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New congregations best attract creative leaders.
- Venturesome personalities who value creativity, risk, innovation and future-orientation are found in higher percentages in new churches over established congregations which put much more stock in tradition, tenure, routine, and kinship ties. It is important to add that tradition, tenure, and kinship ties are good things-so why shouldn't churches honor them? But unavoidably, older churches box out many people with strong leadership skills that are harnessed better by new churches.
New congregations best renew older congregations.
- Strangely enough, it is often seen that starting new churches in a community is one of the best ways to revitalize the older churches nearby. The new church often has the freedom to begin new ministries and approaches that end up spreading to the established ones. Sometimes the "success" of new churches force older congregations to evaluate themselves in fresh ways. Often the converts from new churches end up in many of the older congregations (though initially some key leaders from the older churches gravitate to the newer!) Though there can be some unfortunate minor tension and "competition" in the short run, every one profits long term if the newer church(es) are not sectarian and territorial.
Thus, there is no greater evangelism method under heaven than the planting of new churches.
Kingdom Reasons
Churches are microcosms of the Kingdom of God . The church is called to
be a sign, foretaste and herald of God's kingdom - the establishment of
God's reign over all the earth. The church is not the kingdom itself,
but it is an agent of the Kingdom. As the church lives out the gospel
in all areas of life it points to God's kingdom - the just, joyful, peaceable
order that is present now as a result of Jesus' initial coming and one
day will be fully realized when he comes again. Knowing that God calls
his people to be the sign, foretaste and herald of the kingdom we must
regularly be asking ourselves as a congregation: How are we doing at living
out the gospel of the kingdom? How are we doing at manifesting the reign
of God in our midst? As the proper expression of the gospel are we regularly
addressing our world's woundedness and striving to bring healing to it?
Because the church is the primary agent of God's kingdom,
planting churches that are gospel-driven and kingdom-centered is a high
priority. By proliferating such churches, we can play a significant role
in mending the world and testifying to our hope of Jesus' return when
he will set all things right. Each church, of course, will flesh out its
gospel commitments in different ways, depending on its context. They will
develop different priorities and expertise. But by living out the gospel
in their unique communities they will bring about kingdom healing and
point people to the true king. All church plants are actually church based
community development efforts seeking the welfare and prosperity of the
community with the unique healing power of the Kingdom of God.
