Dan Alger provides a framework for the why, what, and how of starting new churches
While much of church planting today is approached as a new, innovative effort, church leaders can take comfort in the truth that they are simply stewards of what the faithful church has been doing for millennia. In Word and Sacrament: Ancient Traditions for Modern Church Planting (New Growth Press/May 1, 2023), Anglican church planting veteran Dan Alger shows pastors how the rich traditions of liturgical worship are a gift to the work of starting new churches.
“The ancient church has something to say to modern church planting. A foundation in Word and sacrament and the liturgical life in which the church has operated for millennia leads us to healthier, more faithful, and more effective churches,” Alger explains. “The gifts and practices of the historic church still provide answers to today’s questions of mission, evangelism, and discipleship. It is time we rediscover our heritage for the health of the church and the advancement of our mission.”
Alger leads readers in rediscovering the foundations of their heritage. At the same time, he reveals how the act of planting new churches can breathe new life into these ancient traditions as they are applied to a variety of cultural contexts. In doing so, Word and Sacrament provides a robust framework to plant gospel faithful, missionally effective, relationally strong churches. “Planting in Word and sacrament means that we find our calling and our guide for church planting in the truth of God as revealed in his Word written and echoed in his sacraments, the Word visible,” Alger writes.
Written from an Anglican perspective to encourage both aspiring and experienced church planters, Word and Sacrament will assist leaders in all traditions to better understand the why, what, and how of the task before them. At the end of each chapter, Alger includes “A Note to Non-Anglican Readers,” expounding on how the material can be adapted to other church traditions. Alger outlines and contextualizes discipleship for a global church and helps those in all walks of ministry to discern their role in church planting. He also helps ministry leaders avoid common mistakes in church planting and examine their motivations for church planting.
In the foreword of Word and Sacrament, Ed Stetzer writes, “Though he writes enthusiastically and unapologetically from his Anglican heritage and convictions, Dan has given us a book that will help any church planter or church planting network to serve the Lord more faithfully and effectively for the gospel. He champions ecclesiology as vital to planting, an area too often neglected by planting leaders.”
Word and Sacrament: Ancient Traditions for Modern Church Planting
by Dan Alger
Print ISBN: 978-1-64507-303-1
May 1, 2023 / Retail Price: $24.99
RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Pastoral Resources
Dan Alger, DMin, has been in church planting ministry for over twenty years, currently serving as the Canon for Church Planting for the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and Dean of the Cathedral at Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro, NC. Through his role with the ACNA, Alger started the Always Forward Church Planting Initiative which seeks to equip dioceses to become effective at raising up, training, sending out, and supporting church planters to plant Gospel-centered, sacramental, missional churches. Alger is also an adjunct professor, speaker, trainer, and coach. He is cohost of the Always Forward Podcast and author of Word and Sacrament: Ancient Traditions for Modern Church Planting. Dan and his wife, Karen, have two sons. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking.
Learn more at danalger.com. He can also be found on Facebook (@dan.alger2) and Twitter (@dan_alger).
For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com
