LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Book Critique

Submitted to Dr. William E. Brown, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the course

EVAN 505-B01
Introduction to Church Planting

By

Kevin Lough
June 14, 2015 Submitted

(ii)
Summary of Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..3

Summary of the Reading……………………………………………………………….3

Critiquing the Text……………………………………………………………………...4

Evaluating the Reading…………………………………………………………………5

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….6

Searcy, Nelson and Kerrick Thomas. Launch: Starting a New Church from Scratch. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2006.

Introduction

Finding quality resources on how to start or plant a church often can be dismal and discouraging at times. But once in a while a book comes along that not only inspires but also provides sustenance in the ‘how to’ department of beginning a church plant. Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas have created such a book that has accomplished this means. This critique will attempt to accomplish the three goals: summarize the reading, critique the text, and evaluate the work. Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas, in their book, Launch: Starting a New Church from Scratch, lay out a strategic plan full of insight into starting a church plant. They describe their purpose by stating, “Our goal is not to provide you with theory but with a proven and strategic process to take your new church from scratch to success and significance.”1 The authors also surmise the reason for their writing this book, due to all of the information gathered, data researched and experiential knowledge, “we believe Launch can serve as your ‘how to’ reference guide for starting a biblical twenty-first century church.”2
Summary of the Reading
Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas combine their years of ministry education and church planting experience to inform the readers how they too can plant a church or even grow and develop an existing church work. Searcy and Thomas lay out a formula entailing what they have learned along this journey in the arena of church planting. This book is full of practical information from knowing that you have been called by God to starting a church plant, to praying for God’s blessings, putting your team together, planning your launch and your launch date, to establishing and growing your church. The “overarching goal” of Nelson and Thomas is: “We want to help you start a church from scratch that will reach as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.”3 In order to accomplish this goal of it being done quickly, the authors have devised a strategy for starting up, a strategy for raising the necessary funds for financial support, creating a church staff and building a launch team preparing for the first inaugral service. Nelson and Thomas unfold before their readers four major objectives that every church planter should strategically plan for. “Those four objectives are: 1) Preparation, 2) Prelaunch, 3) Launch, and 4) Postlaunch.”4 This book is filled with material helping the reader to grasp and take hold of each aspect of church planting.
Critiquing the Text
Launch is written in a manner that is easy to understand and follow. It is written in layman’s terminology allowing the reader to peruse the pages with ease and clarity. The book is informative and difficult to put down. From the opening statement to its closing, this book draws the reader into its pages and keeps their attention locked into the rich insight and wisdom of the author’s script. The book is indeed well written. Nelson and Kerrick do a good job of instilling passion and confidence into the readers life building them up to believe that the vision that God has given them (the church plant) He can fulfill. Nelson and Kerrick state, that God’s dream for your church is bigger than your dream.”5 One of the main themes that can be drawn from this book is that, “If you