CHURCH PLANTING IS BIBLICAL
We’re told to initiate for the sake of Christ. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commanded us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” We start new churches to be obedient to Christ and to help people become devoted followers.
CHURCH PLANTING IS CULTURALLY NECESSARY
New churches are designed to reach specific people groups. This gets at the heart of the “all nations” aspect of Jesus’ command. Different people groups have a distinct culture. This is true both internationally and within the many sub-cultures of post- modern America. New churches can adapt to these cultures without compromising the radical message of the Gospel.
CHURCH PLANTING IS EFFECTIVE
New healthy churches continue to be the #1 most effective means of reaching unchurched people in America. Statistically 60 to 80 percent of the people in a new congregation were not previously active in a local church! People tend to feel more comfortable coming to a church where everyone is new rather than an existing church where people already know each other.
How Does a Church Get Started?
While there are many ways that churches start, some common principles can be seen in church planting:
A church begins with a leader. Before God plants a church in a community, He plants that church in a leader’s heart. Just as He did with Moses and many other Bible leaders, God works through ordinary people to build His church.
The leader then gathers a team of believers to help achieve the vision and trains and supports them as they step out in faith. A geographical area, a people group, and a plan are determined under God’s direction. God often brings local churches and agencies to help support the new venture financially and prayerfully.
Before the church opens publicly, the team will aggressively reach out to the community through personal contact, events, media, and special gatherings. The goal is to make connections with individuals, introduce them to God and to let them know about the new church. As this is happening, the team will develop the ministries of the church (small groups, administrative issues, facilities, etc). When the church is ready, public services begin and a new thriving church is born! The team will then focus on helping these new people find and follow Jesus Christ.
See also:
WHY PLANT ANOTHER CHURCH?
By Dave Reynolds
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT CHURCH PLANTING
By Ivan Marti
GREENHOUSE CHURCHES
By Church Planting Alliance
