbers, but what we're interested in is planting solid churches that will be faithful and endure over time.

Assumption number 3: We plant with Sovereign Grace pastors. And what that means is we plant with men who are ordained in Sovereign Grace, who share our theological convictions, our seven shared values and our seven shaping virtues and where possible they also have some degree of pastoral experience. Now that may change based on the planter and how much experience he either has or needs, but we're just learning that guys who've got some degree of pastoral experience plant more solid churches because they've learned about pastoral ministry and that helps them plant well. Basically, Eric Turbedsky, when he was our director of church planting just unashamedly said appropriately, we plant Sovereign Grace churches a Sovereign Grace way. And that's kind of a little bit of what he was getting at in that phrase, right?

Assumption number 4: We value team ministry. That's not new to the pastors and even members of our churches that are listening to this, but where possible we'd love to send a plurality of elders more than just a solo elder. Now that's not always possible, but where we can, we want to do that. Or if we can't send a man already ordained, we'd love to send somebody who certainly is called and potentially on that ordination track because it will strengthen the church plant because pastoral teams are a reflection of the church. And so that'll be a stronger church.

Assumption number 5: We plant with denominational financial support. So in other words, we together as a family of churches, we are committed to replicating this New Testament model of planting churches so much. So we want to give our financial resources; those coming from our national resources, Sovereign Grace Central, those coming from our region. It's just one way to invest into the gospel and that allows a man to really devote his time to planting the church and not needing to find ways to earn other income.

Assumption number 6: (This is really the next logical one) We plant with vocational pastors. Now this is one that may not work outside the United States because of the economy in certain nations, guys may need to be bi-vocational. But here in the states, our assumption is we want to plant with vocational pastors again because they can focus on the work of planting and not have to worry about how they're going to support their families.

Assumption number 7: We prioritize preaching, which is again not new in Sovereign Grace. CJ has led us down that road so well. You lead your church from the pulpit and you build your church on God's word Sunday after Sunday in solid expository preaching. And that's going to build churches that endure and that's going to build strong gospel centered churches.

Assumption number 8: We value denominational preparation and ongoing care. It's why we have a Church Planting Group. Those guys exist to help you, a planter, prepare, assess, and prepare. It's one of the roles that our regional leaders play in providing care for the planters. So our denominational structures that we have in place are in part there to foster and strengthen our church planting efforts.

Assumption number 9: We prioritize cooperative efforts. So we just believe that we're going to be able to do more together as a family of churches. And so the sharing of resources and the sharing of prayer, meaning we pray for one another as we plant churches is really important. And when I talk about sharing resources, I'm not just talking about financial resources, I'm talking about people. First of all, people that may be in one church that can join another church's church planting team because they have a desire to be a part of a church plant or the sharing of pastors. You may have a location to plant but not a pastor. And so a church in Sovereign Grace sacrificially gives that pastor to that other church so he can plant a church and the gospel can be advanced. Those are huge sacrifices, but they reflect the resources that we share.

Assumption number 10: We prioritize pastoral ministry. Planters are pastors. That's something that I think Eric said. It's something that Jon has emphasized. Pastors are planters we want to plant with. Men are shepherds who will shepherd the flock of God that they begin to gather as the church plant forms.

Assumption number 11: We prioritize godly character. In other words, we want to send planters who are proven in godly character, tested in godly character and we can affirm their godly character. I think that's one of the roles of our, not only of our local churches, but our regional church planting committees, as well.

Assumption number 12: We take faith-filled risks on the right things. So I want to continue to call us to take faith-filled risks, but we've got to take risks on the right things. I won't spend a lot of time on that because I dedicated a podcast to that topic just a few weeks ago. So if you haven't heard that, listen to it. But for example, we don't want to take risks on godly character, but we do want to take risks in sending our best to further the mission of the gospel as we plant churches.

So those are the assumptions, at least right now, those may change, but I thought it'd be a good time just to introduce them to our pastors and members of our churches and as we work on this, pray that God gives us wisdom, and pray that God would give us resources, men called to plant, people wanting to be on church plant teams, and financial resources to plant churches.

On July 12, Sovereign Grace Music officially released their latest album, Knowing God. This album was inspired by and written to reflect the J.I. Packer must-read, Knowing God. The book, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, is the ultimate result of a series of articles written by Packer in 1973 that has influenced and inspired Christians since its creation. Sovereign Grace Music has carefully crafted each song in this album to help us worship God and know God better. As they shared on their website, “Sovereign Grace Music exists to write songs that are theologically driven, Christ-exalting, congregationally accessible, and artistically fresh. Packer’s book was a perfect vehicle to bring all those elements together in one place.”

Listen and/or purchase today. For more resources (lyrics, charts, videos, and more) visit soveriegngracemusic.com.

In his book, “A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and his Prayers,” D.A. Carson writes, “If we follow Paul’s example, we will never overlook the monumental importance of praying for others…We will see it is part of our job to approach God with thanksgiving for others and with intercession for others. In short, our praying will be shaped by our profound desire to seek what is best for the people of God.” 

