Question 1

What is a Gospel Group?

Accepted Answer

A few people who share Jesus, open the Bible, worship and share life together, usually starting with family, friends or neighbors. It meets when it suits you: a living room, a dining table, a corner of the canteen at lunch.

Question 2

Who is a Planter?

Accepted Answer

Someone who starts a Gospel Group. If you start one with Wellspring, that’s you.

Question 3

Can Christians with beliefs different from those of Wellspring join the program?

Accepted Answer

Wellspring strives for both breadth and depth. We want to reach as many people as possible with the gospel, but not at the expense of biblical depth, which for us is expressed through unity in doctrine and practice. A church planting program that diminishes the importance of depth for short-term gains will have trouble remaining biblically faithful and enduring the test of time. For that reason, we invite anyone who is interested to freely use our methods and materials available on this website; we want the gospel to get out to as many people as possible. But we ask potential Planters to explore doctrine together with us and eventually decide if they are one with us in belief before fully engaging in the program.

Question 4

Won’t Gospel Groups led by ordinary Christians easily fall into false doctrine?

Accepted Answer

Many church bodies diminish the role and question the ability of everyday Christians to reach out to non-Christians and nurture their fellow believers, often because of this fear. But while writing to “ordinary Christians” (if indeed there is such a thing) in Romans 15:14, the great missionary Paul said, “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14 (NIV) Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit through faith and are regularly strengthened through the Word and Sacrament correctly taught and distributed have the tools they need to share God’s truth with others. And every Planter in Wellspring is provided a Coach who walks alongside them with regular support, encouragement, and accountability, so they can confidently and accurately point others to Christ.

Question 5

Can I start a Gospel Group as a woman?

Accepted Answer

As God’s priests (1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 5:10) who have been granted the Ministry of the Keys (Matthew 16:19; 18:18; 28:19,20; John 20:21-23), all Christians are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:17-20) who have been called to share God’s message of reconciliation with all people. Christian women and men who begin Gospel Groups in their communities as Planters are carrying out their role as those priests.

Question 6

Does Wellspring diminish the role of pastors?

Accepted Answer

While Wellspring activates Christians as God’s priests, this does not diminish the role of pastors. In fact, Wellspring broadens the role of pastors to serve as Coaches for the Planters and as overseers for regional clusters of Gospel Groups and Local Churches, overseeing the doctrine, practice, and direction.

Question 7

Does joining Wellspring cost me money?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not charge you any money at any point.

Question 8

Does Wellspring provide funding for Planters?

Accepted Answer

No. Everyone who starts a group serves as a volunteer, as part of the priesthood of all believers.

Question 9

When does my group meet?

Accepted Answer

Your group meets when it suits you.

Question 10

What happens on the first call?

Accepted Answer

Online or in person, with someone from the Wellspring team. You talk about what you have in mind and the people you’d love to read the Bible with, and you can ask anything.

Question 11

What language will we talk in?

Accepted Answer

Tell us your language when you write to us. In the Philippines, our team replies in English or Taglish.

Question 12

Is my information safe?

Accepted Answer

Only the Wellspring team sees what you tell us. We keep it small, and we treat what you tell us about your faith as sensitive. The Privacy Policy has the details.

Questions about Wellspring