More Churches? Really?

A comment was made during our church planters bootcamp that was insightful and troubling: If 95% of married couples were unable to conceive, we would consider that a problem, something not right. And we would study that problem until we could determine its cause, and then find a solution or remedy. Yet, we're told that 95% of North American churches think it's OK (normal) to NOT reproduce...and we (the Church) do little or nothing about it. And our lack of concern or voice signals that nothing appears out of the ordinary.

Church planting must be understood as a normal, expected part of a congregation's lifestyle- to reproduce itself in some form or fashion, that those who are outside God's Kingdom may be introduced to it through His people. And because there's an ever-growing number of unchurched people, there's an ever-increasing need for new delivery systems to share the message of Jesus with them in clear, contextually relevant ways.

Jesus certainly understood the need of the hour. He told his followers that there was a great harvest, but few workers (Luke 10:2), so we needed to pray for more. He understood the big picture, that the harvest is not later, but now (John 4:35). And he understood his role (and what ours should be, as well) as one who wanted to please the one who sent him (John 4:34).

There is a wealth of souls around us, people whose eternities lie in the balance. Many are ready for harvest, if there are harvesters. Many will not be reached by existing harvesting centers because these groups have lost their focus, concern or passion for harvesting. But creating new harvest centers provides fresh and committed workers to get into the fields and harvest that crop before it dies, or before the enemy comes and plucks it away.

Established harvest centers can and often do such work. But we know the longer such a center is in existence, the less likely it is to engage in such labor. Fortunately, new centers spring up because they see the need, and they desire to respond while the time is ripe (no pun intended).

Why plant churches? Don't we have enough already? Actually, we don't, partly because too many churches fail to act like their designer had planned. And because our job is to make sure we have ways to engage this generation with the most important message known, we must take that message to them in ways that will make sense to their world, and give them the opportunity to respond to it.

Because eternity surely does hang in the balance.

To Plant a Church

Finished our first day of The Art of the Start, a church planters bootcamp being held at the Churchill Meadows Christian Church in Toronto (well, Mississagua, to be exact). It's being led by Phil Claycomb (left) of Nexus Ministries. Phil is a seasoned church planter and consultant who has his finger on the pulse of church planting in our culture.

We spent the day dealing with Biblical and philosophical issues involved in planting, and wrapped up wrestling with concepts like identity markers of a church, mission statements, core values, vision and the like. Stuff we may bat around, but often take little time to ponder and work through thoroughly. Tomorrow we'll do more of the same.

I was struck by quotes like the following:
- Half of all US churches last year did not add one new member through "conversion growth."
- No county in America has a greater percentage of churched persons today than a decade ago.
- The US is the largest post-Christian nation on earth and the third largest unchurched nation. And we lead the world in every category of violent and domestic crime and social decay.

There's no question that we need to be planting churches, places where those who aren't connected to Christ may find new life and hope. Church planting has been shown to be the most effective form of evangelism. It draws a new audience often unreached by previous attempts. It speaks fresh context and relevance to a generation often jaded and wounded by yesterday's church.

But it's risky. 7 of 10 church planting efforts don't make it past five years. The battle is difficult, the costs are high, the enemy rages and the struggle titanic. But as with any endeavor of this kind, the rewards outweigh the risks, and the value can be easily seen as lives are transformed and hope is born.

Pray for church planters in our culture and beyond. And pray for KACC as we enter into this venture to expand the Kingdom's borders in our own backyard.

Because nothing less than eternity is at stake.

Toronto, Eh?

I'm sitting at LAX, waiting for my flight (so what's new?!). But this trip promises to be something different, something special. I'm heading to Toronto, back to Churchill Meadows Christian Church with a different purpose. I'm going to participate in a 3-day intensive on church planting. It's called "The Art of the Start" and features Phil Claycomb from Nexxus Ministries. He's something of an expert in this area of church planting and he'll be working with 12 of us in fashioning the nuts and bolts of what it means to launch a new work. All this excites me on a couple of levels. First, this is my "summer" trip this year. Because I'm involved in our new church launch (projected for September), I thought it best to be around this summer to get things ready. I have a team of great leaders who will assume responsibility of the teams we're sending, so this is my go-time. Second, I'll get to re-connect with the family at Churchill Meadows and Impact Canada (led by Jim and Claudia Tune), with whom we partner as a church. I'm blessed beyond measure with these people, so getting to check in with them is always a special treat. And finally, I can't wait to work on principles and plans for our new church project. There's much to learn and do, and I'm anxious to continue to weave together our plan for what we see as a unique opportunity to extend the borders of God's Kingdom in our own backyard. Lots to do, lots to see, lots to learn. it doesn't get much better. Thanks in advance for those of you praying for me on this learning experience. I'll check in here and let you know how it's going. And I have no doubt it will go well.