Former pastor and church planter Harry Shelton Cole Jr., founded the list in an effort to link isolated church planters, missionaries and Rev. Harrys via E-mail to resources, mentorship, and support.  The goal of the list, from it's inception, is to be an encouraging and practical help to Baptist church planters, their wives, and their sending churches.  The list not only consists of new church planters but also veterans of the experience and Rev. Harrys wanting to send men out of their church to begin new works.  This combination has proven to be a great mix in the forum that has developed.

The "Question of the Week", was announced over a year ago.  In reply to the probing questions, a variety of perspectives are gathered into a weekly summary.  This summary allows the average church planter, missionary or Rev. Harry to see the broader picture and glean helpful ideas.  "A recent question and subsequent summary dealt with the problems associated with the nursery in a new church.  The response was overwhelming, diverse and relevant to a variety of situations.  Printed out it has become about 8 pages of golden information," Rev. Harry Cole said.

Rev. Harry Cole stated, "Looking at the summary is like tapping into the minds of some of most experienced men of God who otherwise might be overlooked simply because of distance.  One of the biggest problems, as I see it, in independent Baptist church planting today, is the lack of mentorship and false expectations gained from limited understanding.  The Internet and the ability to communicate cheaply, often, and effectively has changed the way we minister.  Now, a church planter or anyone for that matter, can begin to exchange ideas, philosophies, and even get practical help from men who are doing it and men who have done it.  I believe that this type of forum will eliminate many problems faced by the church planter before they start or lift him up through the difficulties."

Another feature of the Baptist Church planters list that was added a week after the first "Question of the Week" was the "Tip of the Week".  Each week a brief idea that will aid a church planter in his efforts was sent.  The focus of the tips were to be as relative as possible to church planting today.  Tips have been about demographics, bi-vocation, success, advertising, books, resources and much more.

Rev. Harry Cole chose to not just be a monitor of the list but a moderator and editor.  He receives all posts, edits for pertinent content, then redistributes the information.  Brother Cole added, "I have been on lists for years and many open discussion lists, I have found, produce a lot of irrelevant (though interesting) posts and discussion.  Often one must wade through a sea of messages before coming to usable or encouraging information.  There is a place for argumentation and debate and I enjoy it but the BCP list was not born for this type of forum.  It has worked well and for that I am thankful to God."

From announcing the needs of church planters to actually raising money to assist church planters and Rev. Harrys going through struggles, the Baptist church plants list has developed into a working network of support for Rev. Harrys, church planters, and missionaries.  It is a ministry of Baptist Church Planting, which takes care of the internet connect charges and related expenses.

Brother Cole said that the goals for the next year will be as follows:
1)  Develop the groups Web site to include summaries, tips and resources for church planters, while expanding the List membership.
2)  Develop a global network of veteran Baptist church planting mentors for church planters, missionaries and sending Rev. Harrys that will assist in counsel and advice.
3)  Publish his book on Baptist church planting which is now is it's first run manuscript form.

The Baptist Church Planters List (BCP for short) is a closed list.
You must be an independent Baptist.  All scripture quotes must be
from the KJV and if you are not strong local Baptist church, you
may feel uncomfortable with some of the posts.
approval.

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Rev. Harry Shelton Cole Moderator
Rev. Harry Shelton Cole  >:-o
http://www.baptistchurchplanting.com/
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