May we, as a family of churches, continue to build relationally by having a "profound desire" to pray for each other as we “seek what is best” for our churches, and to advance our shared mission of the gospel together. By doing so, our relationships will be enhanced, our mission empowered, and our unity strengthened all for the glory of Christ.

Sovereign Grace Churches Third Quarter 2024 Prayer Requests

• Pray that God would give the members and pastors of Sovereign Grace Churches opportunities to share the gospel with unbelievers in our communities, workplaces and on our campuses for the rest of this summer and into the fall season.

• Pray for Brian Kiama, a 2022 Trinity Fellowship Pastors College graduate in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as he moves his family from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya in August to plant a Sovereign Grace church in Nairobi asking God to provide all they need to advance the gospel in Kenya.

• Pray for our new Director of Church Planting, Joel Shorey, Sr. Pastor o fRedeemer Fellowship, Newark, DE, asking God to give him wisdom, discernment, and grace in helping us plant more churches in the United States.

• Pray for the Fieles A Su Llamado Conference in Juarez, Mexico, August 7-9, 2024, asking God to encourage, equip, and strengthen the pastors and wives attending from Mexico and Latin America. Pray also pray for Carlos Contreras as he leads this strategic conference.

• Pray for our new 2024-2025 Pastors College students and their families from 2 different nations who will be moving to Louisville, KY before classes start at the end of August, asking God to provide for them and to give them grace to grow over the next year while at the PC.

• Pray for the Worship God Conference, July 24-27, 2024, in Louisville, KY asking God to equip and encourage pastors, leaders, musicians, vocalists, tech personnel, and songwriters to return home and serve their churches with theologically-rich, Christ- centered singing every week. Pray also for Bob Kauflin who will lead WorshipGod24.

• Pray for the Sovereign Grace Churches Executive Committee retreat in Louisville, KY, August 20-23, 2024, asking God to give the 9 men on this committee wisdom and help in fulfilling their responsibility of overseeing and evaluating the Leadership Team.

• Pray that God would continue to provide financially for Sovereign Grace Churches so that we can fund the gospel opportunities He is giving us throughout the world.

Everyone who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp… When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses…Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. Exod 33:7,9,11

This passage has always fascinated me because I think it gives a profound insight into the spiritual training of Joshua for his later leadership task. Joshua had front row seats to the holy conversation between God and a man. He witnessed a two way conversation with Moses talking to God (Exod 33:12-16) and then God talking to Moses (Exod 33:17- 23).

And then Joshua would stay in the tent after the conversation was over—in the presence of God.

This communication is later replicated on a higher level by Jesus himself:

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1

Jesus prays in front of his disciples—they are the collective Joshua watching the greater Moses converse with his Father. Jesus didn’t always pray in secret (Mark 1:35) - in fact, sometimes he deliberately prayed in the presence of others in order to generate faith (John 11:42).

And after Jesus ascends to heaven, what do we find these same leaders doing? Praying together! (Acts 1:13-14). The fire from Jesus’ prayers kindled their prayer lives too.

We are a movement that believes in the centrality of the gospel. We believe in the Holy Spirit. We believe in the need for revival. And we believe God visits his leaders when they gather together for prayer.

I invite you to join with other pastors for a collective time of prayer. Just one hour (Mark 14:37). Not because we are strong, but because we are weak. But our mighty Father comes in power to the collective prayers of his people and especially his praying shepherds. Please join us my brothers. There is something very powerful about collective prayer. Like a greenhouse, God grows things into us as we pray. He will unite us. He will impart faith to us. He will answer our collective prayers. He will give us joy!

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

If interested, please let Joel know and he will send you the link to our next meeting on July 17th at 2:00 PM EST. jshorey@redeemerde.org.

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Tim Kerr is an elder at Sovereign Grace Church Toronto and the author of Take Words With You: Scripture Promises & Prayer.

Joel Shorey is the new Director of Church Planting for Sovereign Grace Churches and the Senior Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in Newark, DE. Joel and his wife Ashley have four children.

We’re excited to announce the Sovereign Grace Pastors College Class of 2025!

Though the Pastors College only wrapped up graduation a few weeks ago, preparations for the upcoming class is well under way.

This year the college will be welcoming nine students from all over the US and Australia.

Please join us in praying for them and their families, as they continue fundraising and making preparations to move to Louisville. 

There is still time to register for WorshipGod: One with Christ, How Our Union with Christ Affects Everything.

The conference will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, from July 24-27 and is designed to equip and encourage pastors, leaders, musicians, tech personnel, and songwriters as they seek to plan and lead congregational worship.

Let by our dear friend and pastor, Bob Kauflin, alongside an incredible lineup of speakers (including John Piper, HB Charles, and Mike Bullmore) the conference focuses on three main areas of worship: Theology, Heart, and Skill.

Though the conference is designed to serve those directly involved in planning and leading congregational worship, these topics can serve us all.

Registration closes July 10 and there is limited space.