Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

P ART I: D EVELOPING U RBAN C ONGREGATIONS • 85

The critical test of the work of a church-planter is the ability of the founded church to survive his departure and carry on the ministry. Nevertheless, a spiritual bond unites missionary and church, a bond which should find expression in some kind of continued relationship such as is exemplified in the New Testament. 176 If a continued supportive relationship exists between the newly planted churches and World Impact, and if the churches work to support each other, it will more likely assure the church’s stability and growth.

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176 Hesselgrave, 1980, p. 418