1. It is Biblical. I cannot go into a major treatise here, but almost the entire book of Acts is about church planting. Certainly Paul’s missionary journeys were focused church planting.
2. It is Practical.
• Consider: If every church in your community was 1. healthy (a big if), 2. had at least 2 services each Sunday, would there be enough seats in the existing churches for EVERYONE in your community to attend church if they wanted to, I would hazard a guess and say no. How big would we have to build the buildings of existing churches to accommodate the entire population in our communities? No one church could do that.
3. It is Needed. The U.S. is now one of the most unchurched nations in the world. A very small percentage of America actually attends church anywhere each Sunday. We believe some would attend if invited to something new and exciting.

Why West Ridge Church?

First and foremost is that God has given Pastor Brian Bloye a vision and passion to reach the Atlanta area, the United States, and the world for Christ.

Secondly we believe that church planting is the most effective evangelism tool of this generation.

Thirdly, WRC has been recognized as one of the fastest growing churches in America. A vibrant church has the opportunity to share what God is doing and teach others how methods and practices may reach their communities for Christ.

Who teaches the class?

Jim Akins, Executive Director of Church Planting. Jim has planted a church. He has worked as a consultant for a major denomination in the area of church planting. He has over 16 years of experience in the area of church planting.

The staff of West Ridge Church teaches in the class. WRC has been one of the most successful church plants in Georgia, if not the nation. The staff has the experience to share the success of WRC.

Church Planters who have been successful in launching a church are asked to share their experience.

Why a Training School?

According to some researchers as many as 70% (some say 80%) of church plants fail in their formative years. We believe with the right training, the right person with the right calling in the right place will be successful in what God has called him to do.

Who may attend the School of Church Planting?

One of the unique features of the School of Church Planting is that we allow anyone in the evangelical Christian tradition to attend. Attendance does NOT guarantee funding. We have seen some attendees discover that they either do not have the temperament or gifts to plant a church, that they may be more suited to being a staff member, or that they need more experience. We help each person discover whether God has called them to church planting.

A person that agrees with the Lausanne Covenant (a copy may be found on this website). Any person that intends to start a Biblical church may attend. The cost of the class includes a church planter and up to four other staff members or volunteers.

Most boot camps, basic training, and other programs are only a week why 9 months for the training?

1. The training is stretched out over time in order for bi-vocational pastors to be able to attend.
2. By stretching the training out over time the church planter is able to absorb and apply the training in real time.
3. The church planter has time to ask questions and find answers as they plan and prepare for the church launch.

Does West Ridge only start large churches like themselves?

It is our strong belief that every church should grow! We believe the training is applicable to any size church or kind of church you would like to start. We have partnered with different denominations, family oriented churches, seeker churches, purpose driven churches, and others. We teach what we believe to applicable practices for most any situation.

Why does WRC charge for the class?

Ministry takes money. The money is applied toward; materials, meals, guest speakers, and assessments. The School of Church Planting is not a profit enterprise. All money is applied to church planting ministries.

If I finish the class does that guarantee partnership and funding?

NO!

We partner with and provide seed money for church planters that meet the following criteria:

• Successfully finished the class.
• Passed assessment.
• Agrees with the Lausanne Covenant.
• Is starting a church that meets Biblical standards.
• Is starting a church in an area that is targeted for a new church.

Does West Ridge Church require their Church Plants to have the same government and constitutional structure?

No. Each pastor and church is responsible to God for the leadership of the local church. If the church began to exhibit practices contrary to the norm of Christian orthodoxy then funding and partnership might be in danger.

What is NET35 ?

WRC has started a network of church plants and individuals committed to planting healthy churches all over the United States. Net35 is churches and individuals partnering together to recruit, train, coach, fund, and resource healthy church planters.

Our vision is to one day be training and sending out 20 church planters across America each year. WRC cannot do this alone. We ask our church plants to give back a portion of their offerings so that we can continue to plant other churches each year. This provides a way for even the smallest church plant to give of themselves to other church planters and thus reproduce themselves in others.

Joshua 3:5 says, Joshua told the people, “Ritually consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will perform miraculous deeds among you.” We are asking God to do amazing deeds among us so that everyone, man, woman, and child, may hear and respond to the name of Jesus!

Won’t you join us?!!