Over the last decade, my family and I have planted several churches across southern Taiwan. Some of these works grew strong and stable. Others struggled. A few collapsed. Each one shaped me, stretched me, and taught me lessons that I could not have learned from a book alone.
As I look back over these ten years, one truth has become absolutely clear:
A church ultimately rises or falls based on the development of faithful men.
Programs cannot hold a church together. Buildings cannot sustain a ministry. Teams and structures can assist the work, but they cannot replace the kind of leadership Paul described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
When strong, teachable, faithful men lead a church, the work becomes stable. When that leadership disappears or breaks down, no ministry structure can preserve it.
This realization shaped what eventually became the 3+4 Church Planting Model – a framework we used to train men, develop ministry teams, and hand over leadership as early as possible. The model is not perfect, and it continues to be refined, but its principles have proven themselves repeatedly.
Here are the most significant lessons that emerged from this ten-year journey.
1. Leadership is the deciding factor
Every case study pointed to the same pattern. The churches that endured had faithful men who were willing to grow, to carry responsibility, and to persevere. The churches that faltered did so because leadership collapsed.
A clear discipleship path, regular training, and shared ministry responsibilities were essential. But none of those could replace the fundamental need for a man who loves the Lord and the Word, and who remains steadfast through trials.
Biblical leadership is not optional. It is the foundation.
2. Start simple and grow slowly
In the early years, I often felt pressure to launch full programs, decorate buildings, create Sunday School structures, or introduce new ministries quickly. Over time, I learned that simplicity at the beginning is a strength, not a weakness.
When the church starts simple, future leaders have space to grow and shape the ministry. When the church begins with a full structure before leaders are ready, the congregation becomes dependent on the missionary.
Early simplicity protects long-term reproducibility.
3. Train intentionally through real life
I eventually developed a four-year training pathway for men: doctrine, practical service, teaching opportunities, and a year of supervised ministry with increasing distance. But the most significant growth did not happen in the classroom. It happened through:
- evangelism side by side
- observing preaching and counseling
- watching how problems were handled
- spending ordinary time together
- seeing how a family follows the Lord
Paul said, “You know how we lived among you.” Biblical training is life shared, not information transferred.
4. Plural leadership protects the church
One of the hardest lessons came through the churches that struggled. When only one man is trained, the church is vulnerable. Illness, burnout, family pressures, or spiritual instability can destabilize an entire congregation.
But when at least two men are being trained – a primary and secondary leader – the church gains stability. This mirrors the pattern in Acts, where elders were appointed in every church, not just one man.
Plural leadership is a safeguard, not a luxury.
5. Culture must be acknowledged with patience and Scripture
In Taiwan, cultural patterns often influence men’s readiness to lead. Issues of family hierarchy, personal initiative, and conflict avoidance must be addressed with biblical clarity and pastoral patience. These are not obstacles to ministry; they are realities that shape discipleship.
Scripture provides timeless instruction, and the Holy Spirit produces transformation. But missionaries must understand the cultural soil in which discipleship is taking place.
6. Structure is useful, but people are essential
The 3+4 Model includes seven ministry teams that help organize early church life. These teams provide opportunities for believers to serve and grow. However, the model succeeds only when it remains centered on developing men.
A ministry structure is scaffolding. A spiritual leader is the foundation.
Why This Study Matters
Church planting is often evaluated by attendance, buildings, or visible success. Yet the biblical pattern shows something very different. Paul invested deeply in a few men, entrusted them with responsibility, and then withdrew, trusting the Spirit to continue the work.
This study argues that modern missions must recover that emphasis. Churches stand firm when leaders stand firm. Churches reproduce when leaders reproduce. And churches endure when faithful men continue in the grace of God.
Whether you are a missionary, pastor, seminary student, or church leader, I believe these findings will challenge and encourage you. They point us back to the heart of the Great Commission – making disciples who can teach others also.
Download the Full Study
If you would like to read the complete research, including case studies, biblical evaluation, and recommendations for future church planting, you can download the full document here:
J. C. Walz – Faith, Fiction, and DEvotional Writing 
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