Urban Church Planting (BC-309)

About this course

Fifty-four per cent of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 66 per cent by 2050. As urban populations continue to grow, rural populations are expected to decrease. This means we need more people planting churches, winning souls, and making disciples in urban centers. We need people who understand needs of today's urban centers and who know how to minister in an urban context. Drawing lessons from APC's own journey, coupled with insights from global leaders, this course explores spiritual and practical strategies for urban church planting. We discuss the opportunities and challenges of urban church planting and ministry. We also address the personal life and preparation of anyone intending to engage in urban church planting or urban ministry. We envisage and project the future of urban life and urban church ministry and the preparedness that is required.

Requirements

No prerequisites for this course.

What you will learn

Some of the main themes we cover in this course include:

Section One: Introduction

• Personal journey
• The Holy Spirit - our Leader
• Definition and objectives of church planting
• God's heart for cities
• Natural dynamics of urban centers
• Spiritual dynamics of urban centers
• Urban church planting and missions in Acts

Section Two: Practical aspects

• Church planting - getting started
• The survey phase
• The preparation phase
• The launch phase
• Strategies for urban evangelism/urban missions
• The seven-mountain assignment
• Growth and consolidation
• Multiplication and branching
• Urban church growth models

Section Three: Spiritual aspects

• The real battle for souls is a spiritual battle
• Praying and exercising authority for spiritual transformation
• Proclaiming the uncompromised Gospel with power
• Equipping the saints
• The citywide church

Section Four: The personal life of a church planter

• Recognizing your call to pioneer
• Personal preparation
• Making the journey

Section Five: Future projections and preparedness

• The future of urban life
• The future of the urban church
• Envisaging and preparing for the future

Course evaluation

Students will be given graded assessments during the Semester. Each of these assessments will be in reference to all content covered till that point in the course.

Course will be graded as follows:
91% - 100% Grade A+
76% - 90% Grade A
51% - 75% Grade B
35% - 50% Grade C
Below 35% Grade F (Fail)

Course learning options

You can do this course on-campus, online or via the E-learning portal.

Free learning resources

In addition to course materials provided by instructors, students are encouraged to make use of APC’s free learning resources: free APC books , free teaching sermons series , and other material available in the Resources section of our church website. Video recordings of course lectures are also available at APC Bible College YouTube channel.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do some courses ON-CAMPUS, some ONLINE and some via E-LEARNING?

Regardless of the learning option you choose (ON-CAMPUS, ONLINE or E-LEARNING) once you enrol, you are considered a student at APC Bible College and receive the same certificate/degree on completion of the program requirements. We also offer you the flexibility of completing some courses ON-CAMPUS, some courses ONLINE and others via the E-LEARNING platform. Your student Id remains the same. Please enrol in a course only in one learning option at a time (Example: Please do BC-101 either in Online classes or in E-learning during a particular semester. If you fail to complete BC-101 while doing it in Online Classes, in a future semester you can repeat BC-101 in E-learning).

Can I take courses in any order, or should I follow the order specified by the college?

We strongly recommend that you follow the sequence of courses outlined by the college, semester by semester, year by year. However, at your discretion you are welcome to take courses in any order and sequence. Kindly ensure you successfully complete all courses required for a particular program (C.Th., Dip.Th., or B.Th.) in order to receive that certificate.

Are the requirements to pass a course the same in all three learning options?

Not exactly. The course content remains the same in all three learning options (ON-CAMPUS, ONLINE or E-LEARNING). To successfully complete a course for ON-CAMPUS and ONLINE classes you must have both (A)minimum 85% attendance and (B)obtain a passing grade 35% marks or higher (grade C or better). For the E-LEARNING option, you must (A)watch all the lecture videos and (B)obtain a passing grade 35% marks or higher (grade C or better). The course assignments for ON-CAMPUS, ONLINE and E-LEARNING students may differ, and is left to the discretion of the Course Instructor.

Do you offer transfer credit for completing a certificate program?

We offer a certificate, diploma or bachelors degree from APC Bible College. We do not offer transfer credit for completing a course(s) or certificate program. Recognition of APC Bible College can vary based on the church/ Christian ministry/ institution/ organization/ agency that is reviewing your credentials and the country/region of their location and is the sole determination of the receiving church/ Christian ministry/ institution/ organization/ agency. Governmental agencies can also vary in their recognition of APC Bible College. At their discretion, the receiving organization may choose to give you transfer credit for the course(s) and certificate you have received from APC Bible College.

Will Christian organizations offer employment based on course(s) or certificate programs from APC Bible College?

This is the sole determination of the receiving church/ Christian ministry/ institution/ organization/ agency. Many APC Bible College graduates are successfully and fruitfully engaged in Christian ministry, some working independently and some working with Christian and other organizations.

APC Bible College is a ministry of All Peoples Church and World Outreach.