Cameroon Bible Institute

CHAPTER 8:
EXTENSION GROWTH;

Extension growth occurs when a church starts another church in a similar culture. The new
church is an extension of the “mother” church, just as a child in the natural world is a physical
extension of the parents.
If the “mother” church is spiritually mature, the new church will grow into similar maturity. If
there are problems in the “mother” church, the new church is likely to have similar problems.
This is why it is important for a church to experience the internal growth of spiritual maturity
before extending to start new churches.Church planting” is a term also used to describe extension and bridging growth of the church.
This term is used because one “plants” a new church much as a farmer plants a seed in the natural
world. In fertile ground, the seed will produce a new plant like the “mother” plant from which the
seed came.
The term “planting” is preferred because it is not enough to just “organize” a church which does
not fit into the local culture. It is not enough to just “found” a church and leave it to struggle. It
must be “planted, which means it is rooted, growing and continuing the spiritual life cycle.
Thank you