Church planting

In the couple of churches I am familiar with right now, I know that both churches have people coming from at least 13 to 15 miles out, and in some cases further.

I would opt to plant new churches (particularly as opposed to trying to regenerate fairly dead and "unchangeable" churches.)

Let's go!!

 

I don't think you can make a blanket statement, it is a church by church decision that many times reflects the views of the pastor, irrelevant of denomination. If a man is more interested in building his own kingdom than in building the kingdom of God, he will not support planting churches within driving distance and he will not be training other men in the work of the ministry.

 

I think when a church is capable of supporting a pastor and his family, have the finances and workers to carry on the necessary ministries to reach their immediate community, and be able to effectively support at least one full time foreign missionary, then further growth should be focused on starting a new church.

That number to do all this will vary from place to place but it should easily be done by a congregation of 100 - 200.

Let's break that down a little further. Remember pastors are the shepherds of God's flock. They are to tend the sheep, not just give formal discourses once or twice a week from the pulpit. They need to visit their congregation to do that.

Let's say the average household in a church has 4 people. This includes everyone from young singles, couples, families with children, and seniors (who often are single again).

If you have 200 people that represents 50 households. That means if you give regular pastoral visits (and every pastor MUST do so), you will see each family ONCE A YEAR IN A PASTORAL SETTING.

Large churches are one reason that so many Christians are not well grounded in the practical application of the Christian faith.

 

Great discussion. Wouldn't it be great to see new churches being planted in the US by existing local congregations. Unfortunately, most churches begin from a split. That isn't a good testimony, but sometimes necessary.

 

........Some years ago churches especially Baptist were founded or planted by nearby churches as "Mission Churches". In the latter part of the twenteth century churches began to seize upon the idea that bigger is better and if you had several of your present members attending and helping in a mission church you stood a chance of losing them (loss in numbers both attendance and revenue) To counter this they seized upon the idea of why not go Asia, Africa or South America and plant churches there.

 

I know of large and small churches that have people who are weak in faith.

 

That does not negate my point that large (mega) churches are ONE reason (perhaps a major one) for immature and weak in the faith Christians.

 

Size has nothing to do with faith. All large churches were once small. I know of a large church that once was dead at about 250 and has been making disciples for about 30 years and continues to turn out well equipped disciplemakers. All those who enter ministry are engaged in making disciples. Some of them come from other countries to get training.

Dead and alive churches are not determined by size.